Tire Questions

[Guest]

I have been toying with an idea of a raised white letter radial tire that will fit on my gs's.

I want to get a general concensus as to what other GS riders may think.

Would you buy a raised white letter tire from a very reputable manufacturer if they were understated and overengineered?

Also, would the manufacturer name make a difference in what you would be willing to pay? say, maybe a Goodyear lettered tire?

[Big T]

I'm not following you on this

You actually found a radial tire that fits the GS wheel that has RWL?

Or, you're just asking

I haven't seen any radial tires that fit a GS, tho I've read someone is making a skinny radial

[Steve]

The raised white letters can look OK on the right bike, but forget the idea of radials on GS rims.

.

[Grimly]

I ran Avon radial trail rear (iirc, it was a Gripster) in 130/80-17 for a year or so and it was damned good. Nice, powering out of the corner feeling, and so much better grip than anything else on it beforehand. The bike would squat a bit under power, dig in, and power out- really rather nice and made it feel very sure-footed.
I'm even considering the Dark Side...

[Steve]

I'm even considering the Dark Side...

What tire are you considering?

PM me so the nay-sayers don't have a hay day.

.

[gsgeezer]

raised white lettering

raised white letter tires from mcss:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6020/i/bridgestone-s11-spitfire-sport-touring-blackwall-front-tire?WT.ac=SLIsearch

there were others too, the above is just a front

I know people who have used them on bikes with similar tire requirements, and they seemed to like them, not radials, though.

[78550GS]

If there was a radial tire, with or without rwl, that would fit the gs bikes.

I think that's where I was going. I'm doing some research and I think it can be done.

I guess my biggest question is why are smaller tires like whats on our bikes bias ply? I know I have rode 10k+ on a front without issue since they wear like concrete, but I would rather have the grip of a radial.

[gsgeezer]

I guess my biggest question is why are smaller tires like whats on our bikes bias ply? I know I have rode 10k+ on a front without issue since they wear like concrete, but I would rather have the grip of a radial.

I'm not sure, I know others would know, but I have gone thousands of miles on the GS, and other bikes, without radials, including mountain roads, in the rain and snow.

When I first got my 1000, it had Metzlers on it. I have used other tires on it, and also like the Shinkos that are on there now.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6188/i/shinko-230-tour-master-rear-tire

Shinko 230 Tour Master Rear Tire

Designed for long distance, high speed touring, the Shinko 230 Tour Master Rear Tire delivers unmatched all weather handling and stability at a great value.
Aramid belted
Staggered tread design offers a quiet ride with excellent handling
Tubeless, 4-ply design
V-rated for speeds up to 149 mph

[mmattockx]

I guess my biggest question is why are smaller tires like whats on our bikes bias ply?

Because radial tires for motorcycles weren't developed until the mid-80's. The first radials were released for sale by Michelin in 1987, long after development had stopped on the GS motorcycles. Radials need wide wheels to support the short side wall and soft carcass that they have. They just don't work on skinny wheels like all the GS bikes have. Since radials were first sold most serious street tire development has been done primarily for 17" wheels, which means all the older bikes with 18" and 19" wheels are doubly out of luck. Not only are they too narrow, but they are also the wrong diameter.

The narrowest radials sold in North America are typically a 110F/140R combo intended for use on 3.0"F/3.5"R x 17" wheels. These are found on the small beginner bikes like the 250's, 400's and 500 twins.

The simple answer is if you need to have radials then you should install a set of newer 17" wheels that are the correct width to work with radial tires.


Mark

[Steve]

..., but I would rather have the grip of a radial.

It's not the "radial" part that provides the grip, it's the rubber compound.

There are PLENTY of bias-ply tires available that will let you grind down various parts of hardware on your bike with relative ease, not sure what any more grip is going to get you.

A radial tire needs to have a rather wide wheel, and that is something our GSes simply don't have.

.

[tkent02]

Unlike cars, the advantages or radial tires in the skinnier sizes are not so great. They don't seem to last any longer, traction is only a tiny bit better, when they are worn out they are paper thin. Handling and ride may be the biggest advantage, but it's not that drastic.

The 170 width tires on modern sportbikes stick like glue, but bias ply tires that size and shape would probably stick pretty well too.

[Wingsconsin]

Lovin' my Michelin Commander II's bias ply.

Dual compound tire - longevity and handling . Grips well although I haven't scraped any hard parts on the bike. The GS seems to have an inordinate amount of clearance and I can get through corners pretty quickly and still have lean angle in reserve...

I had the Shinko 230's on the GS650GL I had last year and they handled well also. I would put these tires nearly the same for overall ride and handling - but the CII promises more longevity (hope so because they cost more) ... I only have 1000+ a little miles on them now so I have a long way to go before this evaluation is completed.