Yeah, it's all over the forum, and yeah, I've read most of the threads out there. I just can't make up my mind, though. I need some help selecting the proper tires (looking at you, Jack lol).
I'm currently running on Sport Demons, and they have been fantastic, wet or dry. However, the rear is starting to square off because I mainly commute. I'm looking for a good tire, perhaps dual compound, that can offer me more than just 2 seasons, and can handle heavily spirited riding (keeping up with an experienced CBR600). I've looked into the Kat rear wheel swap, and I'm not afraid to do it, but I'm trying to save the pennies, as I'm graduating this spring, and I want a new car and a new bike. Don't worry, I REFUSE to sell the GS lol.
Also, how about tire sizes? I've been using the stock size, and it's been doing well so far. But I wouldn't be opposed to a faster turn-in, or better handling characteristics.
So, any ideas? I'm still relatively new with tires, so I want to make the best informed decision possible. Thanks, guys.
I just installed the new Michelin streets on the wifes bike, that combined with the R6 shock and race tec front springs....well it's a hell of a lot of fun to ride now.... :cheers:
I have the Sport Demons right now and have experienced the same issue with the rear squaring. I replaced the rear with another SD after just 3,500 miles. It probably had another 500 or so left, but it was the beginning of the season.
I think I'm going to go with the a set of the new Michelin Street Radials next time as well.
If you're still on the stock suspension, do that first. The suspension will limit you long before you hit the limits of those sport-demons.
As far as tires go... You're not going to find much that will out-last the sport-demons. There are very few tires available in 140/70/17 inch size range, and the ones that are tend to be on the extreme sporty end of the scale. If you want something more aggressive, the BT003RS are available, and you can run Pirelli Rosso II.
For what it's worth, the GS500 is fairly gentile on tires so long as you maintain your pressures and setup the suspension. My street bike burns through a set of sport-touring tires every 6000 miles.
What we "want" vs what we "get"....
You want a great traction tire, which last more than two seasons, you want a new car, and a new bike, but you are short on cash...you want to keep up with the big bikes, but you are a commuter, you want a tire which doesn't wear out in the middle..you want "better handing"...
Hmmmm
Well... I "want":
1) World Peace
2) Couple million $$$
3) Tall Blonde with big t.i.t.s
Sometimes we have to realize that a compromise is the only way...
I'm still working the the first Million
World peace seems out of the question
and I got a short brunette (with big t.i.t.s)
Just throw some tires on your bike and ride!
For me best compromise is Avon Roadrider..
Cookie
Quote from: JAS6377 on July 20, 2014, 07:18:35 PM
Yeah, it's all over the forum, and yeah, I've read most of the threads out there. I just can't make up my mind, though. I need some help selecting the proper tires (looking at you, Jack lol).
I'm currently running on Sport Demons, and they have been fantastic, wet or dry. However, the rear is starting to square off because I mainly commute. I'm looking for a good tire, perhaps dual compound, that can offer me more than just 2 seasons, and can handle heavily spirited riding (keeping up with an experienced CBR600). I've looked into the Kat rear wheel swap, and I'm not afraid to do it, but I'm trying to save the pennies, as I'm graduating this spring, and I want a new car and a new bike. Don't worry, I REFUSE to sell the GS lol.
Also, how about tire sizes? I've been using the stock size, and it's been doing well so far. But I wouldn't be opposed to a faster turn-in, or better handling characteristics.
So, any ideas? I'm still relatively new with tires, so I want to make the best informed decision possible. Thanks, guys.
Bought my 97 GS new in 99 and put over 21k miles on it the first year and was desperately searching for tires that would last long enough that I would only need 2 sets to get through a single year. Only put about 7k miles total on my 02 GS for the past 2 years. What does 2 seasons mean to you in miles?
Back 10-15 years ago sport touring radials were the answer for me and while the radials are still superior to bias the difference is no longer as great as it once was. I've found the Roadriders to be a good compromise between performance and mileage for a GS500 and have used them for most of my last 40-50k miles. Still think the bias Lasertec 110 front and radial 150/70 RoadAttack rear combo were the best all around handling tires I've had on the GSs.
While many put on wider rear tires for appearance I've found they also give greater tire life than the stock 130 rear with their greater load ratings. I got 15k miles from a 140/70 and 18k miles from a 150/70 Roadriders at todays reduced pace, hard to compare tire life between now and back 10-15 years ago. All the 150/70 rears I've used were fitments approved by the tires maker for our 3.5" rear rims, I see no purpose myself in going to a wider rear wheel on the GSs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs_zpse04c1f44.jpg
Rough distances I have travelled so far on tires I have used approx (I have done 90000 kms on my gs500)
Bridgestone bt45 15000 kms
Metzler Lasertec 10000 kms
Pirelli Sport demons 8500 to 10000kms
Pirelli Diablo Rossi II 6500 kms
Currently trying out Dunlop arrowmax.
Then next will be the Avon one because they are harder to get here(Sydney Australia)
Hope this helps
I got about the same on my Bridgestones.....Switched to Avon and get a bit more mileage...( more than 10,000 MILES on the rear and about 13,000 on the front....and I think they handle better......
What I didn't like about the bridgestones, is they got sort of weird and lumpy as they wore down...some call this cupping...Avons didn't so this
Cookie
Quote from: dread_au on July 21, 2014, 06:43:37 PM
Rough distances I have travelled so far on tires I have used approx (I have done 90000 kms on my gs500)
Bridgestone bt45 15000 kms
Metzler Lasertec 10000 kms
Pirelli Sport demons 8500 to 10000kms
Pirelli Diablo Rossi II 6500 kms
Currently trying out Dunlop arrowmax.
Then next will be the Avon one because they are harder to get here(Sydney Australia)
Hope this helps
@burning1, I do have an upgraded suspension: R6 shock and .85 springs. So that's taken care of.
@twocool, I'm actually not really too short on cash, I just can't see spending much more on the GS if it's going to be my secondary in a year or two. I might actually gift it to the GF if she promises not to kill it lol. And world peace would be nice as well.
Jack, as always, you're an encyclopedia for tires lol. Thanks for the help! I'll look into the 140/70 range. Avons seem to pop up quite a bit as recommendations, so I might give those a shot.
just put a set of Avon Road Rider Am26's on have about 400kms on them now and i hope they were the right choice but at this point I can't complain put a new set of any brand on and I'm sure no one will complain till it's time for the next set how often do you guys check tire pressure?
found a review of lots of people getting over 10K miles out of these I would be pissed if I only got 3500 miles http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/12107/pr/avon-am26-roadrider-rear-tire
you should get 10,000 miles out of the rear...more for the front...unless you drive crazy...
I got over 10,000 for each rear Avon...now on my third
Cookie
Quote from: Blairbee on July 23, 2014, 11:29:59 AM
found a review of lots of people getting over 10K miles out of these I would be pissed if I only got 3500 miles http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/12107/pr/avon-am26-roadrider-rear-tire
When looking into dual compound tires, I found that most are the same soft rubber in the middle as the single compound tire, and even softer on the sides.
And that's about all I can comment on in here lol I put shinkos on my GS500 and got about 5k miles out of the rear before it started showing squaring off. And then I sold the bike so I'm not sure about the second half of the tread
Though I'd offer a quick update. I just had a 140/70/17 RoadRider installed. Even though it's still slippery, it feels SOOO much better than that squared off SD. I guess I just got too used to a worn tire because this new one makes it feel like a completely different vehicle. I actually have a smooth, consistent turn-in!