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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: heatherg11 on March 30, 2007, 05:32:52 PM

Title: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: heatherg11 on March 30, 2007, 05:32:52 PM
I ordered a rear tire today and i wanted to know your opinions. I got a BT45 size 140/70-17. do you think that size and brand is ok? I looked on here and alot of people like the BT45, so I hope I got a good tire. thanks
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: heatherg11 on March 30, 2007, 06:06:40 PM
come on guys.....give me your opinions
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: denman on March 30, 2007, 06:43:25 PM
i fixen to buy a new tire in the morning,that one sounds good to me.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: coll0412 on March 30, 2007, 06:49:03 PM
Well you really didn't leave anyroom to reply :laugh:

"Yeah you got a shitty tire  but you have already ordered" :dunno_white: is that the response you were looking for.

BT45 are fine as stock tires, alot of people use them, I personally would not buy a pair as there are much better options out there. But since I am assuming that you have a BT45 in the front then it is always the best policy to match front and rear tires. Typically motorcycle tire wear two rears for every one front, therfore, next tire change you can goto a new brand

Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: gsJack on March 30, 2007, 06:54:13 PM
We were waiting for pandy to answer since you have a purple bike.   :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Nothing wrong with your choice, all of the current major brand bias ply sport touring tires are quite good.  Metzeler Lasertec, Pirelli Demon, Michelin Activ, and Bridgestone BT45.  Standard rear size is 130/70 and the 140/70 also fit without any problems.

What front tire do you have?
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: werase643 on March 30, 2007, 07:27:37 PM
i'll install it for beer

werase in NC
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: Smokebombb on March 30, 2007, 08:39:49 PM
BT-45s are just fine.  Just make sure you take it easy for the first 100 or so miles since new tires can be slippery.  Especially use caution when braking, since the rear tire is more likely to skid anyway.  I just got a new rear BT-45 stock 130/70-17 and after 50 miles the rear lost traction and skid during an emergency stop situation even while using both front + rear brakes.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: Cozzy on April 01, 2007, 05:15:30 AM
BT45 +1
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: Egaeus on April 01, 2007, 06:15:12 AM
BT-45?!?!?! ZOMGWTFBBQ YOU'RE GONNA DIE! 


Nah, they're fine.  Good all around tires.  I have 1000 miles on mine and you're just now able to tell that they're worn at all.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: dgyver on April 01, 2007, 06:28:38 AM
Quote from: gsJack on March 30, 2007, 06:54:13 PM
.....
What front tire do you have?

That is a good question. Mixing tires can be bad.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: CirclesCenter on April 01, 2007, 11:28:21 AM
Ok, so what is the reccomended sport touring setup for front + rear on stock rims?
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: spc on April 01, 2007, 11:35:42 AM
I've got a related question! :o
I have B-stone battleaxe on front and back, and did before I changed the front end too.  But the new front tire has a very different tread pattern :icon_confused:  I'm guessing that they are just different year-models.  My front off the old front wheel is the same size as the new one, so it's not a big deal if I have to switch the tires out, just wondering if it's necessary?????
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: werase643 on April 01, 2007, 01:09:27 PM
Grunt,
ride it
your should be fine

try to pick up some crash bars....

did you learn to lean off the bike this weekend?

Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: spc on April 01, 2007, 01:15:42 PM
Yeah, i'm beggining to think crash bars could be a good investment :icon_razz:  I think i've got the hang of it, but on the really hard/fast curves I still end up dragging the rearset a little  :icon_confused:  But it's really just this one curve that I still have that problem on, its got warning signs all over it about sharp curve and warning slow down .  :icon_rolleyes:  other than that I think I'm getting it  :thumb: :thumb: thanks for bringing it to my attention
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: werase643 on April 01, 2007, 01:42:08 PM
when I went to race skool....way to long ago.....

they told me to lean off the bike
it was beautiful(got video)
I was leaning off the bike at about a 45 angle.......
and the bike was perfetly straight up.....they forgot to tell me to lean the bike also

:icon_lol:
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: gsJack on April 01, 2007, 01:52:34 PM
Quote from: spcterry on April 01, 2007, 11:35:42 AM
I've got a related question! :o
I have B-stone battleaxe on front and back, and did before I changed the front end too.  But the new front tire has a very different tread pattern :icon_confused:  I'm guessing that they are just different year-models.  My front off the old front wheel is the same size as the new one, so it's not a big deal if I have to switch the tires out, just wondering if it's necessary?????

There's a dozen different kinds of current Battlax tires and they are very different from each other.  Some radial and some bias ply, some very sticky ones and some kinda hard ones.  Running a bias front with a radial rear like I do can work out quite well, however, a radial front with a bias rear can be a problem and is actually illegal across the big pond to the east.

Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: spc on April 01, 2007, 01:56:43 PM
LOL....that's messed up!!! :o  i'll go check and see what's what, thanks GSjack!!! :thumb:
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: sledge on April 01, 2007, 03:38:04 PM
Jack is absolutely correct.  Over here in the UK a Radial-ply front and a bias-ply rear is not reccommended and technicaly ilegal. However not many bikers are aware of this fact and its only the really clued up traffic and bike cops that are also aware...... and of course the MOT testers!. Bias-ply tyres are becoming less and less common over here and there are very few left on the market now. If you had a serious accident with this tyre combo` its unlikely the insurance co` would pay up..... Another good reason to replace your front and back tyres with a matching pair from the same manufacturer.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: spc on April 01, 2007, 03:47:49 PM
  I went out and looked at them.  The only difference in  labeling I can find is that the front is Z rated  (120/70ZR17)  while the rear is not :icon_confused:
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: gsJack on April 01, 2007, 04:09:49 PM
That 120/70ZR17 front is a radial and would not be good with a bias rear.  What model tire are they, they are a BT something if they are Battlax tires, BT45, BT020, etc.  Or what exactly is the size designation of the rear.  The R in the ZR front indicates it is radial, however an R in the model number does not, for example a BT45R is a rear tire and a BT45F is a front tire.  If you have a bias on the rear it would be best to put a bias on the front or put on a pair of radials.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: spc on April 01, 2007, 04:14:14 PM
  The rear is a 140/70-17M/C  66H and yeah it's a BT45r.  What exactly is the danger in having a bias ply rear with a radial front????
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: heatherg11 on April 01, 2007, 04:16:31 PM
I have a macadam (sp?) on the front, but that's going to have to be replaced soon also, will try to get a Bt-45 for the front also.  Just wanted to make sure the Bt-45 is a good tire.  thanks for all the opinions.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: spc on April 01, 2007, 04:24:37 PM
Sorry to have hijacked your thread!!  I just saw it and it made me wonder, now i'm glad I asked!!!
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: heatherg11 on April 01, 2007, 05:04:52 PM
no prob, we all have questions.....ask them.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: FearedGS500 on April 01, 2007, 05:31:22 PM
i'v done 17k on my slickstones and i like them had no problem with them ...... now that i have my pilot actives ..... i'm in love . these tires stick like glue ! when its raining i have not felt like the tire was going to slide from under me once . i am completly amazed with theses tires. !!!
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: gsJack on April 01, 2007, 07:59:17 PM
Quote from: spcterry on April 01, 2007, 04:14:14 PM
  The rear is a 140/70-17M/C  66H and yeah it's a BT45r.  What exactly is the danger in having a bias ply rear with a radial front????

It's a stability issue and pertains to all vehicles and not just motorcycles.  Back in the 60's and 70's when cars were changing over to radials we were told the same thing, always put the radials on the rear and you will find the same warning now from the auto tire mfgs like this quote from Goodyear: "When radial tires are used with bias or bias belted tires on the same car, the radials must always be placed on the rear axle."

I've mixed a lot of different types and brands of motorcycle tires  but wouldn't run a radial front with a bias rear.  I've seen people do it without a problem who were commuter type users but for spirited riding or high speed riding I wouldn't try it.  Possibility of serious stability and/or handling issues.
Title: Re: Got new tire, what are your opinions?
Post by: spc on April 01, 2007, 09:18:59 PM
OK I'm heading to the bike shop tommorow to see if he has a radial that'll fit my rear wheel.  I definitely ride  pretty spirited :icon_rolleyes:   I found some articles about the differences on the net.  It looks like the biggest danger is in hard cornering there the radial remains stiff and the bias ply doesn't potentially causing serious traction issues and serious road rash :o :o