has anyone run dual sport tires on their GS?

[sticks]

i was just wondering after seeing some pictures of other bikes like a duc monster converted for dual sport/off road use.  i used to live on a dirt road and drove a CBR600, so i'm used to dirt and gravel on street tires, but for longer journeys it can be a bit tiring constantly sliding around. 
something like this:





I'm just wondering because i'm planning a few longer trips in the future, not entirely on-road, and was wondering if i should just go ahead and get another bike (at this point i'd be open for anything from a TW200 to a triumph scrambler), or if i could convert my GS for dual use.

[madjak30]

Has anyone tried this??  I was thinking of getting a V-Strom, but they are...ummm...well, different looking...I was wondering if anyone had tried this on a street bike and how the suspension on the GS would handle light off road?

Later.

[tucsondude]

just from playing in the dirt with mine on street tires, you need to upgrade the front suspension(stiffer springs?), or else it will bottom out wayyy to easy.

let me know if you find a tubed front tire that can fit on our front wheel and will also clear the front fork cross brace.

i thought about hooking up my spare bent rims with dirt tires, and buying some case guards(maybe fab up a skid plate too?), but then id be pushing $300+, when i could get a way lighter 2 stroke dirt bike for ~$600, that would totally kick its a..

although im a pssy who wont power slide a stock gs in a turn in the dirt and on street tires...

[madjak30]

I wouldn't say you are a kitty cat...street tires just don't have the traction to play in the dirt like that...it would slide out on you...go ahead ask me how I know...

I was going to look into either the same tires as the V-Strom, or a mild knobbie...but I don't know if I want to go that far, since you will be giving up some of the ride that goes with the street tires...you think thicker fork oil might be enough to limit the amount of bottoming out?  I'm only hoping to not have the bike feel so squirmy while on gravel...on packed dirt street tires are fine, it's just the loose stuff...

I need new tires this year anyway, so I may try this...I was also thinking of changing the bars to a supermoto style bar for better control (and maybe seeing more than my arms in the mirrors... )

I'll let you know...

Later.

[007brendan]

Thicker oil would only help with damping, it won't stop you from bottoming out, unless you only weigh like a 100 lbs, but even then it's still possible.  You can get new springs from Sonic Springs for $80.  I'd recommend it even if you're not going offroad.

[burning1]

IMO, every serious moto garage should have a dualsport/motard.

[yurtinus]

I'm very interested in this as well, mostly because I ultimately want to do some dirt road adventure touring. I expect I'll end up on a DL650 or (gasp) BMW GS one of these days, but in the meantime I'm trying to figure how to get the best out of what I have!

[johnny ro]

Please post review on whatever you get.

PS the V-Strom is ugly, until you get used to it. Think of an SV naked, with built up tank and bar area to make for more coverage and upright riding.   

PPS you will be surprised how low powered the TW200 motor is. The bike is fine as long as you are OK with 14 hp and riding quite slow and its best for pure off road, i.e. mountain bike single track or no track. It responds very well to airscrew adjustments and 2 washers under the needles but that only takes away the surprisingly cold-blooded-ness. The thing does not make more power the faster you rev it. GS is a monster next to it.  Think small 2 wheel ATV not motorcycle. Still its a very fine 2 wheel ATV.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Yeah I've thought about this too as i'd like to get a Vstrom or 650GS. The main problem I've heard about is finding a good enough selection of dirt/dual sport tires for the 17inch rims.
Edit: Alright did some quick searching finally and thought this looked pretty promising.
http://www.compacc.com/pdfs/18596.pdf

[Electrojake]

I run a lot of gravel roads  and I would be delighted to run Dual Sport tires on my GS500 but where does one find a 17" front tire with a Dual Sport tread pattern?

Anyone

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

I run a lot of gravel roads  and I would be delighted to run Dual Sport tires on my GS500 but where does one find a 17" front tire with a Dual Sport tread pattern?

Anyone

Uumm...look up..?

[Electrojake]

Uumm...look up..?

Whoa G_J_N,
You just showed me something that I was positive did not exist.
Nice find!
And thanks,
-Ej-