Attrition in available tires for 1000G What is recommeded now?

[850 Combat]

I was thinking about new tires for the 1000G The Avons were getting a bit past their best, then I apparently ran over a machine screw. No Avons any more. I prefer the original size, 120-90-17 rear and 100-90-19 front. What is out there that you like? I can live with a 130 rear and a 90/90 0r 110 front I think. I just find the standard size provides a more neutral feel for me. Anybody have a preference?

[alke46]

Can't go wrong with Shinkos. Excellent grip wet or dry, very good handling in the twisties but short lived on the mileage. Good thing about that is you can install new tires each season and what better feeling than new tires. As far as the mileage goes, expect 4-7 thousand miles. YMMV.

[Gorminrider]

Bridgestone BT46 come in a lot of sizes. They're the updated BT45s which are pretty good.

[bwringer]

100/90-19 is original and very common, used on skrillions of bikes. So that's no issue.

To cut to the chase, pretty much all of us use 130/90-17 out back. There are still quite a few choices.


American Moto Tire has a way to list all available tires of a particular size:

20 choices in 130

https://www.americanmototire.com/search-results/?q=130%2F90-17

Only three choices for rear tires in 120, none of which are actually available at the moment... there are front tires in this size, but that's not suitable for rear use, especially on a large, heavy bike.

https://www.americanmototire.com/search-results/?q=120%2F90-17&narrow=%5B%5B%22Categories%22%2C%221968%22%5D%2C%5B%22Position%22%2C%22REAR%22%5D%2C%5B%22Position%22%2C%22FRONT%2FREAR%22%5D%5D

[Brendan W]

On the 850, I've used Continental TKV 11 & 12 front and back and Conti-Go on the back. 100/90/19 and 130 on the back.
No issues. Got about 7000 on the back and twice that on the front.

[bwringer]

Can't go wrong with Shinkos. Excellent grip wet or dry, very good handling in the twisties but short lived on the mileage. Good thing about that is you can install new tires each season and what better feeling than new tires. As far as the mileage goes, expect 4-7 thousand miles. YMMV.

Agreed. Somewhere around here is my detailed review of the Shinko 230. The 712 appears to handle and wear identically in my experience. I have a fresh set of 230s on the way at this very moment, in fact.

Boy howdy, tires sure got expensive lately, though. Woof. Even Shinkos are close to double what they used to cost. But that's a whole 'nuther topic.

[alke46]

Boy howdy, tires sure got expensive lately, though. Woof. Even Shinkos are close to double what they used to cost. But that's a whole 'nuther topic.

I hadn't noticed that. Fortunately, I have a new 230 model to go on the front as soon as the present one goes bald. It's nearly there.

[bwringer]

I hadn't noticed that. Fortunately, I have a new 230 model to go on the front as soon as the present one goes bald. It's nearly there.

My last set of Shinko 230s in early 2020 was $136 before tax, and the set landing on my doorstep today were $192 before tax. Yikes.


That's mild compared to the situation with tires for my other bikes...

[Finn]

Bridgestone BT46 come in a lot of sizes. They're the updated BT45s which are pretty good.

BT46 is what I got for my EFE and will get for GS as well.

They feel really good (as new tyres tend to feel) and have received very good feedback from customers.

[Gorminrider]

BT46 is what I got for my EFE and will get for GS as well.

They feel really good (as new tyres tend to feel) and have received very good feedback from customers.

Yes, I had them on the 650G which is similar tyre size to the op's...they were a tight fit on my rims where the Avons weren't and they didn't leak on the rims like the Avons did.

[alke46]

Yes, I had them on the 650G which is similar tyre size to the op's...they were a tight fit on my rims where the Avons weren't and they didn't leak on the rims like the Avons did.

FWIW, speaking of Avons, I was told recently that they are going to stop producing tires. At least for m/c. Probably already known by most of you but I must have forgot it if I did know it before.

[alke46]

Last week I ordered a new Avon for my Triumph and when it arrived, the date code showed it to be 2 years, 4 months old. I contacted the place I purchased it from and was told any tire under 3 years old is considered "new".

This supplier was CHAPARRAL motorsports out of southern California. Just wanted to pass this information along. Personally I will not use them again for tires.

[Nessism]

FWIW, speaking of Avons, I was told recently that they are going to stop producing tires. At least for m/c. Probably already known by most of you but I must have forgot it if I did know it before.

I was under the impression that it's just the UK plant that's closing. Motorcycle tire production will move to a different factory.

[RichDesmond]

...and they didn't leak on the rims like the Avons did.

Figures, being British. Smoke leaks out of Lucas wiring after all...

[Big T]

I was under the impression that it's just the UK plant that's closing. Motorcycle tire production will move to a different factory.

Cooper, the owner of Avon, announced the closure of the plant in England. They have not mentioned transferring production to another location.

If you look at any supplier, Avons are out of stock in most of the sizes. But, price ? The 4.00 - 18 rear has more than doubled in cost to $230!