BT-45 or Sport Demon?

[SS 3030]

Good Morning!
I'm new to the forum and just bought a 2002 GS500E. I have a tire question, has anyone used both or either of these two tire brands, and can I get some info on how you like them or if one is better than the other? Thanks, folks. Great site BTW.

[hairball]

do a search and you'll find days of threads to read.  

[Jace009]

I have a pair of BT-45's and I like them alot. I havn't tried your other suggestion but the bt-45's are good

[Michael]

Yeah, what hairball said.
But, in short, the Diablo is a no compromise hypersports tire which you may be lucky to find in the right sizes.  (I don't know, I'm not that interested in them.)  The BT-45 is a good all round tire that will allow you reasonable grip and handling but more miles than the Diablo and is likely to be cheaper as well.  A lot of posters on this board have admitted to using the BT-45s in the past and have liked them.  They are also original equipment on the new GS500 here in Oz.
I have been using Michelin radials since I ditched the stock rim savers 3 years ago and have been very happy with them.  Good luck.

[SS 3030]

Thanks, all. I didn't dig deep enough on my previous search. Still trying to decide, though.

[adamwade]

Look into Pirelli Sport Demons too.  I have those on my bike and love them.  As far as price goes, If you look hard enough, they're very reasonable.  Deenis Kirk had just the rear for $103, but then I searched deeper and found them at Motorcycle Superstore for $73.  Plus they have them in the stock front and rear sizes.

[pantablo]

get the Pirelli's.
The sport demons are the bias ply version (applicable to the gs500) of the diablo's and I have to tell you ...if they are ANYWHERE close to how good the diablos are get them!

The bt-45's are a common mainstay and are a good tire but the Pirellis are a superior tire. stick to stock sizes too (130 or 140 rear size).

[SS 3030]

Yeah, I meant Sport Demons,   not Diablos, newbie mistake. Thanks I think I will go with the Pirelli's. Anyone know how well they wear?

[adamwade]

That completely depends on how and what type of riding you'll be doing.  I think I got about 10,000 miles on my rear tire before it really looked bad.  But, the roads where I live are very winding.  No such thing as a straight road in SC.

[Stephen072774]

I searched pretty hard about 6 months ago... ended up with the avon 45/46 combo.  I like them alot, pricey tho.

[gsJack]

I replaced the OEM tires on my 97 GS500E with the BT45s in stock sizes and the rear BT45 lasted about 9500 miles, the front much longer.  Many miles and tires later when I had picked up the pace quite a bit, I put on another BT45 rear that was half worn out by actual tread depth measure in less than 2000 miles.  Replaced the bias tires with the Metz Z4/Z2 combo and the rear Z2 radial lasted 14,000 miles.  I'm sold on the sport touring radials for "spirited" riding on the GS500.

This year I put the Avon AV45/46 sport touring radials on the 02 GS500 and like them even better than the Metzlers I tried.  Have over 11,000 miles on them so far and it looks like they will last at least as long if not longer then the Z4/Z2s.  The sport touring radials give much better handling in the dry and even a bigger difference in grip in the wet than the bias ply tires I've tried.  They cost a little more than bias, but they are cheaper in the long run due to the longer tire life.  I haven't tried the newest Metz ME330/550 or Perelli Demon bias ply tires personally and probably won't, I'll stick with the sport touring radial tires for the GS's as long as I'm still riding 15-20,000 miles a year.

[SS 3030]

Hello again. I noticed the Avon AV45/46 doesn't come in  the stock rear size (that I could find, anyway), what size are you running?

[gsJack]

I'm running the 110/80 front and 140/80 rear AV45/46s.  Our 3.5" rear rims are the recommended size for a 140/80 tire.  It fits with ample clearance on the bike and it's about as wide as can be fitted on the GS w/o grinding off the brake torque rod. Will raise the rear of the bike about 3/4" with it's larger than OEM dia.

PS-  Just checked Southwest where I bought tires a couple times and the AV45/46 pair is $189 delivered to your door and a pair of OEM size BT45s is $175 delivered.  No shipping charges on a pair of tires.

http://swmototires.com/

Bought my pair this year from a local mail order place that had them for $204 a pair and they mounted and balanced them for $19 each if wheels are carried in.  They have them on sale right now but charge for shipping as most do.

http://www.shadetreemotorcycle.com/

[juggernaught]

I had Sport Demons on my GS before i sold it and was very happy with the tires.  They were great for city riding and were exceptionally grippy on wet roads which inspired confidence.  Then again i never owned BT 45's but have heard only good things about them as well... :dunno:

[GSRider]

I'll be getting Spor Demons very soon, and plan on slipping them on when next season hits.

I have had BT-45's and am currently running Metzeler 330/550's. The BT's squared off real quick, and didn't offer as much grip when leaned over hard as the Metz's do now. I am also getting better tire life from the Metz's...Metzeler sure does make a good tire.

I have heard NOTHING but good things from the Pirelli tires, whether they be Sport Demons or the Diablos. In fact, Sportbikes.com (Which I belong to, and am a Moderator) has a monthly contest in which we give away tires every month. Everyone who has received Diablos (I think we've been doing it now for almost a year and a half, so 18 people) have ranted and raved about how good they are. I am the first to request Sport Demons, and should be getting them soon.

Too bad it's snowing up here

[JetSwing]

dmta has free shipping till the 23rd. you could have a set of av45/46 delivered for $181