Just got the BT 45 tires in the mail .
What's you experience with putting on tires?
What's the best way to do it (shop or Dealer)?
Do you guys make an appointment 1st???
I'll be bringing the tires and wheels to where ever they are being done, so is there anything to keep in mind when I remove the back tire?
I once removed the front, so that's no problem, but I am worrying about chain alaignment after I put them back on.
What do you guys say???
-Denis S.

Shop by appointment.

Look at the bike now before you take off the rear wheel off. Notate where the rear axle lines up with the tick marks on the swingarm. Back out the adjuster nuts the same amount.

OK, mounting tires IS expensive...
But, I put mine on yesterady, and I'll post back after the initial 30 mile break-in.
For now, they look nice...  :lol:
BTW: Anyone mount and balance their own tires???

Went for that ride, and the verdict is...(drum roll)... Good tires.
They are alot more responsive then the old stock I had on. you can nudge the handlebar a bit and the bike responds. I also drove for about a 1/4 mile on a groove in the road, and noticeed that the bike stayed solid (unlike the old stock which wabled around like a drunk horse).

In the corners they prefer if the rider and bike lean as a single unit, somehow they just let you know that... I can't explain it. :dunno:

Overall handling feels solid, and improvement is clearly visible. I was skeptical about the degree of performance (b/c they are ply), but the Bridgestones proved themselves.
Cheers
-Denis S.
PS: Chain adjustment took some fidling...

hey..what size did you get??

saweeeeetttt!!  :lol: if and when it comes time for me to get some new rubber im going to try a set of perelli sport demons  

Quote from: b1k3r 3li+3saweeeeetttt!!  :lol: if and when it comes time for me to get some new rubber im going to try a set of perelli sport demons  

Me too, I'm hoping to get some pretty soon, I've been lazy lately and haven't got myself some new tires which I do badly need. I was hoping someone else could give their verdict on the sport demons though. I'll probably get them anyway and let you all know how they fair.

dsmirnov83 - Did you install the tires yourself? as in you did everything including mounting the tires on your rim and balancing them out? How difficult was it?

Quote from: dsmirnov83OK, mounting tires IS expensive...
[...]
BTW: Anyone mount and balance their own tires???

If you're interested, see the awesomely detailed Motorcycle Tire Changing page by Adam Glass.

I dare you not to: get discouraged, give in, and keep paying to have the work done.  But I'd love you to prove me wrong - I'm tempted to try it myself!     Just not tempted enough to actually try it myself....    (Yes, I used the same phrase twice on purpose.)

Frost said:

Quotehey..what size did you get??

The stock size (110/70/17 and 130/70/17) You don't need anything bigger then that other then to look cool. These sizes are some of the best for handling. (let's try to avoid the traction vs. feel argument) anything bigger on the front and you start to have lazzier stearing and anything bigger on the back and the bike starts to flop into turns more unpredictably...feel free to disagree... :dunno:

hehehemann said:

QuoteDid you install the tires yourself? as in you did everything including mounting the tires on your rim and balancing them out? How difficult was it?

Nope, I had a shop do it. $25 each (includes balancing). I'll look into Kerry's suggestion and Might get some tire irons...maybe...(thank's Kerry)

Anyway, I now put about 150 miles on them and they are NICE! It's nice to know the new GS500F comes with them.
Cheers,
-Denis S.