Need tire advice.

[prefect]

The tires on my '81 gs450e are in need of replacement. I would like to replace them with a tire with more of a modern street tread. I am having trouble finding tires in the original sizes (3.00 x 18 front and 3.50 x 18 rear). I don't mind if the tires are wider than stock, but I am really not sure what will work. I would also like to get a matched set, if possible.

I use the bike as a daily commuter with the occaisonal longer weekend trip (if that's of any relevance).

Any recommendations/advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

-charles

[Nessism]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Dunlop-D404-Motorcycle-Tire-Front-100-90-18-BLK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35601QQitemZ4633521779

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Dunlop-D404-Motorcycle-Tire-Rear-110-90-18-BLK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35601QQitemZ4634637932

These tires worked well on my 450.

[Jethro]

The D404's are good suggestions. The modern sizes are as Nessism posted, 100/90/18 front and 110/90/18 rear. You don't want to go wider or the tire profile will be too crowned leading to poor tire wear.

[focus frenzy]

if you want a very good modern tire at a great price you will be hard pressed to top the maxxis promaxx M6102 front and M6103 rear

[Basket Case]

I'm partial to the Dunlop K591 series. I'll take traction over tire wear, though it doesn't help the budget much.

[prefect]

The D404's are good suggestions. The modern sizes are as Nessism posted, 100/90/18 front and 110/90/18 rear. You don't want to go wider or the tire profile will be too crowned leading to poor tire wear.

Isn't 100/90/18 too large for the front? I was under the impression that 90/90/18 is a better choice. I would PREFER the larger tires, but I need to KNOW they will fit without rubbing before I buy them.

Thanks for the input!

-charles

[Jethro]

Isn't 100/90/18 too large for the front? I was under the impression that 90/90/18 is a better choice. I would PREFER the larger tires, but I need to KNOW they will fit without rubbing before I buy them.

Thanks for the input!

-charles

Well, earlier in this thread, Nessism- an owner of a 450- said the 100 worked for him up front, so that's all I can go by.

The conversion of 3" is 76.2 millimeters. I think you are gonna have a hard time finding anything modern in that size (80/90/18). 3.5" is 88.9 millimeters- just FYI. Maybe a 90mm width front tire would be better?

[katoranger]

I just bought a the same size tires as Nessism for my 450. I haven't mounted them yet, but the rear looked wide until I pulled the beads together to the rim with and then it looks great. I will let you know after I have them mounted how they look.

Allen

[Nessism]

The 100 front 110 rear combo is fine on the 450. Just make sure you change the tubes when you change out the tires.

[katoranger]

I still need to get the tubes. Those tire sizes look good and it definately gives the bike a new look over the original tires.

Allen

[prefect]

The 100 front 110 rear combo is fine on the 450. Just make sure you change the tubes when you change out the tires.

I thought those dunlops were tubeless. I would prefer tubeless tires. (jesus, i'm picky.)

[katoranger]

The wheels require tubes unless you modify the valve stem opening to accept a tubeless valve stem. See this post. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ad.php?t=90912

Allen

[prefect]

Just to let anyone else who is in the market for similarly sized tires, I got a D404 Front 100/90-18 and a D404 Rear 110/90-18 cheaper than ebay (due to free shipping) from motorcycle-superstore.com.