New tyre (tire) combo on my GS

[hehehemann]

Got myself new tyres today, originally planned on the Avon 45/46 combo but when getting to the shop they had ordered the wrong size front so instead they put on a Metzeler M1-Sportec.

Metzeler M1-Sportec 110/70 front
Avon Azaro 46-ST 140/80 rear

Anyone have any opinions about this combo?

I've not got out for any decent riding yet but will do on Sunday. They replaced the Bridgestone excedra's that were on the bike. The bike definatley feels different, the 80 size rear has upped the back end now I feel like I'm riding with my butt in the air. With the short trip home (going the long way) I was careful with corners until the tyres are scrubbed in but the bike definately wanted to lean more into the corner.

PS. I'm still using the 'tyre' spelling, the US way 'tire' just looks weird

[scratch]

Quite all right, ol' chap. Take it easy on those new tyres. Enjoy and let us now how they are after you break 'em in.

(Had to go back and edit spelling)

Cheers!

[Kerry]

the bike definately wanted to lean more into the corner.

When I bought my (now richard's) 1996 GS500 it still had the stock Exedras on it.  I wouldn't have known any different, except that I'd been riding my '99 with Bridgestone BT45s for a while.  It's one thing to go from Exedras to better tires, but to go BACK....

Shudder!

[Hi-T]

Radials have a more rounded profile- I had the same thing happen with me when I switched- almost like you have to try harder to balance the bike.  But give it a 1000 miles of commuting and it goes away.

I have the avon rear and a pirelli front.  They seem to compliment each other fine.  My concern is that the pirelli is more of a race tire... (this is where i explain the difference in tire heating and grip and how each time a tire is heated to operating temp and cools down it's supposed to get harder and loose some of its gripping ability the next time it heats up...) but what ever.

[gsJack]

Got myself new tyres today, originally planned on the Avon 45/46 combo but when getting to the shop they had ordered the wrong size front so instead they put on a Metzeler M1-Sportec.

Metzeler M1-Sportec 110/70 front
Avon Azaro 46-ST 140/80 rear

Anyone have any opinions about this combo?

I put the Z4/Z2 combo on last season for the second year and the like new Z2 rear was cut and non-repairable about a month later.  I found a rear Avon AV36 in a hurry and ran it with the Z4 front for the rest of the summer.  When the Z4 front front was worn, I put a BT010 front on with the evenly half worn rear AV36.  No problems at all, I like that BT010/AV36 combo which is similar to yours with the sport front and sport touring rear.

THe AV45, Sportec, and BT010 are all modern designs with the multi-arc front profiles.  I wouldn't hesitate to try your combo myself.  If it doesn't work out, your heirs can sue the dealer that put them on.    :lol:

[b1k3r 3li+3]

i thought you were going with the perilli sport demons like me, or was that someone else?

[newbieone]

That's odd Kerry. I think I got ripped off. My 01 has excedra's on it. at least they are wore out and getting replaced with whatever is better.

[Kerry]

No, my 1999 came with Exedras, too.  But by the time I bought the '96 I had already worn them out and replaced them.

Sorry if I misled you.

However, I understand that the '04 (and possibly 02+) years came with BT45s stock.  So we can BOTH feel ripped off!

[newbieone]

[hehehemann]

i thought you were going with the perilli sport demons like me, or was that someone else?

I was, but then after reading different posts, magazine articles and online reviews/information i opted to go the radial path.

[hehehemann]

Update..

Been out on the bike the last couple of days for some good riding.

wow, it's an unbelieveable difference compared to the excedras I had. It just sticks on the corners, handling is so much smoother, even the bumps in the road that I travel over each day seem to have smoothed out. I cannot say enough as to how good these tyres make the bike feel.

Next up is the progressive springs.