Tire advice needed

[Alphamazing]

Ya, no kidding.  There are getting to be a lot of argumentative, negative asses that have nothing but opposing remarks no matter what somebody posts; Alphamazing for example.  lighten up dude...

Negative asses?

I'm trying to explain to you that when you shove most 150 series tires on a 3.5" rim you're going to distort it in such a way that you're going to screw with how it handles.

[Bridger]

How do you know?  Tried it before?  Everyone that seems to know anything about tires on here says it isn't a problem.  I"m gonna listen to them, not you.

[Alphamazing]

How do you know?  Tried it before?  Everyone that seems to know anything about tires on here says it isn't a problem.  I"m gonna listen to them, not you.

jeremy_nash, who has the BT021, also has an SV650 rear wheel, which is wider than the GS500 wheel. The recommended rim width for the BT-021 is 4.0", and the range of approved fitment is 4.0" to 4.5". The GS's 3.5" rear wheel is too small to adequately handle wide rubber without distortion.

Source: http://mc.bridgestone.co.jp/en/products/battlax/bt021.html

Your best bet is to get a 120/70 front tire, and install it "backwards" so the tread is oriented correctly, that way you have good quality rubber and proper fitting tires.

[platinum_black]

How do you know?  Tried it before?  Everyone that seems to know anything about tires on here says it isn't a problem.  I"m gonna listen to them, not you.

bridger he is just trying to help you out there is no need to get on his back and everything he has said so far from knowledge is correct.

[Bridger]

So, Gsjack....  You ran a Conti Road Attack 150/70/17 on a 3.5" wheel with no problems right?  I am having a hard time deciding between that tire and the 021's....  The Conti's cost more, but you ran those over 8000 miles with no problems on a stock GS wheel if I remember right.   So, running the 150/70/17 Conti Road A's is most certainly a safe bet.  Am I correct in my thinking?

[gsJack]

The RoadAttack is the stickiest rear tire I've run.  I got 10k miles from mine, ran it with a bias Lasertec front tire.  I really liked my GS with those tires on it but just don't think they're worth the $40 a tire more than the Roadriders I'm using now.  Trying to slow down and act my age.   

The 150/70 RoadAttack was approved for 4.0-4.5" rims like the BT021 is but their previous 150/70 Contiforce radial was approved for 3.5-4.5" rims so I questioned Conti about it:

Dear John,
Our head technician in Germany confirmed that you will be OK to run a 150/70ZR17 in either ContiForce or Road Attack on your 3.5" rim.  I have attached some detailed information on the Road Attack for your review.

Safe Riding & Best Regards,
Greg Reich
Continental Tire North America, Inc.
Sales Manager/Motorcycle Tires

-------------------------

Your inquiry / Anfrage:
Your previous guides listed a 3.5" rim as suitable for your 150/70/17 ContiForce tire. Since the RoadAttack came out you show a 4.0" minimum rim width for both the ContiForce and RoadAttack tires in the 150/70/17 size.

I'm interested in trying the RoadAttack and wonder if it is a less suitable fitment than the Contiforce was on the 3.5" rim.  A number of tire makers approve this fitment like the Z6, Diablo Strada, and BT020 for example.  I'm running a 150/70/17 Lasertec now and am quite satisfied with the performance but would like to get the longer tire life I previously got from Metzler and Avon sport touring radials.

My local tire supplier has the RoadAttacks at a favorable price and I have been seeing very good reviews on them.  Would much appreciate your views on this fitment.

Thank you,
John Paul


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

[Bridger]

Thanks! That answers my question for sure!  I can get a 150/70 Conti RA from my local shop for $135

[joshr08]

i got my shinko 120/60 160/60 ravens for 160 shipped for both