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I need tires.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Geo
  • Start date Start date
G

Geo

Guest
Greetings..
I have a GS550E with 10 K miles .The bike was garaged for the past 20 years.This is my first bike and after reading all the posts about tires me thinks I should replace them before my first run. So..what I need is to know what make and model of tire to get( F 3.25H194PR /R 3.75H184PR).Most recommendations I have read are for larger bikes . I need a bit of hand holding on this one.

Thanks for the help!
 
While you are waiting for your tires to show up, have you done ALL of the other stuff on the "must do before riding" list? :clap:

For affordable tires, look into the Shinko brand, either the 712 or 230 models. The sizes you will probably be looking for are 100/90-19 for the front and 110/90-18 for the rear.

.
 
The brand recommendations are the same for any size bike

And, your front should be a 90/90-19. 100/90 is too large
 
Geo said:
Greetings..
I have a GS550E with 10 K miles .The bike was garaged for the past 20 years.This is my first bike and after reading all the posts about tires me thinks I should replace them before my first run. So..what I need is to know what make and model of tire to get( F 3.25H194PR /R 3.75H184PR).Most recommendations I have read are for larger bikes . I need a bit of hand holding on this one.

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

what year is the bike? got a pic of it?
 
Sorry..Its a red 1980 GS550E fully stock..almost The po had white hard saddle bags and trunk(I think that what its called) I am in the process of cleaning the carbs (replacing O rings),replacing petcock and......yes I will be checking the valve clearances ( I'm afraid of Basscliff) Cleaning all connections ..more to come.
 
Steve said:
While you are waiting for your tires to show up, have you done ALL of the other stuff on the "must do before riding" list? :clap:

For affordable tires, look into the Shinko brand, either the 712 or 230 models. The sizes you will probably be looking for are 100/90-19 for the front and 110/90-18 for the rear.

.
Click to expand...
steve, will a 120/90-18 work?
 
Geo said:
Greetings..
I have a GS550E with 10 K miles .The bike was garaged for the past 20 years.This is my first bike and after reading all the posts about tires me thinks I should replace them before my first run. So..what I need is to know what make and model of tire to get( F 3.25H194PR /R 3.75H184PR).Most recommendations I have read are for larger bikes . I need a bit of hand holding on this one.

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Just remember with
tires you get what you pay for, if you buy some of these lower budget tires you will get lower budget performance and longevity ,spend a little more and get a better tire. We are not talking large amounts of money here either. You can buy a set of those POS K@#%DA'S for 100. 00 ora set of Bridgestones or Pirelli's for around 200. a set. The big differance being longevity and over all performance . I have a set of BT45 Bridgestones that are pushing 8000 miles and am planning on running them this yr. worth the extra money.I have a friend who won't spring the extra money and we are putting new tires on his bike about every 2K-3K miles and he is constantly complaining about his bike tracking cracks in the road.
 
hjfisk said:
Just remember with
tires you get what you pay for, if you buy some of these lower budget tires you will get lower budget performance and longevity ,spend a little more and get a better tire. We are not talking large amounts of money here either. You can buy a set of those POS K@#%DA'S for 100. 00 ora set of Bridgestones or Pirelli's for around 200. a set. The big differance being longevity and over all performance . I have a set of BT45 Bridgestones that are pushing 8000 miles and am planning on running them this yr. worth the extra money.I have a friend who won't spring the extra money and we are putting new tires on his bike about every 2K-3K miles and he is constantly complaining about his bike tracking cracks in the road.
Click to expand...


You shouldn't buy based on price alone, either high or low. Read the archives about what people have used and then make an informed decision.
 
Nessism said:
You shouldn't buy based on price alone, either high or low. Read the archives about what people have used and then make an informed decision.
Click to expand...
Very true , that is not what I was trying to say . If that is what it sounded my bad.
 
Geo said:
I'm afraid of Basscliff
Click to expand...
Baatfam said:
Yes, that is understandable...we all are*
Click to expand...

What? :confused:

Who's afraid of little old me?
AngelPray.gif



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
I am not looking for price alone,as with many things higher price does not always = better product. Looking at all the many name brands and styles of tires I just flat out do not know what to get. Fore instance I would think my gs550E would take a different tire than say 1100. This is my first bike and I want to do it right.

Thanks for all the input:-)
 
The Avon AM26 Roadriders are unquestionably excellent tires, and are very very popular amongst riders of fine old machines. You can't go wrong with them, and they're available in the correct sizes, which are:
90/90-19 F
110/90-18 R

The rear size is a front/rear -- it can be used on either end of the bike.

(In case you're wondering, your original tires are designated in an older system. Most tires these days are measured in the newer system we're using.)


If you're on a strict budget and can't sell any more plasma this month, the Shinko 712 is a very good Korean-made tire at a value price. The front seems to be available in 100/90-19, which is a tidge big but shouldn't create a problem. The rear is available in 110/90-18. (These sizes aren't available in the Shinko 230.)


If your bike uses inner tubes, you'll also need new tubes, and if it has spoked wheels, add rim strips to the shopping list.


If you're installing your tires yourself, there are many good suppliers -- motorcyclesuperstore.com is the last place I ordered tires.

If you're not installing the tires yourself, order them through the shop that will be doing the work. Most places refuse to install tires you bought elsewhere.
 
bwringer said:
The Avon AM26 Roadriders are unquestionably excellent tires, and are very very popular amongst riders of fine old machines. You can't go wrong with them, and they're available in the correct sizes, which are:
90/90-19 F
110/90-18 R

The rear size is a front/rear -- it can be used on either end of the bike.

(In case you're wondering, your original tires are designated in an older system. Most tires these days are measured in the newer system we're using.)


If you're on a strict budget and can't sell any more plasma this month, the Shinko 712 is a very good Korean-made tire at a value price. The front seems to be available in 100/90-19, which is a tidge big but shouldn't create a problem. The rear is available in 110/90-18. (These sizes aren't available in the Shinko 230.)


If your bike uses inner tubes, you'll also need new tubes, and if it has spoked wheels, add rim strips to the shopping list.


If you're installing your tires yourself, there are many good suppliers -- motorcyclesuperstore.com is the last place I ordered tires.

If you're not installing the tires yourself, order them through the shop that will be doing the work. Most places refuse to install tires you bought elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Ditto! I have Avon Roadriders on both my bikes, ended up with those through the process of elimination all by myself, feel I just got lucky.
 
sedelen said:
Ditto! I have Avon Roadriders on both my bikes, ended up with those through the process of elimination all by myself, feel I just got lucky.
Click to expand...

I've heard so much good about Avon roadriders and GS bikes, I'm ordering a set myself this week.

Are all GS Bikes 90/90/19 and 110/90/18?
(I've an 850GD)
 
No, you have to go by the sizes stamped on the wheel. Then check the tire manufacturers website to make sure a given size will fit.
 
I just bought the Avon roadriders as well.

Very nice, soft tire, more for sport riding, and leaning.:D


--------------

If you don't mind a little labor, installing the tires yourself is a good option.

Most shops I checked wanted $75 PER TIRE....JUST to balance it!
(cause I bought mine online)

I said screw that, did some quick internet research, installed the tires myself!


If you wanna balance them, youtube it, there's some good accurate ways to do it in your garage for CHEAP.
 
ArtByScars said:
I've heard so much good about Avon roadriders and GS bikes, I'm ordering a set myself this week.

Are all GS Bikes 90/90/19 and 110/90/18?
(I've an 850GD)
Click to expand...

No, GS tire sizes are all over the place.

Your bike uses 100/90-19 up front, 130/90-17 in the rear.

You can't go by the tire size, either -- it's pretty common to find incorrect tires mounted when you buy a GS -- some shops will pretty much stuff on anything they have lying around in order to make a sale. Mine was wearing a 110/90-19 up front when I bought it, and the handling improved nicely when I mounted up the correct size.
 
I ran a Continental "Blitz" on the front of my GR 650 twin, riding in mountainous terrain, and really liked it!!! Never slipped out and braked well for me. Seemed like it was wearing reasonably as well. Bike is now sold.

Oh, had a Dunlop 404 on the rear. It is fine, too.
 
I just took a better look at the tires ..and surprise , the sidewalls are cracked (dark work area). The tires are Continental F- 3.25 H19 R82 R- 4.25x85 H18 K112 mounted on cast wheels. I am really surprised that the tires are tube type but then maybe I'm comparing the wheels to cars? I will change the tires myself,this will give me an opportunity to clean and polish the wheels.
Now I just need to pick a tire from all the excellent advice.

Thanks
Geo
 
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