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Tire Sugestiosn for a 1980 GS850L

  • Thread starter Thread starter nycs10011
  • Start date Start date
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nycs10011

Guest
Just a quick question. Need to buy my first set of new tires for a 1980 GS850L. what do you guys use?
 
C.V. said:
Cheng shin Hi Max if you are on a budget. Great tires, low price.
Click to expand...


May have a difficult time finding them, they are stopping production at the end of Dec. (or so I've read).

Alot of folks love their Avon Roadriders. I just put on a set of Shinko 712's, haven't really got to ride much though.

Do a search....there's a ton of tire threads.:)
 
Bridgstones Spitfire S11 good tire dual compound with decient milage
 
Well, at least we haven't had incidents of physical violence from tire threads...


For the L models, Dunlop's Elite III are mighty fine modern tires -- long lasting and great handling. A bit spendy, but if you pile on the miles, well worth the extra dough.



Avon RoadRiders and Pirelli Sport Demons are also excellent -- the Pirellis are perhaps a bit sportier and short-lived, but both stick extremely well and behave themselves beautifully as they wear.

And in case you're wondering, GL riders can use 100/90-19 or MM90-19 tires in front, 130/90-16 or MT90-16 in the rear. Some tires, like the Dunlops, use letter sizes for unknown reasons.

If you're cheap, the Shinko, Kenda, and IRC all seem to make decent rubber.
 
I have Dunlop Elite 3's on my '81 1000L. They look great, handle great, and last forever.

Not only is it the absolute best tire for your bike, but many who have E models are jealous because they only make them in the right size for our 'L's.

Bought mine from Chaparral (www.chaparral-racing.com). I live in Lower Slower Delaware. They're in San Bernadino, CA.

Yet when I ordered them over the phone (1-800-841-2960), I received them the very next day (they shipped them out of a warehouse in the Philly area).

Can't beat the tire or the service.
 
Avon Roadriders, great tires, great price.
New tech rubber in an old tech size.
Best non-radial tire I have ridden on.
 
Man you guys are quick. Thanks for the tips now I gotta do some shopping around, take advantage of the winder slowdown...
 
We have Cheng Shin Hi-Max on my wife's 850L, again. :-\\\

Liked the first set well enough that we did it again. Three riding seasons and 14,000 miles.

I imagine the Dunlop E3s would work well, too. I have them on my Wing and they last forever, so I imagine they would do at least as well on a GS. The last set of E3s on my Wing went just over 21,000 miles, so I did it again.

.
 
Larry D said:
.... I just put on a set of Shinko 712's, haven't really got to ride much though.
Click to expand...

I put a set of 712's on early last summer. I've put about 3k miles on them with no visible sign of wear and they stick really well even on wet roads. I've been extremely happy with their performance.
 
All good tire choices, dont forget the suspension upgrades if you have not done them. You will be amazed at the difference with sticky tires and updated suspension.
 
Slight hijack:

Are the recommendations different if you have tubeless wheels from an '83 available to put on your '80?
 
I do not think so, I am no tire expert but have the Demons and Elite III's on the L model 19" & 16" alum tubless type mag wheels and am very happy with them.
 
I like the Bridgestones Spitfire S11's or the Pirelli Route 66. Both are priced right and seem to wear decent.
 
I replaced my Dunlop Elite with a Dunlop 404 on the front 2 years ago. After 6000+ miles it still had about 60 - 70 percent tread left. When the back tire wore out, I put a 404 tire on it so the tires were the same brand/model. They handled well and always had good traction on wet and dry pavement.
 
So I priced out a pair of Dunlop they come to $220 and a pair of the Cheng Shins for $87. Big price difference guess I'm wondering what kinda mileage difference you guys see, and performance in the rain, which I'll be seeing a lot of around here.
Thanks again guys big help for a greenhorn like me
 
If you're planning to do a lot of rain riding then look at the Pirelli Sport Demons or the Avon Roadriders. I LOVE my Sport Demons, and Brian (BWringer) has used both - he is a VERY spirited rider and if he says those tires are sticky (he does) you can be sure that they've been well tested!

I can't comment on the other recommended lower priced brands, but if price is a consideration the Avons are a very good choice that gives you nearly the same performance (according to Brian) as the more expensive Sport Demons we've both used. To my way of thinking a good set of tires is very cheap insurance so don't skimp on them, especially if you anticipate more than average riding in less than ideal conditions. Both the Pirellis and the Avons perform very well in the rain.

Regards,
 
Ahh decisions decisions. I don't want to skimp on my tires but funds are tight. Hmmm, I'll do some more reading...
 
highmileage said:
I have Dunlop Elite 3's on my '81 1000L. They look great, handle great, and last forever.

Not only is it the absolute best tire for your bike, but many who have E models are jealous because they only make them in the right size for our 'L's.

Bought mine from Chaparral (www.chaparral-racing.com). I live in Lower Slower Delaware. They're in San Bernadino, CA.

Yet when I ordered them over the phone (1-800-841-2960), I received them the very next day (they shipped them out of a warehouse in the Philly area).

Can't beat the tire or the service.
Click to expand...

I have a rear Dunlop Elite II I got 12K miles ago. If it is even 1/4 worn, I would be surprised. You have to consider not just initial purchase price, but how often you have to to buy them. I wouldn't even consider any other tire than Dunlop Elite.
 
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