Tire decision time

[GSJim]

After a lot of reading here and elsewhere, I think I will buy Bridgestone BT45s for my GS650G. Bridgestone recommends 100/90-19 for the front and 110/90-17 for the rear and i plan to stay with those sizes for now. The only quirk I have found so far is that I have to spend a few bucks more for a V-rated front tire, because the H-rated tire requires a tube, and I would prefer to stay tubeless.

I have a Metzeler 130/90-17 on the back now but I think I preferred the 120/90-17 that I had for about 10 days before a piece of scrap metal destroyed it. The bike felt a bit better with the narrower tire.

Now I just need the snow flurries to stop and a few days of warmth so I can get into the garage to remove the wheels for the tire installation and finish up a few minor electrical repairs.

Jim

 

[Big T]

I'd go with the 110 back tire, you'll probably find even better handling and performance

Why all the tube hate lately?

 

[Nessism]

Your 650 rear wheel is 2.5" wide, same as an 850. About 90% of the 850 riders around here use a 130, so I don't understand why you would want to go with a 110. Please explain? Personally, I'd go with a 120, just because the bike is smaller and the tire will be spread out nicely. No way I'd go with a 110.

 

[GSJim]

Nessism, I was being cheap, because the H-rated 110/90-17 is less expensive than the V-rated 120/90-17. Bridgestone doesn't sell an H-rated 120. However, $30 won't break the bank so I will consider the 120. My local tire pusher has both in stock.

I don't think I want to go all the way to 130/90 because the bike felt better with a slightly narrower tire. That isn't a scientific comparison, just a first impression after replacing an almost new 120 with a 130 after road damage. I didn't have any long distance riding time on the 120, just commuting at 5 miles per ride for about 10 days, followed by construction debris.

Mr. T, no tube hate, just slight dislike. I might have to use tubes anyway if my old rims leak.

Thanks for the comments.

Jim

 

[tkent02]

If you are going cheap, why the Metzelers and Bridgestones?

 

[GSJim]

Good point tkent02. The Metzelers were on the bike when I parked it years ago and are as hard as rocks. I am not considering Metzeler for my present purchase.

By cheap, I meant H-rated rather than V-rated BT45s. I had already decided on some variety of BT45.

Jim

 

[tkent02]

H rating, good for sustained 130 mph. If your 650G does this, I want it.

 

[Planecrazy]

If you want "cheap" (they prefer "inexpensive") without sacrificing performance, check out the Avon Roadriders. A bunch of us have used Pirelli Sport Demons (which are AWESOME), and several very trustworthy GSR members (BWringer in particular) who have used a variety of brands including both the Roadriders and the Sport Demons like the Avons because they perform almost as well as the Pirellis at a much better price.

I personally consider using "the best" tires as cheap life insurance, but my next time around I would consider the Roadriders because they last longer than the Pirellis while giving up almost nothing in performance. This, according to people I trust entirely.

Regards,

 

[Hammered]

The Kendras are a nice tire that are "Less Expensive" And Ive never felt them to a cheap tire. Its H rated, nice tread pattern and runs on average $60

 

[tkent02]

Kenda + rain = a hard fall.

On the other hand, Shinko, a division of Yokohama, makes excellent inexpensive tires.

 

[waterman]

If you want "cheap" (they prefer "inexpensive") without sacrificing performance, check out the Avon Roadriders. A bunch of us have used Pirelli Sport Demons (which are AWESOME), and several very trustworthy GSR members (BWringer in particular) who have used a variety of brands including both the Roadriders and the Sport Demons like the Avons because they perform almost as well as the Pirellis at a much better price.

I personally consider using "the best" tires as cheap life insurance, but my next time around I would consider the Roadriders because they last longer than the Pirellis while giving up almost nothing in performance. This, according to people I trust entirely.

Regards,

If you go with Avons, I would suggest looking a 3.25 x 19 for front and 120 width rear, it is closer to stock sizes. My 650G felt a little quicker in transition with these as opposed to the 130 rear. Unfortunately, I had poor luck with the Avon rear tire developing stress cracks and so I ditched it in favor of the Shinko 230. It seems fine but a little less nimble.

 

[GSJim]

Tire ratings: H = Highly over-designed. V = Very highly over-designed. With our idiot provincial racing/stunt driving laws, my bike and/or license would disappear at 150 kph (94 mph) anyway.

Checking a couple of Canadian dealers shows good availability of various Bridgestone and Pirelli bias tires and lots of those new-fangled radial thingies. I think I will install BT45s and go up to a 120/90 on the rear as suggested by Nessism. The Pirelli Sport Demons only cost a few bucks more than the BT45s for similar sizes and ratings. Friends here report that the BT45s will last longer than the Demons.

I did consider the Avons, but dealers here don't stock as many sizes and I am somewhat concerned about the sidewall cracking reports. Other brands I looked at (Michelin, Dunlop) only have 130/90 rears available. There probably isn't any direct comparison between car and motorcycle tires, but I have always preferred Michelins on the cages. The Dunlops on one cage were toast at 40,000 km.

Jim

 

[Planecrazy]

Jim,

I would suggest you PM Brian Wringer (BWringer) directly regarding the Avon Roadriders. He has had numerous sets of them in recent years (he rides a LOT and is amongst the most "spirited" riders I've ever seen off a racetrack). He should be able to speak to any cracking issues with that particular model. Also, if you prefer not to PM him you can simply search other "tire threads" in the last few years you'll find that Brian very thoroughly covered his experiences with several brands.

If I'm not mistaken, there is/was another very similar sounding Avon model that HAS had issues, but I don't believe it was the Roadrider so be sure before you rule them out.

*(had a brain-fart here, but TKent corrects me below ... so I'll leave it) Also, regarding bias ply versus radial, in my opinion there is no comparison. When I swapped the Pirelli Sport Demons on to my GS is was as if somebody stuck a twenty year more modern suspension on the bike ... the improvement in performance and confidence was THAT dramatic! The PO had older Dunlops on the bike, so the age of the tires may also have played in to the sudden improvement I experienced.

In any case, sounds like you're on the right track ... Enjoy!

 

[tkent02]

Also, regarding bias ply versus radial, in my opinion there is no comparison. When I swapped the Pirelli Sport Demons on to my GS is was as if somebody stuck a twenty year more modern suspension on the bike ... the improvement in performance and confidence was THAT dramatic!

Sport Demons are bias ply, there are no radials in our skinny wheel sizes.
RoadRiders and Sport demons are both an incredible improvement over 70s technology tires everyone else is peddling, but they are not radials.

 

[Planecrazy]

Sport Demons are bias ply, there are no radials in our skinny wheel sizes.
RoadRiders and Sport demons are both an incredible improvement over 70s technology tires everyone else is peddling, but they are not radials.

My bad! color my face red, hehe!!!

Maybe I should stop inhaling welding fumes, eh?

Thanks for catching that ... once upon a time I knew that, but spaced out due to trying to juggle fifty-three thoughts at the same time, hehe!

Ok ... nothing to see here ... move along!

Regards,

 

[GS Jim]

T

I did consider the Avons, but dealers here don't stock as many sizes and I am somewhat concerned about the sidewall cracking reports. Other brands I looked at (Michelin, Dunlop) only have 130/90 rears available. There probably isn't any direct comparison between car and motorcycle tires, but I have always preferred Michelins on the cages. The Dunlops on one cage were toast at 40,000 km.

Jim

Jim, here's a 2nd vote for the Avons. I've had them on my Thruxton for a year and a half and they were noticeably better than the Metzeler Lasertechs they replaced, specially in the wet.

On another topic, I'm moving to Toronto in June. Do you think the town is big enough for two GS Jims??

 

[1_v8_merc]

I like my road riders as well.

Ride the hell out of them, and just get a new set every season or 2.

They really aren't a tire meant to last long.

You can lean those bastards hard! Fuuunn.

 

[GSJim]

RoadRiders and Sport demons are both an incredible improvement over 70s technology tires everyone else is peddling, but they are not radials.

I'm probably being picky, but would you consider the BT45 to be 70s technology? I think the Metzeler Lasertecs are now old tech, but I don't know about the Bridgestones.

Thanks.

Jim

 

[GSJim]

On another topic, I'm moving to Toronto in June. Do you think the town is big enough for two GS Jims??

I wondered about this other GS Jim when I saw one of his posts a few weeks ago. I thought maybe I was sleep posting, but that GS1000 looks a lot better than my 650. I also considered that one of us was an impostor, but we have both posted the required pictures of our bikes.

GS Jim, I hope you aren't coming to Toronto for the riding weather, because we are having a terrible spring, with lots of rain, cold weather and occasional snow flurries. With respect to two GSJims in Toronto, we could form a two-man gang and do nasty GS things, like riding 50 kph in school zones, littering the parks with GSResources calling cards and revving our engines loudly at night outside evil sleeping Honda dealers!

With respect to tires (back on topic for a moment), I have heard and understand the forum's support for the Avons. My tire decision has been deferred for a week or two while I deal with some ongoing electrical gremlins that might require sending some money to Eastern Beaver. (Have to watch the cash flow.) I am still leaning toward the BT45s, if only to support a small local shop that can get them for me at a reasonable price.

Jim

 

[GS Jim]

I wondered about this other GS Jim when I saw one of his posts a few weeks ago. I thought maybe I was sleep posting, but that GS1000 looks a lot better than my 650. I also considered that one of us was an impostor, but we have both posted the required pictures of our bikes.

GS Jim, I hope you aren't coming to Toronto for the riding weather, because we are having a terrible spring, with lots of rain, cold weather and occasional snow flurries. With respect to two GSJims in Toronto, we could form a two-man gang and do nasty GS things, like riding 50 kph in school zones, littering the parks with GSResources calling cards and revving our engines loudly at night outside evil sleeping Honda dealers!

With respect to tires ........ I am still leaning toward the BT45s, if only to support a small local shop that can get them for me at a reasonable price.
Jim

After 4 yrs in Luxembourg, I think Toronto weather will be a nice change. In the 4 years I've been here, I think I've worn a t-shirt maybe 10 times, it never gets warm That being said, we have had a rather nice spring. The wifey was in Toronto late March house hunting and reported snow on the ground, while over here I was already riding around on my bikes regularly.

As to the nick names, we can serve as each others alibis.... "no officer, I swear that wasn't me, I was posting on the GSR forum at the time of the alleged misdeads...." :-\\\ but I think I have to ditch my stock 4-2 system before I can join you on some proper hooliganism!!

I've never used the BT45, however friends on another forum said they are fine in the dry, but not so brilliant in the wet. I guess it might depend on the type of riding you'll be doing the your 650.
Jim