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What are the best tires for my 83 GS1100E ??

crag antler

crag antler

Forum Mentor
Past Site Supporter
Charter Member
I've done the searching and am having a hard time trying to figure this out.

On my 83 GS1100E the tires size now are
100/90 19 Front
and
130/90 17 Rear

Now I don't do a whole lot of scraping of my pegs so I don't need a real aggresive sport tire. I have always had luck in the past with Dunlop Sport/Touring Elites. I do plan on doing more 2-up riding this year with Donna,so there is that extra factor.
I've seen some good prices on the Bridgestone Spitfire S11.
What do you all recommend?
And what make?
 
The Bridgestone Spitfire will spit itself off on the rear of your 1100E. I know because that's what it's done on my 1100GK -- twice!

On the front, the Spitfire is just fine. Decent performance, good price.

Stick to the K491 on the rear, especially if you'll be doing two-up work this season. I mix and match brands all the time, and never with any problems in handling, etc. So, a Dunlop K491 on back for long life, and a Bridgestone Spitfire up front for good price is a good option.

Right now I have a Bridgestone Spitfire 110/90-19 up front on my GS1100GK, and a Harley Davidson (long story...) 401, size 130/90-16 on the back. They work well together, as they always do.

By the way, I'm not a slowpoke by any means. I put tires through the grinder, though not radically so.

Nick
 
I just got Pirelli Sport Demons from Discount Motorcycle Tire & Accessories in Colorado. They have only been available for a couple of years and are supposed to be modern sport touring technology for older bikes. They were a bit cheaper than the Metzeler ME33 and 99. They look like the more modern tires, having a lot less grooves than the 491's, Metzelers, and Bridgestones. I haven't yet ridden on them so I can't say anything about ride, handling, or wear.

Joe
 
Doug,
I've been running Dunlop GT501's front and rear.

You saw the group I was with last year, no problems on any of the roads.
With Sharon on the back, no problems. 90 miles of rain, no problems.
The price is reasonable, like $78 for the front, about $110 for the rear.
I think I have a 110/90 front and 130 rear. And they wear very well.
 
I too have been using Dunlops on all my bikes over the years and have always loved them.
 
Another thing on the rear spitfire, I had one before and it was ok apart from being slippery in cold weather (as in near zero C), so needed much warming up, if this is a factor.
 
Try out Bridgestone Battleaxe BT45's, they are a great compromise between milage and grip. I have one in the front and love it. I used Dunlop K591 R compound for years, unfortunatley they are not available any more. And if you do find one they are probably all dried out. With modern technology tires have improved alot and my BT45 has more grip then the race compound K591 ever had, with the added benefit of durability. 19 inch tires are far and few between with the majority of tires for crusiers in this size. The BT45's are great sport touring tires.

8) Dr. Dre 8)
 
I had good luck with the 100/90/19 ME33 on the front of my GS850, it has the Vetter package. I went up one size to a 110/90 V /19 150mph rated tire ME33 for super deal $60+9 shipping off ebay should get it this week
 
Shoot, i buy the least expensive touring tire I can find in brands I can trust. This has worked well on everything from a 82 GS1100E to a honda CM400 over the years.

The only one I did not skimp on was a VMX1200. That thing could pickle all but the best tires, even driven conservatively. (I did that one day, just to see what it was like. I didn't like it. :twisted: )
 
Give a set of Metzlers a try. I think you'll like'em. Iv'e used them on my 1100E for over 10 years and have no complaints.
 
Ditto on the Metzler lazer / metronic combo. My 82 1100E rides great with them on.
 
Does Dunlop make a set of white letter tires that will work on the 82/83 GS1100E? Always loved the look of those Qualifiers, but not sure if you could get the white letters in 130/90/V17 and 100/90/19.......If I remember correctly, I tried to find these same sizes in a white letter tire for an old Honda V65, and eventually gave up!
 
83GS1100E_Tornado said:
Does Dunlop make a set of white letter tires that will work on the 82/83 GS1100E? Always loved the look of those Qualifiers, but not sure if you could get the white letters in 130/90/V17 and 100/90/19.......If I remember correctly, I tried to find these same sizes in a white letter tire for an old Honda V65, and eventually gave up!
Click to expand...

My front tire became a Qualifier in white letter but no white letter for the rears:shock:
Kind of an odd look

Dink said:
Make your own, buy a white paint pen.

Dink
Click to expand...

I tried that with the rear tire:cry:
 
And a Big Shout Out to 83GS1100E_Tornado
for reawaking a thread of mine from 2 years ago:shock: :shock: :shock:
Way to search\\:D/
 
Dink said:
Make your own, buy a white paint pen.

Dink
Click to expand...

I'm not that meticulous or detailed oriented, I'd screw it up. Remember, I'm the same idiot who can't find a set of grips that AREN'T the same size! :-D
 
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