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Pick a tire for me (from list)

  • Thread starter Thread starter BentRod
  • Start date Start date
B

BentRod

Guest
The following are my options

Avon: Roadrider AM26

Pirelli: Sport Demond Sport Touring

Michelin: Pilot Activ

Dunlop: GT501 sport


sizes are 100/90-18 front, 120/90-18 rear.

I'm interested in your experiance with themwith regards to grip, handling, feel and wear, in that order please.

Thanks!
 
There are tons of tire threads in the archives. You can get the answer you want with a simple search.

Suggestion: go to Advanced Search, type "Tire" and then click "titles only". :)
 
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It seems to be pretty dark around here :( Could someone please tell me where the SEARCH button is? :-k

PS: Avon for best wear and handling cant be beat.
 
with all due respect to other forum users, finding focused opinions on specific tires is rather difficult with the search function, (same with opinions on oil)

Ultimately it would be nice to have a data base with at the very least, testimonials as to the qualities observed for each tire. also may be what tire options are available for different bikes.
 
From the list I'd do the Dunlop.
At the moment thanks to Jim (posplayr) I get to try a new Avon. I'll let you know. :D
 
I used Sport Demons on my 1982 1100 Kat and they were the nearest thing to the old Phantoms of the 80's with regards to suiting the bikes suspension / brakes etc BUT the levels of wear were high, unusually the front wore out quicker than the rear ! Also I believe the Sport demon is being discontinued.
Solved the crossply tyre problem in the end by changing the wheels, forks, suspension and brakes and putting on radials. 6000 plus miles to a rear tyre which is at least double what I've managed in the last 25 years of owning the bike.
That included Pirelli Phantoms,Pirelli Match's, Metzeler ME99's, ME55's,Dunlop Red Arrows, Bridgestone BT35/45's plus numerous others I've forgotten about.
 
BentRod said:
with all due respect to other forum users, finding focused opinions on specific tires is rather difficult with the search function, (same with opinions on oil)

Ultimately it would be nice to have a data base with at the very least, testimonials as to the qualities observed for each tire. also may be what tire options are available for different bikes.
Click to expand...

If you go into the archives and read the multitude of tire threads you will quickly see that Avon Roadriders are the forum favorite; they have excellent grip, are fairly cheap, and decent durability. The Phantoms are reputed to have better road feel and possibly grip, although not to many people go around sliding their GS's, but they wear much faster. Regarding the 501 and Michelin's, they are not popular with GSR users mostly I suspect, because they cost a lot more money than the Avons - in the US anyway.
 
I'm running a set of Avon AM26 Roadriders & Dunlop 501's on a 650GZ & 850GLZ respectively...

Both great tires IMHO, but the Avons are less expensive, & seemed to offer a better selection of sizes suited to the old GS rims. They also have a combination tire (either front or rear use) for some of the sizes that don't have the stand-alone proper size...

I just installed a set of Shinko Tour Masters on my 1100EX, but have to wait until Spring to form an opinion on those however; they were by far the least expensive tire that were H-rated street sneakers...
 
BentRod said:
with all due respect to other forum users, finding focused opinions on specific tires is rather difficult with the search function, (same with opinions on oil)

Ultimately it would be nice to have a data base with at the very least, testimonials as to the qualities observed for each tire. also may be what tire options are available for different bikes.
Click to expand...


Really ??..........There has to be a bazillion opinions in those jillion tire threads.

You just gotta read.:)
 
i love dunlop, but just got my first avon am20 off ebay new 38.00!!!:eek:
im hoping the avon are as good as i have always heard about
 
BentRod said:
The following are my options

Avon: Roadrider AM26

Pirelli: Sport Demond Sport Touring

Michelin: Pilot Activ

Dunlop: GT501 sport


sizes are 100/90-18 front, 120/90-18 rear.

I'm interested in your experiance with themwith regards to grip, handling, feel and wear, in that order please.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

What are the type and condition of the tires currently installed on your machine?
 
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You'll love the Avon AM26 RoadRiders. Buy some already! :D DennisKirk.com seems to have excellent Avon prices for some reason.

In comparison, the Dunlop 501s turn evil when they get worn. The Avons stay very consistent all the way down to the cords.

The Pirellis cost more and don't last as long, but they're a great choice as well if your butler doesn't mind changing tires for you a little more often.

Never tried the Michelins. I'm sure they're nice, but crikey, they're expensive.

I've tried Metzelers, and was quite disappointed that tires that cost so arse-bleedingly much evaporated so quickly and felt so average and numb. Spooky in the wet, too, I thought.
 
I just gotta laugh when people loose so much sleep over tire purchases for a 25 year old street driven motorcycle. I've tried Dunlops, Metzeler's, Maxxis, and Bridgestone. Ya know what ? They all perform about the same ! If your chassis and suspension is in correct working mechanical condition, I guarantee WHATEVER tire you purchase will be just fine for your 25 year old street driven motorcycle. Now, if you plan on hitting the closed course race track, or you are an absolute lunitic on the street, now tire selection becomes more critical and differences in tires will be more pronounced....

BTW, the only tire on that list I would not suggest is Dunlop GT501's those tires are extremly soft, pricey, will scallop prematurely, and the longevity is poor (but 501's will stick like glue, if that's what you prefer) .

BTW again, if you asked me for a "top pick" I would have to give a slight nod to the tried and true Dunlop D404's. These sneakers seem to be the best overall good compramise of traction, reliability, and good ol' value.
 
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Yesterday 10:38 PM
bwringer You'll love the Avon AM26 RoadRiders. Buy some already! DennisKirk.com seems to have excellent Avon prices for some reason.

In comparison, the Dunlop 501s turn evil when they get worn. The Avons stay very consistent all the way down to the cords.

The Pirellis cost more and don't last as long, but they're a great choice as well if your butler doesn't mind changing tires for you a little more often.

Never tried the Michelins. I'm sure they're nice, but crikey, they're expensive.

I've tried Metzelers, and was quite disappointed that tires that cost so arse-bleedingly much evaporated so quickly and felt so average and numb. Spooky in the wet, too, I thought.
Click to expand...

Listen to Unca Brian ;) he definately knows how to "test" :eek: a set of tires.

I have not tried the Michelins or Dunlops but have had both the Avons and Sport Demons. As mentioned in the link Joe provided both are more tire than 99% of riders here will ever need. Both are very sticky, offer excellent road feel and handling. The Demons offer a touch more "feel" than the Avons but the set I had did cup in the last 1K and I developed a decell head shake that went away as soon as I put on the new Avons. The Avons are a bit "pointier" in profile and seem to turn in quicker than the Demons but after you lean the Avons over a couple of times you will not notice it again.

Overall IMHO if you are doing some track days and don't care about overall tire mileage, the Demons are the best choice. If you do mainly street riding, street corner carving, and want more mileage per tire set the Avons are a better choice. I am currently running Avons and plan to do so until I hear of a better tire.

Have you already done the suspension upgrades? The tires will help but unless you have done the suspension work you will not get the full safety factor sticky tires and upgraded suspension will give you.
 
Wow! I just did a search for 'tires' after reading an article on BikeCliff's website and learning how to read the code on my tires. The tires on my 1982 GS1100 (the bike I have ridden all over San Diego county - hundreds of miles in the past few weeks were manufactured in 1988 :eek:. Also, while investigating, I discoverd significant dry-rotting/cracking.....Just want to say thanks to the forum, a blowout at 70 would be bad. Not riding that bike again until I get new tires!

Scary stuff man....
 
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