Shinko Podium or Avon Azaro or Pirelli Sport Demon?

[damond]

Avon Azaro 140/80ZR17
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/5983/ITEM/Avon-AV46-Azaro-Sport-Touring-Rear-Tire.aspx


Pirelli Sport Demon 140/80V17
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/5983/ITEM/Avon-AV46-Azaro-Sport-Touring-Rear-Tire.aspx


Shinko Podium 140/60VR17
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/394/6181/ITEM/Shinko-006-Podium-Rear-Tire.aspx


How much difference does the profile make (80 vs 60)?
Brand vs. speed rating vs. profile?

I like Pirelli but they're sport touring V-rating. I've never used Shinko's but I like the profile. I've never used Avon's either but I like the speed rating.

[bobthebiker]

I know someone that runs Shinko tires, and says they're pretty good for general all around use.   I've also heard great things about the Pirellis too.   a 140/80 is stock fitment for only a few bikes,  first one that comes to mind is the CBR600F and 1000F with the 3.5" rear wheel.   

I cant really say anything about the Avons, since I know nothing at all about those.

the profile difference shouldnt be an issue, but keep the front/rear profiles matched so you dont throw things off much/any.

[jdw03n]

I'm running the Pirellis. They're pretty sticky, but they wear quickly.

[ohgood]

guess i need to give up on a BT-45 ever being available again this century. gas is down to 110 miles of playing for only $4.00, oil is cheap( er ), and I have four days to play.

but no BT-45 to put on the front. and leaves leaves leaves everywhere

[gsJack]

guess i need to give up on a BT-45 ever being available again this century. gas is down to 110 miles of playing for only $4.00, oil is cheap( er ), and I have four days to play.

but no BT-45 to put on the front. and leaves leaves leaves everywhere

My local supplier shows the BT45 tires in the GS500 oem sizes are in stock, they are probably the G spec tires made for the GSs.  I buy most of my tires there but have never ordered online from them.  Also AMT has the oem G spec BT45 but they are listed under OE Replacement cruiser/standard and not on the general replacement BT45 tire list.  Nicely priced at $64 front and $70 rear.

http://www.shadetreepowersports.com/

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_82_95_576

Leaves are fun :-( but ours are mostly gone now.  Got out riding Wed and expect to get out again today before the snow returns.

[ohgood]

guess i need to give up on a BT-45 ever being available again this century. gas is down to 110 miles of playing for only $4.00, oil is cheap( er ), and I have four days to play.

but no BT-45 to put on the front. and leaves leaves leaves everywhere

My local supplier shows the BT45 tires in the GS500 oem sizes are in stock, they are probably the G spec tires made for the GSs.  I buy most of my tires there but have never ordered online from them.  Also AMT has the oem G spec BT45 but they are listed under OE Replacement cruiser/standard and not on the general replacement BT45 tire list.  Nicely priced at $64 front and $70 rear.

http://www.shadetreepowersports.com/

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_82_95_576

Leaves are fun :-( but ours are mostly gone now.  Got out riding Wed and expect to get out again today before the snow returns.

man, thanks jack ! every time i've tried in the last 3-4 months to find a front tire it was always backordered. finally one is on it's way, tire irons too, and i'll have something to do next weekend besides shuffle in the leaves

[gsJack]

Avon Azaro 140/80ZR17.........................
Pirelli Sport Demon 140/80V17..........................
Shinko Podium 140/60VR17........................

How much difference does the profile make (80 vs 60)?
Brand vs. speed rating vs. profile?

I like Pirelli but they're sport touring V-rating. I've never used Shinko's but I like the profile. I've never used Avon's either but I like the speed rating.

Why not a 140/70 Demon rather than a 140/80 size?  The 140/70 is sized for a 3.75" wheel making it an equally good fit on either 4.0 or 3.5" wheels.  My 140/70 Roadrider is sized the same way. 

The Shinko Raven tires would be more like the Avon AV45/46 ST tires, a sport touring radial that has found some followers over at sport-touring.net but not available in our sizes.  The Podium tires are high performance sport tires and would be stickier but shorter lived.

I liked my Avon AV45/46 tires, good all around sport touring radials that I ran for about 13k miles.  The rear would have gone further but the front needed replaced.

Considering the current sport touring bias tires, I'd place the Roadriders to the touring end of the group and the Demons to sport end with the Bt45, Lasertecs, and Activs in between.  Based on others opinions as well as my own.  I've used the BT45, Lasertec, and Roadrider tires myself.  I still like those Lasertecs but think they've become too expensive compared to the other bias tires.

I've never noticed much difference between 70 and 80 profile tires on my GSs and have never used a 60 profile since the supersport radials come in the 150/60 and the sport touring radials come in the 150/70 or 140/80 sizes.  I don't use the shorter lived supersport tires since the longer lived sport touring tires meet my needs.  Your needs may vary.   

[damond]

Thanks alot guys for all the information and feedback.