Tire recomendations?

[stinky]

Have a 1981 gs 400, it needs tires what have you had luck/happy with? Cheers S.

[chef1366]

It depends on your riding style and your wallet size.

[koolaid_kid]

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.

[chef1366]

Spirited=Riding like a madman:-)

[koolaid_kid]

Spriited=Riding like a madman:-)

Awww, dad...
LOL

[caberguy]

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.

[cberkeley]

I've put Pirelli ROUTE MT-66 on my bike in February and quite happy with them.

[bwringer]

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?

[stinky]

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.

[jpaul]

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.

[mixongw]

A new set of Cheng Shin tires are better than a set of worn Metzlers.

[stinky]

I have something called a Duro onthe front and a cheng **** on the rear. I anything is an improvement.

[hughgee]

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...

[cberkeley]

..........10 years old and they appear cracked. They seem to have held up driving around my neighborhood though...

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.

[koolaid_kid]

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.