Tyre shopping

[the_63]

IS THERE ANYTHING WORSE?! 

Chris

[J_Walker]

IS THERE ANYTHING WORSE?! 

Chris

With the GS's weird tire uncommon sizes... only an engine rebuild comes close.

[gsJack]

I enjoyed tire shopping almost as much as I enjoyed wearing them out.

I've run 110/70, 110/80, 120/70 front and 130/70, 130/80, 130/90, 140/70, 140/80, 150/60, 150/70 rear tires on my GSs on the stock 3.0 and 3.5" wheels.  All of the tires I've run have been fitments approved by the tires maker except the 150/60 rear.  I've run bias, bias belted, and radial tires.  No alterations are required to the bike for any of these sizes on stock wheels except the 150/60 and 150/70 which come close to or touch the brake rod and may require bending the rod a bit.

Tires I've run on my 97 and 02 GSs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs_zpsoxtnjzsi.jpg

[the_63]

I had a look through the catalogue you posted in a previous thread. At the moment I've narrowed it down to Michelin Pilot Street (£114.26+ fitting), or the Pirelli Sport Demon (£126.20+ fitting). Both standard sizes, 110/70-17 front, 130/70-17 rear.

Chris

[ShowBizWolf]

Sport Demons have been talked about a lot on this forum over the years... seems to be a popular choice!

I have the Pilot Street on the front of my bike and I love it so far (not many miles on it though, just got it last summer).

I know it's not for everyone to change around sizes but I absolutely love the bigger rear tire on my GS... plus as I recently found out, it looks awesome with the Bandit hugger. And since you've also got the hugger on the way...      jus' sayin' 

[J_Walker]

Sport Demons have been talked about a lot on this forum over the years... seems to be a popular choice!

I have the Pilot Street on the front of my bike and I love it so far (not many miles on it though, just got it last summer).

I know it's not for everyone to change around sizes but I absolutely love the bigger rear tire on my GS... plus as I recently found out, it looks awesome with the Bandit hugger. And since you've also got the hugger on the way...      jus' sayin' 

how you like the pilot streets? Ive been looking at the Avon AM26 Roadrider tires, but since they are roughly the same price. good touring/daily tire? I don't need something that's super sticky since my GS is my "daily" and I baby it through corners slowing down real slow an all. and im due for new tires.. and sprockets, and chain.. and brake pads... and air filter, and oil change + filter 

[ShowBizWolf]

I wish I could give ya some more info! But like I said, I just got the Pilot Street last summer... I'm trying to remember I think it was at the end like in August... so not many miles on it but I like it very much so far.

As for the back, I have the Pilot Activ. Have had it since summer of '15 and IMO it's a nice daily tire. Sounds like my riding style is a lot like yours... I do baby my GS most of the time and hardly ever ride it like I stole it... unless I'm gonna be late for work !!! 

[prmas]

I have the Pilot Street Radials on my GS.
They have done about 2500 km and still look almost new.
The rear was fitted before the front and has done 26 hard laps of the Phillip Island GP Circuit as well.
I was very impressed with the grip level. I was able to cut inside a few more powerful and faster bikes quite easily.
I am happy with the performance in the dry but have not tested them in the wet.
I have the 140/70 on the rear and like it.   

Macka

[SirHansford]

Avon RoadRiders are a popular pick for many that i've seen and spoke to for not only their price, but also their quality.  I have run from high dollar Bridgestone all the way down to the cheapest Shinkos I could find and never had any trouble out of them although I am obliged to say that the shinkos did indeed ride a little rougher than a more pricey tire. Can save a pretty penny regardless of choice by installing them yourself if you're up to it. Good luck!

[Rallyfan]

The Bridgestone S20EVO in 140/70/17 really works well out back on my F but ambient temps are above 10C and its dry. I've not tried colder or wet (yet?). A good choice if you want something more suited to twisties than touring rubber, but more costly and less long lived. I'd buy again.

[qcbaker]

...
I don't need something that's super sticky since my GS is my "daily" and I baby it through corners slowing down real slow an all
...

Oh, come on. That's no fun! Thin up those chicken strips, my man!

[gsJack]

Here's a test run across the big pond to the east on a GS500 on a 2.2 mile track comparing 7 different sets of bias tires that might be of interest to tire shoppers.

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

[RideShield]

+1  for the 130/70-17 Avon AM26 Roadrider Rear Tire that was $102 shipped in stretch plastic wrap on eBay. This replaced an original 2007  that was starting to crack. Since this was my first new tire I was impressed at how well it held onto the road. This Spring I'll be looking for a front tire as well.

[Watcher]

I'm running Michelin Pilot Power 2CT on the Buell.  Were on the bike when I bought it, born on date around July2015, I bought Sept2016.  The previous owner included a sun faded tank bag and some sun faded saddlebags and claimed he commuted on it, I'm inclined to believe him.

I ride hard, lots of expressway, and I'm just now hitting the wear bars in the center.  A 2 year life of commuting duty from a relatively soft compound tire seems pretty damn good to me.

Can't say how well they work in the wet, but they hook up like Velcro in the curves.  Power wheelies on the way out and everything.
If they're available in a size that works for the GS I'd recommend them.
They seem to run about $250 a set.

[J_Walker]

...
I don't need something that's super sticky since my GS is my "daily" and I baby it through corners slowing down real slow an all
...

Oh, come on. That's no fun! Thin up those chicken strips, my man!

the only reason why I'm on my GS is from "thinning up those chicken strips" and of course someone stopping in front of me mid 120degree turn at 40mph... people drive like maniacs around here. I'd rather keep riding and not have another accident because taking a corner quickly was more important than just slowing it on down. that's just me though. I'm not afraid of crashing, I'm afraid of someone running me over...

[qcbaker]

the only reason why I'm on my GS is from "thinning up those chicken strips" and of course someone stopping in front of me mid 120degree turn at 40mph... people drive like maniacs around here. I'd rather keep riding and not have another accident because taking a corner quickly was more important than just slowing it on down. that's just me though. I'm not afraid of crashing, I'm afraid of someone running me over...

I was just kidding around lol. Ride safe, man.

[the_63]

A guy on youtube made a video for scrubbing off your chicken strips manually with a scotch brite. Basically to remove the new tyre waxyness, in case one day you find you need a little more lean, and you go from scrubbed in to slippy new rubber...

Chris

[qcbaker]

Both my bikes will need new tires when I get them inspected, I think. That's gonna suck to have to buy 2 sets

[MichaelM3]

I've become a big fan of the Michelin Pilot Street Radials.
I primarily use the bike for commuting (330ks / week). The Michelins have been really good in both wet and dry conditions.
They are, I've found, pretty poor on gravel - much less forgiving than the Pirelli Sport Demons. I only discovered this as a result of having family who moved 'up country'.

Below are my records.

Tyre  Brand / Model                                 Replaced after
Rear tyres -
OEM Bridgestone Battlax BT45                11760.0 (replaced after large nail puncture)
Pirelli Sport Demon                                15682.3 (down to the tyre wear indicators)
Michelin Pilot Street Radial                        25806.2 (still going - I'm guessing there is another 4-5000ks in them)
   
Front tyres
OEM Bridgestone Battlax BT45                12257.0 (didn't trust them in the wet)
Pirelli Sport Demon                                23216.0 (down to the tyre wear indicators)
Michelin Pilot Street Radial                        17775.5 (still going)

Hope this helps.

[KGSB11]

I have a set of Road Riders that I have yet to mount on my "new to me" 07 GS-F.  Decided on those because of price compared to the Bridgestones and the life compared to the Sport Demons.

Should have them mounted next weekend.  Getting it done for free by a colleague with the equipment, so I don't have the luxury of dictating the schedule.