AirCooledSuzuki

Hi all,
Just a quick querie that may have been asked before but i did not see it. Those that have changed there wheels on the GSX1100E/EF/EFE range, have you found that the 17" front and larger size of tyres in general, has it improved the bikes handling in any way. I'm looking into swaping my wheels but not sure if after the work is complete will it be any better. I know the looks and breaks can be improved in making the swap but what about the handling.

POB1135E

mine (with 17" wheels) handles much better than a mates one with stock wheels. But mine also has a lighter engine (oilcooled).

well.. if you actually calculate the overall wheel diameters (16" + 110/90 vs. 17" + 120/70) you'll see the diameter hardly changes (tiny bit smaller) so the geometry effectively does not really change with swapping the front wheel..
so why fit a 17" front wheel? well the often fitted GSX-R fronts are wider (3,5") allowing for a modern tyre to be fitted.. tyre technology has come a long way, so today's radial tyres are a lot better than the old ones..
I think this is what makes the difference in "feel" after the swap..

but of course also swapping the forks would not only make the front wheel fitting easier, it would also improve* the handling of the bike further..
the obvious and often used forks are the "long" GSX-R1100 USD's from '93-'95.. this swap would however alter the original geometry..

* : that is if you adjust the overall geometry to to steepen the headstock angle somewhat to replicate the geometry of the donor bike..

Thanks for the feed back lads, I was thinking the overall diameter would end up the same and as you said its the choice of tyres make it a good option. If you use the Bandit 600 wheel do you still need to use the 600 teapot discs or will the bandit ones be ok when used with capiliers off maybe a Bandit 1200. I know there can be a clearence problem which is down to the mounting points on the GSX1100 fork legs i guess.
POB1135E

POB1135E wrote:..If you use the Bandit 600 wheel do you still need to use the 600 teapot discs or will the bandit ones be ok when used with capiliers off maybe a Bandit 1200. I know there can be a clearence problem which is down to the mounting points on the GSX1100 fork legs i guess.

ermm.. I believe the Nissin calipers (B12 and GSX-R) do fit the EFE forks (using washers/shims to correct offset), but don't remember if that is using the stock discs.. you'd better ask CC about that as he's had such a setup..

I DO know Bandit discs only fit Bandit wheels as the discs have little offset.. (don't know anything about teapots I'm afraid..)

and.. why would you swap the discs on your B6 wheel for teapot ones? but maybe the discs on these bikes are the same? one way to find out is to compare partno's..

Thanks for that link onto the parts site, i can compare lots of options now. I think the issue i have read about with the wheels and swapping discs might be on GSXR wheels where the original disc diameter is too large for the caliper mounting points on the GSX1100 with the uprated nissin units.
POB

yep, GSX-R wheel with teapot (early GSX600/750F) discs allows the nissin calipers to be mounted on the original EFE mounting points. It's the setup i had for a few years. Teapot discs are 289mm, Slingshot ones are 310mm.
However a few weeks ago i have installed a complete GSX-R upside down front end, complete with Tokico 6-pots from a ZX9R. Now the handling has really improved and braking as well.