If you can get the Avons for that much less, I suggest to get the Avons.

Quote from: JazzzzzAs Jack said, the Azaros raise the bike by just shy of an inch.  Makes it easier to get the bike on the center stand, but I'm a little nervous that the raise from the tires in combination with my plans to replace the rear shock will end up with me having to lengthen the side and center stands.

You are correct.

I put on a katana 600 shock when I got the bike, which raised the rear about an inch, but still let me use the sidestand.  This year I put on the Avons (140/80 rear) and it raised the back more.  Now I cannot use the sidestand w/o a piece of 1x4 underneath it.  The centerstand holds the bike up, but the back wheel is not off the ground unless I use a length of 1x4.  I'm 6'6", so the added height actually feels good, but the sidestand issue is a pain in the butt.

If you want to go ahead with it, sheck out Pablo's site for an easy way to lengthen your sidestand.  I am going to do it after I take the bar (once I have free time again).

This is the best deal I have found for BT-45s

lol as far as bt45's go... (130/70-17 & 110/70-17)

Chaparral Motorsports (front and rear) with shipping (to Michigan) = $172.94

American Motorcycle Tire (front and rear) with shipping (to Michigan) = $177.53

But American Motorcycle Tire has the Avon AM51/52 (130/70-17 & 110/70-17) with shipping for $124.43

-Jordan

OR......

American Motorcycle Tire has Pirelli Sport Demons (130/70-17 & 110/70-17) with shipping to michigan for $171.10

-Once again - Jordan

I ran Dunlop, Bridgestone, Metzeler and Michelin on my GS. The all time favouriete for me is the Michelin Pilot  Road. Best tire I ever had on the GS. Sticky, good milage and very good rain performance.

Quote from: JoChan23OR......

American Motorcycle Tire has Pirelli Sport Demons (130/70-17 & 110/70-17) with shipping to michigan for $171.10

-Once again - Jordan

Yep, that is what I paid last week when I ordered mine.

Well if anyone was wondering, i decided.

based on price and suggestions i went with the Avon AM51/52 setup

later on ill tell you how i like em, but keep in mind my comparison will be to a bald barracuda tire on the rear, and the original bt35 on the front from 14000 ago

-Jordan

has anyone run bt45s in size 140/80/17 or 140/70/17? How does it look/feel.

A quick search here and elsewhere showed a couple of things:
Many people like the BT45s...
The Michelin Pilot Roads are good in the Rain and Cold...
The Avons and Metzeler are good values...
I am replacing my original Bridgestones.  I live in the Northeast so cold/wet weather is a concern as are bad roads.  The Pilots don't have the stock size for the rear only 120 or 150s--will these fit on the stock rear wheel?  Do people have specific experience comparing the other tires in the cold and wet?  I would like a decently long lived tire, but safety and control are most important to me.  

What can I squeeze onto the rear without mods?  Is there any benefit to consider the non-stock size up-front?  I assume that the best control will come from matched tires with the stock ratios...  Thanks for your thoughts.

-e