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    Tires for the Bandit

    The Bandit is going to need new shoes here this winter and I wanted to get some more opinions. I used the same brand the PO did for the first year (Bridgestone BattleAX BT023) then swapped to the Dunlop Roadmaster II. Both have given me about the same mileage (6500) and though I didn't see much difference between them I did like the Dunlops. However, I'm not set on anything and am now wondering about the Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT tires based on a search through another forum.

    Are there any other good sport touring tires I should consider that will not only handle well in the rain but give me the longevity I would like to see (around 7000 miles)?
    sigpic
    Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

    1981 GS550T - My First
    1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's
    2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

    Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
    Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
    and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

    #2
    I have a pilot road 4 on the rear, and a road 5 up front on the bandit 1250. I really like the Michelins. I enjoyed the life of the tire and the overall ride feel.


    Also have matching road 5's on the king and it feels great.
    83 GS1100ES rebuild:

    http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=170032

    Budget GSXR Conversion:

    http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=200563

    New to me bike: 2008 B-KING

    Comment


      #3
      Get round ones.

      Bonus points if they are black.

      .
      sigpic
      mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
      hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
      #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
      #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
      Family Portrait
      Siblings and Spouses
      Mom's first ride
      Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
      (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

      Comment


        #4
        I've been running Michelin PR4's for the last four tire changes. I get around 10,000- 12,000 miles out of them. However they start getting wonky around 9,000 miles, as they start getting squared off. They supply plenty of grip for my riding abilities. They also seem to be very good in the rain. I recently bought new tires from Rocky Mountain, the best deal I could find. $330 with a $25 rebate (something like that) for the set. 👍
        My Motorcycles:
        22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
        22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
        82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
        81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
        79 1000e (all original)
        82 850g (all original)
        80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

        Comment


          #5
          Hard to beat the Michelin Pilot Road 5 in the sport touring category...
          Last edited by 80GS1000; 09-09-2020, 11:33 AM.
          Bikes:

          1980 GS1000 restomod
          2006 GSXR 750

          Comment


            #6
            Of all the tires I ran on my 1250, I liked the PR2's best. Performed as well or better for me than the PR3's or PR4's (Road5 weren't out while I owned the bike). They lasted as long if not longer than any others, and cost less too.
            Current: 2014 BMW R1200GS, 2009 Triumph Tiger 1050, 1996 DR350SE
            Previous: 2022 GSX-S1000GT+, 2007 GSF1250SA Bandit, 2008 DL1000 V-Strom, 1977 GS750B

            Comment


              #7
              Can't go wrong with Pilot's in my limited experience of 17 inchers...
              1980 GS1000G - Sold
              1978 GS1000E - Finished!
              1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
              1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
              2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
              1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
              2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar.....

              www.parasiticsanalytics.com

              TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

              Comment


                #8
                I got Michelin Pilot Road 2 on my 2nd gen B1200 and they have been great. Its more tire than I need and seem to be wearing just fine, I think I have had them for about a year now.
                Last edited by fbody_mike; 09-09-2020, 05:30 PM.
                1981 Suzuki GS250T
                1982 Yamaha Seca Turbo
                1985 Suzuki GS550E
                2004 Suzuki GSF1200S

                Comment


                  #9
                  Thank you all. I called Iron Pony this afternoon and asked about the PR4 and PR5; I can pick up a set of PR4s for just under $400 INSTALLED which lines up with what Norm said he paid for just the tires ($330). The rear tire for the PR5 alone is $316 with a set running me just about $500.

                  I'll set aside the money to get new tires next payday.
                  sigpic
                  Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

                  1981 GS550T - My First
                  1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's
                  2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

                  Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
                  Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
                  and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Yep, you're in the ballpark. I had my tires mounted, it cost me $90. This was the first time I had a shop mount my tires, they did a good job. I think I'm going to pull the trigger and get one of them Weaver tire machines. $1,300 delivered...
                    My Motorcycles:
                    22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
                    22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
                    82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
                    81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
                    79 1000e (all original)
                    82 850g (all original)
                    80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Iron Pony? Are they that much cheaper than Middletown Cycle?
                      Dogma
                      --
                      O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you! - David

                      Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense. - Carl Sagan

                      --
                      '80 GS850 GLT
                      '80 GS1000 GT
                      '01 ZRX1200R

                      How to get a "What's New" feed without the Vortex, and without permanently quitting the Vortex

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Not that much but much much better service. Even after their move, Middletown Cycle's folks just don't impress me with their stock or willingness to help. They would have to special order any tire I want whereas Iron Pony has always had it in stock.
                        sigpic
                        Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

                        1981 GS550T - My First
                        1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's
                        2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

                        Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
                        Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
                        and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Put pilot 4 on my 919. $226 for the rear, don’t remember what the front cost, but less than $180. Free mount and balance at Mt. Honda, Polaris, Suzuki. Nice to have a relationship with the local dealer.....local...30 miles away.

                          V
                          Gustov
                          80 GS 1100 LT, 83 1100 G "Scruffy"
                          81 GS 1000 G
                          79 GS 850 G
                          81 GS 850 L
                          83 GS 550 ES, 85 GS 550 ES
                          80 GS 550 L
                          86 450 Rebel, 70CL 70, Yamaha TTR125
                          2002 Honda 919
                          2004 Ural Gear up

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by storm 64 View Post
                            Yep, you're in the ballpark. I had my tires mounted, it cost me $90. This was the first time I had a shop mount my tires, they did a good job. I think I'm going to pull the trigger and get one of them Weaver tire machines. $1,300 delivered...
                            Are you referring to the cost of mounting only? The first local shop I asked about tire mounting told me $55/tire on the bike and $48/tire off the bike. Same shop is $32.50/$25 on tires bought there. My experience in the automotive world calls that exorbitant, but maybe it's not in the motorcycle world.
                            1982 GS1100GL: hand built stainless 4-1 exhaust, pods, jetting.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              This was the first time I paid to have tires mounted. They did do a good job I must say. They even used black stick on weights to match my rims. However, I'm going to purchase my own tire machine for future tire changes. This is the Weaver tire machine. 👍
                              Attached Files
                              My Motorcycles:
                              22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
                              22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
                              82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
                              81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
                              79 1000e (all original)
                              82 850g (all original)
                              80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

                              Comment

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