S
sschering
Guest
Avon recoments a 100-90-19 front and 120-90-18 rear..
I love the Avons AM26's on my GS1000
I love the Avons AM26's on my GS1000
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AM26 = RoadRiders, in case anyone's watching.
Compared to the Pirelli Sport Demons, the Avon RRs have a "quicker" feel, probably from a pointier shape. On a GS, it feels like your bike suddenly lost 150 pounds. This is a good thing...
The Avons also last a lot longer (I get a very consistent 6,000 hard miles out of Avons vs. 4,000 for the Pirelli Sport Demons. YMMV, and will probably be a lot better), and -- this is the important part -- they remain incredibly consistent in feel and traction for the life of the tire. They still feel and work great even when well past the tread wear indicators.
For me, the Sport Demons are great for about 2,500 miles but turn evil as they wear. For the last 1,000 miles or so they're not much good at all.
Same thing only worse with the Dunlop 501 -- it's a very old design (meaning the way they are constructed, not the tread design), and they start out fine but end up feeling like crap as they wear. Heavy, heavy scalloping front and rear.
Metzelers in vintage sizes also suffer from being very old designs -- they feel positively wooden, they're expensive as hell, wear quickly, and don't age gracefully.
So: my usual recommendation is Avon RoadRiders for vintage bikes, hands-down.
If budget is a concern, you can save a good bit of cash with Shinkos (by the way, they're made in Korea, not China as many assume) -- the TourMaster 230 is an excellent tire at a bargain price. The 712 is also excellent.
Dennis Kirk or Jake Wilson consistently have great prices on the Avons, while Motorcycle Superstore stocks a huge variety of Shinkos at discount prices.
Compared to the Pirelli Sport Demons, the Avon RRs have a "quicker" feel, probably from a pointier shape. On a GS, it feels like your bike suddenly lost 150 pounds. This is a good thing...
The Avons also last a lot longer (I get a very consistent 6,000 hard miles out of Avons vs. 4,000 for the Pirelli Sport Demons. YMMV, and will probably be a lot better), and -- this is the important part -- they remain incredibly consistent in feel and traction for the life of the tire. They still feel and work great even when well past the tread wear indicators.
For me, the Sport Demons are great for about 2,500 miles but turn evil as they wear. For the last 1,000 miles or so they're not much good at all.
Same thing only worse with the Dunlop 501 -- it's a very old design (meaning the way they are constructed, not the tread design), and they start out fine but end up feeling like crap as they wear. Heavy, heavy scalloping front and rear.
Metzelers in vintage sizes also suffer from being very old designs -- they feel positively wooden, they're expensive as hell, wear quickly, and don't age gracefully.
So: my usual recommendation is Avon RoadRiders for vintage bikes, hands-down.
If budget is a concern, you can save a good bit of cash with Shinkos (by the way, they're made in Korea, not China as many assume) -- the TourMaster 230 is an excellent tire at a bargain price. The 712 is also excellent.
Dennis Kirk or Jake Wilson consistently have great prices on the Avons, while Motorcycle Superstore stocks a huge variety of Shinkos at discount prices.
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A very informative post, I have always wondered why tires in general get squirrely as the miles add up. I think this is true across all motorcycle tires? A ST1100 guy I know would routinely use the latest Avon radial tires and would rave about the performance, scraping the tip wings and keeping up with various VFR 750's. Several thousands (5000) miles later he would be looking for the latest and greatest set of tires.
Closer to us I can not understand why Metzeler discontinued the ME-99A Perfect, ME-33 Laser & ME-77 in favor of those replacement Lasertec's. I never used the Lasertec tires but have never read a kind word about them and the price is ridiculous. I personally used three sets of ME-99A/ME-77's through the 80's & 90's on the GS1000 with no regrets. I think metzeler moved the production to Brazil before ceasing operations.
Regardless I am looking forward to using a set of AM26 on the wider morris wheels.
M
Mindless
Guest
For you guys with modern wheels and suspension on your oldschool GS:
Dunlop Sportmax Sportsmart.
Seriously never had tires with better grip than these. Be it wet or dry, on the street or on the track - they deliver to 110%. They inspire nothing but pure confidence.
Dunlop Sportmax Sportsmart.
Seriously never had tires with better grip than these. Be it wet or dry, on the street or on the track - they deliver to 110%. They inspire nothing but pure confidence.
7
7981GS
Guest
Are the AM26's better than the BT45V's?
How so?
Anyone with experience with BOTH?
Thanks.
How so?
Anyone with experience with BOTH?
Thanks.
I have run them both, but not on the same bike. While the BT45s seemed to be a really good tire, the AM26 seemed to be excellent. Glued to the road almost like a modern bike, through water, sand, gravel, broken pavement, slapping on the brakes while in a steep corner, whatever you do they are up to it. All around a great tire. They last quite a while, too. Others have said the great handling lasts as long as the tire, I haven't kept the bikes long enough to find out but they certainly remain good until half worn out. The BT 45s get a little funny when they're half gone...
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Billy Ricks
Guest
I've always run Dunlops on my bike since the upgrades until the last set I put on. My first rear tire on the new wheels was a hand laid Dunlop D364 that I got from a Yosh rider. It was one of his qualifiers at Daytona. That was probably the sweetest rear tire I've ever run. It handled the same right up until the belts started showing. Now I've got a set of race compound Michelin Pilots that handle nicely. They'll probably last me through the middle of next year then I'll be looking for at least a new rear.
Possible Hijack? Do you treat your motorcycle tires like car tires in the sense that less than Lincoln's head showing in the tread change them out? I'm talking about ones that you put on. Or do you go strictly by mileage?
It's not about milking the last penney's worth of mileage, it's about having the best bike you can at all times.
I run them only until they feel funny, or look a little worn out, or start to get slippery, or get damaged.
New tires are like a birthday present, sometimes it's better not to wait.
Old tires are like an injured rattlesnake, you know it's dangerous, but never quite sure when they it's going to strike.
I run them only until they feel funny, or look a little worn out, or start to get slippery, or get damaged.
New tires are like a birthday present, sometimes it's better not to wait.
Old tires are like an injured rattlesnake, you know it's dangerous, but never quite sure when they it's going to strike.
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Billy Ricks
Guest
The Dunlop D364 I just talked about handled great right up until the bitter end. It finally got slippery feeling on one of our Texas Hill Country rides when the belts started showing all the way around the tire. I had ridden over 300 miles to make the ride and about halfway through the hill country portion I started seeing a little of the belt showing through in a couple of spots. Even then it handled predictably and never gave even a wiggle. It wasn't until we got back to a gathering place that the belt was showing all the way around the tire. At that point it started getting hairy. I ended up leaving the bike at my in-laws and came back to pick it up in my truck. I don't recommend this but the tire was fine when I left home. It wasn't until 500 miles later the belt started showing. The D364 was nothing more than a hand cut slick with very little tread down the center even new. It kept its profile for the life of the tire which made judging how much tire was left a little harder than with most tires. I usually replace them when the center flattens out and the tread is gone from that area of the tire.
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I think this says it all and unless you are looking to save $50 on a set of tires you can buy the Avon AM26 and never look back as far as bias ply performance is concerned.
Suzuki use a 4.00 wide tire on the 2.15 inch wide 18" rears. The 17" rear wheels are 2.5" wide so they can support the wider tire.
You guys can do what you want but no way I'd run a 130 on a 2.15" wide rear.
To give a different viewpoint on the Roadriders as far as mileage is concerned.... I am a little less "stout" than Bwringer & have so far managed to get 14000 miles out of a set with probably 2k or so more to go on that.
My 2nd set look about half done at 9,000 too so that wasn't a fluke. That's a GS1000G in the first case & GS1000E in the 2nd. Both 130R and the 100 F/R universal front.
My 750ES has Pilot Powers on it. They really are a different thing to Bias ply altogether.
I ran Elite 3's before the Avon & that was a good tyre too, not quite the nice feel of the very round Avon. Turn-in was slower.
My only complaint on the Avon's is that sometimes I feel they steer a little too quick. This could also be due to our 1.85" front rims. I am going to try a 2.15 front rim next & probably use the same front tyre.
I run 32PSI front & 38R. I have tried various pressures but Avon recommmends 36F & 42R which is too boneshaking for my 165lb butt & Suzuki (30 years ago) said 28F 32R.
My 2nd set look about half done at 9,000 too so that wasn't a fluke. That's a GS1000G in the first case & GS1000E in the 2nd. Both 130R and the 100 F/R universal front.
My 750ES has Pilot Powers on it. They really are a different thing to Bias ply altogether.
I ran Elite 3's before the Avon & that was a good tyre too, not quite the nice feel of the very round Avon. Turn-in was slower.
My only complaint on the Avon's is that sometimes I feel they steer a little too quick. This could also be due to our 1.85" front rims. I am going to try a 2.15 front rim next & probably use the same front tyre.
I run 32PSI front & 38R. I have tried various pressures but Avon recommmends 36F & 42R which is too boneshaking for my 165lb butt & Suzuki (30 years ago) said 28F 32R.
T
Tenrilid
Guest
I know this is an old thread but extremely informative. My question is, when buying a set of tires do you HAVE to use a rear disignated tire only on the rear and front designated on the front? I have a '82 gs1100ez w/ original wheels and have been having a heck of a time finding matching sets that have 1 front and 1 rear tire. I notice the treads are a little different on some model tires but wanted to get more info. Thanks for the info!
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BassCliff
Guest
No. But if you want to ride safely, yes.
Where are you shopping for tires? You should have no problem finding a set for your bike. Go on over to the the "GS Owners" section and introduce yourself so we can welcome you properly. Then search around in the "Tires/Suspension/Brakes" section for lots of information on, um, tires, suspension, and brakes.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
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No. But if you want to ride safely, yes.
Where are you shopping for tires? You should have no problem finding a set for your bike. Go on over the the "GS Owners" section and introduce yourself so we can welcome you properly. Then search around in the "Tires/Suspension/Brakes" section for lots of information on, um, tires, suspension, and brakes.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
OR just by the Avons
B
BassCliff
Guest
OR just by the Avons
Yeah Jim, I guess there's that.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
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Yeah Jim, I guess there's that.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Or BUY instead of bye or by
by the way.
R
Rkt-Rch
Guest
Avons ??? Arent these the tires that everybody keeps complaining about cracking! Shinkos Rule !! NO Cracking sofar... I thought only women shoped at AVON LOL Just kidding !!
Yes, I think there was a bad batch. I even have a front that is semi cracked but it only appears cosmetic; I would not hesitate to purchase them as a bias ply tire as they are superior. The Shinkos are supposed to be good as well, and while much cheaper not sure they have the same handling and wear as the Avon road riders.
It would be nice to see a comparison of the Shinko to the road rider. I know of the top two tires that have been suggested here, the Pirelli Sport Demon and the Avon Road Rider, I would select the road rider because of it's similar performance and much longer life. How the Shinkos compare to these two stand outs would be interesting. For out more thrifty brethren
The last set of Avons I bought were $150 for a set 130/90-17, 100/90-19; not sure what prices are now .
