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Yet another tire thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter CC2099
  • Start date Start date
Rijko said:
Point taken .. unfortunate for us GS fans.
Click to expand...

There's nothing unfortunate for GS fans at all -- we have a wide variety of thoroughly modern tires available in 130/90-17 that work far better than anything available in the '70s and '80s.

I guess if your goal is to roll a pristine 100 point GS850G onto the grass at Pebble Beach (LOL), or preserve it in your living room under glass, then you might lament the loss of the "original" "correct" tires.

If you want to actually ride it anywhere, spoon on the good stuff from the 21st century.
 
I had a blast some time ago on a GT550.
It had been a long time since i rode a smaller bike and enjoyed the light, quick steering.

The GS1000S with 120/90-18 rear handles a bit lighter than the GS1000 with 130/90-17 rear
and i do like that. Higher rear will be a factor, but tire width also.

The GS1000 (with 130/90-17 rear) needs a firm hand, and i like it - but i am curious what
it would feel like with a 4.50 (114 mm instead of 130 mm) like it came with from the factory.

Don't want oldfashioned rubber, don't think the 130 is lacking and like the look the wider 130 has, but wonder if anyone has experience with a 120 like the AM26 or BT45 you mentioned.
 
Last edited:
I liked the 120/90-17 on my GS650G but i only had it for two weeks before it was destroyed. The 130 didn't feel as good but the difference was subtle and hard to explain. After a few days I got comfortable with it again.

Jim
 
The wider the tire, the harder it will turn in. The narrower the tire the faster you will "run out" of rubber. What people are suggesting by going to a 130 rear is that it will not make that much difference. What condition are the shocks? When were the forks and steering head serviced? Its a 35 y/o bike. If you still feel it turns in slow with a 130, raise your fork tubes 10mm at a time until you are comfy with how it turns in. This will make it turn in quicker. If you can feel the difference between a 120 and 130 rear, you will be able to feel these adjustments. I use Avon and Pirelli. Many choices, stick great, with modern design/rubber compounds. Once again, if you can feel the size difference, you will notice the confidence a good tire will give you. If one uses a cheap, old design you will be rewarded with a cheap old fashioned ride.
 
Both bikes have rebuilt front forks, nos rear shocks, new bearings on wheels, steering, swingarm.
Both on new BT45 tyres. Same front tires 100/90-19, rear 18"/120 on the S, 17"/130 on the GS1000.

i have a hard time telling where differences reside, but the GS1000 feels a bit more sluggish
going into a turn than the S. Also quick left-right changes are better on the S.
Both bikes behave solid in turns but i like the S better. Like Jim said, i feel the difference but hard to explain.
Have tried lowering the front 10mm in the past and can feel that difference well, it improves
cornering but on small roundabouts the genny cover hits the tarmac quicker so i went back to standard.

Its a 35 y/o bike, i am not a racer, don't run out of rubber on the rear 'cause i hang a bit next to the bike to keep it more upright What do you guys call the unused sides, we call them something like rims of shame :-)

Still if i can improve the bike a bit the combined result may improve lol.

In the distant past i enjoyed the Conti Blitz and Dunlop Arrowmax, those felt quicker than say a Metzeler or BT45.
Tried Shinko's, but after i almost lost the rear in the rain couple of times (fortunately no big slides and could correct it) did not buy those again.
Now i'm about to buy new tires for 2 of the GS1000 bikes (1 GS1000 17" rear, 1 GS1000S 18" rear) and this thread spiked my interest again.
And until this thread i had not considered a 120 rear for the GS1000, only a 130.
Up for an experiment so the new tires will be different ones from the BT45.

Been eyeballing the radial ClassicAttacks, they get great reviews.
So anything you guys can tell me helps me shorten the list to 2 sets of tires.
Price difference is not that big, and since i have a number of bikes so limited km's per bike longevity is not an issue.
Thanks.


 
Last edited:
Tires can wait until next year

Tires can wait until next year

IMG_1084.jpg

It's looking a lot like the riding season is over for me.
 
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