GS1000G front tire choice

[Lorenzo]

Hello gentlemen,
the bike needs new tires, and I was wondering what, the best front tire size would be, between 100 and 110.
The bike had a pair of Metzelers Marathon (2007 year, must say) that never gave me the necessary feedback; this was the first bike I could not scrape the pegs on, and within this limit, the bike tracked on small imperfections of the tarmac, did not absorb even the smallest pothole and in a world they did not feel right.
I must stress the fact that, perhaps, they where just plain too old.

The front came with a 120, wonder if a 110 would let the bike carve into the the corner.

Of course, I am aware that what makes for a good handling is a well tuned mix of tires and suspension, and I am going to deal with that as well.

Back will get a 130

Thanks
https://www.dropbox.com/s/76mgsyv4fw9jcjf/DSC_0043.JPG?dl=0

 

[Steve]

A 120 on the front??? I did not know that would even fit.

The difference between a 110 and a 100 is amazing enough, I can't imagine how 'slow' a 120 would feel.

Metzeler tires have had some problems here with tread separation, I would not put them on my bike. I have no idea what tires you have available over there, but here, the Shinko 230 Tour Master is a decent, very inexpensive tire that also happens to handle quite well. One of our members has given them a torture test and pronounced them decent, but did not last as long as his preferred Avon RoadRiders. Yes, the Avons cost more to buy, but cost less per mile, because of their additional life.

.

 

[Lorenzo]

Thanks Steve for pinpointing the clamorous error;
I have edited the post.

My question was not about any particular brand of tire but, what a difference a 100 makes over a 110 or viceversa, in terms of directionality while negotiating a turn.

Current front, is a 100.
To shed some dislike off the Marathon, I must say that, upon removing the front wheel, with the bike on stands, I felt some resistance, turning the handlebar from side to side, so either the steering-head bering has packed or it is just to tight.

That in my opinion, could account for the feeling of tracking, but not for the poor feedback, while banked over.

 

[Nessism]

100 on the front is the right size. This has been proven out over and over again via knowledgeable GSR riders over the years. A 110 is a little wide for the wheel and will slow steering.

I helped a local member install Metzlers on his 850, and then replace them soon after because they wore so fast. The rear didn't go more than 5k miles and both front and rear were full of small cracks.

 

[Dogma]

That is a pretty bike, even on stands. Too bad dropbox doesn't seem to allow the forum to show your pic in a post.

If you can get all the weight off of the front axle so the front end is free, you should still feel some drag in the steering bearings. This damps out the shaking that happens at medium speeds (~40 mph [65 kph])with no hands on the bars. However, if you gently push the steering past center with just a fingertip (front end in the air), you may notice a notch at the center position. That will be worn out steering bearings which will definitely interfere with handling. If it's smooth, but too tight, it will feel like it's wandering when going down a straight road.

If you're accustomed to dragging pegs, I wonder what your body position is when cornering. Do you push the bike down under you, or do you hang of the inside, like a GP racer? One is definitely better, faster, and safer than the other.

 

[Lorenzo]

Steve, I read the positive feedback, given on this forum, to the Shinko tires, but they seem unavailable over here.

Dogma, with the bike as is now (no weight on the front, courtesy of the lift under the engine) and without the wheel, I can feel a notchyness, around the center and 45? on both sides.

I will defenetely take the top yoke off, check the bearings, and eventually thighten them correctly.

As far as my "lean ego" is concerned, most of the time, I do not tend to like to get involved with other road users, so, it resolves in a contest between me and myself; this bike, though, never gave me confidence, to bank it past a given (on the very safe) amount. It feels front-heavy even though, it was the back that scared me a couple of times.

I do not expect of the bike, the dinamic performance of last gen, hyper-sport machines, but a certain degree of flickability adds to the grin factor of a ride.

I think that, on this surface area (110-130) one should necessarily hang off the bike, to preserve the greatest amount of contact patch with the tarmac;

If you are curious enough ( I hope you are not pulling my leg -even in that case, do not worry, cause I just cannot take myself too serious....-, what I do, approaching a bend is: apply the brakes, while sliding towars the rear of the saddle, to put wheight on the rear wheel, basically counteracting the weight transfer from rear to front, as the most tecnically endowed amidst us, will probably state; important in my experience, while downshifting on a shaftie ; than, while still under brakes, I lunge forward seeking the support of the tank, while hanging over a little on the inside of the bend.
OK, the GS hasn't got the rocking couple of, say a Guzzi, but that's how I does it.

 

[SVSooke]

If you have any of the notchness you described I doubt you can adjust it out.My 78 1000 got new steering bearings for that reason

 

[Dogma]

Oh we could get a good flame war going if we start talking too much about cornering technique. I'm satisfied (for now) that you're aware of the purpose of hanging off the inside instead of pushing the bike down under you.

A 100 on the front properly inflated will be pretty neutral for handling on the 1000G. A little extra air in the tire, or some more preload in the fork will make it feel quick. Well, it'll feel like it wants to fall into a turn. That's on Avon Roadriders, anyway. Other tires will have other profiles, of course. Preload would be a the preferred method of adjustment, but it's such a pain on these forks. At any rate, in stock form, you shouldn't have to work hard to get it into the corner or hold it there. Holding a line on the other hand...

 

[Lorenzo]

A 100/90 130/90 Avon Roadriders, that's whtat I actually got.

I spoke with the PO and he said the Marathons; where on the bike, he made 2000Km/1242mi on them, I made another 10000Km/6213mi, so we are looking at 13000Km/8077mi figure.

I wished someone came forward with a praise for them, cause the fact that so many concerns use them as their first tequipement, should spell for their worth, and I think their mileage is not bad at all.

I simply put the lack of feed down to the dodgyness of the ciclystic, which will be addressed (new rear shocks, cartridges/springs front (which is not air assisted).

Thanks

P.S. I am aware tire choiche is on a pair with the engine oil one, but why fear a flame war?
I personally think it would be interesting, given this board is attended by people from different threads D) of life, and whose pattern o) of behaviour around a bend, would be a matter of interest...

 

[Charlie G]

Lorenzo,

I have been using the Roadriders on my bikes for the past 6 years and like them. There has been quite a bit of discussion here in the last couple of years about side wall cracks in them. I had one develop cracks last summer and my dealer took care of it right away after only 100 miles (6 months on the bike). Watch the rear tire in particular. Good luck.

cg

 

[Lorenzo]

It would have been interesting to check wheter they all came from the same plant/country.
In that case it would probably not have been, a problem with the tire formula, but hopefully with that plant quality control.
Let's see what comes forward.
What do
you run at the moment Charlie?

 

[Charlie G]

It would have been interesting to check wheter they all came from the same plant/country.
In that case it would probably not have been, a problem with the tire formula, but hopefully with that plant quality control.
Let's see what comes forward.
What do
you run at the moment Charlie?

I still have the roadriders on both bikes. I get about 7000 mile out of the rear and have about 15 k miles on the front of my 650. The 1100g is the bike I had the cracks on the rear tire. I replaced it with a tire made in the 8th week of 20014. My memory fades a bit, but I found the thread which will explain the problems and problematic dates.. http://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...-Rider-Cracks/page2&highlight=Avon+roadriders I like the tires, but I will watch them like a hawk. Good luck Lorenzo. Nice to have you here!

cg

 

[Lorenzo]

Tires arrived.

It appears they have been built by the Melksham (UK) plant, around June 2014

 

[Charlie G]

Excellent date for these tires. How can you tell the country of manufacture?

cg

 

[Lorenzo]

After the DOT mark, on the left, there is a roundel with AT1X moulded in relief;

AT stands for the Melksham plant, 1X is an internal code. (post edit: in actual fact 1X should refer to tire size. More details will follow)

Tell me the sequence on yours.

 

[Charlie G]

AT1X and 0814 on the rear of my 1100g.

cg

 

[Lorenzo]

Seems like Avon has concentrated all the manufacture of tires for the motorcycle sector, in Wiltshire (UK), in the Melksham plant.

 

[Lorenzo]

Well, after 15.000Km/9320ml I cannot but praise this tires.
Rear tire, had a 0,76mm thread left on the central part, and 2,75 where left on the front one, out of an average 5,7mm when new.







Only notice was, a moderate cupping on the trailing edge of the rear tire thread, to probably blame on the extension damping -or lack of it- of the shocks.




What tires i choose this time around?

Avon RoadRiders.

 

[Joe Garfield]

Lorenzo, thanks for the diligence in updating this thread with your experience. And, 9300 miles in a year is worth commending as well