Mixing Tires

[dadsafrantic]

What is the thought on mixing tires brands when one (the back) gets a flat and the other is still good?

[gsJack]

Right now I have a Lasertec front tire running with a Roadrider rear tire.  The Roadrider rear replaced a RoadAttack radial rear I was running with the Lasertec bias front.  Works for me, just don't put a radial front on with a bias rear, not a good mix and actually illegal across the big pond to the east.

My tire log shows a whole bunch of mixing of tires, I never throw away a half used tire:

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

I've mixed a lot of tires over the last 23 years and 360k miles I've been riding.  I've also plugged a few flats.  What mix are you considering?

[dadsafrantic]

Right now I have a Lasertec front tire running with a Roadrider rear tire.  The Roadrider rear replaced a RoadAttack radial rear I was running with the Lasertec bias front.  Works for me, just don't put a radial front on with a bias rear, not a good mix and actually illegal across the big pond to the east.

My tire log shows a whole bunch of mixing of tires, I never throw away a half used tire:

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

I've mixed a lot of tires over the last 23 years and 360k miles I've been riding.  I've also plugged a few flats.  What mix are you considering?

i am just thinking og running different makes.  are you happy with the avons?  i have some sort of maxxis on the back with an oem bridgestone on the front.  i see you run larger than stock also.  does that ever pose a problem?  what do you think of the 140 on the back?  what about the 150?? is that a different wheel?  my usual ride is a 40+ mile round trip commute 98% freeway at 70 mph.  any recomendations?

thanks

[gsJack]

I am quite happy with the Avon Roadrider I have on the rear now, it's a good tire for the money and they cost less than the other major brand bias tires.  Would be a good commuter tire for most I think, other tires I've used are better for pushing it in the twisties and cost $40-50 per tire more.  I'm trying harder to act my age now.    My used up Lasertec front has been my favorite front tire of all that I've used on the GSs but I'm thinking I'll still try the Roadrider front next, about $40 less at my local supplier.

Well, the 150/70 rear tires do look better on the GS I think, but the only really good reason to use them is that it's the minimum size available in good sport touring radials except for a couple 140/80s still available.  The 140/80 are made for 3.5" wheels and the 150/70 for 4.0" wheels so they are pinched down a bit on the standard wheels and end up being about the same width as the 140/80 mounted. 

For years the 140/70 tires have been designed for the same 4.0" rims as the 150/70 tires but this has changed recently to better accomodate the 3.5" rear rims of the GS and EX500s.  The 140/70 Roadrider and Pirelli Demons now have a preferred rim width of 3.75" making them an equally good fit on both 3.5 and 4.0" rims.  I like a bit of oversize in the rear tire, think it gives a bit better tire life and a bit more safety margin since I weigh about 240#.  My bike thinks it's carrying double all the time. 

The 150/70 rear sport touring radials are approved for fitment on 3.5-4.5" rims by most of the tire makers although some still don't generally recommend it for less than 4.0" rims.  None approve the fitment of the 150/60 supersports on the 3.5" rims in this country but I don't use them anyway because of their shorter life.

[dadsafrantic]

you seem to have quite a bit of time on a gs 500.  any issues to look out for?  i have just turned 15k.  i have the valves looked at every other schedule maintenance.  i do my own oil changes at around 3-3.5k.  my commute is going to go to around 35 miles each way and i am wondering if the bike is going to remain a good commuter.  i like the affordability of it so far and do not really want to get a bigger bike.  it seems to me that a car is cheaper in the long run than some of the liter bike to operate.  what do you think?

[lamoun]

Hello! This is my first post.

gsjack there is also the battlax BT-090 in 140/70. A sport radial tyre for liitle bikes. May worth a look.



http://www.bridgestone.eu/bfe/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c461f5ee10355010VgnVCM1000005101a10aRCRD&vgnextchannel=8d9329270fd97010VgnVCM1000005101a10aRCRD

[gsJack]

Welcome lamoun, the BT090 tires are not generally available in the US.  The BT090 PRO tires are listed on the Bridgestone US site under racing tires and are sold by race tire dealers like Stickboy and Bare Bones.  They are not sold by regular motorcycle tire dealers.  Sadly, this is the land of Cruisers and Sportbikes and not many real motorcycles are sold here anymore.   

Bridgestone US motorcycle tires:

http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/index.aspx

Bridgestone racing tires:

http://www.barebones.net/tires.htm

http://www.stickboyracing.com/