commuter tire recomendations

[Scott_DC]

It's time for me to replace the tires on my 1994 gs500er. Most of the miles on this bike are straight commuting - don't get a chance to play on the twisties very often. What would be a good tire that will perform in all weather? I'm on my bike as long as there isn't ice on the road (although I have had to ride home in snowfall before - NOT FUN).

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Stock slickstones bt-45s. They do ok, but they're cheap, and hard, and wear for a long time.

[Scott_DC]

just ok? I ride in the rain and slight sleet, so need something that does GREAT when wet.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

bahaha, slickstones are not it then. (That was more of a comical suggestion anyway.. I hate my stock tires)

[The Antibody]

I ride in the rain enough to know that I trust my bridgestone BT-45's. I don't know what nice guy is talking about. In commuting conditions, they will work well. I have been stuck in many storms in hot and cold weather and my handling was the least of my worries.

  -Anti 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

For straight commuting, they're ok.. but I've ridden with them in the twisties when it was cold/damp, and they're not exactly awe inspiring. But like I said.. they're cheap, and they last forever..

[TobyR]

BT45's are fine.

I've ridden through Snow and Ice with BT45's without a problem.

Don't forget, riding past / not knowing the limits of your tyre is bad riding, I know a guy from another forum that runs commuting tyres on his fireblade and has no problem powering out of roundabouts and lofting the front wheel in the wet.

[manofthefield]

Another option would be the Avon AM51 and AM52 (front and rear).  They are roughly equivalent to BT-45s and when I bought them (actually I bought only the AM52 rear) it was a bit cheaper.  I've ridden with this tire (w/ half used BT-45 front) in some heavy downpours and a couple inches of standing water without much concern, I was just mad I didn't bring my rain gear that day

My only complaint with the AM52 is that it starts with a slightly squarish profile, which keeps the wear down when commuting.  But then my BT-45 was even more square by the time I replaced it.  I think I drive too straight too often.

I think my next tires will be one of the three "newer compound" tires Jack mentions here: Tire selection help please

To be honest I think the Pirelli Demons, Metzeler Lasertecs, and Michelin Activs are currently the best of the bias ply sport touring tires; the BT45 and Dunlop GT501 are older designs.  However I've heard from a couple sources that Bridgestone has upgraded the compounds for the BT45s and they might well be better now than when I tried them. >>>

[gsJack]

Another option would be the Avon AM51 and AM52 (front and rear).  They are roughly equivalent to BT-45s and when I bought them (actually I bought only the AM52 rear) it was a bit cheaper.  I've ridden with this tire (w/ half used BT-45 front) in some heavy downpours and a couple inches of standing water without much concern, I was just mad I didn't bring my rain gear that day

My only complaint with the AM52 is that it starts with a slightly squarish profile, which keeps the wear down when commuting.  But then my BT-45 was even more square by the time I replaced it.  I think I drive too straight too often.

I think my next tires will be one of the three "newer compound" tires Jack mentions here: Tire selection help please

To be honest I think the Pirelli Demons, Metzeler Lasertecs, and Michelin Activs are currently the best of the bias ply sport touring tires; the BT45 and Dunlop GT501 are older designs.  However I've heard from a couple sources that Bridgestone has upgraded the compounds for the BT45s and they might well be better now than when I tried them. >>>

Forget the AM51/52, they are now obsolete.  Actually they weren't too bad for quite a few miles but that square rear got squarer and squarer and they got bad.  Took mine off at at 9k miles.

Now we have the new Avon Roadriders and if they are better than the Am51/52 and shaped right, they will be a real bargain.  Just got my rear bearings fixed and my RoadAttack back on and still love that Lasertec/RoadAttack combo.

BUT!!!!  My dealer has the new Roadriders and they are $100 cheaper for a set than my present combo.  I may be trying them later this summer.  About time I slowed down and started acting my age.   

So why doesn't someone try a set of the Roadriders and let us(me) know how they are before I wear out my present tires.   

Check the prices at AMT and Southwest,  I'd go with the 110/80 front and the 140/70 rear.

[gsJack]

They are now finally advertising the new compounds in the updated BT45 tires, from my local dealer's catalog and site:

High performance bias ply
New silica compound for improved wet and dry grip
Dual tread compound on rear tire for longer life and better traction when cornering
Larger crown radius for greater stability and exteneded tread life

So the BT45 may be up to date like the Lasertec, Demon, and Active tires now.  Lots of good choices, but I still like the Lasertecs.  Everytime I look though it seems the Metzelers have gone up again.

New local price on the Laser/Attack combo is $254 for the pair and for the new Roadriders it's $158 for the pair.  That's for the 110/80 fronts and 150/70 rear RoadAttack and 140/70 rear Roadrider. And by the time my present Laser/Attack combo wears out I'll be 75.  Tempting indeed.

Local place mounts and balances tires they sell for $19.95 a wheel and includes a new valve stem and disposal of the old tire in that price, their online site:

http://www.shadetreemotorcycle.com/

The OEM BT45 G spec for the GS-F models are really inexpensive now, about the same as the Roadriders.  Don't know if they have the new compounds, probably will eventually.  Have them at AMT and Tires Unlimited:

http://www.americanmototire.com/

Home  >  STREET TIRES >  BRIDGESTONE >  OE REPLACEMENT CRUISERS/STANDARDS > 
SUZUKI 

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Bridgestone/Bridgestone%20MC/bridgestone_battlax_bt45h.htm

G spec tires at bottom of page.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Hmm.. I'll have to try a set of the new bt-45s.. they're CHEAP.. and I mostly commute too, unfortunately, 40 miles/day

[Mk1inCali]

I started off riding my GS with Pilot Sports.  I read too many negative posts on here about the stock rubber to even try them.  I ran thru 4 rears and 3 fronts in roughly 18K, mixed sport riding and commuting and then as I was just using the GS for commuting (got rid of my truck), I went to Pilot Roads.  They are pretty good, decently sticky in the twisties and wear like iron on the straights.  I've got 25K on now and the rear tire is just now showing wear.  I ride pretty hard, accelerating quickly most of the time and so I'm not the easiest on tires, even in a commuting situation.

That's all I've run, aside from BT-020s on my Ducati, which I am not entirely in love with, but don't hate either.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Whoa.. 25K.. that's NUTS... I'm getting a set, soon! Thanks MK1!

[nightrider]

for the application (commuting) BT45's should be fine. I use them commuting and in twisties too, no problems yet. Also have survived punctures without leaking, being plugged, etc. And it rains a lot here.

[ducati_nolan]

I bought some Kenda Cruiser S/T (sport touring  ) a while ago when I was totally broke, because they were pretty much the cheapest tires I could find. I wasn't expecting much, but I was really suprised. I rode all through the winter and they worked great. They have a nice deep tread that works well in deep water and they haven't shown any noticable wear after 6K. They corner suprisingly well too. I while ago I picked up a 4"long ring nail in the rear tire and it's held a plug just fine.

The Pilot roads sond like a good deal too, probally cost more than the Kenda but it may be better

[nightrider]

I wouldn't feel safe on the freeway with a plug. Not supposed to ride it at higher speeds with one anyway... centrifugal force. Might as well replace the thing.

[gsJack]

I bought some Kenda Cruiser S/T (sport touring  ) a while ago when I was totally broke, because they were pretty much the cheapest tires I could find. I wasn't expecting much, but I was really suprised. I rode all through the winter and they worked great. They have a nice deep tread that works well in deep water and they haven't shown any noticable wear after 6K. They corner suprisingly well too. I while ago I picked up a 4"long ring nail in the rear tire and it's held a plug just fine.

The Pilot roads sond like a good deal too, probally cost more than the Kenda but it may be better

That Kenda K671 got named wrong somehow, probably someone told the Chinese that cuisers sell in the USA and if they call it a cruiser tire everyone will buy it.     I put one on the back of my 81CM400A former winter bike and it was quite decent, not as good as the latest and greatest but better than the OEM Excedras that came on the GSs thru 02.
Kenda calls it a sport tire now on their site.

My 02 came with a Kenda K657 that they now call a sport touring tire and I ran it till spring putting 5k miles on it and it wasn't half worn when I put the Avon ST radials on.  Longer lasting and not quite as sticky as their K671.

The have a new K673 Kruz tire now that comes in cruiser sizes and they call it a cruiser/touring tire.

http://www.kendausa.com/motorcycle/street.html

[gsJack]

Whoa.. 25K.. that's NUTS... I'm getting a set, soon! Thanks MK1!

I think Mk1 is saying he put the Pilot Roads on with 18k miles on the bike and he now has 25k on the bike which makes about 7k on the Pilot Roads.  A friend of mine who is a commuter type rider got 14k miles on the OEM Pilot Roads on his SV1000.  About the same as I got from the Z4/Z2 tires and the Avon ST tires on the GS's.

The Pilot Road is a sport touring radial and as such the best compromise between performance and tire life.  Same class tire as the Avon Storms, Metzeler Z6, Pirelli Strada, ec.

[Mk1inCali]

Whoa.. 25K.. that's NUTS... I'm getting a set, soon! Thanks MK1!

Come on now...be logical.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Whoa.. 25K.. that's NUTS... I'm getting a set, soon! Thanks MK1!

I think Mk1 is saying he put the Pilot Roads on with 18k miles on the bike and he now has 25k on the bike which makes about 7k on the Pilot Roads.  A friend of mine who is a commuter type rider got 14k miles on the OEM Pilot Roads on his SV1000.  About the same as I got from the Z4/Z2 tires and the Avon ST tires on the GS's.

The Pilot Road is a sport touring radial and as such the best compromise between performance and tire life.  Same class tire as the Avon Storms, Metzeler Z6, Pirelli Strada, ec.

Whoa.. 25K.. that's NUTS... I'm getting a set, soon! Thanks MK1!

Come on now...be logical.

Haha, yeah, you guys are right, I'm a tard. That's what I get for posting when I'm tired. Even so, 7K is good mileage for sticky-ish tires. I'm at about 8K on the original rear, and a brand new front, I think I can get a lot more out of the rear, dunno bout the front