Ok, well, after doing more research, I've come across a few other options. A few things to consider; 2001 model, I only commute 2 miles to work, and maybe put a total of 200 miles on the bike in a week, unless I go for an extended ride. Therefore, if I only get 3000 to 6000 miles out of the tires, thats alright. Plus, I don't ride very hard, so I wouldn't wear them out as fast as someone who goes canyon carving every weekend.

The first combo I'm considering is a 110/70/17 Conti Road Attack up front with a 150/60/17 Sport Attack in the rear. This combo would run me $177.

The second combo would be the Road Attack in front with a ContiForce 150/60/17 in the rear. This is designed for supermoto bikes that ride primarily on the street, so I would think it would handle the weight and speed appropriately.

Third combo: Road Attack in the front with a Metzeler M3 150/60/17 in back. $181.

Which would you pick? The only other choice would be to stick a Sportec M3 on the front, but its a 120/60/17 and I've read conflicting information on whether it fits properly or not.

I prefer BT-45's for touring / general street use.  They flat spot less than a stickier tire will as they're oriented towards sport-touring.

However, last time I bought tires I bought one of the last fronts available in the country.  Bridgestone had some kind of a supply problem, which they may have solved that by now.

Can't really say much about the combos you're talking about.  My tire experience is fairly limited.

When you first posted I was going to ask why you wanted a 120/60 M-3 front rather than a 110/70.  I'd use the 110/70 front with the 150/60 rear if you really want the M-3 tires but your usage doesn't really require any supersport tires like the M-3.  Any of the good bias ply sport touring tires would meet your needs.

The combos you mention don't make a lot of sense to me.  It seems you want a 150/60 rear tire and are looking for a front to go with it.  The regular Contiforce tires are available in the 110/70 and 150/60 sizes so there's no need to go to a supermoto rear tire if you want lower priced radials in those sizes.

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_108_110

It might be necessary to bend the brake torque rod for clearance for a 150 tire, some require it and some don't.

When I went from the oem Excedras to the BT45s on my first GS almost ten years ago the BT45 were a big improvement.  They are available now but some suppliers like AMT list them with oem tires and not with the regular replacement tires and they are nicely priced.

.http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_82_95_576

Avon Roadriders, Bridgestone BT45, Metzeler Lasertecs, Michelin Pilot Activs, and Pirelli Demons are all good sport touring  bias ply tires that come in the 110/70-17 and 130/70-17 oem sizes or with a 140/70  or 150/70 rear.  I liked the Lasertecs myself but they are kinda pricey now.

I think the best handling tires I've had on my GSs over the last 140k miles were the 150/70 RoadAttack rear with a 110/80 Lasertec front and I attribute that to the type of tire rather than the size/profile of them.  Your requirements may vary.

Quote from: GeeP on December 12, 2008, 07:59:27 PM
I prefer BT-45's for touring / general street use.  They flat spot less than a stickier tire will as they're oriented towards sport-touring.

However, last time I bought tires I bought one of the last fronts available in the country.  Bridgestone had some kind of a supply problem, which they may have solved that by now.

Can't really say much about the combos you're talking about.  My tire experience is fairly limited.

I really like the BT090, however tire selection highly depends no what you use you bike for, if you are running alot, the BT-45 make more sence!!

The reason I picked those tires is because they are all on sale. I would save somewhere in the order of $100 if I were to purchase any of those combos. Thats the only reason I was thinking about the 120/60 M3 instead of the 110/70.

However, thanks to the suggestions, it looks like I'll be going with the 110/70 and 150/60 Contiforce.

Thanks guys

I paid 170 bucks TOTAL for a set of Avon RoadRiders from AmericanMotoTire.com... 150/70 rear and 110/70 front.

Look them up.

Dan

I have a 110 sportec m-1 up front and a 150 sportec m-1 on the rear and I love them.

I'm thinking about getting Avon Azaros because I need the best tire for wet conditions, but do I need to be worried about how long they've been sitting on a shelf due to the fact they're a discontinued model? Any suggestions for other models. They need to be above average for water, I live in a puddle. 

The Azaro ST line was replaced by the newer Storm ST tires but 6 sizes that are not made in Storms are still made from the Azaro line including the 110/80/17 and 140/80/17 sizes that fit the GS.

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/?page=tyres&method=showspecs&id=18

Check the date of manufacture on the tires you buy, the last four digits of the DOT numnber are the week of manufacture.  For example, 3206 would be a tire made the 32nd week of 2006.

All of the radials I used on my GSs were good in the rain including the Azaros.  When I went to Z4/Z2 radials from BT45s I quit slowing down in the rain.  Have used Z4/Z2, BT010/AV36, AV45/46, and RoadAttack rear radial with Lasertec front.  The BT45 have been updated in compounds and profiles since I used them and I thought the Lazertec pair were about as good as radials, just don't last as long as sport touring radials and getting a bit pricey.

I'm mostly satisfied with the Roadriders I'm using now, bargain priced and the rear is lasting 50% longer than the Lasertec did; but I'm really slowing down in the rain again.  Maybe because I'm getting old though.   

the 150 sizes you guys are putting on....they fit on the stock rims???

depends on the tire and wall size

what about that??

Quote from: mach1 on December 13, 2008, 09:41:25 PM
I have a 110 sportec m-1 up front and a 150 sportec m-1 on the rear and I love them.