I refered to this forum to help me pick my next set of tires and I picked the Avon Road Riders. I replaced the stock Bridgestones with these and there is a very noticable difference I also went up to a 140 rear and it helped lower the RPMs at highway speeds to right where I wanted them, 6k @ 70 mph instead of 6.3k @ 70 mph. I bet this get's the bike back to 60 mpg with my wife and I on it (damn alcohol in gas). I've got the mounted mapping GPS, back rack, paded sissy bar and now new tires that make it happier at extended cruise speed. I only have 3 more steps left to turn my GS 500 F into a GS 500 FST. Bar risers (I've already got them picked out), better saddle bags (still looking) and recovered and repad the seat (local shop).
Wifie and I are headed down to Key West this weekend to see how the tires fair on the Over Seas Highway. Going over the 7 mile bridge on a bike is as close to being in a boat without the roll of the ocean you can get.
Quote from: lilwoody on January 28, 2009, 02:02:43 PM
Wifie and I are headed down to Key West this weekend to see how the tires fair on the Over Seas Highway. Going over the 7 mile bridge on a bike is as close to being in a boat without the roll of the ocean you can get.
Agreed! That was one of my favorite rides, from Sarasota to Key West and back. I wish I was down there now, I'm looking out my window at about 6 in. of snow and 1/2 in. of ice... :bs:
Quote from: lilwoody on January 28, 2009, 02:02:43 PM
[...] I also went up to a 140 rear and it helped lower the RPMs at highway speeds to right where I wanted them, 6k @ 70 mph instead of 6.3k @ 70 mph[...]
tire thickness does NOT affect RPMs. You must have confused that with height of the tire.
You could decrease the RPMs by using taller tire.
Stock tire size is 130/70 so if you use 130/80 or 140/80 then you will have higher speed for that same given RPMs, but it will also affect acceleration - slower acceleration.
cheers
Kamel
A wider tire with the same aspect ratio is taller. A 140/70 tire is larger in diameter than a 130/70 tire.
Quote from: kml.krk on January 28, 2009, 05:09:50 PM
Quote from: lilwoody on January 28, 2009, 02:02:43 PM
[...] I also went up to a 140 rear and it helped lower the RPMs at highway speeds to right where I wanted them, 6k @ 70 mph instead of 6.3k @ 70 mph[...]
tire thickness does NOT affect RPMs. You must have confused that with height of the tire.
You could decrease the RPMs by using taller tire.
Stock tire size is 130/70 so if you use 130/80 or 140/80 then you will have higher speed for that same given RPMs, but it will also affect acceleration - slower acceleration.
cheers
Kamel
Thickness :dunno_white:, to clairify, it's a 140/70 it is taller and slightly wider than the stock tire, thicker I'm not sure but that is possible too. It's a larger tire and there is a noticable difference that makes the bike feel much better.
I just installed and balanced my new roadriders tonight (which of course is the 1 out of the 365 days this year that the roads are icy here in Texas), I love the look and I can't wait to try them out.
I got a 110/80-17 up front and a 140/70-17 in the back
Padded Sissy bar? ???
PICS!!! PLEASE!!! SHOW US :D
More info on that... Did you make it? Did it come w/ an aftermarket seat?