S
stinky
Guest
Have a 1981 gs 400, it needs tires what have you had luck/happy with? Cheers S.
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Guest
Guest
It depends on your riding style and your wallet size.
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koolaid_kid
Guest
Absolutely. Some people are happy with the Chen Shing, which are very low priced (relative to name brands). If your riding style is casual, you would probably be satisfied with them.
I personally prefer Metzlers, they are a good combination of price versus performance versus mileage. But my riding style is spirited, so I prefer a higher quality tire.
I personally prefer Metzlers, they are a good combination of price versus performance versus mileage. But my riding style is spirited, so I prefer a higher quality tire.
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Guest
Guest
Spirited=Riding like a madman
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koolaid_kid
Guest
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caberguy
Guest
I've been happy with my Dunlop D404's. But I know a few people around here that swear by the Cheng Shin's. Metzler, Avon, Continental all make good shoes.
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cberkeley
Guest
I've put Pirelli ROUTE MT-66 on my bike in February and quite happy with them.
Sometimes your choices are strictly limited by the sizes of tires your bike requires. For example, there are very, very few choices in 120/90-16, but dozens available in 130/90-16. However, the slightly wider 130 tire will not fit or function properly on a rim intended for the 120.
So what sizes of tires does your bike need?
So what sizes of tires does your bike need?
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stinky
Guest
Thanks for the reply's. I ride "slighlty" aggressively. I don't mind spending the money on good tires, I am just not sure what is good for this bike. Right now there is a 3.25 by 19 (tubed) on the front and a 120/90/17 on the rear. I am not sure what size to buy for the front. 19 inch but what sort of width and profile. Someone suggested bridgestone splitfires, anyone use them? Cheers S.
I've had good results using the Spitfires, but some of the more aggressive riders don't care for them. I had a Cheng Shin on the front of my 750 when I got it, but wouldn't put another one on. The construction of the tire just doesn't have enough stiffness to suit me. It may be OK, but I wouldn't get one if there were any other choice. I had a D404 on the rear, it lasted 9,700 miles. I was happy with it, but decided to go with an Avon this time.
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mixongw
Guest
A new set of Cheng Shin tires are better than a set of worn Metzlers.
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stinky
Guest
I have something called a Duro onthe front and a cheng **** on the rear. I anything is an improvement.
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hughgee
Guest
Are new tires generally something you can install yourself or do most people just ride the bike into a motorcycle shop and have them do it? I'm a bit nervous about riding to the shop on the very same tires I want to have replaced. I think they are 10 years old and they appear cracked. They seem to have held up driving around my neighborhood though...
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cberkeley
Guest
My situation exactly when I restored the GS650.
I took the wheels off and took them to an automotive tire shop who removed the tires. I then sand-blasted, primed and painted the wheels and took them back to the same shop with my new Pirellis and they were able to put them on with a machine. Not a scratch on the rims. I bought some stick-on lead weights and balanced them myself before putting them back on the bike.
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koolaid_kid
Guest
I have replaced tires myself using a hand machine I bought from J.C. Whitney. But it was a pita; the next time I am taking the wheel and tire to a shop and letting them do it. Low profile tires are impossible to do by hand; it requires a machine. Personal experience with a friend's Seca II 650.
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Clone
Guest
I don't mind the cheng shin tires they grip better than the originals, and fit the budget nicely. I was thinking about putting a Kenda K761 on the rear just to try it out, it's only $50. I ended up spending 20 minutes one day driving up a hill after a rain with my rear tire plugged up with mud. 1st gear 3000rpm slow progress
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West
Guest
Just put 'new' rubber on my GS400 - but I have 18" front & rear, and bwringer was 100% correct, the choices were limited in the sizes I needed.
Back when I rode in the 70's and 80's, Dunlops were the tire to have, so I found a NOS Dunlop for the rear & they still make one that fit the front. If My budget were not constrained, I would have shopped for Avons, if they even make the right sizes.
I'm happy enough with the Dunlops, although i've had a couple of 'whups!' moments in intersections where there's a bit more oil on the road. I've laid it over till I've scraped the center stand a couple of times, so I guess they are working well enough for me. Most people would call my style 'aggresive'.
Back when I rode in the 70's and 80's, Dunlops were the tire to have, so I found a NOS Dunlop for the rear & they still make one that fit the front. If My budget were not constrained, I would have shopped for Avons, if they even make the right sizes.
I'm happy enough with the Dunlops, although i've had a couple of 'whups!' moments in intersections where there's a bit more oil on the road. I've laid it over till I've scraped the center stand a couple of times, so I guess they are working well enough for me. Most people would call my style 'aggresive'.
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caberguy
Guest
Some people on here change their own tires, I tried and I'd just assume pay somebody to do it.
I don't think that I would be comfortable using a NOS tire for anything other than a swing. Even if there's still tred on them tires have a shelf life, they get stiff, brittle, and generally degrade.
There are plenty of new tires on the market that fit our bikes, they're really not that hard to find.
I don't think that I would be comfortable using a NOS tire for anything other than a swing. Even if there's still tred on them tires have a shelf life, they get stiff, brittle, and generally degrade.
There are plenty of new tires on the market that fit our bikes, they're really not that hard to find.
