Sorry Tires

[kimo3825]

I'm now this has been been brought up before plenty of time but I'm to lazy to do a search for such a big cat. I just replaced my rear tire about 4k ago. it was a brigestone BT45. I know have to replace both tires soon within about 800 miles. what are some tires that i can get some more mileage out of them? i'm mainly doing freeway driving since gas in cali is EXPENSE.  also  what the difference with the ebc organic pads and the sintered double-h pads?

[gsJack]

For maximum milage you can use touring tires but they come in a 130/90 size that will raise the back of the bike an inch.  I found a K491 gives max milage and min traction on the GS and a ME88 gives very good milage with traction about as good as the BT45.

For both very good performance and traction, try the sport touring radials.  I've tried the Z4/Z2 combo and the AV45/46 which were probably best overall tires I've had on the GSs in over 100k miles of usage.  My tire log:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelog.jpg

I put the HH pads on last fall and found much improved stopping power with them.  It's said they are harder on the rotors but I haven't had them long enough to evaluate rotor life yet.

[facio57]

good advice gsjack, you are definitely the authority on tires and kimo you can trust his advice well ...

~facio

[aplitz]

I also really liked my Avon AV45/46 tires too.  They made the bike feel much better to me.  The HH pads were also great, a little louder under hard braking but definately stronger.

[Blueknyt]

the K491's are good enough tires but not for a light bike like the gs. ive used them on my GS750E and my XJ650  (both were pigs) and they held and had good milage.  I guess the heavyer bikes also get the tires alittle warmer too, i did notice after some really hard riding weekends the tires started blueing out.  keep in mind, the K491 is a Harley replacment tire.

[gsJack]

I used the touring type tires on my 400-750cc Hondas for years and was happy with them.  Mostly Dunlop K291, K491, and D401.  Got 25-30k miles from them.  I used a couple of Metzeler ME88 tires and got 15-20k miles from them and better handling than the K491s.

My 97 GS500 was not happy with the K491 tire, Little Suzi wanted to corner much faster than the K491 did.  Unable to hold Suzi back, I gave in and went to stickier tires for her.  My Suzi's have both been much happier since and when Suzi is happy, I'm happy.   

[kimo3825]

thanks for the help.

[skoebl]

For maximum milage you can use touring tires but they come in a 130/90 size that will raise the back of the bike an inch.

I like the sound of that...being 6'6", and 210lbs; my seating position just isn't that great.

What is a good touring tire that provides better grip? (I'm assuming that the k491 is one such touring tire that isn't so great)

BTW, what is the size of the stock tire?

[pantablo]

stock is 110/70 front (I think), 130/70 rear

[gsJack]

For maximum milage you can use touring tires but they come in a 130/90 size that will raise the back of the bike an inch.

I like the sound of that...being 6'6", and 210lbs; my seating position just isn't that great.

What is a good touring tire that provides better grip? (I'm assuming that the k491 is one such touring tire that isn't so great)

BTW, what is the size of the stock tire?

OEM rear tire is 130/70, you could try the Metzeler  130/90 ME88 or the 140/80 ME880.  I got about 18k miles from a ME88 on the 97 GS.  An OEM size 110/70 or a 110/80 Lasertec front would work nicely with them.

[Jake D]

I've got a Metzler 130/90 on my bike now.  I'll post a pick if you're interested.  I've also got an SV shock, so I may have the tallest GS in existance.

Ah, heck.  Here's  a picture anyway.

[Maduro Mistress]

I just paid for my sport demons. What the heck that the front is MORE expensive! $122 for the rear, $119 for the front (or something like that)