I just picked up an '88 600 and would like to know what rear tire sizes (wider than the stock 130) will fit without a problem?

A 160 IS THE WIDEST THAT WILL FIT ON THE 3.5 INCH RIM. IF YOU WANT TO GO WIDER, YOU MUST CHANGE OUT RIM AND SWINGARM.

Thanks. I acutally ended up going with a 140 Dunlop GT501. I had been looking to get another Battlax and finally got smart enough to look on their web site, which shows what tires will fit on what rims. Their widest was a certain 150, I think a 45 in an H rating. One of my dealer's mechanics recommended I not jump two sizes as it may really throw off the handling, said the 140 may mess it up. The 140 seems to be doing just fine and looks better than the 130. The next tire, I may try a 150, but will be sure to check with manufacturers to make sure whatever model is recommended for 3.5" rim.

If you change the swingarm, how do you get the sprockets to line up? You'd need to be getting the rear sprocket farther out to miss the wider tire and somehow need to get it to line up with the front. Sounds like more hassle than it'd be worth.

I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF SWITCHING OUT THE SWINGARM, RIM, TIRE, SPROCKET AND REAR SHOCK. I AM PUTTING A SWINGARM AND COMPLETE RIM(190 TIRE AND SPROCKET) FROM A 2002-2004 CBR F4I. I WILL HAVE TO MODIFY THE SWINGARM IN THE FRONT WHERE IT BOLTS TO THE FRAME, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULD BE FINE. IT IS ONLY 1/2 INCH WIDER ON EACH SIDE OF THE AXLE, BUT IS 1 1/2 INCHES WIDER IN SHOCK-SIDE. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON HOW IT WORKS. I GOT EVERYTHING OFF OF EBAY AND ONLY SPENT ABOUT $125. THE COMPLETE RIM COST ME THE MOST(115). LATER-D

Good luck with the project and yes, keep us posted.

I am pretty sure F2/F3 stuff will not be too much trouble, the F4/F4i had aluminum frames and the width's are different, just make sure everything clears and does not bind up or it could cause major problems..
also the F41 has a 5.5" rim designed for a 180/55-17, a 190 may fit but I believe your bike will have so much rolling mass it may not turn very well

How are you planning on lining up the sprockets?

I ran a 150/70/17 Maxxis Supermax about 6 times and it profiled perfect. Any wider and I would question the profile of the tire plus and wider and it becomes extremely hard to mount the tire. I also ran a 120/70/17 on the front. Dont drop the series any because it doesnt profile well at all up front any shorter than a 70 series.

I ran a 150/70/17 Maxxis Supermax about 6 times and it profiled perfect. Any wider and I would question the profile of the tire plus and wider and it becomes extremely hard to mount the tire. I also ran a 120/70/17 on the front. Dont drop the series any because it doesnt profile well at all up front any shorter than a 70 series.

I have a 87 huricane with 150 metzler tire on the rear and everthing works great.

i run a michelin pilot for the rear 150/70/17 and a bridgestone bt014 for the front 110/70/17.

no problems with chain alignment as there is still about half inch of space between chain and outside most edge or tire.

i had tried to run a 120 on the front but the rim being narrow caused the tire to crown excessively. this led to great turn-in as the bike would drop into turns but horrible when it came to transition from side to side, could not get the bike back up and over again quickly enough as i had to muscle it.

michigan_313

I just purchased 140 70 17 and 110 80 17 on the front. The dealer that sold me the tires said that any wider on the rear would cause the bike to handle bad and cause excessive wear as well as pinch the tire (whatever that means). I see some of you running 150 and talking about 160(which would be awsome) . None of you have had any probs with this.

At least I will know next time.