New (Used) GS with Tire Questions...(with Pics)

[Jerka]

Hello all.

I just bought a 1998 GS (I'll post pictures ASAP).  I think it is a 98...the guy was advertising it as a 97 based on the manufactured date, but according to the color it is a 98, right?  It's orange.  It appears to be in excellent condition (I do not have possession of the bike yet...he is delivering it in a week).  It has 4k miles on the odometer and has been stored indoors.  My questions are concerning the tires:

-Could they still be in rideable condition?
-What kind of tires are they if they are the stock 98 tires?
-Are they worth a crap for commuting?  I would prefer not to have to upgrade immediately.
-How many miles could these tires last? 
-Is there anything else I should look out for concerning the tires?

Thanks.

[Jerka]

The left side Suzuki engine cover is missing.  I guess the bike might have fallen over at some point...there is no other visible damage...maybe it just came off...whatever.  Anyway, can it be replaced?  How is it attached?

[Jerka]

I put these pictures on photodump.com.

Is there anyway to make them larger in the posting???

Sorry...total Noob.

[ajaxgs]

looks like a clean bike , like the colour!

[gsJack]

Looks nice, did you use the urls from the thumbnail pics for your post, that could cause the small pics.  If I take one of your urls and use for an image it comes out large size for me but your pics are still small in your post.  Do you see this pic large or small?



OEM tires for a 98 GS are Bridgestone Excedra G547F front and G550R rear.  If you have the originals they are getting old and could be dry rotted.  Look for small cracks in sidewalls and between the treads.  If they're getting dryrotted take it easy till replaced.  Tire traction will be reduced if they are that old.

[Jerka]

I see it small.  Do you see it large? 

If they don't have any dryrot am I good for a season?  Are they really that bad of a tire for commuting?

Do you have any recommendations for new tires?

[trickniner]

Nice, I've got the exact same color.  Looks good as far as I can tell from the tiny pictures.

[gsJack]

If I right click on your small image, click on properties, copy the url, and paste the url in the address bar above I get the large pic to view.  If I enter the same url as an image in my post I get a large pic when I preview the post but it goes back to small when I post it.  Not sure what's going on.

If the tires don't show dryrot they should be good for the season for commuting.  I got the same tires on my 97 GS that I bought new in 99 and they had dryrot cracks from sitting in the showroom for over 2 years.  I used them up putting about 8k miles on them but I did that in less than 3 months.  The Excedras are a decent tire but a bit dated compared to what's available now, tires have improved a lot in recent years.  I like the Avon Roadriders right now for value, almost as good as the best Lasertec, Demon, and Activ bias tires now available but much less costly.  I'm trying the Roadriders now.  Compare prices here for some input on them pricewise:

http://www.americanmototire.com/

[Jerka]

I am in the process of posting some of those pics to the wall of fame (pending approval from a moderator...I think).  Once they are up there, I will try to post them in this thread again.

Thanks.

[Jerka]

Oh, and are the stock (110/70 and 130/70) my best bet for tire size or is there a benefit in a larger size?

[gsJack]

I just transfered the pics to Photobucket and posted from there, never had any problems with Photobucket.

[fodder650]

Got to admit the GS does look good in orange. Not something I thought Id be saying.  Of course I'm still bitter about having silly purple stickers on a color I like.

I was doing some searches on tires and found this thread being current. So would the Avons make a good commuter tire? Im only going to be commuting 30 miles a day on it and most of the ride is 2 lane highway.  My tires are now about 3-4 years old and there Battle Ax's. Just thinking that might be a bit to sticky for a tire you hope lasts awhile