[pschwind]

I’m a new rider who recently purchased a 1989 Katana 750. The front tire needs replacement now. I would also like to replace the rear tire.

The stock tire from Suzuki was a 150/70V17 on a 3.5” rim. Reading posts regarding tire width vs. rim width it seems like the 3.5” rim is marginal for a 150 width tire.

I’m wondering if I should just replace the rear with another 150 or if I should put on a 140 width tire which seems like it would be better suited for the 3.5” rim.

Part of me thinks that putting a wider tire on a narrower rim would have some potential undesirable effects. Then another part of me thinks that Suzuki built it this way so they must know what they’re doing.

Any thoughts on which way I should go and why?

 

[pitbull76]

If you're replacing both, you can switch from the bias-ply tires to radials. 150/70 is fine on that bike. It also offers you better choices in tire models than the 140. Metzeler Z6 or Z4 are popular on that bike(you must replace both if your current tires are bias type).

Oh, and your thoughts about wider tires on narrower rims is correct, but the 150 does fit fine on the 3.5" rim. There are even a few that put 160s on there, but I personally don't think that's a good idea.