Tire selection help please

[smoker]

No..  I think they're AT45 or AV45 or some combination of letters and numbers ... They were the first ones I found that would fit, and I needed tires badly at that point.. probably 5K ago, and need new ones again, but I push the little girl, so not suprised the rubber goes quick

I really like the look of those dirt-bike looking tires up top, tho...  I'm always itching to take the gs off-road, cause there's lots of trails in SW Penna....

[pandy]

There is a posting of my ranking of the tires I've used in the FAQ section which was copied there by Pablo.  I updated this ranking last Oct to include the Lasertecs and Road Attack I used since the original ranking but couldn't post it myself in the FAQ section so I've copied it here:

And I've copied and pasted gsJack's post to his FAQ thread as an update.... We can always count on gsJack to keep us in the know about tires! 

[gsJack]

There is a posting of my ranking of the tires I've used in the FAQ section which was copied there by Pablo.  I updated this ranking last Oct to include the Lasertecs and Road Attack I used since the original ranking but couldn't post it myself in the FAQ section so I've copied it here:

And I've copied and pasted gsJack's post to his FAQ thread as an update.... We can always count on gsJack to keep us in the know about tires! 

Thanks Pandy.   

[Mr.7]

okay, it's official, I have just bought the Metzlers

thanks to all for your feedback        

[scratch]

I got the Avons last time cause they were cheap and easy to find (at least I think so).  Seemed to wear kinda quick, and my front wore more on the left side than right, but maybe due to my bike, balance, etc...  I've not heard many people mention them here though...  Are they junk and I don't know better?  (first set I've replaced so far, so no frame of reference...)

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=98.msg119622#msg119622
Or, search 'Avon' in the General and FAQ forums.

[pingpong]

i just got the pirelli sport demons, $167 total from motorcycle superstore. huge upgrade from the macadam 50's that were on the bike previously (then again, the old tires were pretty squared and always felt like it wanted to slip out when leaned)

[5thAve]

[Bump]

What about this thread? 

Have there been any tire developments in the last 18 months?  Does anyone have an opinion on the Michelin Pilot Activs ?

[lopee]

Shinko makes a 140/ 60 /17 tire in a ZR compound that i just bought @ the dealer for $94.00,  MSRP is $120.00 but you can find them on e-bay for $100.00 as well.

I havent used it yet, but have heard that it should last at least one season( depending on riding style and agressivness)

[gsJack]

[Bump]

What about this thread? 

Have there been any tire developments in the last 18 months?  Does anyone have an opinion on the Michelin Pilot Activs ?

I was just comparing online prices recently from AMT one of the major suppliers.  For a pair of GS500 oem size tires:

Lasertecs  $227
Demons     $208
Activs         $183
BT45-G       $152  (GS OEM tires)
Roadriders  $149

I still like the Lasertecs, the front in particular, but they've got too expensive I think.  Since this revived thread first appeared there have been quite a few that have tried the Activs and reported favorably here and on the Ninja 500 forum also.  I've never tried them myself.

Also the Avon Roadriders have become popular with good reports.  A real bargain right now, not as sticky as the Lasertecs or BT45 I've used but much longer lasting than either.  I'm using 110/80 and 140/70 Roadriders right now and like them for my current needs, have about 13k miles on them and am expecting more than 15k from them.

If you want a commuter tire you can still enjoy in the twisties try the Roadriders or if you want max performance try one of the others and pay the difference.

[sblack]

I asked this question about a month ago

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=44979.0

from what I've read, people who use the pilot activs like them, people who use the lasertecs like them. Couldn't find anyone that had used both to directly compare. I'm going to be putting the lasertecs on mine within the next couple of weeks.

Bubba Zanetti was looking at going from Sport Demons to Lasertecs next replacement, don't know if he's done that yet to be able to offer any comparison?

[bubba zanetti]

No I haven't, I've still got over 1000k's on the tyres I've got, and my bike riding has dropped by about a third. So it'll be a little while before I get them put on. Also I have to get some bike gear for the young fella first.

[the mole]

I recently put a Kenda 671 130/70 on mine to try and reduce my tyre cost per km. It was $164 fitted and I'll see how it wears (only 1000km so far). It seems to be as good as the BT45 for grip in the dry, but I don't ride too hard, maybe scrape a boot occasionally. Haven't tried it in the wet, but I ride VERY carefully in the wet so I doubt it will be an issue. I was happy with the grip of the Bridgestones, but wanted more mileage than the 13,000 km I got from the rear (riding conservatively).

[Teek]

I currently have the Metzeler Lasertecs on my GS and IMO they are much nicer then the BT-45s. I had the Avon Distanzias on my dual sport and they were excellent on that bike. I wouldn't have put Kenda on anything a few years back but they may be better tires now. I figure that tire cost per mile is not as important as getting the best tire possible, since that is what is between me and my bike and the road.