Hello dear forum members!

Im experiencing some instability issues. It feels to me as if the backwheel bearing is done. Or at least, thats the feeling i can compare it to. When you go around a corner or something, and the back seems to almost steer with me a little bit. This makes me lose confidence in riding fast, and im trying to figure out what it is.

When i put it on center, i can not shake the wheel, not even a little bit, it on there nice and tight. Now i was looking into tires. Mines are supposed to be new, lets say, under 1K miles. But, it is a tire, wich doesnt have great feedback on forums. Its an Dunlop 220.

another reason for me not to trust this tire to much, is that it slides a lot when im using, for my feeling, not even that much of my rear brake.

Before i spend yet another couple o 100s on new tires, could this tire be the cause of my "instability"? Is this likely?

The Dunlop D220 is an OE tire listed in these sizes for these applications:

Dunlop D220 Motorcycle Tire- Front
120/70ZR-18 (Honda ST1300, Yamaha XV1700)
120/60ZR-17 (Suzuki SV650)
130/70HR-17 (Kawasaki VN1500P)
Dunlop D220 Motorcycle Tire - Rear
160/60ZR-17 (Suzuki SV650)
170/60HR-17 (Kawasaki VN1500P, Honda ST1300)
200/50ZR-17 (Yamaha XV1700)

Could that be a front tire on your rear?  The 130/70-17 front is the only size I've found that would fit a GS500 rear wheel.  It's a sport touring radial which would be a type suitable for a GS otherwise.  If your having traction problems in braking and cornering I'd first suspect it's an old tire that has hardened with age.  If there is a DOT number on it the last 4 digits are the week and year of manufacture if it was made after year 2000 and last 3 digits if older than that.

If the wheel is tight and turns smoothly on the center stand the wheel bearings are probably OK but the only way i'd be sure about it is to pull the wheel and stick my finger in the inner race and turn it feeling for tightness and smoothness.

My tire tells the following:

Dunlop D220F ST 130/70R17

Is that a fron tire? then i guess that explains a lot, doesnt it?

Yes, that is a front tire.  Fronts can and have been used on the back, if the tire has a directional arrow it should be reversed for a front on back or a back on front.  Did you find a DOT number on it indicating date of manufacture?  Age could be more significant regarding your traction issues.  Could be just an unused old tire they threw on to sell the bike.

OKay, just checked out the tire again :p. It has a directional arrow on it, and it points the way the wheel is turning right now, So even if it were to work, its not reversed or anything.
It doesnt seem to have a DOT number on it.

Should this explain the behavior now?

Im going to get a real rear tire anyways, now that i know its a front tire. But thatll be in at least 2 weeks, and i'd like to know if its going to solve the probem im having.
Ow yea, btw: If i get up to 50km/h or so, and i let go of the steer, it keeps on going straight. Maybe usefull to know

What kind and size tire is on the front now? 

Front tire is pirelli diablo 110/70r17

Once upon a time I jumped on a friends bike and took it for a ride.

When you leaned into a corner it felt like the rear tire was steering in the other direction!

Turns out the tire was only holding about 18lbs of air.

If you havent done so, check your tire pressure!

Very interesting thread... clear and awesome info as usual gsJack!!

I know the feelong of an empty tire it kinda feels like this, but i pumped up the tires to the right psi not long ago.. im gonna check it tomorrow!

Im going to buy a new rear tire.

My driving conditions:
- Drive some highway (about 130 km/h)
- Drive a lot of citytraffic (about 60 km/h, with lots of sharp turns)
- Drive a lot of provincial roads (80-100km/h with some turns)

I live in holland, so rainy weather is more then a propability :p

Anyone have tips on wich tire to get?

Avon Roadrider


Cookie

Quote from: Krav on September 11, 2014, 02:07:56 AM
Im going to buy a new rear tire.

My driving conditions:
- Drive some highway (about 130 km/h)
- Drive a lot of citytraffic (about 60 km/h, with lots of sharp turns)
- Drive a lot of provincial roads (80-100km/h with some turns)

I live in holland, so rainy weather is more then a propability :p

Anyone have tips on wich tire to get?

Quote from: twocool on September 11, 2014, 05:18:37 AM
Avon Roadrider


Cookie

Quote from: Krav on September 11, 2014, 02:07:56 AM
Im going to buy a new rear tire.

My driving conditions:
- Drive some highway (about 130 km/h)
- Drive a lot of citytraffic (about 60 km/h, with lots of sharp turns)
- Drive a lot of provincial roads (80-100km/h with some turns)

I live in holland, so rainy weather is more then a propability :p

Anyone have tips on wich tire to get?

Cookie granted! Thanks for your response!



Can anyone back this, or advise another tire?

Don't put a bias ply like the Roadrider on the rear unless you change the front to a bias too.  A bias front and a radial rear can be OK but a radial front with a bias rear is a no-no, won't pass inspection in some countries that have them and dangerous if you push to limit.

If you change both I agree with the Roadrider choice, I've used mostly Roadriders for the last 40-50k miles on my 02.  Good long life with good handling choice.  If you want to keep the radial front I'd consider the new Pilot Street Radial from Michelin available in 130/70 and 140/70 rear sizes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs_zpse04c1f44.jpg

That's right!  I didn't realize there is already a radial on the front...never mix bias and radials..

Radials on a GS500 seems like over kill to me...kind of expensive..

I never got anywhere near 40K miles though...more like 10 to 12K on the rear......more on the front..

Cookie

Quote from: gsJack on September 11, 2014, 06:21:25 AM
Don't put a bias ply like the Roadrider on the rear unless you change the front to a bias too.  A bias front and a radial rear can be OK but a radial front with a bias rear is a no-no, won't pass inspection in some countries that have them and dangerous if you push to limit.

If you change both I agree with the Roadrider choice, I've used mostly Roadriders for the last 40-50k miles on my 02.  Good long life with good handling choice.  If you want to keep the radial front I'd consider the new Pilot Street Radial from Michelin available in 130/70 and 140/70 rear sizes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs_zpse04c1f44.jpg

twocool, I think I perhaps worded my post you referred to rather poorly, while I did use Roadriders on my 02 GS for the last 40-50k miles of it's 100k miles it was more than one set.  I got 15-18k each from a couple of oversize rears, still great mileage but I'm not pushing them very hard anymore.  The details are in my tire log I linked above.

The radials are generally more expensive but the Pilot Streets are reasonably priced.  I checked a few places today and they are all sold out presently, situation may be different in Holland where Krav lives. There aren't many radials available in the GS sizes except Pilot Streets.  Back 13-14 years ago I put a pair of Metzeler 110/70 Z4 and 130/80 Z2 tires on my 97 GS and we quit slowing down in the rain.  Krav mentioned he had a lot of rain there so radials might be worth the difference in price.

I have also used 140/80 and 150/70 rear sport touring radials on my GSs which are available here, don't know if they are permitted there.  Of course a good set of sport touring bias ply tires like the Roadriders might be the best solution.   

I have found several shops here who have some michelin pilot streets in stock. So im very sure i can get my hands on one. I don't really mind spending 100 EU (130 USD) on a tire. As long as it grips well, and makes me feel safe. I also found a shop here, willing to put the tire on for about 50 EU. This includes assembly and disassebly of the rear wheel. Im going to take that for sure. As most of my trust issues start when i have once disassembled a wheel :p

gsJack, and twocool. you guys seem to know a lot about tires. Therefore im going with your advise, and buy me a nice michelin pilot street. I want to thank you both for your view on the matter! and i actually learned something new about tires

Now, i wait........ Salary

50EU to install a tire....well, that is actually a fair price, although it adds 50% to the cost of the tire.

Maybe time to learn this skill yourself?  You could purchase the few pieces of equipment needed for much less than 50EU.

Then with the cost savings, every time you buy two tires, you save enough to get a third for free!

Also no waiting for shop to do the job, and you know that if you do it yourself, the job is done correctly..

I've gone thru about 7 tires on the GS so far in 4 years...then several on the Honda I had before that, and then many tires on my scooter before that...so I've saved quite a bit of money by changing my own tires.

Just sayin'


cookie

Quote from: Krav on September 12, 2014, 12:51:02 AM
I have found several shops here who have some michelin pilot streets in stock. So im very sure i can get my hands on one. I don't really mind spending 100 EU (130 USD) on a tire. As long as it grips well, and makes me feel safe. I also found a shop here, willing to put the tire on for about 50 EU. This includes assembly and disassebly of the rear wheel. Im going to take that for sure. As most of my trust issues start when i have once disassembled a wheel :p

gsJack, and twocool. you guys seem to know a lot about tires. Therefore im going with your advise, and buy me a nice michelin pilot street. I want to thank you both for your view on the matter! and i actually learned something new about tires

Now, i wait........ Salary

What equipment do i need to change and balance a tire, you reckon?

also, now my biggest problem with doing this myself is that i get inconfident. I can do a lot, never had a problem with a wheel coming off or anything, but once i take off the wheel myself, i get the creeps that i might do something wrong with reinstalling it. Its a feeling, i cant seem to shake. Then, if for 50 eu, i can have a "professional" do it, or at least someone whos done it loads of times, i will have the confidence that its done correctly, and nothing can go wrong. I know its all between my ears, but something i for now at least, have to live with :p

Search YouTube for "motorcycle tire change"...you will see many hints and tips, and what equipment you need.

I use a set of three "tire irons"...I get "super slick" tire lube from the auto store but most just use dish detergent in water...

I made a "bead breaker" out of one length of 2x4 wood

I made a wheel balancer out of a 2 x 4 and some bearings for roller blade wheels..

On the GS500 you can use the motorcycle itself to balance wheels..

Frankly, the first time mounting a tire is isn't going to be easy...but once you figure out the technique it is really not hard.

Remember the "guy" at the motorcycle shop who does the tires is probably some kid who learned how to do it just last week...the talented mechanics do not get assigned mundane jobs like tire changing..

You can do just as good a job, probably much better..

Cookie

Quote from: Krav on September 12, 2014, 04:19:02 AM
What equipment do i need to change and balance a tire, you reckon?

also, now my biggest problem with doing this myself is that i get inconfident. I can do a lot, never had a problem with a wheel coming off or anything, but once i take off the wheel myself, i get the creeps that i might do something wrong with reinstalling it. Its a feeling, i cant seem to shake. Then, if for 50 eu, i can have a "professional" do it, or at least someone whos done it loads of times, i will have the confidence that its done correctly, and nothing can go wrong. I know its all between my ears, but something i for now at least, have to live with :p