Wow, first decent stock size tires I've ever had on the bike and just . . . wow. Now I know why everyone raves about the GS' handling. Before know I just thought these people didn't have a lot to compare it to. But it handles, it handles GOOD.

If they last I'll be even happier. Changing the first tire took me a good solid hour or more, the second I think I did in under 15 minutes. Once I knew the tricks it really spead things up.

With the smaller diamater tire ( had a Macadam 90x in 150/70 on the back before) and the sprocket change taking off in 2nd feels the same as taking off in 1st did before. 1st gets you some great accelleration and is much easier on the clutch.

I also test-drove the bike after just changing the rear tire and it helped a lot, but going from the 120/70 front to the 110/70 front made just as much differance.

So far I love the tires and I have a bang for the buck performance change list. If I were to do it again I'd save my money on the K&N and the Exhaust and just get the sprocket change and do the cheap rejet. My recommended mod list goes:

1) Stronger front springs
2) "Budget" rejet
3) 15 tooth sprocket
4) Better rear shock (don't spend too much unless you're racing).
Everything else is just gravy and not nearly as good a return for the $.
YMMV.

Nice review!

I was thinking about the 15T sprocket but I ride the interstate back and forth to work 60 miles a day! And going 80-85mph (bike speedo) is about 7.5-8k and I dont want to go higher than that! Especially since I like going to places that are 1-1.5hrs away from me via interstate. I am thinking of going up in sprocket size to lower the revs.

Did you get your bike used? Because that's where my RPM are at the same speeds. You might already have the 15 tooth.

Oh, and I thought I'd mention that I bumped the rear up to a 40 tooth. Mainly to take up some of the slack created by the 15 T front. Turns out my old sprocket was a bit torn up from me not keeping my chain adjusted tight enough   The 39 to 40 increase in the rear does very little to the gearing.

awesome aren't they?  Ilove mine.  There's no chicken strips on these tires, I throw the bike around like it's nothing.  I really prefer the 70's to the 80's that used to be on it. I couldn't even imagine 90's

peace
jake

Awesome. Where'd you get the 15 Tooth front sprocket from? Any good reccomendations?

where did you get the rear sprocket and what other sizes they come in

check here:
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3664

I bought all of it through Parts411.com

The tires and sprockets were drop-shipped from the manufacurers and got here before my handlebar end weights and new chain did. Sprocket Specialties has a stupid-wide range of sprocket sizes available that fit the GS. From 32-74 teeth in the rear and 11-17 on the front sprocket.

For my chain I got the EK SRX x-ring sport chain. The chain is very heavy and high quality construction. Made for bikes with under 100 HP, which means it's about twice as strong as it needs to be for the GS I'm looking foreward to it lasting a good long time and the X-rings have less drag compared to the o-rings so it shouldn't heat up as much or lose as much power.

Yikes, im all confused now..

I have a 99' motor on a 91 gs..lol. So i guess i need the one that needs the spacer? so confused.

I always thought front sprockets were cheaper than 30 bucks.... bikebandit seems like a ripoff on everything ive ever checked. Ron Ayers has always been cheaper. Whats the catch?

My '01 model has the 15T front sprocket.  At an indicated 90MPH, the tach is showing a hair under 8K.  This is with BT45's in stock sizes.

Snowman...I was thinking of going to 140/70s and 120/70s on my bike. Mostly this was for appearence. I don't really think it would help that much as far as traction. It seams like you wouldn't recomend this though? Why is that?.....

Briggs

The wider tires sticking to the same heights are going to affect handling.  The bike will probably respond slower. I have a 140 rear, but I kept 110 front.  I think it handles great with the 110 front and 140 rear.   But thats my humble opinion.

I HAD 150/60 on rear when i got the bike, went to 130/70 and it was ok but alittle washy, then was given a 140/70 and i didnt care for it at all, it never felt right, im back to 15/60 and its heavan. 110/60 upfront, but still feels good with 11/70 upfront too, i love the 150/60 series rear

The 120/70 and 150/70 are made for a wider rim and on the stock rims they change the profile. If you don' t lean much you never notice. If you start to push the bike a little it gets scarey. A 140/80 is made for the correct size rim and will often be wider than the pinched 150/70 or 150/60 once mounted.

If you want a wider rear for looks I'd go with a 110/70 front and 140/80 rear. This will give you tires designed for the rims and should be almost as confidence inspiring as the stock sizes.

I'll confidently go into corners now at speeds that had me holding my breath in anticipation of the bike trying to throw to the ground before. Makes riding MUCH more fun not having to worry about my rear tire contact patch shifting and shrinking rapidly at the same time.

YMMV but that's my experiance.

Oh, and the 15 tooth front is only like $13, the rear is around $30 and is aluminum. Lighter and beefier than the stock. Weaker metal so made thicker, but still ends up being lighter. Plus, brushed aluminum is just cool looking.  :mrgreen:

If your going to radials, there are no 140/70 tires available and most of the 150/70 are too wide for our 3.5" rims.  There are many choices in the popular 140/80 size.

On my semi-retired  :lol: 97 GS500 I most recently had an Avon 140/80  AV36 rear and a 110/70 Z4 front and they handled great.  Especially good in the wet, you can pick up the pace when others slow down.   :mrgreen: Same sizes BlkSnow is suggesting above in bias.

That Avon is about as big a rear tire as can be fitted on the GS without altering the brake rod and it looks great too if that is a concern.  Some pics I posted before when someone brought it up.  Kinda fuzzy, but you can see how close the tire is to the brake rod in 3rd pic.


Blueknyt expresses his like for the 150/60 above but Pablo was not as happy with the 150/60 on the 3.5" wheel as I recall.  Couldn't get to the edges.    I am still tempted to put the 110/70 and 150/60 Sportecs on the new 02 GS in the spring and give them a try.  Never had a Metz I didn't like, but the Avon has been great too.

My 02 with 4400 miles on it came with a OE front tire and a 130/90 Kenda 657 bias rear.  That Kenda sticks very well unlike previous Chinese tires and it was a surprise.  Think stealer put it on to sell the bike, but it was still a bargain for $2600.

Quote from: gsJack
Blueknyt expresses his like for the 150/60 above but Pablo was not as happy with the 150/60 on the 3.5" wheel as I recall.  Couldn't get to the edges.    ...

Actually I really like my 150/60. Although I would prefer to be able to get to the edges (or at least know if I could or not) and I've gotten used to the feeling of "falling into" tight corners so thats not an issue now-hanging off helps too   .

I'm inthe market for a wider rear wheel to properly fit a 150/60 on there.

Quote from: Black SnowmanMy recommended mod list goes:

1) Stronger front springs
2) "Budget" rejet
3) 15 tooth sprocket
4) Better rear shock (don't spend too much unless you're racing).
Everything else is just gravy and not nearly as good a return for the $.
YMMV.

Don't forget the DIY ignition advancer.  That's a cheap quick boost.

Emmett Lyman

Quote from: gsJackIf your going to radials, there are no 140/70 tires available and ...

Thats strange, I swear that my rear tire is a 140/70/17 BT45.
Hmm..is the BT45 a bias tire?

BT45 is a bias-ply.

Check available sizes on their site...

http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/

SHould I care that the bike came with bt45 bias ply tires instead of radials?
Why would someone get a radial over a bias ply?