I want to install new tires on my 83' GS750ES,recommendations ?

[grcamna2]

I have purchased a 1983' GS750ES that needs some work to get it running and I'm waiting for the shipper to arrive with the bike.I'll be slowly fixing it up as $ will allow.
I want to do some research to eventually purchase a set of very good tires for it and want to stay with the stock sizes:Rear 120/90x17 and the more difficult front which is a 100/90x16.. The wheel sizes are,rear:2.50x17 and front:2.15x16.
I appreciate helpful feedback,thanks Bill

 

[Brendan W]

This is one of many threads with peoples experience
https://www.thegsresources.com/_for...Has-anyone-tried-the-Bridgestone-Battlax-BT46
The names that keep coming up are Bridgestone Battlax, Avon Roadrider, Pirelli Sport Demon and Shinko. I have settled on Continental using the TKV 11 & 12, the Contigo and am going to try a Contitour on the front soon. The 100/90 16 is available here in Bridgestone, Pirelli and Metzler Roadtec and Dunlop Arrowmax at about the $130 mark delivered.
A lot depends on availability, budget and personal preference or riding style.
If you happen on tyre reviews bear in mind that the GS machines are most likely heavier and underpowered compared to the testers ride.

 

[cowboyup3371]

The Shinkos are great tires and will fit very easily into the budget you described before

 

[grcamna2]

This is one of many threads with peoples experience
https://www.thegsresources.com/_for...Has-anyone-tried-the-Bridgestone-Battlax-BT46
The names that keep coming up are Bridgestone Battlax, Avon Roadrider, Pirelli Sport Demon and Shinko. I have settled on Continental using the TKV 11 & 12, the Contigo and am going to try a Contitour on the front soon. The 100/90 16 is available here in Bridgestone, Pirelli and Metzler Roadtec and Dunlop Arrowmax at about the $130 mark delivered.
A lot depends on availability, budget and personal preference or riding style.
If you happen on tyre reviews bear in mind that the GS machines are most likely heavier and underpowered compared to the testers ride.

Brendan,this is very helpful information as I want an excellent pair of tires on it;I'll save-up then get a good pair.Do you know,is the Bridgestone Battlax 16" front a radial ? thanks,Bill

 

[bwringer]

The 100/90-16 front limits your options quite a bit -- normally we'd recommend the Shinko 712 or 230 for folks on a budget, but Shinko does not make a tire in this size.

The options are:
https://www.americanmototire.com/search-results/?q=100/90-16
FWIW, American Moto Tire is a FANTASTIC supplier. Highly recommended, and they stock weird sizes like this. Their site is a great way to research what options are available for oddball sizes.


The Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 and the Pirelli Sport Demon are fantastic tires and highly recommended.

The IRC Durotour RS310 is also quite good, and $20 or so cheaper.

Kenda motorcycle tires are dangerous junk. Avoid under all circumstances.

Metzelers are expensive, short-lived, and out of stock anyway.



Now, if you also want a matching rear in that exact size, 120/90-17, your only option is the Bridgestone Battlax BT-45. (Or a BT-46, the slightly updated model)
https://www.americanmototire.com/se..."Position","FRONT/REAR"]]&disable_semantics=1

The Avon AM26 Roadrider is also a fantastic tire, but they don't make a 16" front.


I do know some folks move to a 130/90-17 rear because it's a far more easily available size. (For example, you could use the Pirelli Sport Demon if you move to a 130 in the rear.) I do not know what the effects, if any, on handling might be for this bike, so I'll leave that up to others to answer.


If it were me, I'd order up a Bridgestone BT-45 front and a BT-46 rear (it's $40 cheaper than the BT-45) in the original sizes and call it a day.


And no, these are not radials. Radials are only available in a few specific vintage sizes. The BT-45 is a fantastic tire, far beyond anything they had in 1983.

 

[dorkburger]

I've used the BT 45 on my 1150 for years. I'm not an overly aggressive rider and they have served me well.
I've found that the fronts tend to cup toward the end of their lives and get a bit sketchy.
I've always chalked the cupping up to the 1150's heavyweight status. Your 750 is likely a good bit lighter.

I used to run +1 on the sizes but the current set is stock. I've noticed no real handling difference.

 

[grcamna2]

Brian,Do they also have a BT-46 front 16" ? I looked but didn't see them.I called a tire supplier back East and he said they've discontinued the BT-45's since about a year or so.
I want to stick with the stock sizes but want to avoid Kenda and other cheap tires.I've run the IRC Durotour on other bikes,lasted quite a while.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Bill, did your bike arrive yet from the haulers?

 

[grcamna2]

Bill, did your bike arrive yet from the haulers?

Hi Rich,thanks for asking.I just texted the shipper this morning(he said it would be 'today' last Thursday when we texted)and he said he 'had a breakdown' and it'll be 2 more days.This is frustrating Rich.

 

[grcamna2]

I've used the BT 45 on my 1150 for years. I'm not an overly aggressive rider and they have served me well.
I've found that the fronts tend to cup toward the end of their lives and get a bit sketchy.
I've always chalked the cupping up to the 1150's heavyweight status. Your 750 is likely a good bit lighter.

I used to run +1 on the sizes but the current set is stock. I've noticed no real handling difference.

Thanks for your feedback Glen.

 

[Grimly]

If you really want a radial...
I've run a couple of 130/80-R17 on the back of mine simply because they were at the right price and radial, too.
No downside to them at all. In fact, the first one I tried impressed the socks off me as it cornered like on rails.
This size is commonly available as an enduro tyre, but the bikes they get fitted to barely see any dirt and riders happily use them on tarmac all year round.
Indeed, I'll be fitting one of that size soon (Metzeler Tourance) until I sort out the final fitting of my Darkside ratio.

 

[bwringer]

Brian,Do they also have a BT-46 front 16" ? I looked but didn't see them.I called a tire supplier back East and he said they've discontinued the BT-45's since about a year or so.
I want to stick with the stock sizes but want to avoid Kenda and other cheap tires.I've run the IRC Durotour on other bikes,lasted quite a while.

You... called? Like with a phone and using like, words from your mouth? How very primitive...


Looks like Bridgestone is making or is gonna make the BT-46 front, but whether or when you can get your mitts on one in the US of A, I dunno:
https://www.bridgestone.com/product...tml?tire_width=100&oblateness=90&rim_width=16

 

[trevor]

I have sport demons on mine...buy them...be done with it. It's not that hard.

 

[grcamna2]

I have sport demons on mine...buy them...be done with it. It's not that hard.

What sizes you running ?

 

[grcamna2]

You... called? Like with a phone and using like, words from your mouth? How very primitive...


Looks like Bridgestone is making or is gonna make the BT-46 front, but whether or when you can get your mitts on one in the US of A, I dunno:
https://www.bridgestone.com/product...tml?tire_width=100&oblateness=90&rim_width=16

That's helpful information.
I'm glad to see they'll have the stock front,when they'll be available is another thing.

 

[Rob S.]

Very happy with the Sport Demons on my 11E.

 

[grcamna2]

I'm doing this thread for research for when I buy my new pair of tires for the bike.I'm leaning towards Bridgestone BT-45/46's.
I'm not sure why I thought I could get radials to fit the bike,especially that 16" front.I had a 91' Honda CBR1000F with 17" wheels back in 1996' and I remember installing a set of Metzeler MEZ radials on it:wow ! The bike rode very soft compared to the stock rubber which I removed and together with the Progressive front fork springs,that heavy bike felt much 'lighter',it was a difference of night and day in handling.
The shipper has contacted me today and it will be delivered tomorrow.