Today I bought another '93 GS500.  The front tire (Excedra 547) is shot, and the rear has a Kenda on it with plenty of tread.  Unfortunately I don't know anything about the Kenda tire, good or bad.  By doing a "Tire" search, it appears for daily non-race duty, that the Bridgestone BT45 is recommended by a lot of you.  It seems that I could read message after message and end up not being able to make a decision.

I prefer a tire that has some pretty decent wear characteristics, but I would also like it to stick in the corners.  Is there a Radial Tire that fits properly that will give the wear of the BT45?  That's assuming if course that the BT45 does wear well.  What are your recommendations for brand and size?

On the ride home the bike acted as if it were running out of fuel on several occasions.  Most of the time the fuel petcock was in the "On" position when this happened.  But, I'm pretty sure that it also happened while in the "Reserve" position too.  Basically, it took a turn of the fuel petcock and then it took off again.  What should I be looking for?

Quote from: BUZZINI don't know anything about the Kenda tire, good or bad.  By doing a "Tire" search, it appears for daily non-race duty, that the Bridgestone BT45 is recommended by a lot of you.  It seems that I could read message after message and end up not being able to make a decision.

I prefer a tire that has some pretty decent wear characteristics, but I would also like it to stick in the corners.  Is there a Radial Tire that fits properly that will give the wear of the BT45?  That's assuming if course that the BT45 does wear well.  What are your recommendations for brand and size?

KENDA=BAD

BT45's are a great tire and sticks in corners fine from what people say...plenty good for most  (if not all road riding). Radials are a limited bunch-you'll likely head towards Metzeler MEZ2/Z4 combo 110/70, 140/80 (one of them, Z2 or Z4 is not available in the front size, so you use the other, thats why there's two models instead of the same one front and back). This is an infinitely popular setup for radials and are at least as good if not better than the BT45's...arguably.

Just last week I bought a pair of BT-45's and am most impressed. Thank you, guys! They're not even broken in yet, and they stick like glue. Originally, I was going to buy a Metzeler ME33 front and a Bridgestone BT45 rear, but due to financial difficulties, bought BT45's and am very pleased.

As for wear on the BT45's, I have put on almost 10,000miles since october '02 and am still not down to the wear line on the rear, and front still has tons of meat on it.    The shop said that rear would last 6,000 and front would last 10,000.  But Im probably looking at 15,000 for rear and 20,000+ for front.  And I can take corners hanging off the seat at around 30mph. so yes they will stick more than enough for street riding.  (oh yeah Im 250lbs 6'2")

Yeah I have BT45's and they are pretty cool.  They stick real well and my chicken strips are only 1/4" wide or thereabouts.  I can get on the front wheel if I weight the front properly and I can very predictably skid the front tire without ending up on the ground as long as I am upright.

I like them.