GS650E Replacement tires with vintage look?

[ddlaz]

Looking to replace tires on my GS650E with something that looks a bit more vintage. I'm having trouble finding the same tire brand/model for the front and rear with a vintage look.
I only cruise the bike every now and then so I don't need sporty tires to thrash around twisties. The only vintage looking ones I find are tube type.

Current tires are 3.25-19 up front and 100/90-18 in the rear. I'd like to get the rear tire a bit wider too...yes it is just for looks.

Any recommendations?

 

[Nessism]

Your bike came with tubes, and the wheels are not designed to run tubeless (although some people perform a conversion).

A 100 in the rear is a bit skinny. I'd run a 110. Some guys even go to a 120 on the stock 2.15" wide rear wheel.

 

[ddlaz]

Hmm... I just assumed it was tubeless because of the mags(not like mags are automatic tubeless... Just what I'm used to). I probably should have checked them out in detail before I posted! Makes things easier for me now.

 

[JamesWhut?]

The vintage look IS skinny tires. The skinnier the "more vintage-y". Try Avon tires (tyres), they make a vintage line.

Also, you can run tubes in tubeless tires on tube or tubeless wheels. The reason is that tubeless tires don't have as strong a rib and bead to take all of the pressure and load, but tubeless tires will seat just fine on them

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I once used Bridgestone Spitfire S10 because they had white lettering. They're also an old design maybe even 1970s.
However, no serious sport rider would ever put those on a bike, vintage tire = vintage performance.

 

[salty_monk]

May be different but the 82 650G front wheel I have is tubeless and wider than most GE fronts at 2.15".

 

[tkent02]

You want your tires to look old? Just kick the bike upside down in a ditch. That's what old tires do.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

HA!!! :stupid: :topsy_turvy:

 

[bwringer]

First, let's get straight what tires you actually need. You can't trust what's on the bike because some shops will do anything to sell a tire and some owners will do anything to avoid spending money.

Perusing the fiches, I come up with the following:
3.25H19 front
3.75H-18 rear
OEM was Bridgestone or Dunlop, and they used tubes. BTW, you can use tubeless tires on tubed wheels no problem -- just install a tube.

I'll avoid the whole "should I convert to tubeless" holy war for now.

Converted to the nearest modern tire size equivalents, you get:
100/90-19 front
110/90-18 rear

Both these are a little big, actually -- the conversions end up sort of in the middle -- so 90/90-19 and 100/90-18 are also legit.

Now, discard any outdated low-tech Chevy Impala based tire thinking. On motorcycles, wider is NOT always better. Stuffing on phat meats stuffs up the handling as well. What once was nimble and stable becomes slow, heavy, and unpredictable.

Now toodle over to American Moto Tire (my fave source for weird rubber) and see what's available. There's not much they don't have.

The front is easy -- there are zillions of 100/90-19 tires out there and lots of 90/90-19 as well.

For the rear, you have the following available in rear 110/90-18 (careful -- lots are front-only)

Do NOT install these Kendas. You will die horribly. Yes, I know they're cheap. They're also crap.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=2513

Conti Classic -- innnteresting. But not at all vintage-looking if you're the sort of weirdo who prefers to look at tires instead of riding on them.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=6383

Shinko 712. Very nice budget option. Looks modern:
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=5129

Duro. Still too zoomy looking...
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=5411

IRC Durotour. Good tire, looks close to vintage, and IRC made a lot of OEM tires for Japanese bikes:
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=2169

Pirelli Sport Demon. Very sticky. Short-lived. Looks all zoomy and stuff.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=4040

Bridgestone S11. Bleagh.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=744

Avon RoadRider. Looks modern, but probably about the best vintage tire available. Great feel, stick, and wear:
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=461

Bridgestone BT45. Great modern tire, more complex look you might like better? Dunno.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=696

Conti Go. Another great modern tire. Looks modern:
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=4882

Dunlop 404. Very traditional tread pattern. Not that great a tire. Short-lived and turns evil as it wears.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=728&products_id=4882


I couldn't find any 3.75-18 tires, but if you're willing to bump up a skosh, there are some very vintage-looking skins available in 4.00-18. For example, the IRC GS-11 is the exact same tire supplied as OEM on many Japanese bikes. Exact same 1980's performance, too...
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=714&products_id=2152


Personally, I think it's beyond silly to worry about a tire having the right vintage look. If you're going to ride the stupid thing at all, take advantage of the excellent modern rubber now available. Once it's in motion, no one can see your todius old-skool tredz anyway.

 

[Nessism]

Awesome post by Brian! Great summary.

Agree on the 100 front and 110 rear. These are tried and true sizes.

As an FYI...Kawasaki used a 120/90-18 on some of their bikes running a 2.15" rear rim. Not ideal, but if an OEM did it I don't think you need to overly worry.

 

[Griffin]

I run Shinko 712 tires on my GS650E. 100/90-19 up front and 110-90/18 in back. They hold great, last plenty long on such a light bike, and a set can be had for about $110 shipped from:

www.motorcycle-superstore.com

Both my tires have around 5,000 miles on them. The rear will get changed out soon, it's about done. The front has plenty of tread left on it.

I ride this bike hard in the twisties.

 

[Aphex]

Resurrecting this thread.

Right now my 1981 GS650E has a 130/80-18 rear and 110/90-19 front.

I assume the rear is too wide? It doesn't look pinched...

I have a line on some Avon AM26 Roadriders or BT45's in those sizes.

Just curious to see what you guys think before I pull the trigger.

 

[Steve]

BOTH of your tires are too large. :-\\\

Avons might be the better choice between those two.

.

 

[bwringer]

Go back and re-read my above post from March 8, 2016... was something unclear?

The links to American Moto Tire don't work any more, but there's enough info to find what you need.

 

[Nessism]

AMT is a great source. I've bought from them several times now (based on bwinger's recommendation) and they have yet to dissapoint.

File this in the For What it's worth folder, but Kawasaki KZ650/750/1000 bikes, with the same wheel sizes as the GS650E, came stock with 100/90-19 fronts and 120/90-18 rears.