Rear tire question - 82 GS1100E

[Jon Burke]

I'm also looking for new tires for my 81 GS850G. Previouly had Metzelers and really liked them. Found a Lasertec for the front (100/90-19), but having difficulty finding a rear in a 120/90-17. Suggestions?

[chef1366]

I had a set of BT45s and wasn't happy with the front. It scalloped quickly and it wore out quicker than the rear. I was happy with the rear though.

[koolaid_kid]

I'm also looking for new tires for my 81 GS850G. Previouly had Metzelers and really liked them. Found a Lasertec for the front (100/90-19), but having difficulty finding a rear in a 120/90-17. Suggestions?

Partial thread hijack
Well, that is because they don't make that tire in that size. (I checked out Metzler's web site. If it is not listed there, it ain't around.)
This is not an unusual problem; you do have to search to find some sizes, and perhaps settle for a different brand. There are those who believe that mixing brands is O.K. (I am not one of them, but that is just me). So you could go Metzler on the front, something else on the rear. Or just find another brand/model that comes in both (my preference).

[baco99]

from what i've read here, and from what my shop is tellng me, you can go with a 130/90-17 in the back and not have any issues, just a little more tire.

i think i've settled on this:


Kenda Challenger. Read some good reviews and seems to handle and wear well. For the amount of riding I do, I don't need a $200 tire.

[Mark M]

from what i've read here, and from what my shop is tellng me, you can go with a 130/90-17 in the back and not have any issues, just a little more tire.

i think i've settled on this:

<snip>

Kenda Challenger. Read some good reviews and seems to handle and wear well. For the amount of riding I do, I don't need a $200 tire.

I have the 130 on my 1100E and it is fine. The narrow rims pinch it a bit and I can't scrub to the edges because of that, but otherwise it's OK. Where are you finding $200 tires? My local shop (read $$$) did BOTH my BT-45's mounted and balanced for around $240. And that's CDN $$$, so yours should be cheaper yet.

Just remember, cheap tires are like cheap helmets. It is the value you place on your bike and body that determines what it's worth to you.

Mark

[baco99]

ok, $200 was an exageration, but for the reviews, this tire seems appropriate for me.

[baco99]

the Kenda tire came in the mail late last week. build quality seems to be good. it's definitely more of a sport bike profile. should be getting it installed tomorrow at the shop. once my brake lines come in, i'll try to post some opinions on the whole setup.

[baco99]

the Kenda tire seems to handle pretty well so far. for my test ride, i hit some rain about 10 minutes into it. the tire seems to like the rain. good cornering, smooth ride, and good grip. i noticed the rear brakes don't lock as easily, even with the SS line, because the tire grips the road better than the Dunlops. i may swap out the front Dunlop with a matching Kenda in the Spring...

[bonanzadave]

Hey baco, lets see a pic of that beast....

Ive always like the look of RWLs but there a pain to keep clean.

[bwringer]

I'm also looking for new tires for my 81 GS850G. Previouly had Metzelers and really liked them. Found a Lasertec for the front (100/90-19), but having difficulty finding a rear in a 120/90-17. Suggestions?

The correct size for the rear on a GS850G is 130/90-17. I think Metzeler has this size in the 880.

[baco99]

Hey baco, lets see a pic of that beast....

Ive always like the look of RWLs but there a pain to keep clean.

nice bike! i stayed with black letter tires. less busy, IMO.

pictures to come once i get it inspected...tomorrow or saturday.

[Road_Clam]

I have a set of Maxxis C6002's, a soft compounded V rated tire thats relatively cheap money. I love em' so far. I have a 140mm in the rear of my 1100E :

http://www.maxxis.com/products/motorcycle/product_detail.asp?id=109

[Steve]

I have Kenda Challengers on my 650 and Cheng Shin Hi-Max on my wife's 850.

The 850 has about 14,000 miles on the Hi-Max set and the rear is finally down to the wear indicators (front still looks decent, but will be changed along with the rear). There is a saw-toothing to the tread blocks, but since it's every tread block, I would not call it 'cupping'. The cupping I have observed on other tires is more irregular and less-frequent in its pattern.

I have no idea how many miles are on the 650's tires. They were installed several years ago just before a trip to North Carolina. That trip was about 1500 miles, total. The bike now just gets used for occasional short runs around the house, just to keep things moving around. My son had it at school for a while and might have taken a short trip with it, so I would have to guess maybe 3,000 miles on it, and most of them by people other than me. The tires still look new, with no discernible wear patterns.

Because the 650 and the 850 handle quite a bit different than my Wing, I do not explore the limits of available ground clearance in the corners. What I can tell you is that both sets of tires feel good on the bikes and that, even with the advanced mileage on the 850's tires, it handled (torrential) rain quite well all day long while coming home from Nebraska in August. \\/

Congrats on getting the Kenda, I think it's much better than the Dunlop cruiser tire.


.

[Muser3]

Tires

It's a pretty good tire. I use it on the rear of my HondaGL1000 and it sticks fine and is Ok in the wet. I ride that bike pretty hard at times and the tire is very secure in the twisties. When the GL1000 came out Honda called it a
"sport bike".
Lee :-D