i need to get some tires and was wondering if anyone would recommend certain brands over the others... michelin, continental, dunlop, avon... radial or no... any info would be appreciated.
btw, planning on keeping stock sizes...
What kind of riding do you do ?
Do you need sticky tires for track or canyon carving. Or higher milage touring tires ? Or somwhere in between ?
mostly cruising on the 405, so commuting and freeway.
Then you probably want a tire that will get milage.
I would recomend the Metzeler 550, 330 combo. I have 7k miles on mine and they still look new and once broken in they give pretty good grip.
or if your feeling adventerous you could act as resident guinea pig and try the new z6 sportech by metzler., they're supposed to be the shizzzz nit......no stock rear size though :dunno:
how about the Metz Z2/Z4 combo?
I think they provide more grip than the 550/330 combo
I have been very pleased with the Bridgstone BT45's.
I recomend my new Z4/Z2 combo over the stockers, they are way better, but certanly don't know how long they will last, and can't tell against BT45's, but Z4/Z2 combo are radials and look cooler. :mrgreen:
I had BT45's in stock sizes and loved them. Excellent grip for the riding I did. Pretty damned good mileage on the highway, too. Not too expensive.
Why not try the Avon AM51/52s?
They come in stock sizes or you can get the 110/ and 130/80-17 tires...
Inexpensive - just as tires should be!!!! A little over $100 for the set.
Or you could ry the Maxxis Promaxx tires... another inexpensive one... I've not heard a THING about the Promaxx tires.
Rolly
which one is better???...i want radial...so i'll rule the bt45s out...
Avon AV45/46
MEZ4/2 combo
Avon rear comes in 140/80ZR17 only
and is it true that the Z2 rear 140/80ZR17 will be too big?
are the Metz tire generally 'bigger'???
what i'm looking for in HANDLING + MILEAGE....and price
please help a brother out... :(
Choosing tires is the sport of choice in this forum, isn't it? Besides Penguin Baseball, of course. Backbackbackback--GONE! ;) :cheers:
Well, Metzeler Z4/Z2 improved my handling since the begining, which isn't very objective since I was a dull rider when the stock tires were new and round, but I feel like I'm doing better with the Metzelers, and don't feel any slip on the white lines like the stockers did. The price, I paid $192 for the set (SHIPPING INCLUDED) at RonAyers, and $20 for mounting.
The Z4 comes in 110/70 (110 mm width and 60 mm high from the edge of the rim) and the Z2 in 130/80 (130 mm width and 88 mm high from the edge of the rim). I read recently, GSJack said Metzeler had approved to mount a 150 tire on 3.5" rims, so you could get a rear Z4 in 150/70.
Quote from: TR
The Z4 comes in 110/70 (110 mm width and 60 mm high from the edge of the rim) and the Z2 in 130/80 (130 mm width and 88 mm high from the edge of the rim). I read recently, GSJack said Metzeler had approved to mount a 150 tire on 3.5" rims, so you could get a rear Z4 in 150/70.
i doubt that putting a 150/70 rear is a good idea...i think it'll just upset everything...
but will a Z2 rear 140 be too big for clearance?
Quote from: FrostQuote from: TR
The Z4 comes in 110/70 (110 mm width and 60 mm high from the edge of the rim) and the Z2 in 130/80 (130 mm width and 88 mm high from the edge of the rim). I read recently, GSJack said Metzeler had approved to mount a 150 tire on 3.5" rims, so you could get a rear Z4 in 150/70.
i doubt that putting a 150/70 rear is a good idea...i think it'll just upset everything...
but will a Z2 rear 140 be too big for clearance?
The 140/80 Z2 is 153 mm wide on a 3.5" rim, and the150/70 Z4 is 154mm wide on a 4" rim. The Z4 would prob be narrower than the Z2 on a 3.5" rim. It would be very close to the brake torque rod. My 140/80 AV36 is only 144 mm wide and is very close. My choice in the Z2 is the 130/80 size for plenty of clearance and also the 130/80 has a 8 mm tread depth for longer life. That's why it is H rated. The 140/80 Z2 has only 7 mm tread depth.
Metz does approve the Z4 150/70 for a 3.5" rim, but it would still be a close fit on the GS500. The narrower 130 tires will give the best handling so I only go to wider ones because the tire I want to try doesn't come narrower. The wider tires on modern sport bikes are to provide enough traction for acceleration on the more powerful bikes. Not a problem on the GS. :lol: :lol:
Quote from: Frostwhich one is better???...i want radial...so i'll rule the bt45s out...
Avon AV45/46
MEZ4/2 combo
Avon rear comes in 140/80ZR17 only
and is it true that the Z2 rear 140/80ZR17 will be too big?
are the Metz tire generally 'bigger'???
what i'm looking for in HANDLING + MILEAGE....and price
please help a brother out... :(
I ran the Z2/Z4 tires the past 2 seasons but will be getting the AV45/46 tires for the 02 GS this coming season. My 97 GS ended the past season with a BT010/AV36 combo. Was early Dec when I put the BT on the front and I think I will like it. Will play with it further when it warms up. :mrgreen:
And yes, that 140/80 Z2 is one of the widest tires of that size I have seen. Some of the old bias ply 140/80 ME55 and ME99 tires were that big also. They all vary a bit.
Quote from: gsJackMy choice in the Z2 is the 130/80 size for plenty of clearance and also the 130/80 has a 8 mm tread depth for longer life. That's why it is H rated. The 140/80 Z2 has only 7 mm tread depth.
:o Daaaamn Jack, even knows the the different tread depths between the two sizes.
Quote from: JohNLAQuote from: gsJackMy choice in the Z2 is the 130/80 size for plenty of clearance and also the 130/80 has a 8 mm tread depth for longer life. That's why it is H rated. The 140/80 Z2 has only 7 mm tread depth.
:o Daaaamn Jack, even knows the the different tread depths between the two sizes.
:lol: :thumb:
you can put a 150/60 tire on the rear. But frankly the 140 size is better to use. Z2/Z4 are good. But for the GS anything rubber, black, and round will do.
Quote from: pattonmeyou can put a 150/60 tire on the rear. But frankly the 140 size is better to use. Z2/Z4 are good. But for the GS anything rubber, black, and round will do.
Except for the stock tires. Especially old ones. Cheap, slick, crappy circles of rubber, they are! :mrgreen:
Bigdaub and Frost-
Yes, you can run 150/60 and 150/70 on rear and *may* get some rubbing on brake arm in the 70 size depending on brand. I've seen a 150/70 michelin mounted and it had 1mm clearance; misaligned just a little and it rubbed.
I ran a 150/60 on the rear and have switched recently to a Avon AV46 140/80 rear. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A 140/80 OVER A 150/60. The 150 mounted on stock gs rim flattens out on top making the transition from vertical to leaned over nonlinear and will feel like you're "falling into" corners. The 140 has a very linear progressive feel to very leaned over and the avons are very sticky.
Avons are reported to be better in the rain than Metzelers.
Thanks Pablo for clearing things up...
you had your Avon on stock rims right?...and clearance is fine?
how are Avon A45/46 compare to Metz Z2/Z4 in mileage and handleing?
where is the CHEAPEST (list price + S+H) place to buy tires online?
Quote from: FrostThanks Pablo for clearing things up...
you had your Avon on stock rims right?...and clearance is fine?
how are Avon A45/46 compare to Metz Z2/Z4 in mileage and handleing?
I ran the Z4/Z2 combo the past 2 seasons and am planning on the AV45/46 this coming season. I'll let you know about the milage and handling next fall. :lol: :lol:
I have an AV36 on the rear of my 97 now and clearance is good. The newer AV46 is a tad narrower than the AV36. Our 3.5" rear rims are the reccommended size for a 140/80 size tire.
I really expect the AV45/46 tires to be equal to or better than the Z4/Z2 combo in both handling and milage and better yet in wet handling. My AV36 is better than the Z2 in the wet. Time will tell. :dunno:
Quote from: Frostwhere is the CHEAPEST (list price + S+H) place to buy tires online?
I compare prices at:
http://swmototires.com/http://www.discountmotorcycletire.com/http://www.motorcycletireplanet.com/index.aspI think Southwest has the best price on AV45/46 tires right now, remember they have free shipping on a pair. The other 2 add shipping costs. The Avons are about $190 delivered to your door.
cool...you the man jack :cheers:
Avon it is then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you all for the info, and gsjack, you are a bamf!
Quote from: pantabloI ran a 150/60 on the rear and have switched recently to a Avon AV46 140/80 rear. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A 140/80 OVER A 150/60. The 150 mounted on stock gs rim flattens out on top making the transition from vertical to leaned over nonlinear and will feel like you're "falling into" corners. The 140 has a very linear progressive feel to very leaned over and the avons are very sticky.
I know the Avons' smallest size is the 140/80, but how do you think it would handle different than a 140/70?
Quote from: Frostwhere is the CHEAPEST (list price + S+H) place to buy tires online?
have fun getting mail order tires mounted at a shop.....spread them cheaks boy :o
:? whoa jack, i honestly wasnt aware of the tread depth difference. cool! :mrgreen:
I just confirmed my worst fears, the Z4/Z2 tends to be slippery in wet, actually I tend to ride worst in wet too. This morning lowsided my full faired GS while crossing a pedestrians walk painted in white and yellow. Not sure if this behavior has to do with cold tires, since it happened early in the morning, and I had rode only a couple of miles or less.
So, for what I've read Z6s and A45/46s must be the best choice if rain is an issue. The Z4/Z2 works great on dry roads...
Bummer man. I hope you got away without any injury and the butcher's bill for the bike isn't too bad.
IMO All Metzlers suck all the time.
JamesG,
Please tell us what brand you like. I'm not trying to start anything, but I am interested in this as I still have the stock pieces of crap on my bike. I know I need to upgrade at some point, so what would you recommend?
Andy
Quote from: JamesGBummer man. I hope you got away without any injury and the butcher's bill for the bike isn't too bad.
Only my pride injured and a couple of scratches on the knee, the bike got a side cover partially broken, hope I can glue it for a while until I get a replacement, also a bunch of nasty yellow scratches on the left side of the fairing, but it resisted pretty well, polished them and almost fade away... everything because I made a shortcut... damn! Lucky it happened at low speed.
And somehow now I tend to think like you about Metzelers, but considering they are muy "practically" new tires I have to learn to live with them.