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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: mp183 on March 03, 2008, 08:31:55 PM

Title: knobby tires
Post by: mp183 on March 03, 2008, 08:31:55 PM
Anyone put knobby tires on the GS?
Saw some pics a long time ago.
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: GeeP on March 03, 2008, 09:43:46 PM
I think Bridgestone Distenzias will fit the stock GS rims.  Those are the stock dual sport tires for the BMW F-650
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: Teek on March 03, 2008, 11:10:44 PM
GeeP, do you mean Avon Distanzias? I had those on my dual sport, loved them, they are more a 80/20 or 90/10 street/ dirt tire, so much nicer than the knobbier tires that usually come on a dual sport, but the big adventure tour bikes have more streetable tires. The Distanzias are a touring tire. You can supposedly ride say fire roads with them aired down. So much nicer to ride on the street than any knobby, and much better that the Bridgestone Trailwing, which the dual sport riders call Bridgerock Turdwings... or Deathwings.  They are on my hubby's DR as stock, but I think they are crummy too.

Isn't that Ford that makes the F-650????     :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: gsJack on March 04, 2008, 09:43:33 AM
Quote from: Teek on March 03, 2008, 11:10:44 PM
Isn't that Ford that makes the F-650????     :icon_mrgreen:

BMW F650GS

(http://bikeintro.com/wp-content/bmw-f650gs-2000-text.thumbnail.jpg)
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: GeeP on March 04, 2008, 09:50:41 AM
Ahh, Avon...  That's who makes 'em.  No worries, I've been out of it all morning.   :laugh:

OK OK OK, so there's no hypen.  Sue me!   :flipoff:
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: gsJack on March 04, 2008, 09:59:52 AM
Teek can sue ya, I knew what you meant.   :laugh:
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: Teek on March 04, 2008, 12:55:29 PM
I wouldn't sue GeeP!!   :o
There's no hyphen in Ford's F650 either. I should know that, I had an F series for 7 years. Why would BMW want to name a bike after a Ford? Or does Ford own BMW now too? Notice the color... the truck and moto have some similarities, no?

(http://home.earthlink.net/~caffiened/FordF650.jpg)



Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: GeeP on March 04, 2008, 01:02:58 PM
Quote from: Teek on March 04, 2008, 12:55:29 PM
the truck and moto have some similarities, no?

(http://home.earthlink.net/~caffiened/FordF650.jpg)

Well, they ARE both butt-ugly...   :laugh:
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: gsJack on March 04, 2008, 03:47:08 PM
I like the silver F650GS better than the yellow, if I bought one I wouldn't have to change my online login.   :thumb:

(http://mopped.wjs.de/f650gs_titan_schwarz.jpg)
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: Teek on March 04, 2008, 04:45:22 PM
I guess beauty IS in the eye of the beholder, I think they both rock!   8)
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: philward on March 04, 2008, 04:47:56 PM
The Ford certainly rocks if you have shares in an oil company...  :o
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: Teek on March 04, 2008, 07:06:21 PM
I'm not saying I actually want to see them on the ROAD!  ;)  Diesel .50 cents a gallon more than gas, who'd a thunk it? Phewy, I hate diesel truck pollution.  :icon_razz:
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on March 05, 2008, 12:31:12 AM
heh the world could not survive ( currently) without it. imagine if all the vehicles which moved all the freight were gas powered  :o
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: Teek on March 08, 2008, 03:40:50 PM
Of course, but at some point we need to get off the oil addiction. Most of the particles stuck deep in your lungs creating scar tissure and ever so slowly ruining your ability to breathe are mostly particulates from diesel fuel.  Yuck.    :icon_confused:
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: ohgood on March 08, 2008, 06:40:53 PM
well, the bmw has that one weird almost-a-fender-thing back there, and the ford has......... those 2,000 or so chromed parts that defy explanation also, so i guess they're brothers ;)



Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: Teek on March 09, 2008, 02:38:02 AM
Yeah, what exactly is that almost-a-fender thing, really?
The Ford looks like it's titanium plated, not chromed, but it could be the light. It's not stock either, it's aftermarket modded. Also I don't think they come with clamshell doors stock...?
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: cd on March 09, 2008, 03:34:23 AM
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234110&highlight=road
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: mp183 on March 09, 2008, 05:39:27 AM
Quote from: cd on March 09, 2008, 03:34:23 AM
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234110&highlight=road
Saw some of this.
It seems that the big issue is finding a size that will fit the GS.
I had it up in the Adirondacks and other palaces on some of the backroads and it's great.
Handles small amount of sand and gravel better than my V-Strom 650.
Low center of gravity makes a big difference.
It's really too low and suspension is too soft for serious stuff but
you can always slow down for that.
Was going to get knobby tires fom my V-Strom so I can go on the Trans Labrador Highway
in Canada but would probably take the GS if I could find tires for it.
Title: Re: knobby tires
Post by: cd on March 09, 2008, 09:46:56 AM
i run sportbike front tire take offs that i get for free from my buddies shop front and rear on the beater i ride.