Ok I would like to get a quick reference as to what tyre (that's tire for you yanks) you run on your GS500. Brand, Make, Size and why you chose it. Would you choose it again etc.





FRONT: Bridgestone BT45
SIZE: 110/70/17

REAR: BRIDGESTONE BT45
SIZE: 130/70/17

WHY: Because it came with the bike

THOUGHTS: Not a bad tyre. The rear has just started to square off after 11,000km of which 90% is commuting.

NEXT TIME: Stock size Pirelli Sports Demon, or Bridgestone BT92 Radials (140/70/17 rear) if I can get a hold of them.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR: Caramel Swirl

FRONT: Metzeler Lasertec
SIZE:  110/80/17

REAR: Conti RoadAttack
SIZE: 150/70/17

WHY:

I tried about a dozen front tires on the GSs and all cupped and/or beveled badly for me except the Metzeler Laser type tread pattern which wore even all the way down.  The Lasertec is my favorite front tire for the GS500, but a bit pricey.

I was running Lasertecs front and rear when the RoadAttacks became available.  Early reports showed they gripped very nicely, somewhere between sport touring and supersport radial tires and the rear was priced below the Lasertec bias rear for same 150/70 tire so I tried one.

THOUGHTS:

Lasertec front remains choice for front tire but a RoadRider is about $40 cheaper and appears to be working well on GSs.  Was initially concerned about tire life for the RoadAttack rear but I have almost 10k miles on it now and it appears it will go at least 2k more but a RoadRider rear is $40-50 less costly and works well enough.

NEXT TIME:

Same Lasertec/RoadAttack combo or maybe I'll cheap out and get the RoadRiders in 110/80 and 140/70 sizes.  Got at least a couple months or maybe till spring to think about it.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR:

Butter Pecan (FLAVOR:-)

Tires I've run on the GSs so far, have about 53k miles on the 02 now:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelog.jpg

FRONT: Avon Road Rider
SIZE: 110/70/17

REAR: Avon Roadrider
SIZE: 130/70/17

WHY: Because GSJack recommended them

THOUGHTS: Seem ok, but I've only got 200 or so miles on em so far. Stickier than stock BT-45s. Hoping to get 9-10K miles out of them, as I got 13K out of stock BT-45s

NEXT TIME: Probably stick with these. Good feel, good response, good wet traction, decently cheap, and hopefully good longevity.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR: Chocolate/Vanilla swirl

FRONT: Pirelli Sport Demon, Front
SIZE: 110/70/17

REAR: Pirelli Sport Demon
SIZE: 130/70/17

WHY: They came with the bike

THOUGHTS: I have no comparison terms, anyway they seem to behave properly. Haven't tested'em yet on wet surfaces (luckily ); I don't feel very confident when leaning, but maybe it's just me being a n00b kitty cat and/or because the tyres are old (a new rear is due soon, but I will probably have them both replaced).

NEXT TIME: Pirelli Sport Demons again almost for sure.
I'd be curious to try Metzelers, though: my neighbour has them on his Yamaha R6 and is very happy with them; anyway, I'm afraid that they would last less miles, and I'm more prone to sacrifice performance for durability.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR: Chocolate&coconut

FRONT: Michelin Power Race Med
SIZE: 120/60/17

REAR: Michelin Power Race Med Soft
SIZE: 160/60/17

WHY: Because I get them for $80 a pair with great tread left from a racer.

THOUGHTS: Awesome tire, already have 1500+ miles on them, they grip great and still have bunches of tread left.

NEXT TIME: Same thing if he still has tires available. Although the rear tire fits on the bike by MMs.

are you running that 160 on a stock rim?

Front: 110-70-17
Kenda 671 Krusiers

Rear: 130-70-17
Kenda 671 Krusiers


Why-They came with the bike.


Thoughts: Wonderful tire for commuting with long wear life.
They would be good for travel but not so good for sport touring.
The 671's are prone to cupping on the front if they're out of balance
or the forks aren't in good shape.The rear is very prone to flattening
out across the tread.They don't take to severe lean angles.The rear
has a tendency to skid.I have had the front slide but not wash out.
I ride hard and brake hard.The tires have lasted me quite a while and
would last longer if I wasn't so hard on them.

Next time-I'll probably go with Avon Road Riders or Metzler Sportec M1's.
I can't remember what was on my GSXR750 but those were so great tires.
Darn memory.

Favorite ice cream- cookie dough

Front : 110/80-ZR17 Avon Azaro AV45-ST

Rear : 140/80-ZR17 Avon Azaro AV46-ST


Why: Because the BT tires are not that great for twisties and pretty useless in 1/2" of rain on texas roads.

Thoughs: OMG they stick to the road dry or wet.
Good for daily drive, great on spirited riding

Notes:
1) Just done 8,000 on this set.
    a) The rear is showing wear close to indicators,(about 1,000 miles left), it has flattened in the middle part of the tire (90% commuting), it will need replacement, I have use the side in spirited sporting twisties and the grip is wonderfull on these tires.
     b) The front is just fine, and not showing cupping symptoms. (I have progressive springs, unknown if this makes
         a diiference or not)

2) The oversizing has caused a inccorect reading of speed and trip meter. (read more info below)

PS: LOVE THEM and would never go back to the OEM tires.

Gas compsumption notes:
Riding with 8 other people they read a trip of 84 miles, and I read 77 miles.
This being an error of 7 miles per 84 = 8%.

Actual speed reads 10%  fast over 50 MPH. (ie tach reads 80MPH and I am NOT going that fast !)

I have been tracking my gas compsumption as of 200 miles per refill (3.607 Gallons), which always gives me 54-56 MPG.
Taking the 8% trip error in account, the corrected mileage at 218 Miles per 3.607 gallons, which gives me  60.4 MPG

Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on September 09, 2007, 12:30:31 PM
are you running that 160 on a stock rim?

no. 98 katana 600 rear wheel

Pilot power.

Why? because they are awesome.

FRONT: Michelin Pilot Power
SIZE: 110/70/17

REAR: Michelin Pilot Power
SIZE: 150/60/17 (Katana rim)

WHY: Highly recommended on this forum.  Superbike magazine gave them the highest marks of any street tyre, and they beat all but two race tyres.  I had already tried BT45's, so I got them to compare.

THOUGHTS: Hammered on them at the track, and they showed no sign of weakness.  When I pulled in the pits, I could feel how sticky they are with my fingers.  Stayed sticky in the rain, even while other riders were crashing.  (Don't know what tyres they were using.)

NEXT TIME: More of the same.  I have some Pirelli Sport Demons in the garage to install on my FZR600 when my Sportmax tyres die.  (There's no Pilot Power for the FZR's 18" rear.)  Hopefully that will allow me to compare the Demons and the Powers "somewhat" fairly.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR: Cookie dough

Note:  I normally spell it "tire" but I spelt it the brit way in this thread just for fun.  I also used the word "spelt."  Long live the queen.

i use bridgestone but i hear great things about avon from all types of riders

FRONT: Shinko Podium F006
SIZE: 110/70/17

REAR: Shinko Podium R006
SIZE: 140/60/17

WHY: The only kind I could get my hands on. The rear tyre size is kinda rare here. The only other option was Avon, but they were out of stock - both the 140/80 Azaro and the stock size. Affordable.

THOUGHTS: Compared to the previous set (Heidenau) they perform great. Good grip and a big difference while cornering. I feel much more confident and relaxed. Can't compare them with other tyres though, it's my first swap.

NEXT TIME: Too far in the future. Whatever is available most likely.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR:
Strawberry

On the street:

Front tire:
Michelin Pilot Road 110/70.  Got ~12K miles on this tire and it's finally starting to flatten down the middle.  Mostly commuting miles.

Rear Tire:
Michelin Pilot Road 150/70.  Had 5K or so on the first rear I put on, then got a flat and got another one.


On the track:
Rennsport 110/70 and 150/60.  Ridiculous stick, saved my ass a few times while going in too hot.  Love 'em, got 'em on close-out thru my shop, so I've got another set in waiting for when I burn the current ones out.

Hey, Mk... are you on the stock rim or a kat rim?

Gsjack runs his 150 on a stock rim , i have a 150/70 BT45 On the stock rim , not all tires fit , ask mr Jack , and it been brought up quite abit
easyest Swop is the Kat Rim tho

yeah.. the swap is cake, but since I'm getting married in a month I'm out of dough.  Not to mention the Wifes been keeping a tight leash on the purse strings  so I have to wait.  Otherwise I'd be rockin the 160 with the kat rim, clip-ons and some new body work(Hyosung or Aluzio not sure yet)...

F; 120/65-17
R; 150/60-17

both sportec M3

Rear could feel more solid while on the brakes... I'm still queezy about a 150 though.  It's only been on a short period of time.  When I lay it down, however, it's the SHYYYYYITE!

Quote from: Jay_wolf on September 10, 2007, 12:40:10 PM
Gsjack runs his 150 on a stock rim , i have a 150/70 BT45 On the stock rim , not all tires fit , ask mr Jack , and it been brought up quite abit
easyest Swop is the Kat Rim tho

By far it's the easiest.I can't get my machinist to make an inner spacer for my Bandit600 wheel.I been doing biz with this cat for nearly 15 years.I tell him what I'm doing and he says he won't accept the liability.I told him I'd sign a release form.Still no go.I'll find someone.Maybe Hush Boys Motorcycle Fab.

I cant get one made either buddy , if u can get one made ,get a spare , and ill buy it off u 

FRONT: Pirelli Sport Demon, Front
SIZE: 110/70/17


REAR: Pirelli Sport Demon
SIZE: 130/70/17


WHY: They had great reviews, and they are easily the stickiest street tires in the stock size.

THOUGHTS: WAY BETTER than the stock tires! I chose the stock size to maintain predictable handling.

NEXT TIME: Pirelli Sport Demons. Unless something better comes along, or I get a new bike.

FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR: Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey