What are the best tires for the GS?

[Anonymous]

I Have a 1979 GS 1000 can anyone recommend tires that provide the best compromise between performance and durability. I have found some nice sport touring tires for the rear but nothing that fancy that will fit that big front wheel. Let me know what tires everyone likes. Thanks

 

[KGB]

I run Dunlop GT501's front and rea.
Love em :!:
Real good in the rain and they wear well.

Shop around, you can deal on them, like with Dennis Kirk or MAWonline.

Keith

 

[HiSPL]

I'm using bridgestone spitfires right now. The front is great, the rear is not.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm using bridgestone spitfires right now. The front is great, the rear is not.

Whats wrong with the rear Tim???

 

[MichaelHoward]

I am using Dunlop Elite K491 front and back on my 82 GS1100G.

I used Bridgestone Spitfires front and back on my 79 GS1100E when I had it. :roll:

Michael

 

[Del]

When I had my Virago I read an article by Joe Minton in Motorcyclist magazine recommending Continental tires.

I tried them and liked them.

Now I use them on my GS650.

They seem fine in the rain although I'm no speed demon, especially when the roads are wet.

Del

 

[saaz]

I have a 78 GS1000.

The best front I have had lately is the ME33 Metzler. Excellent steering, handling and grip, and the wear looks good. I tend to like grip over wear in tyres, the ME33 seems to do both. It also goes with virtually any other rear.

At the moment I am using a Dunlop GT301 Arrowmax, great grip in cold and heat, wear will be less than 8000kms. I had a spitfire, slipped too much on cold roads for my liking, but probably a good touring tyre choice as ok in the wet. I run off the edge of the back tyre, so my comments are based on how the tyre performs when used like this.

Oh yes, I have a 1080 kit, flowed head, stage 3 cams etc so the power has to get to the ground somehow!

 

[Billy Ricks]

I always liked the ME33 too when I had stock wheels. It's been replaced in the Metzeler line by the 330. I ran the 33 with Pirellis, Dunlops, Continentals, and Bridgestones. Worked well no matter what rear I ran.

 

[lhanscom]

Has anybody used the Pirelli Sport Demons? How are they for lasting, grip, and so forth?

 

[HiSPL]

Whats wrong with the rear Tim???

The rear is wearing out in the center after about 5000 miles :? For a touring tire I would've expected better.... It's also pretty slippery when cold, however it works well in the rain.... Go figure, huh :roll:

I have had no problems at all out of the front tire though.... It works great in all conditions

 

[Jeff Tate]

I love my Metzelers!!!

 

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with Jeff, I love my Metzlers. I have an ME77 on the rear. The wear has been terrific and the grip is still there in cold weather.

 

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with Jeff, I love my Metzlers. I have an ME77 on the rear. The wear has been terrific and the grip is still there in cold weather.

 

[Guest]

I have a Metzeler ME33 ready to go on the front...have to choose between buying a Metzeler ME55 Metronic or the newer design ME550 for the rear....the 550 is actually cheaper than the 55 :?: ...the guy at the store says the metronic is a better match though, as the 550 thread is designed to match the 330 front, and the 33 with the 55,77 or the 99 make up the best combo...not sure if theres any truth to that, but heard from another riderthat the metronic is better suited to sport riding as its a softer compound than the newer 550 which offers more mileage. What do you guys think? Oh yeah, I am changing from the stock B'stone Mag-mopus Suzuki OEM tires ( for safety reasons, though they have only 1200 miles on them).

 

[Billy Ricks]

The ME33 worked well with every rear tire combination I ever threw at it. I never tried a Metronic so I can't speak about it.

 

[Jeff Tate]

I have the ME55 Metronic on the rear and it handles and wears very nicely.

 

[Anonymous]

I've been buying tires on eBay recently, all of them new and rather inexpensive. So far I've tried several brands and models, front and rear. Not one has given unsatisfactory service. Even the cheap Kenda rear gave me decent handling, wet or dry. Not much mileage, but at least it was cheap.

The point is, I don't think there's a tire out there in the sizes available for our GS's that is a bad tire. Some are perhaps better than others in handling and/or wet pavement. Some last longer than others. Some are more expensive than others. Yet not one is "bad". Twenty years ago when our GS's were new that may have been the case, but I haven't found that to be so these days.

Right now I have a rear Kenda 16" Challenger and a front Bridgestone S11. Everything is fine. No funny business, adequate handling. Cheap.

I have a Conti Blitz front installed on another wheel, ready to go on the bike. I also have a 17" rear Dunlop K627 waiting in the wings. Both should be adequate as well.

Don't be afraid to experiment.

Nick

 

[Bert Patterson]

I have a Conti Blitz front installed on another wheel, ready to go on the bike.
Nick

I had a Conti Blitz on my Yam at one point and it seemed to too hard a compound - slipped. My mechanic - a very blunt, even crude, guy - told me I just bought really old stock and got ripped off.

I run a ME33 on the front, 99 on the rear.

 

[G man]

I would agree with Nick. I don't think any major brand tires are bad, just make sure you get a set that fit your riding style best.

I have Dunlop K591's on the 750 and really like them. Improved the handling and confidence greatly over the Metzeler ME77's it had on previously. I don't think they make the K591's anymore, but you might be able to find a set on the shelf somewhere.

The 850 is currently wearing Dunlop D401's which I do not like too much. They seem to be a "long mileage" harder rubber tire and I dislike the handling characteristics. I would gladly give up a couple thousand miles worth of wear for superior grip.

I am planning on putting on the Dunlop GT501's and will let you know how I like them. Anyone want a set of almost new D401's?

 

[Guest]

I have a Conti Blitz front installed on another wheel, ready to go on the bike.
Nick

I had a Conti Blitz on my Yam at one point and it seemed to too hard a compound - slipped. My mechanic - a very blunt, even crude, guy - told me I just bought really old stock and got ripped off.

I run a ME33 on the front, 99 on the rear.

Yes, the ME33 I have ready to put on right now is also off ebay...brand new, but found out on receiving it that it is 1999 stock...my mechanic too is not too happy about that, saying it will not grip as well as the older tires harden. Now I'm not sure if I should use it or write it off as a learning experience and get a new one...(I paid about U.S.$60.00 for it). Always ask how old before bidding on unused, 'brand new' tires!