best sports tyres for GS1000EN

[Greenbraes]

OK. I'm sure this has been asked before..sorry....I am looking for the best up to date sports tyres for the original wheels on my 79 GS1000EN (bearing in mind they will need inner tubes too)....what are your thoughts guys?

cheers

RB

[John Kat]

I use Dunlop Arrowmax GT 501s.
They hold on very well in the twisties but I haven't really tried them in the rain.
Another good choice are the BT 45s from Bridgestone.

[hampshirehog]

Pirelli Sport Demons.

[7981GS]

+1 on the Sport Demons.

They go away a bit faster than the V-rated Bridgestone Battleaxe BT-45's though which are a very close second in my book.

Daniel

[Dogma]

A lot of people also liked the Avon Road Riders before the cracking problems appeared. Some still use them. VenomX is was also good, if you couldn't get the RoarRider in the correct size for your front. Good wet or dry grip, reasonable durability. Other people like the Spitfire S11, though they may not be as "sporty" as others.

I seem to remember the Sport Demons don't last quite as long as others. Is that right?

[gshub]

Tyres

Avon Road riders for me as fitted to my Gs1085S ,was recomended them by 2 earlystock racers
have found them brilliant in the wet and dry......
tried sport Demmons ,they only lasted 1000miles then were awfull in the wet,but everyone has differant opinions.....
I havent had any cracking problem with mine?....

[Suzuki mad]

I'd go for Pirelli's personally. Seem to handle better on a GS than BT45's.

[gshub]

I'd go for Pirelli's personally. Seem to handle better on a GS than BT45's.

Just the same as the old phantoms "we had back in the eightys" ,us older boys will know what i mean Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh.......
good for 1000/1500miles then go off......

[tkent02]

Road Riders, just be sure to wear them out before they crack.

[7981GS]

Road Riders, just be sure to wear them out before they crack.

But they arrive cracked brand new!

Another GOOD one from tkent.


Daniel

[bwringer]

For the stickiest of all, Pirelli Sport Demons, hands down.

However, they are expensive, soft, and wear out quickly.


Avon RoadRiders cost a bit less, stick 99.5% as well and last a lot better. Plus, they have far better handling manners when they're worn -- even when the tread is getting faint, they still feel great.

RoadRiders also have a slightly "pointier" profile that sharpens handling a bit, like your bike lost 100 pounds -- very nice effect on a GS. I like 'em, obviously.

FWIW, I've never seen a cracked RoadRider in person, and I've used up and installed at least two dozen on my bikes and on bikes belonging to several friends. Do whatever makes you happiest.

[sedelen]

I use the Avon Roadriders on both my bikes, no cracking problems as yet.
And I likes 'em.

[Greenbraes]

thanks guys...looks like I will give the avon roadriders a try

cheers

RB

[salty_monk]

I believe (partially from personal experience) that some of the cracking issues are caused by people running them at too low pressure....

Avon's recommendation is a far higher pressure than the 30 year old Suzuki one.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Yeah I agree with the general consensus here: Pirelli Sport Demon! I have them on my 1982 1100S and they are the best handling tyre I have experienced in the 26 years I have owned it! Hard sharp twisties, mountain roads, hills, flatlands, wet or dry roads (no snow for this black duck) they perform so well that you enjoy every ride no matter what the weather throws at you. Yes, they may wear a bit quicker than some of the other brands but it's cheaper to put very good tyres on a bike than repair a bike after a prang because the low price rubber (cheap tyres are cheap for a reason in most cases) has let you down when you needed it most. Pirelli recommend a max pressure of 40 P.S.I. for these although I use 38 P.S.I. front and 36 P.S.I. rear for a bit of comfort. At these pressures I get 17,000km to 22,000 km per set depending on the quality of road surface. I haven't noticed any degrading in the handling as they get towards the end of their life. That's one of the things I like about them they have always maintained the same rate of feedback and performance from start to finish which means you actually get better value for your money than a cheaper tyre that drops off in performance as they wear and need replacing. cheers.