Couple questions about tire and rear suspension..

[The Antibody]

Now keep in mind Jake, when you start putting larger sized tires on that wheel, like 150's, you can compromise handling. I am not the expert here. I have always gone stock sizes, but hopefully someone can give their two cents that has a larger tire.

Remind me why you want a size other than stock again?

  -Anti 

[autocrossjake]

Now keep in mind Jake, when you start putting larger sized tires on that wheel, like 150's, you can compromise handling. I am not the expert here. I have always gone stock sizes, but hopefully someone can give their two cents that has a larger tire.

Remind me why you want a size other than stock again?

  -Anti 

I dont think I would go with a 150 or larger unless I would do a Kat wheel because of how the tire will be "pinched" on there.  I am looking to go with a bigger size because I cannot find a radial "sport" tire in stock size.

If anyone has any good tires in stock size that maybe i am missing please let me know.

[runsilent]

I ride my bike a fair amount more than I drive my car.  I ride mostly in the city but take longer rides (roughly 70-100 miles one way) to see family/friends often.  I also have been riding more and more in the hilly regions.  Which tire size would you personally go with or do you have?

I'm currently running a 110/80 bias ply Lasertec front tire and a 150/70 Conti RoadAttack radial rear.  With only 100 miles on this combo I'd say this is it, the best of all I've tried in over 115k miles on two GS500s over seven years.  

This Lasertec front is my 11th front tire on the GS's and all except the ME33 Laser and the current Lasertec have cupped and/or bevelled badly for me.  The Laser type front tires have both worn down evenly for me and the bias fronts have all given me greater tire life than the radials.  On the other hand, the radial rears have all given better performance and greater life than the bias rears.

Metzeler reccommends a Lasertec front along with a Z2 radial rear in their fitment guide for the Triumph Bonnie models.  I've heard nothing but good reports on the new RoadAttacks, my local supplier had the RoadAttacks in stock, so why not try the RoadAttack with the half worn Lasertec I already have.  Done, and it is great!

Conti says the RoadAttacks give sport tire handling with sport touring tire life and Canyon Chasers says in their review that they handle like Pilot Powers and have the life of Pilot Roads.  I'm already sold on the handling part of it, this is the stickiest rear I've had on my GS's.  Will comment further next year on the tire life part of this claim.  

My updated Tire Log showing all the tires I've used and the miles used:

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

http://canyonchasers.net/reviews/

[autocrossjake]

well searched some more.

and I am not sure if i want to put a 150 on the rear.

I have found Pirelli Sport Demon in 140/70/17 which I think would be a good size.  how does this tire sound?

I realize the Pirelli is not a radial, but is bias ply.  Anyone notice a huge difference between bias ply and radial (and could you enlighten me on how it affects the bikes handling)

Thanks for helping me out guys..

[The Antibody]

I see. There isn't much out there in radials under sport for our bikes. They will be under cruiser or touring.

Here is the new Michelin Pilot Activ it comes in good sizes.
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/michelin_pilot_activ.htm

Kenda Cruiser
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/kenda_k671_cruiser.htm

Kenda Challenger rear
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/kenda_k657_challenger.htm

GBC Street Shark
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/kenda_k671_cruiser.htm

Just giving you options. I haven't ridden on any of these. It might help.

 -Anti  

[autocrossjake]

I see. There isn't much out there in radials under sport for our bikes. They will be under cruiser or touring.

Here is the new Michelin Pilot Activ it comes in good sizes.
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/michelin_pilot_activ.htm

  -Anti 

thanks.. those are not a radial either but better in size.. I will probably end up with a 130/70 or a 140/70 as I really dont want to raise the rear up anymore (Kat shock has raised it enough for me)

[The Antibody]

Yeah, bias ply is basically the most popular option. Some are 4 or 6 ply, but those are meant for cruisers/heavier bikes.

Pilots are sticky as hell. I do have experience with them. They heat right up and provide superior traction. Mileage, I don't know about.
Bridgstone BT45's are what I wear.

  -Anti 

[autocrossjake]

Thanks I really appreciate all of your help.

I have the BT 45's now and would like to try something different.

Tomorrow when I have a little more time I am going to search more on the Pilots and the Sport Demons.  I would like to have the best of both worlds in handling and longetivity.

[dgyver]

I have been riding more and more.  My friend with a gixxer 600 has been riding with me.  I have noticed that my bike when I go to lean more into the corners I get a feeling like the backend is not getting enough traction.  I have a Kat rear shock, rebound set at 3.  I weigh 165 lbs and this is the first I have noticed.

Increase the rebound. Sounds too soft.

[runsilent]

PILOT WHAT?  Pilot Active, Pilot Power, or Pilot Road?  A sport touring bias ply, a supersport radial, or a sport touring radial; refering to a tire as just a Pilot does not define it.

A 150/70 will raise the rear of the bike about 1/2", a 140/80 about 3/4", and a 130/90 about 1".  A 150/60 is approximately the same dia as a OE size 130/70 and will not raise the rear.

The Demons, Lasertecs, and Actives are the most up to date of the sport touring bias ply radials and are hard to beat in the OE 110/70 and 130/70 sizes for the GS500's now.

I went directly from a BT45 rear to a radial Z2 rear long ago.  The differences between the radial and the bias ply BT45 were considerable.  Those construction grooves that wanted to throw the BT45 around were barely noticeable with the Z2,  wet traction was greatly improved with the Z2, and tire life was greatly increased.

The differences between the radials and latest bias ply sport touring tires has been greatly reduced.  I found the differences between the Lasertecs and the Z4/Z2 and AV45/46 radials I ran to be narrowed considerably, but the sport touring radials still give greater life.

I too like to have the best of both worlds in handling and longevity and use the sport touring type tires.  I don't consider the supersport radials for my use,  There are others here than can advise on those.

You can't go wrong with either the Demons or Pilot Actives you are considering.  Too many choices.   

[The Antibody]

If you look up a couple posts, I am talking about pilot activ. 

Silent obviously has more knowledge of this, so I concede.

  -Anti 

[Motorace]

The Pilot Activ is just a modern version of the Macadam 50 line. Eventually, you will see the Mac 50 completely eliminated by the Activ. It is an updated casing and rubber compound, but now the Activ is only available in very limited sizes.

[runsilent]

AMT has the Activs, Lasertecs, and Demons and Southwest has the Demons and Lasertecs in our OE 110/70 and 130/70 sizes.  Two of the many online places that have good prices and that I've had good service from.

http://www.americanmototire.com/

http://swmototires.com/

Motorace is a Michelin tire distributer and has to sell current model tires at list price or he would be undercutting his own customers, the retailers.  He frequently has terrific deals on the leftover tires that are not the latest models.  Doesn't hurt to look in there now and then to see what deals he has.

http://www.motorace.com/

[autocrossjake]

thanks for the help.. I decided I will give the Sport Demons a try.  A lot of people seem to like those and they are a fair price.