I am mostliklely buying a 93 GS500 this weekend
it needs new tires pretty bad I guess

What to buy and where? online?
at a local tire shop?

what tires are the best for their price? bike will be used 90% for transportation.

Thanks,
James

PS anything I should really look at before I buy the bike?

I've had pretty good luck ordering from www.discountmotorcycletire.com
Pretty fast shipping, good prices but they don't tack on a bunch of BS charges.
If you can't change your own tires or know someone who can, you might want to just go to a shop. They usually only charge $10~$20 a tire to change them if you buy from them. But can charge $50 or more if you bring them from somewhere else.

As for what to look at, Besides the obvious like signs it has been dropped or crashed, I would insist on a test ride. You want to see if the bike will idle correctly and if you can blip the throttle and it doesn't dip or race. And that when riding it will not rev more than you give it.

what do you need to install your own tires?
I have a bunch of tools, but do you need speacial tire tools?

I bought my bike w/ Metzler Z2 in the back and Z4 in the front. I cant comment on other brands but the Metzlers wear pretty well and when they heat up they get  sticky. Their meant to last a couple thousand miles and have a nice aggressive tread pattern. So far I'd reccommend them.
Mine are 130 rear 110 front, i hear you can go up to 150 rear? Just food for thought.
Lata,
ash

I really like the Z4/Z2 combination, but they do speed up the steering and raise the rear a bit (took me by surprise how much faster they felt turning in compared to the stock excedras).  BT45s might be a better choice for a new rider (you can get the rear in stock size) and also have good compromise between performance and wear.

i bought my metzler z2/z4 at ronayers.com  only $8/ea for shipping.  quick delivery to my door.  i had them mounted and balance at a local mc shop. ~$270 total cost.   so far i like them.  i've got 50 miles on them maybe.

later

both are good choices. interesting to hear about the quick turn in with the metz's. Also, I've read that the Z4 is discontinued, to be replaced by the [stickier] Z6. Might be UK only though.

I'd go with BT45's as your first set of upgrade tires. then experiement. The excedras that are stock are crap.

You do need special tools to change tires. Not necessarily expensive ones, just special ones.

Quote from: pantabloboth are good choices. interesting to hear about the quick turn in with the metz's. Also, I've read that the Z4 is discontinued, to be replaced by the [stickier] Z6. Might be UK only though.

I'd go with BT45's as your first set of upgrade tires. then experiement. The excedras that are stock are crap.

You do need special tools to change tires. Not necessarily expensive ones, just special ones.

I am mechanically cappable of most things.
what tools are needed, is there a kit out there?
thnx

tire tools arnt expensive, changing tires is alot like when you change tires on bicycle wheels. there are 2 types of tire Irons, there is long, avg cost 12$ and short avg cost 5$,  i recomend 1 long and 2 short.   the hardest part to changing tires is breaking the bead on the rim. if you know someone who races ask them, they might have all the tools and can show you.   I use the kickstand and wight of motorcycle to break the beads. My rims are galled and scratched up from the bikes former track life so i dont mind.  i can change a tire in average of about 10 mins, from start to mounting back on bike.   i do a static ballencing, not the best but better then nothing.

I changed my own tires for years.  Only need one good tire iron and a large screw driver.  After breaking the bead pry up the tire bead and hold with the screw driver while prying around the edge with the iron.  Be sure to get a long tire iron with the curves on the tip.  The non curved spoons slip all over the place.

Best bead breaker I had was my old 82 Ford Escort.  Placed the wheel under the side and put the jack on the tire with the base close to the rim.  Jacked it up a bit and "pop."  Worked real slick every time.

Gave it up about 5 years ago one hot August day when I thought I was gonna croak changing one.  Have them mounted and balanced locally now for about $25 a wheel.  When I changed my own, I used premium tires and never got them balanced and never had a problem with them.  At speeds up to 80mph or so they were fine.  Now that I find myself frequently going considerably more than that, I like to have them balanced.

I really like the Z4/Z2 combo for the GS500.  That 130/80 Z2 will give great milage and performance on the GS.  I put on a new set last year and again this year.  The rear Z2 was destroyed shortly after I got it and I replaced it with a 140/80 Avon AV36 that was available quickly locally.  Worked fine with the Z4 front.  The Z4/Z2 radial combo is a better bargain than the BT45 bias tires for me.  The longer life more than makes up for the greater price.  

If your concerned with the quickened steering with the larger rear tire, put the 110/80 Z4 on the front in place of the 110/70.  A 130/90 rear with a 110/70 front really quickens the steering a noticeable amount.  Have tried it a couple times and like it, but you might not.   :lol:  At the risk of boring most who have seen it many times, here are the tires I've used on th 97 GS so far:

http://members.aol.com:/jcprrp/GS500tirelog.txt

As much as I like the Z4/Z2's, I still want to try the new Avon AV45/AV46 tires on the GS as well as a set of Sportecs with the 150/60 rear.  So many tires, so little time!   :mrgreen:

I've got good service from Chaparral, Discount, and Southwest on tires and always check all three before ordering.  No shipping charges on a pair from Southwest.  Be sure to add the shipping charges to the others when comparing:

http://chaparral-racing.com/

http://www.discountmotorcycletire.com/

http://www.swmototires.com/

thanks for all the help,
I will do the tires myself then,

And it is 99% final that I am buying 93 GS500 tomarrow

I think I will get the BT45s
w/ 140/70 rear
what ya think?

James,
I had the Avon av45/46 on my GS.  They are amazing.  They stick to the road very well, and they are very stable at high speed.  They also seem to have very good wear on them.  Switching from bias to radials is a huge improvement!

Quote from: JamesGI've had pretty good luck ordering from www.discountmotorcycletire.com
Pretty fast shipping, good prices but they don't tack on a bunch of BS charges.
If you can't change your own tires or know someone who can, you might want to just go to a shop. They usually only charge $10~$20 a tire to change them if you buy from them. But can charge $50 or more if you bring them from somewhere else.

As for what to look at, Besides the obvious like signs it has been dropped or crashed, I would insist on a test ride. You want to see if the bike will idle correctly and if you can blip the throttle and it doesn't dip or race. And that when riding it will not rev more than you give it.

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4383&highlight=

click on that to see what *i* think of discountmotorcycletire.com