Not exactly a meet and greet topic but I want replies from Aussies given our tyre selection is so much different to our international brethren...
Anyway, the commute is killing the centre of my dual sports and I want to go back to pure road tyres. The dual sports were a styling exercise only... had enough of that!
I'm contemplating three at the moment... Michelin Pilot Activ, Pirelli Sport Demon, and Bridgestone BT45.
I'm trying to get something good in the wet and dry as I commute every day but that can also handle some fun on the weekends, usually get out about once a month. I'm not a knee scraper by any means but I do like the twisties.
I'm thinking a dual compound is the best bet which means in my list only the Pilot Activs work but would love to hear some other opinions... this will be my first real pure road tyre purchase since 1998 so I'm way out of touch...
Well I just put these (http://www.conti-online.com/www/motorcycle_de_en/themes/motorcycletires/leichtmotorrad/contigo_en.html) on my bike and they seem to go alright, plenty of grip for me but still a commuter tyre.
DEMONS!!! :icon_twisted: GHOGH!
I got Demons, and they work awesome. The ex has a set of Demons on her Hyosung GT650s after I explained the difference between rubber compound and that balsa wood they make those f%$king BT-45s out of. Much better ride.
Dual compounds aren't really worth it I don't think. If you were running around on a litre bike, scraping knees and being a loon, then maybe...
I think you can get pirelli diablo rossos now too for the smaller sizes
Quote from: slipperymongoose on June 04, 2013, 01:51:29 AM
I think you can get pirelli diablo rossos now too for the smaller sizes
Indeed you can, I saw a set at the stealership today when I was taking bikes for test rides :P
Sport Demons it is... feedback from here and the Kat forum almost 90% in favour of them... works for me!
Diablo's only come in 17" rim sizes going by the Pirelli website.. looks a little odd but that's all that's showing up.
I need 18" front and rear.
Called Tyres 4 Bikes this morning, should be getting them fitted Friday :thumb:
You'll love them!!
Except for one guy who loves his Bridgy BT45's they all reckon the same... can't wait!
The ride on Sunday completely destroyed my front tyre... hoping noone looks too close at it before Friday... and more showers this week yet too :icon_eek:
I've seen matchbox cars that can stick to the road better than a bike with a set of BT45's. They're little more than a sheet of wood with a thin film of what could be described as condom latex stretched over the top.
Quote from: peteGS on June 04, 2013, 04:56:03 AM
Sport Demons it is... feedback from here and the Kat forum almost 90% in favour of them... works for me!
Diablo's only come in 17" rim sizes going by the Pirelli website.. looks a little odd but that's all that's showing up.
I need 18" front and rear.
Called Tyres 4 Bikes this morning, should be getting them fitted Friday :thumb:
what bike do you have with 18" front and rear ? that's an odd size
That would be my 1982 Suzuki GS450E... the E and S both came with 18" front and rear :thumb:
And yeah, makes buying tyres fun these days... try getting matched dual sports for them! Glad I'm not doing that again...
I'm telling ya Pete, go for the dual disc / 19" front end..... :)
Spoke wheels front and rear, 35mm forks, etc.. Basically fit whatever tires you want.
I would say the wear on the factory BT45s I got with my bike has been acceptable for commuting, but they are a little skittish in the wet. I did look at the BT90s after some "moments" in the rain, but have been told by one of the guys at work here they are probably too soft to justify use on the road.
I will probably switch to a different manufacturer when they are due for replacing - probably Pirelli again.
Be interested to know what sort of break in period you get for the Pirellis.
Pete,
You will get less distance on the Sport Demons than the BT45s - BUT - you will get better grip and handling.
Since putting on Sport Demons I have only stuck with them. Love 'em!
I've kept track of mileage, if you're interested. Let me know and I'll dig it up for you.
Rich, the 19" upgrade with spokes is in my "hmmmm" file... as in hmmm... I'd like to do that someday! Also in that file are clip ons, rear sets, and a single seat conversion... but all those things would interfere with the Kat fund so will have to wait ;)
Kiwi: I will endeavour to keep the thread up to date once I get the tyres...
Mister: Just went and checked the odometer and when put tyres on etc... I've done about 17000km's since the rebuild which is when the dual sports went on. First rear lasted 10500km's but a few thousand of those I was riding like a kitty cat after being off the bike for nearly 10 years. I've got about 6500km's on this rear tyre and it's almost as shagged as the first one was. The front is in a similar state of wear now too. Would love to know what mileage you're getting out of the Demons...
The front is wearing fairly evenly in the centre and on the sides, but the rear is completely shagged in the centre with heaps of tread left on the sides...
Done...
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/GS450/Wheels%20and%20Brakes/20130607-01.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/GS450/Wheels%20and%20Brakes/20130607-01.jpg.html)
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/GS450/Wheels%20and%20Brakes/20130607-02.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/GS450/Wheels%20and%20Brakes/20130607-02.jpg.html)
$318 including replacing the front tube as it wasn't looking too flash apparently.
100/90-18 front, date code 2612.
110/90-18 rear, date code 1712.
Went home via Jinker Track, up and back Bunya Rd, then Mailmans Track/Bygotts Rd to scrub them in, feeling pretty damn good so far!
I'll have to get out in the next few weeks for a proper run...
Ok, Pete, here is my tyre history - bought my GS new...
Rear tyre changed to Sport Demon at 23,000 - together with sprockets and chain.
Front at 29,300
Rear tyre replaced at 40,130 with a 140 instead of 130 as that's all they had. So I got 17,130 out of the 1st rear Sport Demon.
Current odo is 61,783 so I have 21,653 on the current rear and it looks like it still has good life in it still. The front has 32,483 on it and it still has many miles left in it. Still on that chain I changed back then so have 38,783 on the current chain and sprockets.
Ok that's pretty awesome... so you got heaps more out of your first rear than I did out of the Scorpion Trail front... sounds damn good to me :thumb:
Have to see how these ones go, gotta tell ya' I was pretty frustrated with a detroyed rear after 6500km's... my 450 isn't exactly a powerhouse! (32hp to be exact :icon_razz:)
Quote from: peteGS on June 04, 2013, 01:04:09 PM
That would be my 1982 Suzuki GS450E... the E and S both came with 18" front and rear :thumb:
And yeah, makes buying tyres fun these days... try getting matched dual sports for them! Glad I'm not doing that again...
cool bike ! have you tried (yes, I'm claiming awesome tireness again) the goldenboys yet ? they come in 17, 18, 19, 20, and #21 sizes, wear very well on low torque bikes, and provide a very nice profile for street riding.
Mister. Did you say that you got 23K out of you original BT45 rear and 29K out of the front? I have 14+K from new and the rear has the tread bars up now. It is really badly squared off but still handles the twisties well. I have been happy with the grip in the dry and I don't push it hard in the damp. Only about 10% of their use has been wet work but the wet riding that I have done on them has not caused me any grief. I am disappointed with the life though. The front still has about 25-30% left. As they have worn they have become quite noisy (rumbling) when leaned over due to the feathered edges on the sipes. It is not a problem but is very noticeable.
If anyone has tried the Michelin Pilot Active on the GS I would love to hear your comments. I have them on my Honda and they are wearing much more slowly that the BT45s. There is minimal squaring off at 12K on the rear despite the bike being much heavier and more torquey. They are very good in the dry but I have had a couple of frights when cornering in the wet. It may not have been the tyre's fault on those occasions though. Another difference is that the Honda runs 45psi standard in the rear tyre.
The nearest tyre supplier to me says that he no longer sells the BT45s but can do a 140/70/17 Pilot Active rear for $160 fitted and balanced. That is exactly the same size as the one on the Honda and I am leaning that way.
Any comments on the Michelins anyone? :dunno_black:
Macka
Quote from: prmas on June 09, 2013, 10:28:57 PM
Mister. Did you say that you got 23K out of you original BT45 rear and 29K out of the front? I have 14+K from new and the rear has the tread bars up now. It is really badly squared off but still handles the twisties well.
That's correct. 23k rear, 29k front. My commute was only 20km each way for those tyres but I'd manage a 300km+ weekend ride as well. So they didn't get a real lot of straight roads - even though my commute took me on the highway there were very few straight bits, all bendy highway. So I never got flat spots, more even wear.
When I designated the bike to just commuting the first rear sport demon got a little flat. But the 140 rear has resisted that and is holding up very well.
Perhaps the difference is that most of my riding is "vertical". As bikes are not my "commute" transport the only suburban running is usually to the freeway on-ramp out of town and return. Something like 80+% would be freeway/highway/country backroads.
Ok I'm confused... was that mileage out of the BT45's or the Sport Demons?
On another note, had to call Tyres 4 Bikes today and express my displeasure with some issues I discovered...
Both nuts on the bottom of the left fork leg were loose >:(
Their adjustment of the rear brake ended up with it not actuating the brake light >:(
The bolt for the drum actuator lever was loose >:(
I figured during the scrub in on Friday that I just had to get used to the new and different rubber... but the clunk when taking her off the centre stand yesterday said otherwise... all tightened up and safe again now...
Did they turn around and say that's your fault cause your supposed to check and if necessary re tighten if necessary?
Nah they were apologetic about it... mainly I wanted to let them know so they know to make sure to check this stuff... but of course they should already know... given they're a tyre shop!
Didn't expect that
Bet there is a apprentice with a sore ringhole now then!! :thumb:
So, ya've had a quick trip up to Brissie, then, Janxie?
Quote from: noworries on June 12, 2013, 06:42:25 PM
So, ya've had a quick trip up to Brissie, then, Janxie?
Well you seem to be riding his a$$
Oh dear... I'm not goin' there!
Lovin' the Sport Demons though! First nice dry run up Settlement Rd on the way home since getting them on... much more confidence in the first right heading up the hill which has a bit of a dodgy camber on it :thumb:
Interesting - I have a few right hander corners I don't like with the BT45s in the rain - gets all twitchy.. might have to spring for something new on the back wheel at least.. let us know how they are if you get some rain.
My gs500 has bt45 tires and the tires are quite good but in the rain they do not feel so confident for me too. So we have the same experience and that triangulates the empirical evidence exactly. So we can say on evidence that bt45 tires are not so good for our motorcycles as other tires. What are the best tires for us to buy for Australia?
We had wet roads early in the week and while I was still taking it easy with the new rubber I had no issues and nothing felt funny, not sure that I'd been quick enough to say they were any better than the Scorpions yet though.
I ride rain/hail/shine so it won't be long before I can comment on that.
Take note I'm not the quickest wet rider in the world though so not sure how valuable my feedback will be in that regard... come to think of it I'm not the quickest dry rider in the world either... :embarrassed:
GS500 and sport demons.... A match made in paradise.
Quote from: mister on June 14, 2013, 03:41:29 PM
GS500 and sport demons.... A match made in paradise.
... + like a bazillion!! :thumb:
The Sports Demon are Pirelli tire? I checked my tire pressures today and had good strong look at my bt45 tires and I think I will save up and buy some new tires soon. Maybe in September? I will maybe try the Sport Demons because you say that they are good. Tires are very important for our motorcycle. I find Kuala Lumpur road much smoother than Australian roads.
Yes the demons are Pirelli ... ANY new tyre will feel better than a old worn down one..
A lot of members here use the Pirelli ... But a lot of people use other brands too .. Including the BT45 again..
The roads over here vary a lot ... NSW generally are a little bit 'worse' than other states...
I also drive trucks for over 20 years and always say that driving interstate, when you are coming home again you can tell with your eyes closed that you are back in NSW .... Bumpier!
I had big surprise when I came to Australia because in Malaysia our main trunk roads are very good. Our motorways too are good and in Singapore roads are good to. But Australian roads are very old fashion. Sometimes I get surprised with sharp corner and with bumps in road. But it is much cheaper to have car in Australia. In malaysia motorcycles are cheap for little one and are cheap to operate. Big motorcycles have lot of tax. But car very expensive.So it all balances out. But clearly Australian road says good tires important. So you are very right in what you say about NSW roads - Bumpier. and you had thjat feeling I bet when you were truck driver. Very bumpy in big truck.
Pete, what are you confused about.
My OEM tyres got 23 and 29 respectively. Everything after that are the SDs.
Aussie Man Rule #17 - never admit you are confused.
Quote from: mister on June 14, 2013, 09:15:20 PM
Pete, what are you confused about.
My OEM tyres got 23 and 29 respectively. Everything after that are the SDs.
Aussie Man Rule #17 - never admit you are confused.
Deffo!!!! ... :thumb:
Sorry Mr Mister this is Pete. I am confused? That is good distance for motorcycle tire.
Yes janx101 you make me think that Speed Demon tire is to be my new tire. I am aiming for September to have enough money to buy them. Do you know a place in Sydney with good price and good fitting service? So Speed Demon for me.
Found this Speed Demon tire price. Do you think that is best price? Please help as I never never bought motorcycle tire in Australia.
http://www.bikebiz.com.au/products/Pirelli-Sport-Demon-Tyres-Rear.html
Are they good shop. It is easy location for me to get there so that would be good..
Sorry but I understand that I need to determine proper gs500 tire size. What is best size do you think?
Standard rear is 130/70-17 ... I know for sure Mister and myself use 140/70-17 ... No problems... Pretty sure standard front size on mine 110/70-17 ... And from memory mister is standard front too? ... Probably lots of others use 140 size also ... But I'll leave that for them to be saying
... The price is ok ... If that is including fitting to bike ... I got both front and rear fitted to my bike for about $300 about 15months ago ... And I only live near Wollongong. It would be good to check several prices though to make sure!
Thank you Janx101 for all the information. I see you have a big one up the backend. I will talk to other friends at uni and see what they think about the big 140. Yes price looks good and will talk with the bakeshop in September. And with some other tire shops too. Do you live near Wollongong? Sometimes I ride to Stanwel Top and come home to Sydney by the National Park.
Yeah near Wollongong , ride sometimes up to Stanwell Tops too
Excuse me but janx101 when will you next ride to Stanwel Top. Are you going to go there next week? I am on 3 week vacation right now so plan to have some rides.
Quote from: ShanghaiPete on June 15, 2013, 02:09:48 AM
Thank you Janx101 for all the information. I see you have a big one up the backend.
Quoted for posterity :icon_twisted:
Yeah thanks for highlight that cods.... You're a champ :icon_rolleyes:
Shanghai, don't know for riding ... I usually get 'spur of the moment' chances to ride .. Depends on work and family things too
So you are very busy all the time. That is very Australian. I like to plan a motorcycle ride. The planning is a lot of fun for me. Like when I went to Penang.
Far out. :o Registered for a couple days and over 70 posts already. That HAS to be some kind of record.
Janx, looks like someone has a man-crush on you, eh? No worries mate, he'll soon latch on to someone else, as long as you don't mention Mecano again.
Oh wait.... does ShangPete know of the mecano set of traffic lights on the hume highway / liverpool rd?
Cheers Mister... confused no more! :thumb:
Cods, thanks for that highlight, got a chuckle out of that the first time...
I'm itching to get some more km's on my SD's now, beautiful day for it today but had to spend it getting the replacement rear mudguard trimmed up and fitted ready for paint.
ShanghaiPete... MY SD's were $318 fitted and balanced and that included a new front tube, but that was up here in Brissie too...
I used sport demons for touring and only got 8500kms out of them. Usually I get about 12000kms just commuting. I am using the diablo rosso II now and will see how long they last.
I need a longer lasting tire though as I want to do a trip around Australia (approx 20 to 25 000 kms) without too many tire changes lol
Quote from: dread_au on July 23, 2013, 07:10:50 PM
I used sport demons for touring and only got 8500kms out of them. Usually I get about 12000kms just commuting. I am using the diablo rosso II now and will see how long they last.
I need a longer lasting tire though as I want to do a trip around Australia (approx 20 to 25 000 kms) without too many tire changes lol
Only 8,500kms out of SDs? JHoly crap man, that is real bad. What pressures are you running? Sure our mileage may vary, but I'm getting triple yours so something isn't right at your end me thinks.
Yeah tis a bit low.... I've put near 6000 km on my SD's and there is a LOT of tread depth left.... Ok I might not be pushing to the max all the time .... But 8500? ... Any track days on that?? ... :icon_question:
I've got well over 1000km's on my SD's now and they still look new! Less than 10mm on the rear chicken strips which is good for me too and they don't look worn at all... 8500... that's almost as bad as the dual sport I had on the rear! Something's gotta be wrong there...
I rode to Ayers Rock and back in the middle of Summer. Maybe heat and load might have reduced the km's. They were brand new at the start and pretty thin at the end. I got a flat on the last day. It was a 10day ride from SYdney via broken hill to Ayers rock to mt isa to Roma to Brisbane to Sydney. Well you get the idea.
loaded bike... yeah that would contribute.... and some of those west QLD and NT roads have a pretty fierce surface on them ... and depends on the heat overall .. tyre temp when you check the pressures .. tyre pressure increases when temps increase and load increase.... so if you riding a loaded bike to Central Australia in SUMMER .. (btw kudos for THAT hard core effort!) ... no wonder you had tyres wear out quicker than normal!... :icon_exclaim:
Ok now I can see how you got 8500km's, good effort! :thumb:
Ok, 5500km's and the centre of my rear SD is just about stuffed :technical:
I have a feeling I'd best replace it real soon... hoped to get a lot longer out of it but the commute is just killing the centre...
Ride side saddle! Less wear on centre! :flipoff:
Take those 18" wheels out to the shop and swap the front tyre for the rear. Problem solved!
Kidding Pete. Bummer.
Well... I had a look at my tyres today.. completely bald.
Suggestions? Looks like the Pirelli SD seems the way to go or BT45? Best place in Brisbane?
I go to Tyres 4 Bikes at Albion, may or may not be the best place... my rear SD will be $155 apparently... was $318 for the pair with a front tube last time.
If you commute, prepare for the centre of the rear to die real soon, but I love the performance of the SD's...
Some have suggested the BT45 for better life but not as good performance... I can't comment on that.
Quote from: peteGS on November 17, 2013, 02:28:08 AM
I go to Tyres 4 Bikes at Albion, may or may not be the best place... my rear SD will be $155 apparently... was $318 for the pair with a front tube last time.
If you commute, prepare for the centre of the rear to die real soon, but I love the performance of the SD's...
Some have suggested the BT45 for better life but not as good performance... I can't comment on that.
My mechanic says the BT45s are the best way to go.
I've had a few say that now.
I'll have to seriously consider those when the front's dead as well as the rear, but for the moment I'll keep them matched as I really do like the feel of the SD's.
I'll also have a chat with the Tyres4Bikes fellows tomorrow to see if they have any other helpful advice.
Only 5,500 out of a new SD rear? WTF!? you riding on sandpaper? There is def something wrong there. The SDs aren't That soft to wear in such a short time just commuting. You should have gotten at Least double that, more likely triple. Something odd going on there Pete.
Yeah I dunno Mister... centre is just pretty much screwed, rest is good, so it's just the commute that's been doing it.
I run 36PSI in it and it feels good.
My wheel bearings aren't the best though and I'm replacing them as well. The sprocket carrier bearing is completely shagged:
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/GS450/Servicing/20131122-01.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/GS450/Servicing/20131122-01.jpg.html)
I will ask the boys at Tyres 4 Bikes their opinion tomorrow on WTF is going on... I expected a hell of a lot more too!
Out of curiosity, is the wear leaning a little toward one side? I know, worn in the centre, but does it favor one side or another? Can you show us a pic of this wear?
Bugger, didn't take a shot and tyre is replaced now... but no I couldn't see any difference one direction or the other, seemed pretty even in the centre.
New one looks good but :D
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/GS450/Servicing/20131123-05.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/GS450/Servicing/20131123-05.jpg.html)
Talking to the Tyres 4 Bikes guy he said if that's what the commute is doing, then either get something hard like a Kings tyre or put up with it pretty much. If this wasn't a weekend warrior as well as a commuter then I'd probably consider something else, but I have too much fun with the SD's to go for something hard and horrible for the twisties...
Mmmmmm fresh SD rubber! .... (Homer Simpson gurgle noise!!) :thumb:
Quote from: peteGS on November 25, 2013, 04:40:12 AM
Bugger, didn't take a shot and tyre is replaced now... but no I couldn't see any difference one direction or the other, seemed pretty even in the centre.
New one looks good but :D
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/GS450/Servicing/20131123-05.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/GS450/Servicing/20131123-05.jpg.html)
Talking to the Tyres 4 Bikes guy he said if that's what the commute is doing, then either get something hard like a Kings tyre or put up with it pretty much. If this wasn't a weekend warrior as well as a commuter then I'd probably consider something else, but I have too much fun with the SD's to go for something hard and horrible for the twisties...
How much did they cost you? Tyre + labor? How much time?
O0 Cheers
Oh yeah, fresh rubber is spot on always :thumb:
$157 for the rear tyre including fitting and old tyre disposal. I had the wheel off the bike this time to do the wheel bearings, but price is the same if you ride in and they take it off for you. I only had to hang around about 20 minutes all up but I beat the Saturday morning crowd.
Last time I got both done there it was $318 which included a new front tube as well (my rims require tubes) and about 45 minutes all up I reckon as I rode in and they did the lot.
Thanks mate!
Might drop in and see what they have to say.
(much cheaper than Oliver)
Cool... don't be surprised if yours are a bit dearer though, my tyres are likely to be much skinnier than yours! I run 100/90-18 up front and 110/90-18 on the back.
Ok, Pete, we might be on to something here.
My 130 and 140 SD for the GS500... yeah, the 140 is 90% commute. And I'm like over 20,000 on it. Had 17 thou on my first 130 SD and that was probably 80% commute. So, it ain't Just Commuting which is wearing your tire so fast. And the tire compound is not That soft it should wear so quick. There is something else at play here.
Smaller contact patch of a thinner tyre could be one possible reason. I was thinking, matybe a slight missalignment so as it rolls is kinda scrapes as well. Either way, only 5 thou from a set of SD is NOT normal, no matter what some tyre guys tells you.
Hmmm man that's frustrating... I really thought it was wrong...
If I could get them, I'd go back to close to stock sizing (3.00-18 front, 3.50-18 rear) and see what that did, but the 100/90-18 is the only thing good I can get up front...
I think I might just have to keep sucking it up and then when I get my Kat I can see about some alternative wheels for the 450 that I can get more appropriate sizing on.
Big Rich has done GS500 wheels on his 450, but also in the back of my mind is still to redo this one with rear sets, solo seat, wire wheels, and some other things. If I change wheel sizes that should open up my tyre choice a lot...
Also, Sundays have become even more free for riding for me so usually I can get out on either a Saturday or Sunday now, so probably in the New Year I'll try to get down your way on a Sunday so we can go for a spin... we can compare tyre wear then too as I'll have a few more km's on this new one.
Just had another look on the Pirelli site and they have City Demons in my stock sizes.
I don't think I'd go that direction until I have another bike (read Kat) for the weekend fun, but they look like they could be a better option for the commute.
Anyone heard anything about them? Struggling to find reviews via Google...