Best tires for 1984 GS1150ES

[Guest]

For no more than 200 bucks, what tire pair would you recommend? I know the 16 inch front is harder to find than the rear and so I have been befuddled in finding a matching pair in the correct size. Suggestions? Best place to get them at cheapest price? Thanks.

 

[ehra]

This is what I put on my friends 1150, planned to put them on that 1150 of yours. $217 shipped, close to your $200
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6243/i/pirelli-sport-demon-sport-touring-front-tire Size: 110/90V-16
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6244/i/pirelli-sport-demon-sport-touring-rear-tire Size: 130/90V-17 TL

 

[posplayr]

This is what I put on my friends 1150, planned to put them on that 1150 of yours. $217 shipped, close to your $200
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6243/i/pirelli-sport-demon-sport-touring-front-tire Size: 110/90V-16
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6244/i/pirelli-sport-demon-sport-touring-rear-tire Size: 130/90V-17 TL

sport demons are sticky but wear real fast.

I would look for some Shinkos for cheapest

 

[bwringer]

The only Shinko in that oddball front size is the SR735, a cruiser tire.

I guess you could pair it with a 712 rear if you're only interested in the cheapest possible rubber -- that comes out to around $117.

No idea how well this combination would work.



The Pirelli Sport Demon and the Bridgestone BT-45 seem to be the only decent rubber available in sets with the correct sizes. The Bridgestones come out to about $213 a set.
http://www.americanmototire.com

I think you can get Metzelers in these sizes as well, but they're stupid money.

 

[dorkburger]

Ive been using the BT 45 since I got mine.

 

[SVSooke]

The only Shinko in that oddball front size is the SR735, a cruiser tire.

I guess you could pair it with a 712 rear if you're only interested in the cheapest possible rubber -- that comes out to around $117.

No idea how well this combination would work.



The Pirelli Sport Demon and the Bridgestone BT-45 seem to be the only decent rubber available in sets with the correct sizes. The Bridgestones come out to about $213 a set.
http://www.americanmototire.com

I think you can get Metzelers in these sizes as well, but they're stupid money.

Have that Shinko combo with a 230 on the back,wouldn't recommend it.The SR735 is only S rated.It hasn't done anything really bad but I just don't trust it either.

 

[Guest]

Okay, of the Michelin or Bridgestone, is there any noticeable difference between the two? Wear? Stickiness? Cold weather grip? I am leaning towards the BT45s only as they are Japanese instead of French, and the Shinkos, well since there is no matching set they are out.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

This is an extra plus I'm finding in having gone to GSX-R wheels. Even though the 18" wheels are a bit odd in size compared to the 17" standard, great tires are still available.

Don't knock Michelins.

 

[Carter Turk]

I've run the Michelin Pilot Active in the rear. Did a trackday on it, worked fine and seems to wear well, surely longer than a Sport Demon.
Never liked the BT-45 front and never have tried a rear, because I didn't like the front. It just felt vague.

Michelin doesn't make 110/16 in the Active but do make a 120/90/16. In the past my favorite front 16 was the Michelin Macadam, but they don't make it anymore.
Regarding the rear rim do you have a 3" or 3.5"? The price looks to be around $225.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I never liked the BT45s that came on my FZ1, either, BTW.

 

[Guest]

I've run the Michelin Pilot Active in the rear. Did a trackday on it, worked fine and seems to wear well, surely longer than a Sport Demon.
Never liked the BT-45 front and never have tried a rear, because I didn't like the front. It just felt vague.

Michelin doesn't make 110/16 in the Active but do make a 120/90/16. In the past my favorite front 16 was the Michelin Macadam, but they don't make it anymore.
Regarding the rear rim do you have a 3" or 3.5"? The price looks to be around $225.

3.5 rear rim. The Michelins on now are one size larger and I don't like the way the front end feels with the wider tire. Could also be that both are worn about 80% but want to go back to stock size.

 

[posplayr]

3.5 rear rim. The Michelins on now are one size larger and I don't like the way the front end feels with the wider tire. Could also be that both are worn about 80% but want to go back to stock size.

BTW, I would not be hyper concerned with mixing brands as long are they are quality brands/similar sport applications.
With 18" wheel I would not get matched F/R either in the same brand.

 

[dorkburger]

I'm not that aggressive of a rider so maybe the BT 45s shortcomings aren't noticed by me. I have definitely noticed handling gets weird at the end of their life.

for years I have gone one size up on the sizes. The set I'm going to now are stock size. I'm interested to see if / how much of a difference it makes.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I've got matched Metzeler Roadtecs on the GSX-R wheels and they feel marvelous.

 

[Guest]

BTW, I would not be hyper concerned with mixing brands as long are they are quality brands/similar sport applications.
With 18" wheel I would not get matched F/R either in the same brand.

I prefer a matched set but agree that mixed brands do no harm. I have been looking at Avon but no matched pair, at least here in the U.S. If I wanted to buy a matched set of Avons that would fit I would have to buy the front from England as no one here sells the 110/90-16.

 

[bccap]

I had the BT 45's on the Kat which is also 16's. Good wearing tire and I've no complaints but I prefer the Sport Demons. They suck for wear though..........

 

[Carter Turk]

Yeah the 110 Macadam front felt more nimble for sure after a 120 BT-45 front .
Now I have a 110 Sport Demon front and I'm not sure if I like it either.
The profile is rounder than I'm used to, feeling a little numb.
A 140/80/17 works great on the rear with a 3.5" rim, a bit pinched on a 3".
Continental makes a TKV-11 sport tire in 110/90/16, I'd be tempted to try next time on the front for $85-95.
A Continental rear Super Twin? tire saved me back in the day going up to Windy Ridge from the Cougar side.
I got into an uphill corner way too hot and it kept on gripping, thought for sure I was going down.

 

[Joe Garfield]

I'm really happy with the Battlax T30evo on my GSX-S. It grips well with good feedback, and looks brand new after 1000 miles with plenty of canyon carving and high speed riding. There are a lot of sizes available - if they make them for my older Suzuki I'll definitely buy them.

 

[Guest]

Well, after listening to all of you, and spending time sitting in a dark corner whimpering, I finally decided to order a set of BT45's in stock size. They arrive tomorrow and I am having them mounted next Tuesday. 213 bucks including shipping from American Motorcycle Tire Co. I hope they do what I need them to do, we shall see. I will post first ride impressions sometime next week after the first few days of no rain and letting the roads dry a bit. Thanks for all the advice and experiences, they were all very helpful in helping make my decision.

 

[bwringer]

Well, after listening to all of you, and spending time sitting in a dark corner whimpering, I finally decided to order ...

LOL. The pain of buying motorcycle tires never seems to end.

Man, I wished the damn things lasted a lot longer. Between three bikes and a lot of riding, I'm generally in for at least five or six sets a year.