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Everything (almost) you need to know about MC tires.

Started by gsJack, April 09, 2005, 05:59:40 AM

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gsJack

I've found most of the info I need on the Tire mfg sites which combined with over 300k miles of experience using up mc tires gives me a good idea of what to expect from the new ones I haven't tried yet.

Most will give you the installed dimensions of the tires and also their fitment charts showing their reccommended tire for each bike they have one for.  I have printed all pages that are pertinent to the GS500 and stapled them together for reference.  I really can't remember all those dimensions, but have them at my fingertips.   :thumb:

Tire Mfgs:
http://www.avonmotorcycle.com/
http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/      (Bridgestone)
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/general/home/index_en.html
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/
http://www.irc-tire.com/
http://www.kendausa.com/motorcycle/motorcycle.cfm
http://www.maxxis.com/
http://www.metzeler.com/
http://www.us.pirellimoto.com/
http://www.shinkotire.co.kr/

A few of many, many online Tire Retailers:
http://www.americanmototire.com/
http://store.azmusa.com/azmotorsports/tires1.html
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/dept.asp?dept_id=456&mscssid=0C337EFBD88984B99963AA0CAEFB8CF5&Gift=false&GiftID=
http://www.accwhse.com/#PT
http://www.motorcyclemart.com/tires.htm
http://www.motorcycledreamshop.com/
http://www.motorcycleproshop.com/tires.asp
http://www.parts411.com/
http://www.ronayers.com/main.cfm
http://swmototires.com/
http://www.tiresunlimited.com/

juggernaught

"Champagne for my real friends, Real pain for my sham friends" - Edward Norton -The 25th. Hour  Ducati Monster 620 Dark in a sexy silver, Michelin Pilots, Cycle Cat frame sliders, Remus Titanium exhaust system, Givi Airstream windscreen.

coll0412

CRA #220

MR_PINK

Awesome post very informative should be a sticky  8)

raylarrabee

Jack's the man.  Can we make this sticky, or put it in FAQ?
Yellow 2000 Honda VFR800fi

pantablo

#5
Quote from: gsjack on May 01, 2006, 10:46:13 PMTires I've used on the GSs so far and miles used:

(the famous tire log!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelog.jpg

My ranking so far for my type of use:

1.  AV45/46 Avon ST radials

2.  MEZ4/Z2 sport touring radials

3.  ME33/ ME88 Metzelers for longer life with good handling.  Consider Lasretec/ME880 combo now for long life but gives very tall 130/90 or 140/80 rear tire.

4.  BT45

5.  AM51/52

6.  OEM Excedras

7.  K491 rear.  Very long lasting but too slick for GS500s handling.  Worked good on my previous old Hondas though.  <G>

The ME33 front was the most even wearing front tire I've had on the GSs, most other fronts wore very unevenly for me.  Main reason for my trying the Lasertecs, the front has same ME33 type tread pattern.

The BT010 front was put on the 97 because it was immediately available locally and the more responsive handling of this sport radial is quite noticeable over the sport touring radials.  If you ride less miles per year or have lots of tire bucks, you might enjoy the all out sport radials although the rear tire size will be a compromise on our 3.5" wheels.
Pablo-
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/
www.pma-architect.com


Quote from: makenzie71 on August 21, 2006, 09:47:40 PM...not like normal sex, either...like sex with chicks.

pandy

Quote from: gsJack on January 02, 2007, 08:42:18 PM
There is a posting of my ranking of the tires I've used in the FAQ section which was copied there by Pablo.  I updated this ranking last Oct to include the Lasertecs and Road Attack I used since the original ranking but couldn't post it myself in the FAQ section so I've copied it here:

<<< Time to update my ranking of the many tires I've used on the GS500's.  Just my own personal opinions based on my experiences, your usage may vary. 

Tires I've used on the GSs so far and miles used:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelog.jpg

My ranking so far for my type of use:

1.  Metz Lasertec front with Conti Road Attack rear.  Tentative rating, see below.

2.  AV45/46 Avon ST radials

3.  Metz Lasertec bias sport touring

4.  MEZ4/Z2 sport touring radials

5.  ME33/ ME88 Metzelers for longer life with good handling.  Consider Lasertec/ME880 combo now for long life but gives very tall 130/90 or 140/80 rear tire.

6.  BT45

7.  AM51/52

8.  OEM Excedras

9.  K491 rear.  Very long lasting but too slick for GS500s handling.  Worked good on my previous old Hondas though. 

The ME33 front was the most even wearing front tire I've had on the GSs, most other fronts wore very unevenly for me.  Main reason for my trying the Lasertecs rather than the Demons or Actives, the front has the same ME33 type tread pattern.

The BT010 front was put on the 97 because it was immediately available locally and the more responsive handling of this sport radial is quite noticeable over the sport touring radials.  If you ride less miles per year or have lots of tire bucks, you might enjoy the all out sport radials although the rear tire size will be a compromise on our 3.5" wheels.

Now possibly the best of both worlds, the new Conti Road Attacks.  Conti's claim:  "giving the performance of a sports tyre and the mileage of a touring tyre."  I'm trying a Road Attack rear with a Lasertec front, my favorite front tire.  With over 2k miles on them so far I can confirm Conti's handling claim.  I find myself cornering faster now with the Laser/Attacks than I did with the sport touring radials or the pair of matching Lasertecs and doing so with ease and confidence.  I really don't expect the Road Attack rear to last the 13-14k miles the Avon and Metz sport touring radials did, but if they go the 10k miles at least that the Lasertecs did they will remain my first choice.  Final report next year on these. >>>

Some thoughts I just posted on the BT45s on another forum to a friend inquiring about their life:

<<< Back in 99 I put a pair of the BT45s on my first GS500 to replace the OE Bridgestone Excedras and thought highly of them.  They were considerably better than the Excedras they replaced. I got 9500 miles from the rear and 13,600 from the front.  After trying a couple of touring tires on the rear, I put on a 2nd rear BT45 and picked up the pace a bit and it was half worn out at 2300 miles when I replaced it with a radial Z2 rear that went 13,900 miles.  I kept a pic of that BT45 and it was nicely rounded from lots of twisties and not at all flat spotted:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/bt45wear.jpg

To be honest I think the Pirelli Demons, Metzeler Lasertecs, and Michelin Activs are currently the best of the bias ply sport touring tires; the BT45 and Dunlop GT501 are older designs.  However I've heard from a couple sources that Bridgestone has upgraded the compounds for the BT45s and they might well be better now than when I tried them. >>>

So who is going to try the new Avon Road Riders now available and report on them?  Think I'd try the 110/80 front and 140/70 rear, nicely priced at Southwest:

http://swmototires.com/


 




'06 SV650s (1 past Gixxer; 3 past GS500s)
I get blamed for EVERYTHING around here!
:woohoo:

Cal Price

You really have to admire Jack for producing the definative guide and then saying "Almost" everything you need to know, what else is there, take a bow Jack :bowdown: :thumb:
Black Beemer  - F800ST.
In Cricket the testicular guard, or Box, was introduced in 1874. The helmet was introduced in 1974. Is there a message??

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