GS550 M Katana - Tyre sizes

[minx0071]

Hi,

According to my manual, standard GS550 M Katana tyre sizes;
Front; 19 x 3.25" H19
Rear; 18 x 3.75" H18

The old tyres fitted are;
Front; 100/90 - 19
Rear; 120/90 - V18

When I got some quotes, I was told that I should stick with 100/90 - 19 and 120/90 - V18, as the older narrower ones would make the bike handle not so well !

Greatly appreciate any advice from the experienced Katana owners on what I should go for.....one quote I got for Bridgestone's £200 for the pair ! I thought a bit excessive.....

Thanks.

BR
Mark

[Nicky Dodds]

On my 550 front is an Avon AV71 Cobra 100x90 and on the rear is a Maxxis Street Max 120x90.
They were on the bike when I got it so no idea of age and probably need changing before it hits the road even though they're nearly new. Bridgestone are a popular choice but I've never bought any....200 bar does seem a little steep though. I paid 140ish for a pair of avons fitted to loose wheels and balanced for my 1100.
I thought that was steep at the time but I couldn't be arsed chasing round at the time.

[minx0071]

Interesting....seems 100 and 120 is the way to go....set of Avons were only 20 bar cheaper....so might go for BT45's.
Thanks for sharing this info.

[pookie]

Nicky, you can check the age of your tyres by looking at the four numbers in a small circle after the size indicators, the first two numbers are the week it was produced and the next two are the year, so if it reads 2114 the tyre was produced the twenty first week in 2014, simple.

[minx0071]

Ebay the way to go I think....should be able to get a set for 140 ish as you say....shame as our local tyre garage is usually cheap but not this time !

[Nicky Dodds]

Thanks pookie I'll check shortly

[Nicky Dodds]

So my 1100 front is November 2013 and rear is july2013.
550 front is June 2012 and rear is march 2011.
Can't even see the markings on the pop-up tyres but they'll be 20 years old!

[pookie]

Don't think that the dating system was on tyres 20 years ago! hope you're not riding it with those tyres on, would be 'interesting' in the wet

[Nicky Dodds]

It's been dead for 20 years lol