Tire Suggestions for 98 GS500E

[SecretAgent]

Needing new tires for my 1998 Suzuki GS500E

What do you guys think about these?

Shinko SR741 Rear Cruiser Tire (130/70 - 17 --)  $60.99
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/18727/ITEM/Shinko-SR741-Rear-Cruiser-Tire.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch

Shinko SR740F Front Cruiser Tire (110/70 - 17 54H) $45.99
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/18726/ITEM/Shinko-SR740F-Front-Cruiser-Tire.aspx


I'm pretty sure the original ones that are on the bike are OEM bridgstone but they are like $125/each online!!!!

Pic for fun:
[IMG=http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9154/p1012195.jpg][/IMG]


Thanks

[gsJack]

Just asked a few days ago:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55825

[Allen]

Hey there, anyone tried and liked the shinko's?  I use the kendas, I'm on my second rear kenda, seems to work fine for me as I don't hit the corners too hard, but they do seem a little bit less grippy as compared to the original bt45. I got the kendas by mail from jcwhitney.com.

[SecretAgent]

Hey there, anyone tried and liked the shinko's?  I use the kendas, I'm on my second rear kenda, seems to work fine for me as I don't hit the corners too hard, but they do seem a little bit less grippy as compared to the original bt45. I got the kendas by mail from jcwhitney.com.

I will let you know, I'm going to order them tomorrow...should be on by next week.

[mimikeni]

I went with Avon Road Riders and love them.

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,

I personally wouldn't buy cheap, off-brand tires for my motorcycle.

I buy name brand tires that are sticky with traction. I like Michelins and can find them in the right sizes and at reasonable prices for my bike. The last Michelins I bought were the Macadam models, but they have since been replaced with a new model, the Pilot Activ. They're about $100 each from Dennis Kirk.

I've also run Metzlers and have been very happy with them. They make Lasertecs to fit the stock GS500 sizes.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/cmn/prodlist.jsp?store=&category=40402&mmyId=6095

Yes they are more expensive but you get what you pay for.

I think off-brand tires don't have adequate rubber compounds for wear, traction, rain, etc.

You only have two wheels and tires on a motorcycle. Buy the best tires you can get.

That's been my theory for 36 years of riding. Cheap tires aren't worth it when you are riding on the street in the rain, varied road surfaces, etc.

Best wishes,

Trwhouse
 

[Jared]

Tires of today are a helluva lot better than they were 30 years ago.... Hell BT45's were stock on my 1994 ZX11....they still sell them today... Shinko group bought out Yokohama in the late 90's ( molds- everything...)..Yokohoma made good tires .

I liked the Cheng Shin Barracuda V's ...Kenda's after that... more than adequate grip for most riders/performance of the Gs500e... When I had my original 89 Gs I believe it had excedras...I never ran out of traction then (but I was a new rider then).

I have a set of Shinko's coming next week (740/41) for the next GS I have here... They are  "cruiser" tires so you shouldn't expect race tire traction.  Bottom line is they'll be better than the worn out ones on the bike.Most of the bikes I'm doing are likely going to be sold so I'm not going to put premium rubber on them -but they'll be brand new.

If I can save $100 ( especially now )- I'm  going to save it.

[SecretAgent]

Hi there,

I personally wouldn't buy cheap, off-brand tires for my motorcycle.

I buy name brand tires that are sticky with traction. I like Michelins and can find them in the right sizes and at reasonable prices for my bike. The last Michelins I bought were the Macadam models, but they have since been replaced with a new model, the Pilot Activ. They're about $100 each from Dennis Kirk.

I've also run Metzlers and have been very happy with them. They make Lasertecs to fit the stock GS500 sizes.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/cmn/prodlist.jsp?store=&category=40402&mmyId=6095

Yes they are more expensive but you get what you pay for.

I think off-brand tires don't have adequate rubber compounds for wear, traction, rain, etc.

You only have two wheels and tires on a motorcycle. Buy the best tires you can get.

That's been my theory for 36 years of riding. Cheap tires aren't worth it when you are riding on the street in the rain, varied road surfaces, etc.

Best wishes,

Trwhouse
 

Thanks for the advice, If I had the extra cash I would definitely go for the originals.

Tires of today are a helluva lot better than they were 30 years ago.... Hell BT45's were stock on my 1994 ZX11....they still sell them today... Shinko group bought out Yokohama in the late 90's ( molds- everything...)..Yokohoma made good tires .

I liked the Cheng Shin Barracuda V's ...Kenda's after that... more than adequate grip for most riders/performance of the Gs500e... When I had my original 89 Gs I believe it had excedras...I never ran out of traction then (but I was a new rider then).

I have a set of Shinko's coming next week (740/41) for the next GS I have here... They are  "cruiser" tires so you shouldn't expect race tire traction.  Bottom line is they'll be better than the worn out ones on the bike.Most of the bikes I'm doing are likely going to be sold so I'm not going to put premium rubber on them -but they'll be brand new.

If I can save $100 ( especially now )- I'm  going to save it.

Thanks for the reply,

I am kinda in the same boat.  I will probably only have this bike for another year and I don't do any serious riding (10-20 minute commute). I will maybe put 500 miles on it before I trade up or sell anyways. 

[gsJack]

Superstore calls the Shinko 740/741 tires "Cruiser Tires" but how many cruisers have you seen with 16-17" front tires?  Shinko calls them Sport Touring tires so I'll go along with that:

http://www.shinkotire.co.kr/english/02product/sub01_detail.asp?pcode=AA00030249
http://www.shinkotire.co.kr/english/02product/sub01_detail.asp?pcode=AA00030250

The Kenda K671 was a real good example of a poorly named tire, they called it a cruiser tire right on the tire but it was really their sport-touring tire, guess they heard anything marked cruiser sold in the US:

http://www.kendausa.com/en/home/motorcycle/street/cruiser-.aspx

I put a K671 on the rear of an old CM400 and my current 02 GS500 came with a Kenda K657on it's rear; I always thought those Kendas were as good as the B'stone Excedras that were oem on the GS500 thru 2002.

I will probably only have this bike for another year and I don't do any serious riding (10-20 minute commute). I will maybe put 500 miles on it before I trade up or sell anyways. 

The Shinko 740/741 or the Kenda K671 should more than meet your needs.

[TonyKZ1]

I've ran multiple sets of both the Avon Road Riders and Kenda K-671s, both are good tires, the RR are longer lasting and the more expensive of the two. It all depends on you want and how much you want to spend. For how much the Kenda's are, they're a good value IMHO.
Tony

[Twism86]

If its not too late, Pirelli Sport Demons. You will thank yourself.

[Nightdrive89]

Bridgestone Bt003rs the only way to go. 110/70/17 front     140/70/17 rear!

[burning1]

 

I would not install BT003RS with the stock suspension - bias plys are better suited. I also wouldn't recommend them to anyone who does normal street riding. The BT003RS are great trackday tires, but way overkill for street riding, and terrible in wet weather.

[SecretAgent]

Thanks everyone for the advice,

I ordered the Shinkos, and was free shipping so total was $105.  Will be here on Friday and I will take some before/after pics....

your going to laugh at the before of the rear tire 

[burning1]

If there's rubber on it, I've seen worse.

[SecretAgent]

Got the tires on and went for a quick/first ride today. 

Only went around the block a few times but 10x times better than before.

I will let you guys know how the Shinkos turn out once I brake them in a bit 

[jeffdodge]

Agreed about overkill on the BT003RS. I disagree about them being bad in wet weather. I have them on my bike and even in wet, they have never lost traction on me. That said, I have heard lots of good things about Shinkos. I am getting ready to order a set of Shinko Podiums.

[ben2go]

I don't ride in wet weather.I have Shinko 005 Advanced sizes 120-60-17 front and 160-60-17 rear.

[burning1]

Agreed about overkill on the BT003RS. I disagree about them being bad in wet weather. I have them on my bike and even in wet, they have never lost traction on me. That said, I have heard lots of good things about Shinkos. I am getting ready to order a set of Shinko Podiums.

I had them installed on a damp track-day. Front worked okay, but the rear was sliding all over the place.

[jeffdodge]

I could see if you were pushing them how they could probably be a little squirly in the wet.