New Tire Choices...

[Bustedknuckles]

So I'm rebuilding an 82' GS1100...
I'm turning it into a blacked out cafe racer...
I'm to the point where i need to buy some new tires for it and there are several preferences im trying to get...

1.) i"m never going to ride off-road or in poor weather so i want as much road contact as possible and an aggressive look...
2.) i REALLY like the "raised white letter" look...
3.) i REALLY want Pirelli tires.. I've just always wanted a pair and i'm going to get some now if possible...

I've found some tires that meet one criteria but not the other and vice-versa...

i really like Pirelli Night Dragons because of the aggressive, more modern look... but i dont think they come in white letter... if they did they would be perfect...
http://www.bikebandit.com/pirelli-night-dragon-motorcycle-tire?gclid=CIzW_tHn97ICFexFMgodjBYAhA

I also really like the Dunlop Qualifier's (white letter) but they aren't as aggressive as i would like...
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/11306/ITEM/Dunlop-K525-OEM-Replacement-Rear-Tire.aspx?SiteID=SLI|White%20Letter&WT.MC_ID=10010

Coming full circle... does anyone know of any other tires that may work?? any leads or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks all!
~Nate

 

[GateKeeper]

These are the ones I got for my bike
Pirelli Sort Demons ordered......

Thanks for all the input



Pirelli Sport Demons

http://www.petes-superbike.com/english/sport-demon.html

110/90/16 and 130/90/17

the Pirelli you mention, do they come in the size you require

 

[Bustedknuckles]

yea the Pirelli Night Dragons come in the same size as the tires that were on there before. nut unfortunately no white letters... if they were they would be perfect...

 

[bonanzadave]

The 82 wheels will be the limiting factor. Just not a lot of choices. Most of the on-line tire suppliers (dennis kirk, deland, etc...) will allow you to search by make / model number. That should narrow down your choices / options. 130/90/17 rear and 100/90/19 front.

 

[Steve]

So I'm rebuilding an 82' GS1100...

1.) i"m never going to ride off-road or in poor weather so i want as much road contact as possible and an aggressive look...

Well, I, for one, seriously hope not. There is just something about a GS1100 that makes me think that, no matter what you do to it, it's not going to be any good off-road.


You want "maximum contact"? :-k

RACING SLICKS.

.

 

[bonanzadave]

no matter what you do to it, it's not going to be any good off-road.

Correct !

Ive tried it with the Avon Road Riders. She ain't no "Dirt Bike"

 

[tkent02]

Well, I, for one, seriously hope not. There is just something about a GS1100 that makes me think that, no matter what you do to it, it's not going to be any good off-road.

Not good off road, but it will do it. We went over one of the high passes here in Colorado, Weston Pass just under 12,000 ft. a couple weeks ago, the GS1100G did just fine, as did the R1100RT.
Not as good as a motocrosser for sure, a bit slow and we were very careful over the rocky stretches, we even got passed by a KLR 650 (that's a first) but the bikes got there no problem.

 

[Bustedknuckles]

so it looks like there are actually white letter pens/markers that can be purchased in order to make any tire "white letter"...
Going a step further, there are also apparently companies online that make custom, better looking, more durable, "letter toppers" that can be put on any tire...

once i order my Pirelli Night Dragon's i'll have to try both and let everyone know how they work!

 

[bwringer]

Neither of the tires you listed come in the correct size rear for your bike.

The Pirelli Sport Demons are pretty much the stickiest, although they don't last long and they turn evil towards the end.

I'm partial to the Avon Roadriders -- 99.999% as sticky and last twice as long, with no bad habits. I think they look better, too.

Other options include the Conti Go, Bridgestone BT45, and Michelin Pilot Activ.

White letters aren't my bag, but the paint pen you mentioned is the only way to get that shagadelic '80s look nowadays. Make sure you grow the proper mustache to go with it, and pick up some stone washed jeans at Goodwill.

 

[Bustedknuckles]

Neither of the tires you listed come in the correct size rear for your bike.

White letters aren't my bag, but the paint pen you mentioned is the only way to get that shagadelic '80s look nowadays. Make sure you grow the proper mustache to go with it, and pick up some stone washed jeans at Goodwill.

HAHAHA! :lol::clap:, i never took a second look at white letter tires until a buddy of mine got a set of Dunlop Qualifier's on his blacked out Yamaha XS Cafe and i think it looks great. since my bike is going to look similar, im going for it!
It looks good in my head so we will see how it turns out in real life!

Here's the link to those white letter "kits" i was talking about...
http://ironcrossinnovations.com/blo...ves/white-letter-tires-without-tire-paint-pen

and as for the tires i was talking about earlier, they have the exact sizes available that are on my bike right now so through my research, they should work...

 

[Bustedknuckles]

also, on the front tire, the factory size is 110/90-19. would a 110/70-19 size tire work on the rim? the only difference would be that the tire would look more low profile... it would also lower the front just a smidge... which would be nice since im making a cafe racer out of an old cruiser...

 

[lurch12_2000]

also, on the front tire, the factory size is 110/90-19. would a 110/70-19 size tire work on the rim? the only difference would be that the tire would look more low profile... it would also lower the front just a smidge... which would be nice since im making a cafe racer out of an old cruiser...

The original tire size is 100/90-19, not 110/90-19. The 110 will slow the front a little response wise and alter the speedo reading. I used both sizes and prefer the 100 up front on the 1000G. I wouldn't try to use a 110/70-90 though.
Why are you going with pricier tires? A set of Shinko 230 Tourmasters that fit your bike properly and at almost half the price and you won't be able to outperform them on a 1100G. Yes, they don't come with white lettering but then again, I'm not a fan of white lettered tires. Maybe the wad of $$ you save with the Shinkos will buy a few sets of that white lettering kit stuff. You have more patience than I would wasting time on that.

 

[Steve]

The original tire size is 100/90-19, not 110/90-19.

Strictly speaking, the front tire is specified as "3.50-H19".

If you do the math, 3.5 inches is 88.9mm, leading you to believe that the tire should be a 90 width, but due to different construction techniques, the 100/90-19 is the one that is the proper size and weight-carrying capability.

And, since it is just a bit larger diameter than the specified 90/90-19, it also minimizes the typical speedometer error.

Using any other size tire (even if it is just an aspect ratio change) will affect the handling characteristics in a negative way.

.

 

[lurch12_2000]

Strictly speaking, the front tire is specified as "3.50-H19".

If you do the math, 3.5 inches is 88.9mm, leading you to believe that the tire should be a 90 width, but due to different construction techniques, the 100/90-19 is the one that is the proper size and weight-carrying capability.

And, since it is just a bit larger diameter than the specified 90/90-19, it also minimizes the typical speedometer error.

Using any other size tire (even if it is just an aspect ratio change) will affect the handling characteristics in a negative way.

.

Ok you're right, but bottom line is a 90/90-19 up front would be too twitchy. Likewise when you do the math on the rear, 4.50-17, you come up with something between a 110/90-17 and 120/90-17, but a 120 or 130 would be the best match. I just think a 110 up front slows the steering from experience and maybe gives some an impression of being better planted at straight higher speeds. So a set of 100/90-19 front and 130/90-17 (120 is fine from my experience too) is "standard" for the old GS1100G. Honestly, most riders won't push this bike to the tire limitations of the Shinkos.

note: btw, I've used all 3 (90,100,110) tire sizes up front on the big old GSes and settled back on the 100 as best choice, IMO of course!

 

[bonanzadave]

RWL - Groovy Man

 

[bwringer]

and as for the tires i was talking about earlier, they have the exact sizes available that are on my bike right now so through my research, they should work...

Whatever random crap the PO stuffed onto your bike are not a reliable guideline for the CORRECT tire sizes. Or anything, really.

We're not talking low-tech four-wheeled Chevy Impala type vehicles here, where you can fudge tire sizes -- motorcycles REQUIRE the CORRECT size tires for safe handling.

Yes, I've seen a 140/80-17 rear stuffed onto a GS1100E. It handled like absolute poop until we installed the proper 130/90-17 rear. (As noted above, a 120/90-17 would probably be even closer to the original correct size -- I believe the Avon RoadRider may be the only modern tire available in this size.)

Up front, a 100/90-19 is the correct size. This size is very common, so first look for the somewhat rare rear.



As to the photo just above, don't get too excited -- Dunlop unfortuately hasn't made the 491 in a 17" rear for several years.


Also, are we talking about a GS1100E (chain drive) or a GS1100G (shaftie)? Either way, the tire sizes and advice are the same -- the only detail is that the GS1100E came with tubes, so you'll need to order new tubes or convert the rims.

 

[bwringer]

Dagnabbit!

Dagnabbit!

Dingbustit, we've been talking about the wrong damn bike.

Busted has been talking about his 82 GS1100 without specifying whether it's a G or an E. Above you'll find quite a bit of advice pertaining to one or the other. Since the tire sizes for the G and E are the same, it didn't matter much.

As it turns out, after looking at pics in his profile, what he has is a GL, so most of what we've been yammering about is irrelevant.

The GL has a 16" rear wheel, not a 17" like the G and E, and as it turns out there are TONS of choices in a 16" rear. It's a pretty popular cruiser tire size.

The proper sizes for your bike are 100/90-19 up front and 130/90-16 out back. In old-skool letter sizes, these translate to MM90-19 and MT90-19. You may be able to find Dunlops or Bridgestone Spitfires in the correct sizes with white lettering. There may be a few others as well.

A good site for finding oddball tires for old bikes is http://tiresunlimited.com . http://americanmototire.com is also good.


In the meantime, PLEASE correct your signature line so everyone has some vague idea of what we're discussing.