Road riders vs Azaros vs other tires

[dsmgs500]

What I am looking for is something sporty but I maybe able to drive it for long periods of time, I think I'm stuck between the azaros and road riders. I'm a new but would like something thats capable of more lean comfortably as my riding skill progresses. Sugesstions and opinions?

[gsJack]

You might want to read the bias ply tire comparo test from UK Bike Magazine, it compares the major brand bias tires tested on a track on a GS500:

http://www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php/Tire_Comparison

The Roadriders are bias ply sport touring tires and the Azaros are radial ply sport touring tires.  Just for comparison, the Roadriders in 110/70 and 130/70 stock sizes cost $169 a pair and the Azaros in the 110/80 and 140/80 available sizes to fit the GS cost $242 a pair.  Prices from Jake Wilson.  Quite a difference and I think you'd get about the same good tire life from either with better performance from the Azaros.  I had a pair of those size Azaros on my 02 GS for my last trip to the mountains to play back in 04.  I liked them but am not pushing it as fast anymore so I find the Roadriders more than meet my current needs. 

I still think the Lasertec bias front with a radial RoadAttack rear were the best handling tires I've had on my GSs for the 160k miles I've put on them.  Tires I've used on the GSs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs.jpg

[dsmgs500]

I would like something sporty and something that maybe very capable, I'm not daily driving it, its my weekend fun toy. I'm not dragging knees yet ( not to say that I wont be) but I would like something that would give me confidence in spirited turns. Do you think that the road riders would suffice or do you think I should go with azaros?  Or maybe even something completly different?

[dsmgs500]

^^

[dsmgs500]

Need some feedback on the azaros! Need to order them asap!

[steezin_and_wheezin]

try searching around on the net, there are plenty of reviews/feedback on tires

here's 10 reviews on motosuperstore.com:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/5983/ITEM/Avon-AV46-Azaro-Sport-Touring-Rear-Tire.aspx

[gsJack]

Need some feedback on the azaros! Need to order them asap!

Keep in mind that the Azaros are not Avons current sport touring radial tires, the Azaros were replaced by the Storms and the Storms were replaced by the Storm 2 tires which are dual compound and the dual compound sport touring radial tires are in now.  They only continue to make the Azaros in 6 sizes they didn't make Storms in.

........................Do you think that the road riders would suffice or do you think I should go with azaros?............... 

I'd use both.    Never was as happy with the radial fronts as I was with the radial rears on the GSs, both the Metz Z4 and the Azaros I used.  That's why I used a bias Lasertec front with my radial RoadAttack rear, very nice combo.  I was seriously considering another Azaro rear last winter when my 2nd Roadrider rear was ready for replacement and was going to use it with a Roadrider front.  Decided on another 140/70 Roadrider rear instead.  Your needs may vary.

[Asym]

I have a road rider rear currently and hate it. I'm running a 140/70 17 and the profile isn't right, stock is 130/70 17. When leaning in a corner it almost always breaks loose. The 130 might have a better profile and not have these problems but my 140s have a steep drop off to the edge.
When I'm commuting I have no complaints on the road rider, its been wearing evenly and has tons of tread left. When I'm screwing around and riding it harder through the corners I slide way to much. I have lots of tread left but I really want to replace it.

[dsmgs500]

Thats a bit unnerving. I'm looking for something I can push and feel confident in....

[dsmgs500]

I was going to buy some road riders today, now I'm really confused.....

[mimikeni]

Only been riding nine months, but the Road Riders I put on front and back are great for my skill level so far.  Of course, I started out on the stock tires which were 16 years old!

[dsmgs500]

Yea, I have stock tires which are like 20 years old.


Do you think I will be ok with road riders?

[gsJack]

I have a road rider rear currently and hate it. I'm running a 140/70 17 and the profile isn't right, stock is 130/70 17. When leaning in a corner it almost always breaks loose. The 130 might have a better profile and not have these problems but my 140s have a steep drop off to the edge..............................

I really don't think there is that much difference between the 130 and 140 Roadriders as far as shape goes.  Looks to me like the edge dropoff is about the same, maybe even a bit less steep on the 140 than the 130.  I have a mounted 130 in the garage as well as the new 140 currently on my bike so I took a pic of them side by side:



I like the Roadriders but always qualify my posts about them as I did above:

......................I liked them but am not pushing it as fast anymore so I find the Roadriders more than meet my current needs........................ 

Yea, I have stock tires which are like 20 years old.


Do you think I will be ok with road riders?

I think if you have stock tires that are even 10 years old you will think any new tires are wonderful by comparison.  By the time you use up a set of the long lasting Roadriders you might be ready for something stickier.

[dsmgs500]

I don't plan on dailying it, its my weekend fun toy. Should I still get the road riders, or is there something stickier I should get? I'm worried my skill level will out grow the tires....

I'm also worried that when I blow $300 on some new tires, I could have spent $350 and gotten something more sporty.

I guess what I'm looking for is a straight answer, I'm not familiar with motorcycle tires, I read up a bunch of stuff but its all very oppinionated. I'm not sure of the nuances since I have had the bike for a little over two months and have ridden only max of 300 miles (due to it being worked on and not having good tires)

If someone can be a little more straight forward that would be great. I do think that anything will be better than the old tires, but I feel like if I can get the best bang for my buck and get something I grow with, that would be great.

Thanks!

[dsmgs500]

 

[steezin_and_wheezin]

i think yer at the point i am, we've asked many question. we have lots of information, now's the time to pull the trigger and go with yer gut.

i'm jumping in both feet and buying the BT-003's.

let us know what you decide!!

[dsmgs500]

i think yer at the point i am, we've asked many question. we have lots of information, now's the time to pull the trigger and go with yer gut.

i'm jumping in both feet and buying the BT-003's.

let us know what you decide!!

What size are you getting the bt's in?

[steezin_and_wheezin]

110 on front and 140 on rear

[dsmgs500]

I looked them up, are they race tires or something different? They look pretty good to me acctually, I would be worried about wet weather handling.....

[dsmgs500]

Bump for somemore feed back, I would really like to order something today!