for bt-45s
which looks the best?
and which handles the best?
what other size will both look and perform good???
Check out Bridgestone's motorcycle tire site (http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/) to check out recommended rim widths, and the size of the fitted tire. There really isn't a lot of difference among the sizes you listed, but you'll have to wait for actual performance comparisons to another poster. I'd be perfectly happy with the stockers.:cheers:
I have a 130/70 on my rear with the 110/70 on the front. Nothing but praise from me. Even with the plug I put in the rear 3000 miles ago, things are good and holding pressure well. :) Stupid nail got stuck in my tire before I even had a 1000 miles on it arg. I've never had a problem with traction but I have kicked out the rear hitting the gas hard in a first gear corner. I was pissed at a jay walker going against the red and taking their sweet old time so I nailed it. Didn't expect the rear to spin up like it did but I kept on the gas until it was straight again. I'm used to driving rear wheel drive cars so a little fishtailing doesn't really surprise me like it does some people :)
I wish I can say that I've tried a bike with the 140 rear but I haven't. The 140 looks a little (not significantly IMO) wider but I'm not sure to what extent it affects the handling :dunno:
I can say that my tires performed great in the rain. Only got a little wishy washy going over the light rail tracks down town :o
Kerry and I have used 130/70 and 130/80 bt-45 tires between the two of us, and the main thing we have found is that the 130/80 seems to wear out faster in the middle, leaving the outside still with plenty of tread.
I have no experience with 140/anything, so can't say there. =]
thanks guys...
what is the difference between a 130/80 and a 140/70
Width and Profile. 130mm wide (approx.)/80% profile (80% of 130mm = 104mm heigth)
140/70 (98mm height)
But, rim width also affects profile (and width a little). So, a skinnier rim will make a 140/70 bow more by pinching the beads closer together, making for a more peaked tire profile. Which might make it feel like it wants to fall into turns more.
Not that you're putting on a skinnier rim, it just helps to think of it that way.
Hi Richard,
You wrote:
>Kerry and I have used 130/70 and 130/80 bt-45 tires between the two of us
I have just bought a GS with BT-45s. The tires say "max load at 41psi". But I don't think that's a good working pressure. What pressure do you run yours at?
Jonathan
32front, 36 rear.
the 140/80 is a tall tire and looks odd compared with the front. BUT choose tires based on performance not looks. The 140/80 turned in nicely. No real discernible difference between the 130 and 140 from a performance standpoint that I ever noticed.
I continue to run replacement tires at the pressures recommended for the stock tires. I believe those are
33 / 36 for solo riding and
33 / 41 for two-up[/list:u]On my '99 this info is on a sticker on the left swingarm. On Richard's '96 I think the sticker is under the seat, near the seat latch.