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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: smp on July 30, 2003, 05:54:38 PM

Title: Tire selection for a 5000 km cross country?
Post by: smp on July 30, 2003, 05:54:38 PM
I'm in vancouver right now, I left toronto about 5,500 km ago .. I'll be heading for home on Monday and I'm thinking that it would be a good idea to change the stock tire, which has been rather skiddy on me lately.
I was opting for the BT45 just because I hear so much about it, but the guy at the dealership told me to use a Kendo (maybe I misheard him, something like that) .. it's a lot cheaper and it's not a performance tire, he said I'de square off the BT45 by the time I get home...
I don't really know, the tire he recommended was a lot cheaper, which is important too.
Still though, what's the mileage on a BT45?
It's 5000 km to Toronto from here, mostly straight although there are some twisties. I need something that will be safe, give me good traction in rain, and good traction on dry.
I figured I'de be able to throw a BT45 on and have lots of mileage left on it when I get home, am I wrong?
?
Please advise.
Title: Tire selection for a 5000 km cross country?
Post by: glenn9171 on July 30, 2003, 06:34:01 PM
5500km is about 3400 miles if my online converter thing is right.  

A BT45 will do you fine.  It will square off some in that much highway riding, but so will every other tire.  Hell, my stock tire was showing cords in the middle by that many miles.  I have about 4000 miles on my rear BT45 and it is squared from a lot of highway riding, but it still has lots of tread left in the middle.  It handles quite well in the rain.
Title: Tire selection for a 5000 km cross country?
Post by: TheGoodGuy on July 30, 2003, 06:38:41 PM
its not kendro, its srinath's fav. tyre.. kendra.


I hear its good for mileage (cruiser tires in general) but when it comes to grip... its questionable..

the BT45 should give you enough to go home.. plus its straight line like you say.. I am running the Excedra 550's right now and I know i have to replace them before i leave the LA area...
Title: tires
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on July 30, 2003, 06:46:27 PM
i believe its kenda, but annyway, im running excedra g550's on mine also, which ive liked quite a bit. but if i were you, id go with both a tire you can get some decent mileage out of, and be good in varying types of terrain, weather. :thumb:  :cheers:
Title: Tire selection for a 5000 km cross country?
Post by: JamesG on July 30, 2003, 07:13:23 PM
There are lots of tires available that will fit the GS, but what ever you do don't skimp on tires.
Title: Tire selection for a 5000 km cross country?
Post by: V8Pinto on July 30, 2003, 07:14:42 PM
Don't buy a Kenda...  The BT45 is great.  I've put a few thousand miles on my set and they are wearing fine.  They stick well in wet and dry (I get chicken in the wet so I don't push it).

Think about it this way.....  You have about 4 square inches of contact with the ground.  How good do you want those 4 inches to be?
Title: Tire selection for a 5000 km cross country?
Post by: smp on July 30, 2003, 07:15:36 PM
Quote from: JamesGThere are lots of tires available that will fit the GS, but what ever you do don't skimp on tires.

and that's why I need all your advice :)
Title: Tire selection for a 5000 km cross country?
Post by: JamesG on July 30, 2003, 07:40:18 PM
well then...

The Bridgestones & Pirelli Dragons are good , and Dunlop D205 are supposed to be pretty good but I haven't tried them.
I would avoid Kendas or Chin Shing, but supposedly Maxxis (a Chin Shing spin off) make a pretty good tire.