I have been riding more and more. My friend with a gixxer 600 has been riding with me. I have noticed that my bike when I go to lean more into the corners I get a feeling like the backend is not getting enough traction. I have a Kat rear shock, rebound set at 3. I weigh 165 lbs and this is the first I have noticed.
One other thing to note is my rear tire seems to look a little flat on top. I imagine this might be causing my problem but just wanted to verify. Just wanted to ask.
I am thinking of getting a Kat rear wheel and a bigger tire if I do have to replace my rear tire. What size and brand would you recommend. I know there are some threads out there about the tire size but just thought I would ask more recently.
Thanks for helping me out. May be some gramar errors but I am in a hurry.
HAHA, I like the gramar appology. Don't worry Aron isn't on tonight. (kidding aron) Raise the rebound to start.
I can't help with the wheel Q, but the flat spot in your tire sounds like you are riding in a strait line too often. Happens to the best of us. ;)
-Anti 8)
sound like front end pushing, have you upgraded the front?
yeah in my signature is my mods.. I have progressive front springs.
I imagine my rear tire was improperly worn before I got it because I haven't ridden it too much.
Quote from: autocrossjake on August 19, 2006, 06:34:49 PM
I have been riding more and more. My friend with a gixxer 600 has been riding with me. I have noticed that my bike when I go to lean more into the corners I get a feeling like the backend is not getting enough traction. I have a Kat rear shock, rebound set at 3. I weigh 165 lbs and this is the first I have noticed.
One other thing to note is my rear tire seems to look a little flat on top. I imagine this might be causing my problem but just wanted to verify. Just wanted to ask.
I am thinking of getting a Kat rear wheel and a bigger tire if I do have to replace my rear tire. What size and brand would you recommend. I know there are some threads out there about the tire size but just thought I would ask more recently.
Thanks for helping me out. May be some gramar errors but I am in a hurry.
A wider tire will not give you any more traction on a GS500 than the stock size will. The rear tires on sportbikes have become wider and wider in recent years to accomodate the straightline acceleration of their ever more powerful engines mostly in the 100+ horsepower range. Not a problem on a GS. :)
In many cases narrower tires will give more responsive handling. Only two reasons to go wider; to get better handling tires like the sport, supersport, or sport touring radials that only come in wider sizes or because you just like the looks of the wider tires. :dunno_white:
To get supersport type tires it is necessary to go to a 150/60 size and to get some good sport touring radial tires it is necessary to go to a 150/70 size or there are a couple of 140/80 choices. These sizes are commonly run on the standard 3.5" rear wheels of the GS500 or the Ninja 500.
You don't say what kind of tire you have now or how old it is. Tires get progressively harder and less grippier as they get older. There are some new sport touring type bias ply tires that come in the OE sizes that are a world of difference better than the ones that were made when your bike was new. The Pirelli Sport Demons, Metzeler Lasertecs, and Michelin Pilot Actives are available in the 110/70 and 130/70 OE sizes and have the latest in tread compounds and tire construction.
Some of the 150 wide radials will fit the GS without modifications and some will require grinding off the brake torque rod for clearance. Wider tires than this or even the 150's on wider wheels will require even more modifications to get adequate clearance.
thanks for that bit of advice.
I am running Bridgestone Battlax BT45R in stock size. They have roughly 6k on them and still feel somewhat soft when pushing on the actual tread. However I know that it is improperly worn for proper handling. I plan on getting a new tire for it. I guess I just assumed that since I was getting a new to just upgrade to a wider wheel/tire combo..
Some people do the wider rear tire/rim mod. Not many though. There isn't a need for it mechanically. The bike is engineered with tires that fit it performancewise, not just cosmetically. If your tire has 6k on it, it should be getting close enough to change anyway. you're always safe with OEM size.
YOu also keep refering to improper wearing. YOu saif the middle is flater than the rest of the tire. That is normal. the center of the tire sees much more pavement than the sides. All rear tires wear flat in the middle, especially after 6k it becomes very apparent.
-Anti 8)
thanks a lot.. I am fairly new to the whole bike thing. I figured it would be a little flat on top, but maybe I am getting close enough to notice it a lot more.
you have a very nice bike too.
And, how about tire pressures?
Is the rear tire more than 1 year old?
My previous BT-45 didn't get a flat spot until 8 or 9000 miles.
I am not sure how old the tires are, but I want to say about 1.5 years old (they were on the bike when I got it)
Also, tire pressure seems fine. Going by what the PO told me and factory specs around 30-32psi in the front and around 40 in the rear.
Mmm...try 36 in the rear. While you could set the rear tire pressure to 41 cold, it would make the tire quite hard, and while it would give you greater mileage out of the tire and fuel economy, it sacrifices some traction.
well I just went and checked out my rear tire. I think the PO put more miles on the rear tire than he said (easy to do, so I am not worried about it) because it is about 1-2mm away from the wear bar indicator in the back.
So I will be looking for another tire and would prefer to go with a radial. But after looking at tire sizes a 140/80 and a 150/60 seem to be the main choices.
I know it is a big debate, but I ride my bike a fair amount more than I drive my car. I ride mostly in the city but take longer rides (roughly 70-100 miles one way) to see family/friends often. I also have been riding more and more in the hilly regions. Which tire size would you personally go with or do you have?
I have always stayed with OEM sizes. 110/70 17 ans 130/70 17. But thats just me. YOu know you are opening a huge can of worms. HUGE! ;)
-Anti 8)
haha i know i know.. but its got to be done.
What about the first thing to check...
Tire pressure. Make sure the pressure in the tires are correct
you asked for a tire reccomendation, and I'll tell you what I use...
Sport Demons.
Nuff Said.
Kat wheel and Metzeler Sportec M-1's in 160/60. Me likey!
-Turd.
Quote from: annguyen1981 on August 20, 2006, 07:26:05 PM
What about the first thing to check...
Tire pressure. Make sure the pressure in the tires are correct
already covered..
got a couple of recommendations.. sweet..
Quote from: TragicImage on August 20, 2006, 07:35:56 PM
you asked for a tire reccomendation, and I'll tell you what I use...
Sport Demons.
Nuff Said.
what size?
Oh Turd, stop it with the Kat wheel. Your encouraging jake.
-Anti 8)
Now keep in mind Jake, when you start putting larger sized tires on that wheel, like 150's, you can compromise handling. I am not the expert here. I have always gone stock sizes, but hopefully someone can give their two cents that has a larger tire.
Remind me why you want a size other than stock again?
-Anti 8)
Quote from: The Antibody on August 20, 2006, 08:33:23 PM
Now keep in mind Jake, when you start putting larger sized tires on that wheel, like 150's, you can compromise handling. I am not the expert here. I have always gone stock sizes, but hopefully someone can give their two cents that has a larger tire.
Remind me why you want a size other than stock again?
-Anti 8)
I dont think I would go with a 150 or larger unless I would do a Kat wheel because of how the tire will be "pinched" on there. I am looking to go with a bigger size because I cannot find a radial "sport" tire in stock size.
If anyone has any good tires in stock size that maybe i am missing please let me know.
Quote from: autocrossjake on August 20, 2006, 04:47:55 PM
I ride my bike a fair amount more than I drive my car. I ride mostly in the city but take longer rides (roughly 70-100 miles one way) to see family/friends often. I also have been riding more and more in the hilly regions. Which tire size would you personally go with or do you have?
I'm currently running a 110/80 bias ply Lasertec front tire and a 150/70 Conti RoadAttack radial rear. With only 100 miles on this combo I'd say this is it, the best of all I've tried in over 115k miles on two GS500s over seven years.
This Lasertec front is my 11th front tire on the GS's and all except the ME33 Laser and the current Lasertec have cupped and/or bevelled badly for me. The Laser type front tires have both worn down evenly for me and the bias fronts have all given me greater tire life than the radials. On the other hand, the radial rears have all given better performance and greater life than the bias rears.
Metzeler reccommends a Lasertec front along with a Z2 radial rear in their fitment guide for the Triumph Bonnie models. I've heard nothing but good reports on the new RoadAttacks, my local supplier had the RoadAttacks in stock, so why not try the RoadAttack with the half worn Lasertec I already have. Done, and it is great!
Conti says the RoadAttacks give sport tire handling with sport touring tire life and Canyon Chasers says in their review that they handle like Pilot Powers and have the life of Pilot Roads. I'm already sold on the handling part of it, this is the stickiest rear I've had on my GS's. Will comment further next year on the tire life part of this claim. :laugh:
My updated Tire Log showing all the tires I've used and the miles used:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelog.jpg
http://canyonchasers.net/reviews/
well searched some more.
and I am not sure if i want to put a 150 on the rear.
I have found Pirelli Sport Demon in 140/70/17 which I think would be a good size. how does this tire sound?
I realize the Pirelli is not a radial, but is bias ply. Anyone notice a huge difference between bias ply and radial (and could you enlighten me on how it affects the bikes handling)
Thanks for helping me out guys..
I see. There isn't much out there in radials under sport for our bikes. They will be under cruiser or touring.
Here is the new Michelin Pilot Activ it comes in good sizes.
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/michelin_pilot_activ.htm
Kenda Cruiser
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/kenda_k671_cruiser.htm
Kenda Challenger rear
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/kenda_k657_challenger.htm
GBC Street Shark
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/kenda_k671_cruiser.htm
Just giving you options. I haven't ridden on any of these. It might help.
-Anti 8)
Quote from: The Antibody on August 20, 2006, 09:30:15 PM
I see. There isn't much out there in radials under sport for our bikes. They will be under cruiser or touring.
Here is the new Michelin Pilot Activ it comes in good sizes.
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/michelin_pilot_activ.htm
-Anti 8)
thanks.. those are not a radial either but better in size.. I will probably end up with a 130/70 or a 140/70 as I really dont want to raise the rear up anymore (Kat shock has raised it enough for me)
Yeah, bias ply is basically the most popular option. Some are 4 or 6 ply, but those are meant for cruisers/heavier bikes.
Pilots are sticky as hell. I do have experience with them. They heat right up and provide superior traction. Mileage, I don't know about.
Bridgstone BT45's are what I wear.
-Anti 8)
Thanks I really appreciate all of your help.
I have the BT 45's now and would like to try something different.
Tomorrow when I have a little more time I am going to search more on the Pilots and the Sport Demons. I would like to have the best of both worlds in handling and longetivity.
Quote from: autocrossjake on August 19, 2006, 06:34:49 PM
I have been riding more and more. My friend with a gixxer 600 has been riding with me. I have noticed that my bike when I go to lean more into the corners I get a feeling like the backend is not getting enough traction. I have a Kat rear shock, rebound set at 3. I weigh 165 lbs and this is the first I have noticed.
Increase the rebound. Sounds too soft.
PILOT WHAT? Pilot Active, Pilot Power, or Pilot Road? A sport touring bias ply, a supersport radial, or a sport touring radial; refering to a tire as just a Pilot does not define it.
A 150/70 will raise the rear of the bike about 1/2", a 140/80 about 3/4", and a 130/90 about 1". A 150/60 is approximately the same dia as a OE size 130/70 and will not raise the rear.
The Demons, Lasertecs, and Actives are the most up to date of the sport touring bias ply radials and are hard to beat in the OE 110/70 and 130/70 sizes for the GS500's now.
I went directly from a BT45 rear to a radial Z2 rear long ago. The differences between the radial and the bias ply BT45 were considerable. Those construction grooves that wanted to throw the BT45 around were barely noticeable with the Z2, wet traction was greatly improved with the Z2, and tire life was greatly increased.
The differences between the radials and latest bias ply sport touring tires has been greatly reduced. I found the differences between the Lasertecs and the Z4/Z2 and AV45/46 radials I ran to be narrowed considerably, but the sport touring radials still give greater life.
I too like to have the best of both worlds in handling and longevity and use the sport touring type tires. I don't consider the supersport radials for my use, There are others here than can advise on those.
You can't go wrong with either the Demons or Pilot Actives you are considering. Too many choices. :)
If you look up a couple posts, I am talking about pilot activ. :thumb:
Silent obviously has more knowledge of this, so I concede.
-Anti 8)
The Pilot Activ is just a modern version of the Macadam 50 line. Eventually, you will see the Mac 50 completely eliminated by the Activ. It is an updated casing and rubber compound, but now the Activ is only available in very limited sizes.
AMT has the Activs, Lasertecs, and Demons and Southwest has the Demons and Lasertecs in our OE 110/70 and 130/70 sizes. Two of the many online places that have good prices and that I've had good service from.
http://www.americanmototire.com/
http://swmototires.com/
Motorace is a Michelin tire distributer and has to sell current model tires at list price or he would be undercutting his own customers, the retailers. He frequently has terrific deals on the leftover tires that are not the latest models. Doesn't hurt to look in there now and then to see what deals he has.
http://www.motorace.com/
thanks for the help.. I decided I will give the Sport Demons a try. A lot of people seem to like those and they are a fair price.