150 Radial Sport Tires

[JasonB]

Now that I dont have to use a 140 or lower rear tire I can look at the nice radials. All the recommendations I have seen are for bias ply or very few radials.

What about Metzler Sportec M1's and the Rennsports? Michelin's besides the Pilot Sports? Pirelli? Bridgestone? Avon? Dunlop?

Any better to get a 120 front or? I want a front and rear in the same model etc.

[octane]

I'd stick with a 110 front on a stock rim. Dunlop D208 and Dunlop Sportmax are good choices. Pilot Road is good if you're not planning track days. I've heard good things about the Michelen Macadam though I have no experience with them. Honestly, most of the brand name sport or sport touring tires are decent.

[JasonB]

Well the M1's seem to be the least expensive that I've found that will actually fit in the front in rear. The supersport ones dont go as low as 150 that I've seen the M1 compared too and chosen over.

On a side note I ride my bike back and forth to work as much as possible and its about a 65-70 round trip on the interstate. Love to go full tilt on the on and off ramps but other than that its pretty straight roads.

[pantablo]

One of the sport bike magazines did a test of tires...testing road, sport, track tires on road used bikes and they found (surprise) that the road tires, such as the michelin roads were actually better on road because they operated at a lower temperature. The sport tires and tires that are basically street legal track tires needed higher temps to really start to stick-good for track, bad for road. They tested several brands but includd the michelin Pilot Road, Sport and another one of their Pilot series (maybe the sportSS or is it SportRR?). Anyway, they're good tires and others I've talked to also love the M1's but they wear quicker. If you're doing lots of commuting I'd recommend the Pilot Roads if you go michelin. Perelli's are good as are Avons.

[Michael]

I've heard good things about the Michelen Macadam though I have no experience with them.

I've had Macadams (Mac100 front, Mac90 rear) on my '01 for 18mths now and have been very happy with them.  I have nearly 20,000km on the front and it is just about down to the indicator bars so almost time for a new one.  It has never felt like it would let go in any conditions (including frost).  I am on the second rear and am getting about 10,000km out of them.  They grip really well in all conditions but wear funny on the edges (ie they wear more on the edges than in the middle) and don't feel totally confidence-inspiring after about 8,000km.  Not that they have let go at all.  Perhaps it's just that I know it's wearing and just don't feel comfortable pushing them as much as when they are newer.  Remember, there are two Macs- the Mac50s are bias tyres, the Mac90/100s are radials.  My local Michelin distributor advised me not to bother with a Mac100 on the rear as it is no advantage over the Mac90 and is more expensive.  The Mac100 front is apparently a lot better than the older Mac90 though.  Hope this helps.  

[JasonB]

Argh all these choices, I know I wont be carving up the turns around here because there arent a lot. It would be a weekend only thing where I have to drive 45-150miles to get to nice roads. I mainly use the bike for my daily commute and on the weekends for fun and drive my car when it rains. I will at most put about 500miles a week on the bike more likely around 250-300miles a week. I need something with a 110/70 front and 150/60 (or 70 I guess?) rear. And I want a radial tire. So where does that list get me?

Too many choices and not enough info in my head!

Jason

[Michael]

I mainly use the bike for my daily commute and on the weekends for fun. Jason

Buy the best tyres you can afford on the assumption that the conditions may change on you and what started out as a nice sunny day may turn into a downpour.  If you think you might even once like to lay it into a corner with gusto or might get caught in the rain, get tyres that will keep you safe under those conditions.  They will still work fine for commuting.

[JasonB]

More searching has come up with these choices

BT010 Front BT020 Rear
Avon Azaro ST 45/46 F/R
Metzler M-1 Sportec
Metzler Z4
Michelin Pilot Sport
Michelin Pilot Road
Pirelli Sport Demon (radial?)
Pirelli Diablo

[SoloRider]

Alright, I need to be confirmed before I order the tires as below:

1. M1 Sportec  110/70/17  front

2. M1 Sportec  150/60/17 rear

Does any one have these pair installed ?  Will I have problem with the rear one ?

Many thanks

[pantablo]

thats the exact setup I have, on stock rims. I'd suggest either getting a wider rear rim for the 150 or getting 140 section tires (M1's not available in that size though). The 150 is pinched on the 3.5" rear rim and you can definitely feel the bike "fall" into a corner once leaned over pretty good, thats when you're getting to the edge. The ACTUAL edge is not available because of the pinch-you'll end up with at least 1/4" of chicken strips from unused tire.

I did it to get good (better) radial rubber but there is a downside. I can live with it for now but my next set may be the 110/70 & 140/80 Metzeler m2/m4 combo. Or a 140/70 if I can swing one from the UK...


Really sticky tires though. I'm very happy about that!

[JasonB]

Ivy are you getting those M1's from Ronayer.com or parts411.com? Or another place? Ronayer.com had the lowest price and I think the M1 is what I am going to get also.

[SoloRider]

jasonB,

No I didn't buy them yet.  I think I will get them at the local store here be to save $15 for mount/balance each tire if I buy the tires from the shop.  Further, I am not sure that the rear one (150/60/17) is a good choice for GS500 ?

Stay tune.

[JasonB]

150 isnt good for the rear on a stock wheeled GS500 140 is the biggest you should go. Now if you got a 88-89 GSXR rear wheel and did the swap (how-to is on pantablo's website) Then a 150 or 160 would be the tires to get.