• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Your Latest/Best Tire Recommendations

  • Thread starter Thread starter MelodicMetalGod
  • Start date Start date
M

MelodicMetalGod

Guest
Looking for your recommendations!

I'm lookin' for new tires for the 85 GS550ES and I wanna get something that'll stick great on the street. I'm not too concerned about maximum mileage. What're your recommendations?

Current tires are as follows:

Front:
Metzeler ME33 Laser
100/90 V16
Tubeless
4 ply
Max: 470 lbs @ 42 PSI
DOT EB45
BPH 424
Load Range B

Rear:
Metzeler ME55A Metronic
120/90 18 65V
Tubeless
3 ply
Max: 640 @ 42 PSI
DOT EB6L
BPN 1300
E3 75R 0052764

After doin' some searching I've noted the following general recommendations from various threads:

Tires For Great Traction?
Pirelli Sport Demons
Cheng Shin HiMax
Avon's AM26 RoadRiders
Bridgestone BT45 Battlax
Dunlop GT 501

Thanks for all your feedback!
 
Last edited:
I don't think you want to use the Hi Max.. I use them cause they are cheap and so am I. they are great for the dollar.. but the other tires you have there far out perform them.

the Pirellis you have listed at probably your best bet on that list.
the Michelin Pilot series is also worth looking into
 
My 1150 has the ME33/ME55's on her and I love 'em. But as you probably know, they don't make them any more. I put Pirelli Sport Demons on my Skunk and they are fantastic. That's what I'll put on the 1150 when it's time. With my existing project I'm going to try some Avon Roadriders. I've heard nothing but good about them.
 
I just bought three sets of the roadriders but nothing to report yet as I haven't ridden on them... they look like a nice tyre though :D
 
For maximum traction and feel, get the Pirelli Sport Demons.

End of discussion.
 
I'd cross off the Dunlop's and Cheng Shin tires, not in the same sticky league as the others.

I've got BT45's on my 550 and like them although they only have a few hundred miles on them. They have a soft tread and flexible carcass similar to the Avon's you list.

Based on the feedback of people that know though, I'd go with the Pirelli's if price is no object.

Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Ordering Pirellis online this weekend. I found them for about $90.00 US. My local dealer wanted $149.00 and $159.00
 
Who has used both Sport Demons and Road Riders on the same bike???
How do they compare on a GS1000?
I've had BT45s and prefer the Roadriders, although both were good.

I have used the Avons and they are great but are the Pirellis better?

How about at cold temps, on crappy, rough roads with sandy wet spots from melting snow?

Some tires excel in colder temps, some in hotter temps. I'd go with the ones that work in the cold.
 
Last edited:
Gt501

Gt501

I think most tires are really quite good but a lot depends upon exactly what you're looking for and how you ride. I consider myself to be an extremely experienced rider....but I'm not a very sophisticated rider. I'm not sure I'd be a very good judge of tires, as a result.

Like Bill, I also really like the GT501's. I've ridden Bridgestones, Metzelers, Cheng Shins, IRCs and lots and lots of Dunlops. I thought all were pretty decent but I think I like the GS501's the best. I think, next time, I'm going to try the Pirelli Sport Demons since so many of the guys recommend them.:)
 
where are you getting your sport demons from? I'm having some trouble finding them. My local shop just looked at me blankly when I asked about them also.
 
andrewclaycomb said:
where are you getting your sport demons from? I'm having some trouble finding them. My local shop just looked at me blankly when I asked about them also.
Click to expand...

At first my local dealer said they didn't have them, then he pulled out a fat catalog and said he could get them in 2 or 3 days at I think $149 back $159 front. After getting up off the floor I left and searched online where I think Bizrate or one of the shopping search sites found them for $89 and $99. The link is at hoime, but you can probably find it. I live in a high sales tax area and I won't have to pay it online, almost covers the shipping. I still think I am going to have them do the mount and balance (at $100 bucks for both wheels). Jeez dealships are SO expensive.
 
doctorgonzo said:
At first my local dealer said they didn't have them, then he pulled out a fat catalog and said he could get them in 2 or 3 days at I think $149 back $159 front. After getting up off the floor I left and searched online where I think Bizrate or one of the shopping search sites found them for $89 and $99. The link is at hoime, but you can probably find it. I live in a high sales tax area and I won't have to pay it online, almost covers the shipping. I still think I am going to have them do the mount and balance (at $100 bucks for both wheels). Jeez dealships are SO expensive.
Click to expand...

Does that $100 cover getting the wheels off the bike? It's not that hard, and you can save some labor cost if you do it yourself. The only problem is, you can't ride to the dealer.
 
Dogma said:
Does that $100 cover getting the wheels off the bike? It's not that hard, and you can save some labor cost if you do it yourself. The only problem is, you can't ride to the dealer.
Click to expand...

Yeah, $45 front and $55 back is remove wheel, install tire, balance and re-install. I have no way to balance, and at this point and as many long hours as I have put in on this bike, ready to have somebody else do it, be done in a couple hours (they say "while you wait") and drive away. Especially since I have shaftie and it would be first time pull that unit off the wheel.
 
Fair

Fair

doctorgonzo said:
Yeah, $45 front and $55 back is remove wheel, install tire, balance and re-install. I have no way to balance, and at this point and as many long hours as I have put in on this bike, ready to have somebody else do it, be done in a couple hours (they say "while you wait") and drive away. Especially since I have shaftie and it would be first time pull that unit off the wheel.
Click to expand...

I almost always take the wheels off but the price you were quoted seems very fair to me.:)

I never buy tires locally....they're just too expensive (not to mention the sales tax.):?
 
The $100 you mention will more than pay for that Harbor Fright tire machine.
You need to grease your splines anyway.
 
I'd say stay away from the 16" front BT45's. I put one on my wife's 1150 and its horrible. I had a Michelin Macadam 110/90/16 on there previous and really liked it. Since they discontinued the MEZ2 Metzler, my previous favorite, I found the Michelin to be confidence inspiring.

I didn't like the 501 front 19", but maybe the 16" is better. I think the Harley 591 Dunlop is the best gripping tire for a 19".

I guess the Pirellis would be the best bet if you like your tires in pairs, I'm a mixer. I've had one Avon in the past and liked it, but it was expensive.
 
Front "looks" good, but is of unknown age (bridgestone) and the handling is terrible on this bike (don't even think about both hands off bars, and better hold on tight if you go to one). I'm going to check the front end this weekend (air, bearings, etc...) and eventually get progressive forks, but step one (for me) is new tires of known age and mileage, professionally balanced.
 
chuckycheese said:
I think most tires are really quite good but a lot depends upon exactly what you're looking for and how you ride. I consider myself to be an extremely experienced rider....but I'm not a very sophisticated rider. I'm not sure I'd be a very good judge of tires, as a result.
Click to expand...

Ditto Cheese and:

I can't imagine wanting/needing really sticky tires (little or no tread) for other than strictly track racing on a perfect surface?

For what it's worth the 19" Metzler front tire that I just couldn't wear out was really noisy (actually howled at hwy. speed) so I got rid of it and treated myself to a matched set for the first time in 5 years last month. Went with Dunlop 404 because they were in stock locally (which BTW are made in Japan by Sumitomo - which has an agreement with Goodyear too) and they are really quiet (reasonably priced also) with great street stick in FL where it's always 60-90F. As mentioned earlier ambient temp extremes would be a MAJOR concern on your tire choice (tread pattern and composition). I never ride in the rain either - hate that. My 19"F and 18"R skinny tires aren't available in a lot of variations anymore either so I try to stick with tires that hopefully will be around long enough to buy two rears for one front life too and not end up with a mismatched set again. (Kawasaki dealer charged $27each on the bike while I waited but it took 2 hours - worth every minute.)

Anyhow they equally/predictably stick as far as the heavy 81-750E bike can lean at reasonable excessive speed once the mold release is worn off them on dry clean pavement - with only one 220lb person on board of course - and set on soft spring fanny setting + lowest psi with no more than 20lb in each saddle bag:)

Hope that helps.
 
Last edited:
I've got a maxxis on rear, and its a fair bang for the buck I must say.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top