What are the best tires for the GS?

[lehrin]

I'm considering getting the Pirelli Sport Demon, reasonable price, does anyone have any experience, good or bad, with these tires or wit pirelli in general?

 

[Anonymous]

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.

I've been running the ME55A Metronic (130/90-17) with a ME33 Laser (110/90-16) for some years now on my 1983 GS750ES. They work very well together. Prior to the ME55A, I ran a ME99 (Perfect) on the rear. I seem to recall that the ME99 is an older, less sporting design than the ME55A.....I no longer remember comparative longevity between them. I believe that Earl Fornes has been using a ME88 on his older-model GS750. The ME88 is a harder, touring tire that offers less grip but more miles.

 

[lhanscom]

I have the Pirelli Sport Demon on the rear of mine. I like the handling, but don't know about the mileage yet, I think I have 3000 mi on them so far so good.

 

[Anonymous]

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

Whats wrong with the rear Tim???

i also have the spitfire on the rear of mine and it seems to have a very fine line between traction and all out sliding with no middle ground imho Mark

 

[lehrin]

I have the Pirelli Sport Demon on the rear of mine. I like the handling, but don't know about the mileage yet, I think I have 3000 mi on them so far so good.

What do you have on the front?

 

[lhanscom]

I have a Chen Shing Baracuda or something like that, it seems to work ok, but when I need a new one, I'm upgrading to a Sport Demon front. My rear tire is not fairing so well, it's looking like it needs replacing, and I might have gotten 4500mi out of it. That's with the 'V' rendition, I may try the 'H' this time, and see how that goes. I do about half my miles on the highway, and weigh in around 275, so I flatten out the center pretty well. If it was more corners it probably would have lasted longer.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a Chen Shing Baracuda or something like that, it seems to work ok, but when I need a new one, I'm upgrading to a Sport Demon front. My rear tire is not fairing so well, it's looking like it needs replacing, and I might have gotten 4500mi out of it. That's with the 'V' rendition, I may try the 'H' this time, and see how that goes. I do about half my miles on the highway, and weigh in around 275, so I flatten out the center pretty well. If it was more corners it probably would have lasted longer.

I used to ise perellis becaus they seemed to grip very well and good gripping usually means softer rubber and less mileage from the. I would still use them except i am very tight for Dollars for a while.

 

[lhanscom]

I would love to stick with the pirelli that I have now, it's a great tire, but at $120 a pop, and the fact that I do about 15,000 miles a year, my budget can't handle it.

 

[lehrin]

"SPORT DEMON FRONT 110/70H17 List $122.95 Now $83.00
SPORT DEMON REAR 130/90V17 List $138.95 Now $93.00"

discountmotorcycletire.com

 

[Anonymous]

Tire sizes for 81GS650GL

Tire sizes for 81GS650GL

I'm running Bridgestone Spitfires front and rear at the moment, but they are in need of replacement.
Stock tire sizes are 90/90-19 front, and 130/90-16 rear.
Should I stick to those tire sizes for the replacements? What are the safe limits for other tire sizes for this bike?

Regards,
CZ

 

[robinjo]

Replaced the tires on my bike today for new Macadam 50's 100-90-19 front and 120-90-18 rear (your bike needs 130-90-17 I believe) and they work very well. I tried to get the 501 tyres that KGB suggested but my shop didn't carry them.

I also have the Macadams on my TDM and they last pretty well even with lots of cornering speed :twisted:

 

[Anonymous]

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

Suzuki made a GS1100E in '79?

 

[Anonymous]

Metzler ME33 (Perfect) on the front, ME88 Marathon on the back. ME33 came with the bike as an extra when I purchased it. If you push them too much (like hard riding on the Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap, NC), they will let you know it. OK for milder sport touring, but after the first trip on the Dragon, decided these tires will get relplaced by stickier Metzlers when the time comes.....

 

[Anonymous]

new tire size/brand advice for my '81 GS650G?

new tire size/brand advice for my '81 GS650G?

Does anyone else have specific experience with or comments about Cheng Shin or Kenda tires (for my new '81 GS650G)? As a new rider I'm more concerned with traction and handling than mileage.

It also has a 130/90-17 on the rear instead of the factory recommended 120/90-17. Is this an improvement or would the stock size give me a better front-to-rear handling balance?

Thanks for all comments on either question....

 

[mdole]

I have run Chen Shin tires on various bikes. The biggest reason I run them is that they are usually the only thing available in older sizes without ordering the tires.

They are generally good quality tires they are just old technology and are possibly as good as the good tires were when the GSs were made. They act just like older compond type tires not very stickey and also not the best for wear. But they work just fine for every day riding.

I currently have a Hi Max (Chin Shin on the back of my 750).

I plan on ordering an Elite II Dunlop MU90/16 prior to needing the replacement. I try to order from a local shop that has treated me well for a number of years. I pay a little more but usually not list price on the tires. It may take up to a month to get the tires though. It only took a little over a week to get the front tire in when I ordered the Elite II for the front. Metzler 880s took me a month an a half to get so I thought that I'd try the Dunlops.

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

MichaelHoward wrote:
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.

Michael


Suzuki made a GS1100E in '79?

Hmm, Michael - was the bike manufactured in '79 and sold for the '80 model year? The '80 model was the first 1100E that I'm aware of. Been wrong before though.

 

[Anonymous]

They are generally good quality tires they are just old technology and are possibly as good as the good tires were when the GSs were made. They act just like older compond type tires not very stickey and also not the best for wear.

Thanks Mike, the prices were very attractive but I'll probably try to find a more modern tire in that case.

Any advice on my current 130/90-17 rear vs. the stock 120/90-17 size? Is this a straight line traction vs. handling balance trade-off?

 

[mdole]

I have a GS 750L with a 140/90- 16 rear. With other bikes I have owned I haven't seen a big difference in running a size bigger on the rear as long as you have the clearance to do it. I have gotten slightly better wear with a larger rear tire and maybe a little more traction.

It really depends on the bike and suspension setup. An example of a bike not to go up on was a 1979 Yamaha 650 Special. It cam with a 510 wide and I can't remember the width. The bike handled worse than the 1971 XS-650B I traded in on it. In a tight corner the rear tire would walk to the outside. I changed the suspension and went to a 450 width and the handling improved quite a bit. I think the problem was that going to a smaller rim and wider tire made the rear end too heavy for the lightweight bike and so the rear would walk (a series of slight slips) to the outside.

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

i agree with the spitfires going bald quickly, it happened to me also.

me33 for the front was great, no complaints there.

I just changed both my tires, for BT-45 battleaxe, bridgestones. So far did 2500 kilometers, and not a problem. So far i like them.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a GS 750L with a 140/90- 16 rear. With other bikes I have owned I haven't seen a big difference in running a size bigger on the rear as long as you have the clearance to do it. I have gotten slightly better wear with a larger rear tire and maybe a little more traction.
Mike

thanks, I've ordered a 130/90-17 Metzeler ME550 to upgrade the ME88 that was on the rear.