Poll
Question:
What size tire should I go with?
Option 1: 150/60/17?
votes: 22
Option 2: 160/60/17?
votes: 3
I've been sitting on my Katana 4.5" rim for a few month now until I: (1) wore down my stockers instead of wasting good tires and (2) saved up some extra money to burn :icon_mrgreen:
I should mention I'm getting a set of Pilot Powers. I dont mind the fact that they will be short-lived; I really try to keep my highway riding to a minium. For the most part I ride my bike to & from work (which is all of 5 minutes away), and in some insane twisties in a nearby state forest every weekend. I've heard nothing but great remarks about the Pilot Powers so I'm pretty set on them.
I'll have everything taken apart and it won't take (too) much more effort to slip in a 160 over a 150.... so what do YOU think I should put on????
I don't know, obviously if you can get enough clearance then yeah do the bigger tire.
Consensus seems to be that the biggest meat that will fit is 150.
IDK, cause I haven't done it myself yet.
i have a 4.5 inch rim on my bike, and im telling you there is no way in f$£k that you are gunna get a 160 on there with out grinding your sprocket bolts and spacing it out, a 150 is all ya gunna get and you still have to space the sprocket so the chain doesn't rub, plus the torque arm has to be bent as well
Be on the safe side, use a 150. Some 160s can have clearance issues.
For example the Dunlop D208s :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
I will be installing a set of Pilot Power very soon with a 150 rear.
Quote from: dgyver on July 21, 2006, 09:35:00 PM
I will be installing a set of Pilot Power very soon with a 150 rear.
Likewise. As soon as I kill these Sport Demons.
Maybe if I do a few burnouts...
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 21, 2006, 09:44:10 PM
Quote from: dgyver on July 21, 2006, 09:35:00 PM
I will be installing a set of Pilot Power very soon with a 150 rear.
Likewise. As soon as I kill these Sport Demons.
Maybe if I do a few burnouts...
What is the best price you have found for them? I was looking at ordering them for $230 from Marietta Motorsports.
I've been thinking about it & I'm probably just gonna go for the 150. what happened to you Alpha is a great reason not to bother with that hassle. my wallet really cant take that kind of guessing & checking if the brand sizes run slightly different. All of the best track rubber comes in the 150 size too; so I'm definitly cool with that :thumb:
I need to get new tires soon to. I would like to get something sporty as I love to carve but I ride mostly on the freeway so I can't avoid squaring the thing off :cry: it's a little embarasing. I'm actually thinking about getting some relatively cheap cruiser tires, hoping that they'll last and then just cool it off a little in the corners. I can't justify getting real sporty tires for the riding I do. Any recomendations on long lasting tires?
i have a 190 on the ass of my gs :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :flipoff:
Quote from: dgyver on July 22, 2006, 04:49:48 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 21, 2006, 09:44:10 PM
Quote from: dgyver on July 21, 2006, 09:35:00 PM
I will be installing a set of Pilot Power very soon with a 150 rear.
Likewise. As soon as I kill these Sport Demons.
Maybe if I do a few burnouts...
What is the best price you have found for them? I was looking at ordering them for $230 from Marietta Motorsports.
I got mine from www.motorcycle-superstore.com when they were on sale for $70 something.
Total price shipped for front and rear in stock sizes: $167.98
Everybody else wants the superbike look.
I'm looking for the motoGP look circa 1970.
I think I will put 110s front and back.
Quote from: Matty B 500 on July 22, 2006, 01:21:58 PM
i have a 190 on the ass of my gs :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :flipoff:
yeha, but everyone else is talking tires, not passengers...LOL...
Quote from: ducati_nolan on July 22, 2006, 12:54:49 PM
I need to get new tires soon to. I would like to get something sporty as I love to carve but I ride mostly on the freeway so I can't avoid squaring the thing off :cry: it's a little embarasing. I'm actually thinking about getting some relatively cheap cruiser tires, hoping that they'll last and then just cool it off a little in the corners. I can't justify getting real sporty tires for the riding I do. Any recomendations on long lasting tires?
Do a search for "tires" with the author as "GSJack" you'll find anything you've ever wanted to know..
Quote from: pantablo on July 22, 2006, 09:31:01 PM
Quote from: Matty B 500 on July 22, 2006, 01:21:58 PM
i have a 190 on the ass of my gs :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :flipoff:
yeha, but everyone else is talking tires, not passengers...LOL...
You shouldn't make fun of MattyB just because he lets his boyfriend (who is the man in thise relationship) ride around on the back of his bike. They look very nice in their matching leather jackets, chaps, and boots.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 21, 2006, 09:44:10 PM
Quote from: dgyver on July 21, 2006, 09:35:00 PM
I will be installing a set of Pilot Power very soon with a 150 rear.
Likewise. As soon as I kill these Sport Demons.
Maybe if I do a few burnouts...
thats how I killed my BT45 so I could order the sport Demon, I must say, what little I've used it, I like it over the BT45
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 22, 2006, 10:12:06 PM
Do a search for "tires" with the author as "GSJack" you'll find anything you've ever wanted to know..
Nobody knows tyres like GSJack did (does). A search will provide a wealth of data. I'd recomend picking from it.
I offer that you stick with the smaller diameter tyre. I think the 160 would look out of balance and not add much to performance or handling. But if looks is what you're after and the 160 will fit -- go for it. :)
Right on Roy. I once asked if there was a proven engineering advantage to the wider tyre/tire and have yet to be convinced. There is a "cool" factor without a doubt, it's a case of "it's your bike, if you like it do it" I think, but don't expect any perforemance bonus from doing so.
GSJack may know the available rubber for the stock tire size but what does he know about the rest of the options?
The biggest reason to go to a 150 is the availability to more options of better rubber, in both traction and mileage. There is your engineering advantage.
Quote from: pantablo on July 22, 2006, 09:31:01 PM
Quote from: Matty B 500 on July 22, 2006, 01:21:58 PM
i have a 190 on the ass of my gs :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :flipoff:
yeha, but everyone else is talking tires, not passengers...LOL...
:laugh: That reminds me of some pictures that were floating around the net a while ago... If you've seen them, you know what I'm talking aboot.
man.. I locked up my stock BT45s like 3 times last night in the rain. Not even braking that hard. I'm trying to figure out if i did something to my riding/braking style, or if there's something wrong with my tire, or what.. cuz i've never done it before.. and then 3 times in one night. It was odd.. and slightly disconcerting, to say the least. Of course, I hear stories of how the stockers suck so bad.. so I'm thinking it's just the tire. 4.5 inch rear with 150 sport demons, here i come!!!!!
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 23, 2006, 01:07:51 PM
man.. I locked up my stock BT45s like 3 times last night in the rain. Not even braking that hard. I'm trying to figure out if i did something to my riding/braking style, or if there's something wrong with my tire, or what.. cuz i've never done it before.. and then 3 times in one night. It was odd.. and slightly disconcerting, to say the least. Of course, I hear stories of how the stockers suck so bad.. so I'm thinking it's just the tire. 4.5 inch rear with 150 sport demons, here i come!!!!!
Why bother with Sport Demons then? Pilot Powers, dude.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 01:22:35 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 23, 2006, 01:07:51 PM
man.. I locked up my stock BT45s like 3 times last night in the rain. Not even braking that hard. I'm trying to figure out if i did something to my riding/braking style, or if there's something wrong with my tire, or what.. cuz i've never done it before.. and then 3 times in one night. It was odd.. and slightly disconcerting, to say the least. Of course, I hear stories of how the stockers suck so bad.. so I'm thinking it's just the tire. 4.5 inch rear with 150 sport demons, here i come!!!!!
Why bother with Sport Demons then? Pilot Powers, dude.
Because I can get a set of Sport Demons shipped for less than the rear Pilot Power. And I'll be doing a decent bit of interstate riding/commuting, so I can't justify buying really nice, really sticky, really expensive tires.. and then squaring them off on long interstate rides.. :laugh:... I figure the Sport Demons are my best compromise.
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 23, 2006, 06:32:26 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 01:22:35 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 23, 2006, 01:07:51 PM
man.. I locked up my stock BT45s like 3 times last night in the rain. Not even braking that hard. I'm trying to figure out if i did something to my riding/braking style, or if there's something wrong with my tire, or what.. cuz i've never done it before.. and then 3 times in one night. It was odd.. and slightly disconcerting, to say the least. Of course, I hear stories of how the stockers suck so bad.. so I'm thinking it's just the tire. 4.5 inch rear with 150 sport demons, here i come!!!!!
Why bother with Sport Demons then? Pilot Powers, dude.
Because I can get a set of Sport Demons shipped for less than the rear Pilot Power. And I'll be doing a decent bit of interstate riding/commuting, so I can't justify buying really nice, really sticky, really expensive tires.. and then squaring them off on long interstate rides.. :laugh:... I figure the Sport Demons are my best compromise.
Pilot Roads or Continental Road Attacks, perhaps?
Hmm.... hadn't seen em.. I'll have to take a look
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 23, 2006, 10:57:05 PM
Hmm.... hadn't seen em.. I'll have to take a look
I've heard about guys on the Z1000 board getting 4k and 5k miles out of Pilot Roads. I got 4000 miles out of my last Sport Demon. Given, that was with fairly agressive riding and a burnout or two (okay, maybe three), but the Pilot Roads are far stickier and radial belted tires with great mileage.
Sport Demons will not give you great mileage. I'm on my second set. Even the front only last about 6k miles here in PA with shitty roads.
Jake
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 10:39:21 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 23, 2006, 06:32:26 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 01:22:35 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 23, 2006, 01:07:51 PM
man.. I locked up my stock BT45s like 3 times last night in the rain. Not even braking that hard. I'm trying to figure out if i did something to my riding/braking style, or if there's something wrong with my tire, or what.. cuz i've never done it before.. and then 3 times in one night. It was odd.. and slightly disconcerting, to say the least. Of course, I hear stories of how the stockers suck so bad.. so I'm thinking it's just the tire. 4.5 inch rear with 150 sport demons, here i come!!!!!
Why bother with Sport Demons then? Pilot Powers, dude.
Because I can get a set of Sport Demons shipped for less than the rear Pilot Power. And I'll be doing a decent bit of interstate riding/commuting, so I can't justify buying really nice, really sticky, really expensive tires.. and then squaring them off on long interstate rides.. :laugh:... I figure the Sport Demons are my best compromise.
Pilot Roads or Continental Road Attacks, perhaps?
I'm getting closer to the end of my 110/80 and 150/70 Lasertecs now and will be replacing the rear within the next month or so, have about 9k miles on it now.
After 115k+ miles on the GS's with many different tires, I've decided the best tires for my GS's are a Lasertec bias ply front and a good sport touring radial rear. Might be different for others, our needs vary.
I'm of the opinion that the Lasertecs and the Sport Demons are close to the sport touring radials in performance on the GS500 but fall short of them in tire life. I've personally used the Lasertec bias and the Z2 and AV46 rear radials. Expect the Lasertec rear to go over 10K miles and got 13-14k from the rear radials. The old Metz ME33 and now the Lasertec have given the most even front tire wear for me of the ten or so fronts I've used up. Most were badly cupped and bevelled.
I'm somewhat influenced by what tires my local supplier carries since they quickly mount and balance tires they sell for $19.95 including everything which is better than most around here charge for doing mail order tires from other sources. They have both the Pilot Roads and the Road Attacks that Alpha just mentioned in the 150/70 rear and based somewhat on good reports on the Road Attacks including this one in particular, I'm thinking of trying the Road Attack next with what's left of the Lasertec front:
http://canyonchasers.net/reviews/
Both the Road Attacks and the Pilot Roads are exactly the same as the 150/70 Lasertec in dimensions and should also fit the GS without alterations and with adequate clearance to the brake torque rod.
NiceGuysFinishLast, the sport touring radials have all been considerable better than the bias plys like the BT45 in the wet, although the Lasertecs come close. The difference was most noticeable when I went directly from the BT45 to the Z2 rear. Of course there is still that 15-20 min period just after it starts to rain and before the oil residue is washed from the streets that they are particularly slick. Gotta wait a bit and then can pick up to a normal dry street/road pace with good radials. Could be your repeated breaking loose was during this extra slick period of time.
Quote from: dgyver on July 23, 2006, 08:18:27 AM
GSJack may know the available rubber for the stock tire size but what does he know about the rest of the options?
The biggest reason to go to a 150 is the availability to more options of better rubber, in both traction and mileage. There is your engineering advantage.
gsJack has used more non-stock sizes than stock sizes, including 140/80 and 150/70 rears.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelog.jpg
I do not try to debate the merits of the supersport tires on the GS500 because I want a resonable balance of handling and tire life and my personal experience ends at sport touring tires. I will say for certain though that the current sport touring radials are far superior to the sport tires of 20 years ago due to the improvements in tire compounds and constructions. The best of both worlds I'd say, Unless you are doing track days or ride the public roads like you are on the track, I just don't see the advantage of the supersport tires on the GS500 considering their much shorter life and resulting overall cost. How much better than the bikes suspension do you want your tires to be? If you can't get the job done with the latest in sport touring radials or the latest sport touring bias tires like the Demons or Lasers it might be time to address riding skills rather than tires. I've seen good riders ride a very wicked pace on some very average tires. :thumb:
And you are right dgyver, the main reason for going to the 150 tires is so you can run the better rubber of the sport touring and supersport radials. The latest in bias sport touring tires though has closed the radial/bias gap considerably. But with the fenderectomy that my 02 came with, I do like the appearance of the 150/70 or 140/80 rears on the GS. :laugh:
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 11:11:51 PM4k and 5k miles ..... great mileage.
Wait, what? That's a new set of tires with every oil change!!!
Quote from: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:09:23 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 11:11:51 PM4k and 5k miles ..... great mileage.
Wait, what? That's a new set of tires with every oil change!!!
Most supersport tires are eaten up in 2000 to 2500 miles.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 24, 2006, 09:31:41 AM
Quote from: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:09:23 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 11:11:51 PM4k and 5k miles ..... great mileage.
Wait, what? That's a new set of tires with every oil change!!!
Most supersport tires are eaten up in 2000 to 2500 miles.
:o Well, if that isn't a cold slap in the face... Aren't there any tires that have the same mileage rating as car tires???
Quote from: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:51:52 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 24, 2006, 09:31:41 AM
Quote from: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:09:23 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 11:11:51 PM4k and 5k miles ..... great mileage.
Wait, what? That's a new set of tires with every oil change!!!
Most supersport tires are eaten up in 2000 to 2500 miles.
:o Well, if that isn't a cold slap in the face... Aren't there any tires that have the same mileage rating as car tires???
No, not even close to car tire life. :cry:
Quote from: runsilent on July 24, 2006, 01:57:35 PM
Quote from: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:51:52 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 24, 2006, 09:31:41 AM
Quote from: phire on July 24, 2006, 09:09:23 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on July 23, 2006, 11:11:51 PM4k and 5k miles ..... great mileage.
Wait, what? That's a new set of tires with every oil change!!!
Most supersport tires are eaten up in 2000 to 2500 miles.
:o Well, if that isn't a cold slap in the face... Aren't there any tires that have the same mileage rating as car tires???
No, not even close to car tire life. :cry:
It's one of the hidden costs of owning a motorcycle. Most people think, "Hey, I'll save money and buy a motorcycle!" But fail to factor in the necessary costs. Tires are a BIG necessary cost.