New Tires = World of diff. :)

[jtenright]

I am sooooo happy
put on my rear BT45 last week and felt a pretty good improvement, then replaced the front yesterday
and I am speachless
the BT45s are rocking

no more tracking, uneven cornering feel, etc..........
before it was ocword and kinda scary to really lean w/ the old worn tires, now it seems like the bike just rolls in and out of turns like nothing

My 1st set of new tires on my 1st bike was the best mod I have ever done!!!

just thought I would let ya know

BTW my new tires are 110/80 and 140/70

[dmp221]

Everyone seems to love BT45's.  Why did you choose the sizes that you did?

[john]

What is wrong with using the stock size?  Why did you go bigger and taller?

[jtenright]

really not sure why I git 110/80, instead of 110/70, just read it on a post(Jack had used the setup I guess),
after I ordered them I realized the 110/70 might be better

[john]

Just a reminder there is nothing *wrong* with going with the stock 110/70  130/70 setup.  It had worked successfully for 15 years

[Briliu]

i went from 120/70 front and 150/70 Rear, to stock bt45's and oh my god they are great. They were a bit slippery for awhile but i have since worn them in  :mrgreen: . Now that they are worn in, the bike just litteraly falls over into turns, if i hang off i actually have to apply stearing to keep the bike upright. FUN FUN!!!

[gsJack]

john Posted:
Just a reminder there is nothing *wrong* with going with the stock 110/70 130/70 setup. It had worked successfully for 15 years  

jtenright Posted:  
really not sure why I git 110/80, instead of 110/70, just read it on a post(Jack had used the setup I guess),
after I ordered them I realized the 110/70 might be better

John's right, absolutely nothing wrong with the OE size tires on the GS's.  Probably gives optimum handling and that's why the mfg chose those sizes.  Wider rear tires in vogue now a days are to handle the higher HP available on most newer bikes.  Not a problem on the GS.  

Why a 110/80 front?
1-Sometimes cheaper than the 110/70 or available locally when 110/70 is not.
2-Speedo is slightly more accurate with the larger front tire.
3-Some tires like the ME33 and GT501 come in the 110/80 size but not the 110/70 size.
4-More importantly, when you want to try touring or radial type tires on the GS; they just don't come in a 130/70 rear tire in the US.

In the past, I always used Dunlop touring tires on the back of my small 400-750cc bikes and got 25-30,000 miles out of them.  I tried the ME88 and then the K491 on the GS and they come in the 130/MT90 sizes that are 2'' bigger in dia than 130/70 and quickened the steering noticeably.  They worked better with the 110/80 front tires.  The GS was not at all happy with a K491 rear and demanded that I try radials.  :lol:  

I got 2 sets of Z4/Z2 radials next and chose the 110/70 Z4 to use with the 1" larger than std dia 130/80 Z2 rear.  They worked great together and little Suzi was happy again.  When the second Z2 was destroyed, I found a AV36 rear locally in the 140/80 size which is about 1.8" larger than the 130/70's and it too was happy with the 110/70 front.  Tires I have tried on the 97 GS500E:

http://members.aol.com:/jcprrp/GS500tirelog.txt

The 02 GS500 I bought 9-12 had 4400 miles on it and came with a 110/70 OEM front and a big 130/90 Kenda rear tire the dealer put on it.  It is quite twitchy at low speeds with these tires and the steeper steering angle.  OK at higher speeds.  Radials were quite OK with this steeper steering angle.

The 97 GS is all fixed up and waiting for a 12-2 state police inspection to get it out of salvage and put it back in service.  It has the Z4/AV36 radials and I will probably stick with radials on it for local fun.  The 02 will get new ties in the spring and I'm thinking of trying the Metzler 110/80 ME330 front with a 130/90 ME88 rear for a good milage/handling compromise on it for touring use.  Not sure yet.  So many tires, so little time.   :mrgreen:

I think jtenright's 110/80 and 140/70 will work well together.  About 7/16" taller front and about 9/32" taller rear.  Close to std steer geometry and a little more accurate speedo to boot.   :lol:  :lol:

Another thought, I put the first 110/80 front on before the Progressive Springs and it bottomed much less than before with the softer 110/80 tire.  Taller tires are softer tires and tires are also springs and as such are part of your suspension system.