Dual Sport tires for GS

[heent]

Not to completely hijack, but I definitely think we need pics of sheep wrangling on the GS, on2wheels.

[JamesG]

Pilots came out in 110 R17 for a little while. While a 120 will fit on a 3" rim and the bike will go down the road with it on. It isn't ideal and no tire guy, racer, or other expert you ask will recommend it.
I bet you suffer excessive wear with it (like the center wearing down fast) and at close to racetrack speeds, handling will be all jacked up. Falling in, and the edge of the tire not making contact at high lean angles would be my guess.

Pirelli offers several tires with various levels of street or dirt bias. I had a set of Dragons on my KLR a few years ago and it gave very good street traction (more than the frame could stand!!) and still retained an off road capabliity. I know the rear came in 130 to 150 sizes, but not sure if they make a 110 R17 front.

[jag69]

Pirelli doesn't offer a 110/70 17 front.  I can't find anyone that offers the front tire in that size.

I am going to have to resort to a street tire.  Which one would have the best tread pattern for the occasional dirt roads?

[davipu]

who siad you had to get matching tires?

[scratch]

I am going to have to resort to a street tire.  Which one would have the best tread pattern for the occasional dirt roads?

Metzeler ME33 Lazer.

[Grainbelt]

Bringing this back to the top because I'm having the same issue - keep seeing roads I want to go down, and they're all gravel.  I was just thinking there should be something with a bit of a dirt bias that fits, but apparently they are few and far between.

Please post again if you make a purchase, I'd appreciate some insight into the process. I parked mine til spring, which allow for lots of extra research time.

[Grainbelt]

Update for nutjobs like me that are going to ride dirt this summer. My extensive internet perusing confirms scratch's post. 

Metzeler ME33 is gone now, replaced by the Lasertec with the same tread pattern. 

Appears to be the best option. I may have the local ship fit them this spring to replace my weather cracked exedras, and hit the dirt. Will post again if all goes well.

[Codger]

Having traded my DRZ400S for my GS, I have some warnings on "dual sport" tires.  The % road/street ratings are meaningless.  You need to look at your local conditions to see what kind of tires you need.  In locations with a good mix of crushed gravel, sand and clay/caliche, you may have conditions that actually prefer a good soft street tire.  If you have loose sandy gravelly, you probably will not get enough knobby to appreciably bite.  Even if you did, as you drop into a soft surface it moves your contact patch forward which reduces the trail and makes it wiggly.  Most sand riding is technique.  Sit back, keep up your speed, stay on the throttle, keep the front light.  Properly done, it will hunt around, but will want to stay up.  If you have muddy greasy conditions, do what I did, take the other road.

[Grainbelt]

There really aren't any dual sport tires in 110/70-17 F and 130/70-17 rear. the Meztelers are simply the least sport-oriented and have more grooves and channels.

Note to self: sand is bad. I'll mostly be on gravel/dirt roads, so I think I'll be ok, at least until it rains.

[werase643]

I ride in VA alot
and there are plenty of dirt goat paths still there
I run B-stone BT-96 race take offs
my next set of tars is/are some old dunlop race tars

it aint the tire
get used to riding in loose gravel and it will help you out in weird situations on the street
havint the bike bounce and slide under your but allows you to feel the traction conditions

if the road gets real bad . . . slow down and keep going
yesterday i was bombing through the woods following deer trails on a cheapo chineze Z-50

just for S&G's

[RedShift]

It would be nice to put on the same rubber that's on the V-Strom's, but I think you might be out of luck.  I looked around to see what tyre brand and model the V-Stroms have but came up empty. 

The GS500's size is unusual as is and even with 10mm width and 10% profile height to play with, doubt anything will fit that carries the aggressive tread you're looking for.

But then I'm not an expert on the subject -- I've never tried anything but stock sizes.

[domas]

Try searching for Lazertech tires. I think they are from metzler. They are very orientated for wet riding and has lots of cuts in it. This could be good for dual sport riding.

To see a pic of them input "metzler lazertech" in google picture search window.

[runsilent]

It would be nice to put on the same rubber that's on the V-Strom's, but I think you might be out of luck.  I looked around to see what tyre brand and model the V-Stroms have but came up empty. 

http://11109.rapidforum.com/area=41

Stroms use 110/80/19 front,150/70/17 rears.

Avon Distanzia come in 120/70R17SM front; and 130/80R17 140/80R17, and 150/70R17 rears all approved by Avon for 3.0 F and 3.5 R rims.

I like the Lasertecs.  <G>