GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: GSF500 on August 19, 2012, 10:21:12 AM

Title: Another tire ???
Post by: GSF500 on August 19, 2012, 10:21:12 AM
Getting ready to replace my Bridgestone 045 (stock TIRES 2007F)....with ???? I know there's alot of info out there and I would like some 1st hand reviews of what tires you like on the GS. I know these are all good tires, pirelli sport demons, mich pilot, avon roadrider, bridgestone BT090...etc Anyone running these tires? I was thinking bigger in the back 140 and my personal choice just from reading are the demons or BT090. I just want a sticky tire :laugh:

Thanks so much for your time!!! :D
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on August 19, 2012, 10:32:31 AM
I've been running Pirelli Angel ST's for a while and really like them. Before that I had Pirelli Diablo's that were great. The Diablo's were probably stickier, but doubt they'll last as long.
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: Paulcet on August 19, 2012, 10:47:59 AM
I think the Roadriders are an excellent compromise between longevity and performance.
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: jestercinti on August 19, 2012, 03:52:52 PM
There are a lot of options out there for tires...all have their pluses and minuses.  I run a Dunlop GT501G on the rear in the stock size.  Not bad.  I'm not a stunter, or a racer, so it works for me.  I have about 800 miles on the tire, and I am happy with it.

Just remember to not mix bias ply and radial.  The differences in handling can cause safety issues.
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: bikeneil on August 19, 2012, 06:09:36 PM
I put on the Avon Roadriders in stock sizes and really like the handling, they feel very steady and grip well in the twisties. Riding on wet roads they seem fine, I don't usually push any tire hard in the rain. Don't know what kind of mileage they will get though.
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: GSF500 on August 19, 2012, 06:50:37 PM
Thanks for the replies :D Can I run 120 front and 140 rear on my 07? I was looking at the space between the forks on the front and the fram in the rear and it's pretty tight. Just want confirmation it would fit :dunno_black: Or would a 110/140 set up be better? I want better performance.  looking @ bt003......thanks
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: mister on August 19, 2012, 07:15:37 PM
I have the sport demons. 140 rear. No problems. My first sd rear I got 17k km out of it. This one has 17k on it now and at least another 3k left in it. When I replace it, it will be with another sport demon.
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: Janx101 on August 19, 2012, 07:45:08 PM
sport demon  :thumb:
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: GSF500 on August 19, 2012, 07:57:56 PM
Sport Demons are the tire 140 rear.....  what about 110 or 120 front? Does it really matter? I figure 130r and 110f would make sense to 140r/120f :dunno_black: or 140r/110f is that an improvment in handling. I might be over thinking all of this :cookoo:
Again....Thanks for your time, it really is a big HELP. 8)
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: Janx101 on August 19, 2012, 08:18:18 PM
... i would still tend to stock size .. dunno about anyone else but i'm pretty much NOT approaching the limits of adhesion even when i get stuck into it! ... fair few ppl will go bigger ... but i'm not sure why?.... is the compound stickier when its wider?..

each to their own though ... what i will be changing for handling improvement is the front and rear suspension.... but for my purposes its kinda needed... i'm a fat ass!  :icon_rolleyes: .. the front end is known to be soft for most riders ... with my weight on it i have managed to bottom out the front end going out my driveway! ... and the rear is ok now... but up at setting 7 (highest) and it still gets a bit of the 'cadillac float' on a undulating surface ... the r6 spring a lot of riders use i think will be more capable for my weight range.

back to the tyres though .. if you want supremo tyre handling improvements... get a track day style tyre! ... and watch it shed rubber weight in weeks! ... it'll stick like spots on a dog though!
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: afx500 on August 19, 2012, 08:30:51 PM
+1 on the sport demons
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: dam on August 19, 2012, 09:33:23 PM
I've got the stock rubber up front but put a new Michelin Pilot Active on the rear. Only got a couple hundred miles on it but it feels very good. I went with the stock 130/70 but it does look like a 140/70 would fit with no problem. So far I'd consider it an improvement over the original BT45. Should also last a little longer.
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: mister on August 20, 2012, 12:33:44 AM
The reason I have 140 Sport Demon on the rear and not 130 is because that's all the shop had when it came time to change the tire. There was no noticeable difference in handling 130 vs 140. My front tire is stock size.

Michael
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: bombsquad83 on August 20, 2012, 12:19:45 PM
A wider tire up front will make the bike more eager to "fall" into the corners.  I have Sport Demons in the stock sizes, and I'm liking them.
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on August 20, 2012, 12:42:10 PM
Quote from: GSF500 on August 19, 2012, 07:57:56 PM
Sport Demons are the tire 140 rear.....  what about 110 or 120 front? Does it really matter? I figure 130r and 110f would make sense to 140r/120f :dunno_black: or 140r/110f is that an improvment in handling. I might be over thinking all of this :cookoo:
Again....Thanks for your time, it really is a big HELP. 8)
120 fits fine on the front end. I'm running 120 front/160 rear on Kat rim.
Title: Another tire ???
Post by: jdoorn14 on August 20, 2012, 02:04:31 PM
Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on August 20, 2012, 12:42:10 PM
I'm running 120 front/160 rear on Kat rim.

Which explains how you can run the Angel ST. :)
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: bsheppar on August 20, 2012, 02:24:47 PM
I'm running the Avon VP2 Sport 150/60ZR-17 on the rear of my 05 and it's been great plus I didn't have to do any modifications to the brake arm to fit. I've had it on for about 9k miles and I'd say it still has about a thousand left on it.

(http://www.mltcreativeideas.com/tempFiles/mc/photo1.jpg)
(http://www.mltcreativeideas.com/tempFiles/mc/photo2.jpg)
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: applecrew on August 20, 2012, 07:39:05 PM
I'm sold on the Avon RoadRiders. I really like them and feel very secure with them. My usage is more commuting and I place a high value on longevity. My front is a 110/70-17 and I currently have more than 33,000 miles on it, but it is almost worn out; might get another 1000 or so out of it. Nice even wear pattern, even though I do a ton of highway miles.

Rears don't fare as well - I've got 14,000 on the rear (it's a 140/70-17) and will probably get a few more thousand miles. My longest wearing tire was a 130/70-17 Avon RoadRider - I logged just over 19000 miles, but to be fair, i wore that one down pretty far and should have replaced it sooner.

Your mileage may vary depending on riding habits... but for the money, it's the best tire out there for me.

:cheers:
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: pawo on August 20, 2012, 07:56:41 PM
I just bought what seems to be the last combo of Michelin Pilot Activ's in the size I wanted on the internet lol... 110/70/17 front and 140/70/17 in the rear.

I cant wait for them to ship.. should have swapped em out a long time ago I still have tires from the assembly line on, and its a 05!
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on August 21, 2012, 07:39:38 AM
Quote from: jdoorn14 on August 20, 2012, 02:04:31 PM
Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on August 20, 2012, 12:42:10 PM
I'm running 120 front/160 rear on Kat rim.

Which explains how you can run the Angel ST. :)
Oh, lol. I didn't realize they didn't come smaller. That sucks. I was thinking about putting them on the stock GS I was gonna fix up for my wife. 
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: gsJack on August 21, 2012, 08:15:59 AM
Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on August 21, 2012, 07:39:38 AM
Quote from: jdoorn14 on August 20, 2012, 02:04:31 PM
Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on August 20, 2012, 12:42:10 PM
I'm running 120 front/160 rear on Kat rim.

Which explains how you can run the Angel ST. :)
Oh, lol. I didn't realize they didn't come smaller. That sucks. I was thinking about putting them on the stock GS I was gonna fix up for my wife. 

The Angel has always been available in the 150/70 size which I'd run on the stock 3.5" wheel like I did with other 150/70 bias and radial rears.  The Diablo Rosso II is available in a 140/70 size now if you want supersport rubber.   :icon_lol:  The sport tires from the major mfg. have been available in a min 150/60 size previously in the US.
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: Janx101 on August 22, 2012, 03:02:21 AM
 >:( >:( >:( proxy f@&$$!? iPod!!! 5 f@&))!? Mins to put in an answer and it blanks then goes to another screen and loses the MSG b4 post!  :nono:

Anyway .. Riding behind a new riding buddy last night with a GS500  :woohoo:
other mates were along too for our weekly coffee night run

I was lookin at how skinny his rear tyre was compared to 'my 130' .. Cos I 'knew that's what the tyre man gave me cos that's what I asked for!'

When we Stopped for the java I asked the bloke how come he put on a narrower tyre ... He looked puzzled so we checked ...

I can now report that just like Misters bike ... Mine feels supremely planted on a sport demon 140 rear!  :oops: .. Funny how things can go unnoticed sometimes ... So I retract any and all blather about having a stock size rear and how I don't get the need for wider!!  :oops: :icon_rolleyes:
Title: Re: Another tire ???
Post by: gsJack on August 22, 2012, 08:45:17 AM
After many 110/70 and 110/80 front tires on my GSs I finally tried a 120/70 Roadrider front last year and liked it very much at first the way it just fell into turns with it's very round shape but after it got half worn it's squaring shape just didn't feel as good.  Your youthful riding habits may vary.  :icon_lol:  I have the wheels and tires from my old 97 GS that JP parted out so I put a half worn 110/70 Roadrider front back on and it's now nearing it's end down to the last mm and still has a good shape and feel so I'll be sticking with a 110/70 front now on.

This April I put a 150/60 Shinko 006 on the rear with the 110/70 RR front and that old falling into corners feel was back even better than before.  I was sold on that combo until the record summer heat set in and that Shinko began skating off the tar snakes worse than most any rear tire  I can remember, not sure if it's worse or if it's the record number of 90F days we've had this year.  Might try a Pilot Power rear next, not sure yet.

Getting old and am 3-4" shorter than I was when I got the first GS 13 years ago so don't want a taller rear tire.  I put some 1" lowering links on a while back and like the feel of the bike the way it is now so don't want to alter the rake any more than it is now.