My tire has a hole in it. Name your top 3 for replacements

[koolaid_kid]

I had a set of those Metzlers back in 97 on my KZ750E. They were fine for the time, but not equal to current technology.

[SVSooke]

This is for your 85 550 right?The 16 inch fronts make tire choice rather limited unfortunately.Have had Lazertec's on my 750 for 3 seasons.Replacing them with a "set" of Shinko's. Doing a 230 rear and one of these in the front SR735
STREET / CRUISER TIRE
The SR735 utilizes a popular touring/cruiser tread pattern that can be mounted as a front or rear.

4 ply rated
Tubeless, DOT approved
S Speed Rating (115mph)
Hoping I'm not going to regret poppnig for a set of Avons

[elrico]

My 83 GS 550 ES with Pirelli Sport Demons.Those "Holey" tires are too flat

[hjfisk]

I personally have run out a couple sets of Bridgestone BT45's on my GS1000, and am very pleased with them. They have good handling characteristics , but the wear has not been the same[ only complaint] first set got almost 10k out of them 2nd set I have only got 5500 miles so far and are nearing replacement.

[mrbill5491]

Weird, I have a tire with a screw in it, where can I get a hole

[1980GS1000E]

I am running Dunlop[ D404 tires and like them a lot. I was using the Bridgestone bt45 which was horrible.

[spchips]

I am running Dunlop[ D404 tires and like them a lot. I was using the Bridgestone bt45 which was horrible.

I didn't like these either. On the 650GL, it gave it a speed wobble that started at 75 and got worse up to 90.

[Chuck78]

I went With Shinkos next...They handled well. Shinko 230 Tourmaster, half the price of the Avons.
They are the most confidence inspiring tires I have ever had.

YES! I was on the fence about Avon AM26's and Shinko's. My buddy and I both have a 110/90-18 Shinko 230 front tire, and because we didn't want the weight and handling of the tall sidewall of the only available extra wide 230 (130/90-18), we went with a tire with similar reported treadlife expectancy in hopes of getting the same rubber compound - rear Shinko SR741 140/70-18.


Wow. They are soft and grippy, good quality, balanced out very well, and allow me to push this modded GS750 harder into corners than I had ever imagined for a vintage sport bike! On our 6 day West Virginia mountains road trip, my buddy with a heavier KZ1000 said "Wow, it took me a little while to realize just how great these tires are!" Took a few hundred miles to unlearn old fearful instincts when the Kenda Challengers would challenge you to keep the bike from sliding out!

Now I have been thrashing these tires really hard for 6 weeks, blazing through turns in the desolate remote hills of SouthEast Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. I would definitely say that in the 2200 miles I have put on them so far, the rear is at about 55-60% tread before bald. I was a little surprised at that, being that I just mounted them 6 weeks ago, but I have racked up the miles and have been pushing the bike really really hard. Considered doing 230 front and AM26 rear to get more treadlife, but that 140 Avon is $155 compared to $120 for their 150/70-18 and less for their 130! Ouch! my upgraded 3.50x18 rim is ideally sized for a 140, although those other sizes one up and one down will work.