replacing tires...

[Canonball]

i'm gonna need new tires real soon, just wondering if anyone has any suggestions of reliable and/or cheap retailers.

I'm looking at going with the bridgestone battlax bt45's again, F 110/70-17 & R 140/70-17

[BaltimoreGS]

I've had good luck with www.motorcycle-superstore.com

-Jessie

[gsJack]

If you want the BT45 tires the oem G spec tires in oem sizes are less expensive than the regular BT45 are.  Only difference is the G spec have 1/32 less tread depth than the regular ones, 8/32" instead of 9/32" deep on rear tire.

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

Motorcycle-superstore has some real good prices on some tires like Jessie suggests so give them a check too.  Not as good prices on all tires but some real bargains to be had there...................  Just took a look and those are probably G spec oem size BT45 at superstore since they are $20 less than other similar size BT45 are there:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/1/0/0/DEPARTMENT/Street-Bike-Sport-Touring-Tires-Tires.aspx#&&Back=71-0

[black and silver twin]

www.denniskirk.com is where I got my tires from, very fast shipping and very good pricing. I recommend Pirelli Sport Demon tires, They are much stickier with hugely more traction and turn in is better than bt45s, plus they have better traction in water, the only down side is they last slightly less miles. I got 7000mi out of my stock rear bt45 and my bet is the sport demons will only last 5-6000mi. my front bt45 however would have lasted 15000mi but I dont like mixing tires.

P.S. I do lots of whellies and some burn outs, thats why my tires dont last long. most people will get more miles out of both tires.

[rafiki911]

Was going to start a thread but glad I found this one. I've done over 12,000kms on my stock tires and looking for new ones. Was thinking about the Sport Demon but wanted to check here first to see if they were any good. Was looking to get a more sporty tire than the touring ones that normally go on our bike.

Also wondering what size to go with. People telling me to go up a size in the rear tire but not really sure if it will enhance the performance of the bike or just make it look cool. Not into paying more for something if it's not going to make a significant difference in performance.

I can get front and rear tire for about $220 from Petes Superbikes.

Looking for some input from those who have tried the Sport Demons, have tried other sporty tires, or have tried different size tires.

Thanks:)

[codajastal]

I have sport demons and love them. Great on the twisties and standard size

[TonyKZ1]

Sport Demons are excellent, I'm currently running a pair and they work great.
Tony

[Worm]

Before you buy online, check what a local place is going to charge you to mount and balance. It's usually a higher rate if you don't buy the tires from them. If you are doing it yourself, then disregard!   

[Beerstudd]

Bought BT45's 120/70 and 140/70 for less then $200. Cycle Gear installed both for 72.50 with balancing.

[bombsquad83]

I could see mounting a tire yourself...but how would you go about balancing it?  From the research that I've seen and feedback on this site, I'm between Avon Roadriders and the sport demons when I get new tires. 

[Worm]

You can buy the stick on lead weights

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/77/29602/ITEM/K-L-Quickstick-Wheel-Weights.aspx?SiteID=CSE_Gbase_292252&WT.mc_ID=80003&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45&zmap=292252

or go with Dyna Beads

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/43/81/165/726/-/-/191341/Dyna-Beads-Motorcycle-Starter-Kit-4-oz.?ref=gmc

[bombsquad83]

I don't doubt you could get weights.  How do you know where to put them without a balancing machine?

[shonole]

I don't doubt you could get weights.  How do you know where to put them without a balancing machine?

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=34754

[BaltimoreGS]

GS wheels are skinny enough that you can get away with a static balance.  I use a rod clamped in a vice that allows the wheel to spin freely.  Spin the wheel lightly and mark where it settles at the bottom. Spin it again and see if it settles in the same spot.  If it does, that is your heavy spot.  Add a wheel weight to the opposite side (top) of the wheel and spin it again.  If it settles in the same spot, add a little more weight.  Repeat the process until the wheel starts to stop spinning in random places and you have eliminated the heavy spot. 

-Jessie

[noiseguy]

Do a search on "scudman tire change" on youtube... he also has videos on how to balance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pfp2Z9k0n0

[bombsquad83]

Cool.  That's pretty much the process I was thinking of.  I just didn't know if it was precise enough for a good balance.  Thanks!

[Kijona]

If your bearings aren't worn out, you can also balance on the bike. Just remove the brake caliper in the front...and in the rear. Obviously, you'd need to do it without the chain being on.

You know, Michelin states that its tires are so good they don't even need to be balanced. If your rim is balanced, and you buy a decent tire, you shouldn't need to balance them much. Lots of weight on a rim indicates one of two things...warped or severely unbalanced rim, or cruddy tires. It's a good way to tell about a bike when you buy it...lots of weights with a decent tire...bad rim.

[rafiki911]

Thanks for the feed back:) Definately going to check out the local guys and pricing on installing the tires before I ordering.

[Worm]

Dyna Beads don't require any "balancing". You just put the amount required by the tire size into the tire through the valve stem, replace the valve stem and inflate. Pretty slick!

[jt_234]

I have sport demons and love them. Great on the twisties and standard size

+1 on the Pirelli Sport Demons.  I put them on last year, whole new bike now.  I bought my tires from Jake Wilson.

Before you buy online, check what a local place is going to charge you to mount and balance. It's usually a higher rate if you don't buy the tires from them. If you are doing it yourself, then disregard!   

There are a lot of places that won't even mount tires unless you buy them from them.  Be sure to look into it first if you plan on having someone mount them for you.