When I was looking
on the message board of GStwin.com I noticed a discussion about
mounting a bigger rear tyre. I followed the discussion and it
seemed that it wouldn`t give any problem mounting a 140/70 rear
tire. I needed a new tyre, so I went to my garage and said I
wanted a 140/70 instead of the usual 130/70 rear tyre. He said
that it was dangerous and that I shouldn`t do that. I was sure
it wouldn`t harm me or the bike, so I convinced him to do it
anyway. That day I got my Bridgestone BT45 140/70 rear tyre.
In the beginning you have to drive careful, because the tyre
is still a bit slippery. This is caused by the oil which manufacturers
put on new tyres to protect them against dehydration. After
a while I started to drive faster and I began to feel a difference
between the old and the new tire. The new one got hot quicker.
The bike turned very easy, because the rear tyre was still round.
My old tyre wasn`t round which causes the bike to lean less
easy. A few months later I had to replace my front tyre too.
I bought a BT45 for the front too.
It is the best to buy front and rear
tyres from the same brand. The bike will act more predictable
and stable this way. Also make sure you have the right tyre
pressure. For the GS, the front tyre has to be 2,25bar and
the rear tire should be 2,7bar. The manual say`s 2,5bar when
driving alone, but I alway`s have 2,7bar, because it feels
better.
The size change from 130/70 to a wider
140/70 tyre gives the bike a better look, but not a better
handling too. Me and Martin think that the tyre is less stable
in corners. It doesn`t feel that safe anymore. Martin could
do a kneedown with his old 130/70 rear tyre. He couldn`t with
his new BT45 140/70 rear tyre. At the garage they said the
same: "it looks better, but it doesn`t ride better".
I think it doesn`t make any difference, because I can still
make kneedowns and I didn`t experience any problems.The 140
tyre gives a better look and could decrease the driving comfort
in some cases. In december 2002 I got my 160/60/17 rear tyre,
so I don`t have these problems anymore. I must say the 160
tyre is a real improvement, but that`s something which is
described in another explanation, not here.
GOOD LUCK!
