I need new tires for my GS500E and am considering getting
FRONT: Bridgestone BT45 120/70-17
REAR: Bridgestone BT45 140/80-17

someone tried a '140/70-17' for the rear and complained (see link below) of some squirreliness when cornering ....
anyone else experience this??

have most people just stuck with the the 110/70-17 & 130/70-17 stock combo?

http://www.bikepower.net/gs500e-power/modifications/suspension-related/tire/tire.htm

i have a set of 120/60-17 160/60-17 shinko ravens sitting in my room waiting to get mounted on my rims i did do the kat rear wheel swap tho.  dont get the BT45's  talk to GSjack hes the tire guy.

I've run 110/70 and 110/80 front and 130/70, 130/80, 130/90, 140/70, 140/80, and 150/70 rear tires on my GSs on the stock 3.0 and 3.5" rims.  The only 140/70 would be my current Avon Roadrider and I've never noticed any squirreliness when cornering.  Had two 140/80 and one 150/70 sport touring radial rears.  I've noticed more difference in handling due to different types of tires with different compounds than I have due to different tire sizes. 

The latest name brand bias ply sport touring tires are all quite good tires.  Namely the Avon Roadrider, Bridgestone BT45, Metzeler Lasertec, Michelin Pilot Activ, and Pirelli Demons all are available the 110/70 and 130/70 sizes as well as the larger 140/80 or 70 and 150/70 sizes if you prefer.  Those opinions from "Martyn's Tire Opinions" you linked to are about a decade old and quite outdated now.  These newer tires weren't around then except the BT45 and it's been updated since then in both compounds and profiles.

see like i said GSjack is the tire man.

Don't forget if you increase the profile of the front tire it'll make your speedo lie, and doing the same in the rear will make your gearing taller, which I don't consider bad, but I wouldn't want my speedo to read under my real speed, which will happen if you go to a taller tire in front.  You can go wider, but I don't think it's a good idea to go taller.  Why add unsprung weight unnecessarily?

Quote from: bill14224 on March 06, 2009, 10:10:26 PM
Don't forget if you increase the profile of the front tire it'll make your speedo lie, and doing the same in the rear will make your gearing taller, which I don't consider bad, but I wouldn't want my speedo to read under my real speed, which will happen if you go to a taller tire in front.  You can go wider, but I don't think it's a good idea to go taller.  Why add unsprung weight unnecessarily?

forget the unsrpung weight thingy. it's a gs, you're not going to know the difference.


as far as anything being squirrelly, check your air pressure, or the road for grease. my bike sticks like glue with simple bt-45's.

Quote from: bill14224 on March 06, 2009, 10:10:26 PM
Don't forget if you increase the profile of the front tire it'll make your speedo lie,

No, it'll reduce the standard lies it tells! They normally overread about 10%.

Quote from: ohgood on March 07, 2009, 04:32:35 AM


as far as anything being squirrelly, check your air pressure, or the road for grease. my bike sticks like glue with simple bt-45's.

are you running stock sizes on your stock rims?

I have 110-80 front, and 140-70 rear, both bt45's, both on stock rim.  and I dont experience any squirrelly-ness to them.

The rear stock size is 130.....getting wider size (140)....what effect will this have? Lower top speed?

2. I need to get a new rear tire....anyone know where to get tires for cheap price? Going for a 130 size, but I'll wait and see what the answer is about 140 size...anyways, need a cheap source..

I didn't notice a lower top speed, but then again I'v never been over 110 on mine, but that was a long stretch of interstate with no cars around

Where can I get a BT45 130/70 for the rear at the cheapest price?....130/70 is stock...correct?

bumppp

91.75 is the price for a 140/70-17 BT45 from this site. http://www.motorcycledreamshop.com/shop/agora.cgi?product=bridgestonestreet

Hey thanks for your help man. Hmmmm....well I just want the stock tires...is that 130/70 for 17inch?

Plus I don't think they ship to Canada, I am in Toronto...Unless I get someone in the US to help out....b/c their 130/80 17 is $77

Tires Unlimited ship almost anywhere and have good prices on the GS500 oem BT45 tires.  Bottom of page:

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Bridgestone/Bridgestone%20MC/bridgestone_battlax_bt45h.htm

Thanks man, I'll look into it

 
FWIW:

A couple of years ago I ordered a set of tires from Tires Unlimited for my '73 RD350.  They showed up on my doorstep within 24 hours of ordering and I paid the standard shipping fee.  Kind of hard to beat that kind of service!!!!



Best of luck...

  got'em on.  i've rode an hour on them so far in 6C weather so not really lightn' them up. so far so good.

Ive got dunlop arrowmax GT501's. standard tyre fittings 110/70-17 and 130/70-17s on the rear.

i think they are brilliant once they are worn in. nice and sticky when doing a high angle lean but tbh im not gunna be getting my knee down so they are ample for me.

=]