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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: jt_234 on June 07, 2011, 09:52:39 PM

Title: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: jt_234 on June 07, 2011, 09:52:39 PM
Time for tires.  What's everyone putting on their scooters these days?  I ride mostly city streets and interstate, some good twisties occasionally.  I don't burn through tires and only ride ~5K miles/year.  I'm thinking I'd like to go with a little stickier tire.  10-12K mile life is fine with me.

I'm planning on sticking with the stock sizes.  Where are the best prices?
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: Twisted on June 07, 2011, 11:16:54 PM
Pirelli Sport Demons  :thumb:
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: evanc on June 08, 2011, 12:59:26 AM
Yep what Twisted said .... way better than original equipment
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: mister on June 08, 2011, 04:20:20 AM
Quote from: Twisted on June 07, 2011, 11:16:54 PM
Pirelli Sport Demons  :thumb:

+1  :thumb:

Just put my second Sport Demon on the back.

Michael
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: Janx101 on June 08, 2011, 05:21:06 AM
yep love the demons on mine too ... Though i have noticed the rear tracks ever so slightly to the left under medium/heavy braking ... Then again it might be my increased speed and confidence with good rubber :icon_question:  but the bike changes direction thru the twists really nice now  :thumb:
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: parker on June 08, 2011, 05:51:32 AM
In terms of mileage, are they around mid-range or so? I do commuting 5 days a week, and like to go for semi-long rides on the weekends, wanted something that I won't have to keep replacing every couple of months.
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: Twism86 on June 08, 2011, 06:32:05 AM
Quote from: Twisted on June 07, 2011, 11:16:54 PM
Pirelli Sport Demons  :thumb:
+ another one.

Love em!
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: jt_234 on June 08, 2011, 06:42:42 AM
Quote from: Twisted on June 07, 2011, 11:16:54 PM
Pirelli Sport Demons  :thumb:

Anyone know where the best prices are these days?  The only place I can find them is Dennis Kirk.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=542102&store=&catId=404&productId=p542102&leafCatId=40402

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=542103&store=&catId=404&productId=p542103&leafCatId=40402
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: TonyKZ1 on June 08, 2011, 09:36:20 AM
Here's where I usually buy my tires from, although last time I did get mine from Dennis Kirk. I haven't ran Sport Demons yet, I've been using Avon RoadRiders and Kenda K671s. Though the Sport Demons are on my list to try next time I need tires.
Front Sport Demon 110/70-17
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_188_197&products_id=4026
Rear Sport Demon 130/70-17
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_188_197&products_id=4034
Tony
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: gsJack on June 08, 2011, 09:38:00 AM
Compare AMT, Superstore, and Jake Wilson.  Depends on tire which has best price, varies.

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/123/MNGR/Motorcycle-Tires.aspx

http://www.jakewilson.com/home.do

Dennis Kirk says they will match other's prices.  I got a 140/70 Roadrider from Jake Wilson for $88 a couple months ago and they went up just after that.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: jt_234 on June 08, 2011, 10:10:27 AM
Quote from: gsJack on June 08, 2011, 09:38:00 AM
http://www.jakewilson.com/home.do

Looks like Jake Wilson wins at $207 shipped on the Speed Demons.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: paalak on June 08, 2011, 12:28:18 PM
I'm going to be needing a new front tire soon but my rear tire still has tons of life left in it. The rear is a stock Bridgestone, but I want to switch both eventually to Pirelli Sport Demons. Any problems with having different front/rear tires until it's time to change the rear one too?
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: BaltimoreGS on June 08, 2011, 03:15:36 PM
Never run Pirelli on any of my bikes, any one here that can give a comparison to Michelin Pilot Powers?  (I'm looking at you Jack   ;)  )

-Jessie
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: ryott52 on June 08, 2011, 03:23:57 PM
When I bought my bike the PO had Pilot Powers on it, although he somehow put a 180 rear on. That wore down in the middle very fast due to the tire being pinched, so I replaced it with a smaller Pilot Road 2. The front is still a Pilot Power, and I'll probably replace it with a Pilot Road 2 as well. The Power seems to wear down much faster than the Road 2 from what I can tell, but it's a very sticky tire.
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: ben2go on June 08, 2011, 03:41:01 PM
Quote from: paalak on June 08, 2011, 12:28:18 PM
I'm going to be needing a new front tire soon but my rear tire still has tons of life left in it. The rear is a stock Bridgestone, but I want to switch both eventually to Pirelli Sport Demons. Any problems with having different front/rear tires until it's time to change the rear one too?

Just make sure that both are bias ply or both are radial.Mixing bias play and radial tires can cause an accident.Also,don't take the installer's/dealership's word that the tire being installed is the same construction as the other one.Check with your own eyes to make sure that both are bias ply or both are radial constructed tires.
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: CliffHanger on June 09, 2011, 11:48:16 AM
I am trying to Order the Pirelli tires here in Canada...

The cheapest, as usual, is online but they dont have the stock sizes in stock.

Is there any issue if I go with 120/70 and 140/70? 
A bit slower steering I know, I am interested in major issues.
Or would a 130/80 be better for the rear?

Thanks for any suggestions/comments
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: ryott52 on June 09, 2011, 11:57:33 AM
My front is 120/70, and my rear is 150/70. If you check the wiki it gives a very good rundown of tires and sizing info.  http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.Tires
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: gsJack on June 09, 2011, 12:46:41 PM
Quote from: CliffHanger on June 09, 2011, 11:48:16 AM
Is there any issue if I go with 120/70 and 140/70? 
A bit slower steering I know, I am interested in major issues.
Or would a 130/80 be better for the rear?

Quote from: ryott52 on June 09, 2011, 11:57:33 AM
My front is 120/70, and my rear is 150/70.

I'm running 120/70 and 140/70 Roadriders right now and last week I was running 120/70 and 150/70 Roadriders.   :icon_lol:    When I first put on the 120/70 front tire it replaced a worn out 110/80 front and the 150/70 rear was only half worn so the bike felt like it was just falling into corners with the much rounder shape of that new 120/70 front, I liked it.  Now a year or so later it was feeling pretty neutral again in handling so when I put the new 140/70 rear Roadrider on Monday it again felt like it was falling into the corners, very responsive, love that feeling.  Much of our feelings on how a new tire feels is based on comparing it with the old worn one it replaces and not with how the old one felt when it was new. 

My reason for trying the 120/70 front?  It was the only size of all the tires I feel are practical to run on the GSs on the stock 3.0 and 3.5" rims I hadn't used, the dealer had one, so I tried it.   :thumb:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs.jpg
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: NickyNumbers on June 09, 2011, 05:44:08 PM
Anyone running a new BT-45 at all? 
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: BaltimoreGS on June 09, 2011, 06:18:29 PM
Quote from: NickyNumbers on June 09, 2011, 05:44:08 PM
Anyone running a new BT-45 at all? 

Got them on my '01 GS, they're a good all around tire.  Kenda Kruz are a decent tire for the money, have had them on my '89 GS for a while and had no problems.  Currently loving Michelin Pilot Powers on the SV.

-Jessie
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: gsJack on June 09, 2011, 08:45:56 PM
Quote from: CliffHanger on June 09, 2011, 11:48:16 AM
Is there any issue if I go with 120/70 and 140/70?  
A bit slower steering I know, I am interested in major issues.
Or would a 130/80 be better for the rear?

I was thinking about your post again this evening after recalling that the 120/70 front Demon was not approved for the same rim widths as the other leading brand bias front tires are.  The 120/70 Demon is not approved by Pirelli for fitment on a 3.0" (GS and EX500 size) front rim while the Roadrider, BT45, Lasertec, and Pilot Activ are.  I would be reluctant myself to run that fitment.

However, the Demons remain a popular tire over at the Ninja 500 aka EX500 forum and there are quite a few members there running them in the 120/70 and 140/70 sizes you are considering and are happy with them.  Some are on this listing with some comments:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p9OvigvZMFSbc6PJadCGCNQ

I've never tried the Demons myself.

Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: lucifer_mr2 on June 10, 2011, 01:11:38 AM
Quote from: parker on June 08, 2011, 05:51:32 AM
In terms of mileage, are they around mid-range or so? I do commuting 5 days a week, and like to go for semi-long rides on the weekends, wanted something that I won't have to keep replacing every couple of months.
I got 10,000 miles out of my first set, now on my second set. Mix of commuting and weekend riding.
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: CliffHanger on June 10, 2011, 05:27:11 AM
Quote from: gsJack on June 09, 2011, 08:45:56 PM
Quote from: CliffHanger on June 09, 2011, 11:48:16 AM
Is there any issue if I go with 120/70 and 140/70?  
A bit slower steering I know, I am interested in major issues.
Or would a 130/80 be better for the rear?

I was thinking about your post again this evening after recalling that the 120/70 front Demon was not approved for the same rim widths as the other leading brand bias front tires are.  The 120/70 Demon is not approved by Pirelli for fitment on a 3.0" (GS and EX500 size) front rim while the Roadrider, BT45, Lasertec, and Pilot Activ are.  I would be reluctant myself to run that fitment.

However, the Demons remain a popular tire over at the Ninja 500 aka EX500 forum and there are quite a few members there running them in the 120/70 and 140/70 sizes you are considering and are happy with them.  Some are on this listing with some comments:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p9OvigvZMFSbc6PJadCGCNQ

I've never tried the Demons myself.



My alternative is the AV45/46 in 110/80 and 140/80 for $10 more.
Is it worth it to try the radials?
Title: Re: Time for new tires, need opinions
Post by: gsJack on June 10, 2011, 06:13:01 AM
I ran the AV45/46 in those sizes on my 02 GS years ago (04) and really liked them.  You will get much more than $10 worth of longer life with the AV45/46 than with the Demons.