Has anyone fit their GS with dual sport tires?  There are alot of dirt roads where I live and I need to buy a new set of tires.  I was wondering if anyone has done this.  I am not going trail riding on my GS, but I would like to have better traction on the dirt roads.

no, but it's ok I stayed in a holiday inn express last night.  just make sure you get tubeless ones. as the gs rims are not designed to work with tubes, and don't have beadlocks.  I'd try to figure out what they are running stock on the BMW's and on the triumph tigers for a good starting point.

good point.  I hadn't thought about the tubeless issue.  Thanks

I was considering getting dirtbike tires, and screwing screws in them for during the winter. It might be considered reckless, and a bit illegal?

they make studded bike tires.  and tire chains for bikes.

Quote from: davipuI'd try to figure out what they are running stock on the BMW's and on the triumph tigers for a good starting point.

The F650GSs use tubed tires.  I think the 1150 and 1200 do, too.

I have searched the sites from various tire manufacturers .... no luck.  What tire will offer the best dirt road traction?  Anyone.

An off-road GS, thats a new concept, it might be kinda cool. Id like to see that. Do tires and something with the suspension, oh yeah!

If you want it to be seriously offroad, get an offroad bike - it'd be easier than conversion of the GS to wheels with tubed tires.  If you just need to go over dirt roads once in a while, get good street tires and be careful on the dirt roads.  There's no reason to compromise 90% of your riding for the other 10%.  I'd think the suspension of the GS would be more limiting on trails...

just ride street tires in the dirt.. it teaches you very quickly what you can and can not do  :lol:

really for occasional dirt/gravel roads I wouldnt opt for a dirt tire... just becarefull and be willing to learn/feel it out before you get too confident.

I dont' think he's talking about trying to go and run the baja 500 on the GS.  Not everyone lives in a completely urban envrionment.  They may make something for the new Suzuki DRZ supermoto which has 17 inch wheels, bu thten again they might have tubes.

Jake

exactly jake42.  If I wanted to go off roading I would buy an off road bike.  I am talking about dirt roads that can be reached by automobiles.  I have ridden on dirt roads with my BT45's for 10 - 25 miles.  The GS suspension is fine for these roads, the street tires aren't the best for these conditions.
I was hoping to find tubeless dual purpose tires something like the Michelin Sirac Tire (75% on-road, 25% offroad) just in GS sizes.  All the supermoto and dual sport tires I find like the AVON AM43/ AM44 Distanzia Tire are offered in the oh so popular 120/70HR17 for front.  The rear can be found with 130/80 , 140/80, and 150/60 ... they may work.  Have I missed one that may work?

well the gs is still ok for dirt roads tho... i've hit gravel going 80mph when the  road surface changed abruptly.. and i've also traveled 50-75mphs one this one dirt/gravel road coming back from our local track. Not that I would ever recommend anyone to try it but once you do get used to it its definitely rideable with street rubber.

jags, I think  you can fit a 120 on the front of the GS.  I remember reading that sometime ago when i was searching for tire info.  If that's the case, then you might have your setup.  If so, I wanna see pics. And I'm jealous that you're in AZ and I'm stuck in PA.

jake

thanks jake.  I heard that the 120 isn't a good idea, but I will research it.  I won't tell you that the temperature currently gets to the low 80's for the high and low 50's for the low.    I also won't tell you that I ride all year   .

120 is fine specialy for sticky tires,just run a little bit under press 3-7psi but no more.  as to off road tires, yeah you could im sure but i can tell you dirt roads Kill chains in 1/3 the time and is hell on everything else that has slides or pivots. you would have to look into the same tires they use for motard to handle dirt and street.

I ride my 04 with stock tyres home to my parents farm alot and have to travel down 8km(5miles) of dirt/gravel road and never have a problem. Granted I know the road but I am still able to do up to 100km/h (60m/h) without any problems. The bike does move around a bit but its fine. One section of the road is just dirt and gets very slippery in the wet but the stock tyres handle that as well, though it can get interesting. I have also moved sheep on my Dad's farm with the GS without a problem. You just have to go easy on the throttle and be careful on the front brake as I have locked it once due to lack of traction.

thanks on2wheels..... I guess I will just suck it up  

120 tires do not go well on the 3" rim. They pinch and distort the carcass.

You can find good dual sport tires (semi knobbies even) in 110/ R17.

have not many run the mich pilot 120's and the dunlop 207/208 120 on 110 rims without issues? i have and few others i know have and they hold well. perhaps its depends on what manufacture's 120 as they all seem to fit differently for same sizes.    as to offroad tires, alittle pinch wont hurt too much as most knobbies ara generaly run at lower pressure then street tires and flex alot more for grab.   i was thinking of putting streets on my XL250R, its got 17" rear an handles a 120 now, the front would be more tricky