1982 GS850L tires

[BillH]

Hey guys,

I would like to find some Dunlop Qualifier RWL tires for my 1982 GS850L. 130/90 16 rear 100/90 19 front.
Has anyone found a source for those ? Back in the day they were everywhere, but alas time marches on. I would really like to have the raised white letters so the bike would look period correct. Any suggestions , thanks

 

[Steve]

Is this a museum piece that you will have on a stand and look at, or do you actually plan to ride it?

If you plan on riding it, just how SAFE do you want to be?

If you really insist on having your RWL tires, click HERE for some Dunlop 491 Elite II tires.

I don't know what the Qualifiers actually qualified for, but they were basically just protectors so the bike's rims did not scratch the showroom floor.

.

 

[BillH]

Thanks for your thoughts Steve. I ran them on the 850 I had before and on a 1200 Goldwing I had. They did okay I thought. The rear did wear fast but they were sticky I thought. I wanted to get them again unless they have really changed over the last 15 years or so.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your thoughts Steve. I ran them on the 850 I had before and on a 1200 Goldwing I had. They did okay I thought. The rear did wear fast but they were sticky I thought. I wanted to get them again unless they have really changed over the last 15 years or so.

Steve's point is that Dunlop has not made Qualifiers for some years and any that you find will be old and unsafe to use. As for how good they were, tire technology has moved far along from where it was 30 years ago and the Avon AM-26, Bridgestone BT-45, Pirelli Sport Demon and Shinko 712's and 230's are all much better tires than anything available from the 80's. The Qualifier brand name is now being used by Dunlop for their supersport race tires which are not what you are looking for.


Mark

 

[BillH]

Thanks Mark, so I didn't know they quit making them. Explains why I can't find any at big box vendor sites. I didn't know if there was a way to get fresh rubber of those from a replica place or something along those lines. I found the Bridgestone Spitfires RWL tires, I assume it is fresh rubber, and I believe those came on the Honda Magna of the era and probably other bikes as well. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...spitfire-sport-touring-white-letter-rear-tire

I really would like to get white lettered tires, to me, it looks so much better with the era of bike. With that said, my budget has a limit.

 

[Guest]

I really would like to get white lettered tires, to me, it looks so much better with the era of bike. With that said, my budget has a limit.

Personally, I wouldn't compromise tire performance just to get white lettering, but that is my personal value choice. I would buy the tires I want and then figure out how to fill the lettering with white marker of some sort. I think there have been threads on that very thing here, but I have never paid attention to them. Maybe someone looking on can link to one of those threads?


Mark

 

[Wingsconsin]

Michelin Commander II's come in the right sizes - but not RWL I think.
These are really good tires for the "L" -
I have them on mine and they stick well and give good longevity.

 

[Steve]

If you click on the link that I gave you back in post #2, you will see that the Elite II is a RWL tire.

.

 

[BillH]

Thanks Steve, yeah I saw that. They look good. KInda pricy Although I use to spend that for Goldwing tires

 

[Steve]

I wish my Goldwing tires were that cheap. They have not gotten any cheaper over the years. :-\\\

Just checked current prices on replacements.

Elite 2 front is 124, rear is 171, from the link I gave you.

For my Wing:
Elite 3 front is 165, rear is 197.
Elite 4 front is 165, rear is 214.

.

 

[Wingsconsin]

E4s will deliver the best economy without sacrificing handling -- but they may be noisy --
Dual compound tires can scallop along the edges and get a bit loud while riding on the edges.
But they last a lot longer ...

 

[Nessism]

check out this thread, there are RWL Bridgestone Spitfires inside...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?248079-Mounted-my-first-motorcycle-tire

 

[Guest]

I bought the Spitfires for the same reason you want RWL. My 850L came to me with Qualifiers and they were smooth and rode well (for street) but wore out in a very short time. I then had Bridgestone 303's put on it and they wore longer but handled a little different.
I'm giving the Spitfire's a whirl because the Dunlop 404 I put on late last year will need to be replaced already and I prefer RWL on the "L"'s.
Those Dunlop Elites look nice though.