Best Tires for 83 GS1100E ?

[steve lebow]

What are the best tires to get for an 83 GS1100E
I do a lot of high speed running over 120
I dont care how long they last
The bike now has a set of old dunlop tires and feels unstable over
100 mph. :shock:
I changed the shocks to progressive units which helped a little, but the tires
should have been done first.
I will be rebuilding the front forks with new springs and seals plus i a putting in new tapered needle bearings in the head.

Thanks
Steve

[Steve]

I do a lot of high speed running over 120

Yeah that morning commute on I-95 can be a real pain. :shock:

Wow, can't pull out a specific recommendation for those parameters, but just about any of the tires would work. I have run Dunlop E3 tires on my Wing, but not at those kinds of speeds. The tires are rated for that speed, and they tend to last a while, so maybe their durability will offset the extra wear due to the high speeds.


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[bonanzadave]

What are the best tires to get for an 83 GS1100E
I will be rebuilding the front forks with new springs and seals plus i a putting in new tapered needle bearings in the head.

Thanks
Steve

I think youre going to hear Pirelli Sport Demons from a few people around here. Especially if your running 3 digits. Any air in those forks ? Are you looking at the front end for any reason ? Any wobble or weave ? Seems like most do. I overhauled my front end because of weave and am still trying to get it set up right. I think the headbearing torque is key.

[rphillips]

Not Dunlops!!! At those speeds, you need a soft sticky tire. From the experience I've had with Dunlops, & I've tried several over the years, they wear fast, like they are soft, but they aren't sticky. Maybe Pirelli Sport Demons, or a sporty Metzler, if you can find one in your size. Everyone will have an opinion. but that's my opinion, & it ought to be yours.

[twr1776]

Changing the front springs and getting sticky tires will make an amazing change to the handling of your bike. I have the Demons per the recommendations of Joe N, Brian W and others and they are worth every penny. With the speeds your are running you might also consider upgrading the front and rear wheel bearings to the All Balls replacements while you have the wheels off. I only touch three digits on rare occasions and the Demons feel very planted on the road.

[49er]

Changing the front springs and getting sticky tires will make an amazing change to the handling of your bike. I have the Demons per the recommendations of Joe N, Brian W and others and they are worth every penny. With the speeds your are running you might also consider upgrading the front and rear wheel bearings to the All Balls replacements while you have the wheels off. I only touch three digits on rare occasions and the Demons feel very planted on the road.

Another vote for Sport Demons. They are very sound at 3 digits. They will wear quicker than some others though. Quite a sticky compound. What price do you put on safety? You can run higher pressures and still be sure footed.

[bwringer]

Pirelli Sport Demons or Avon RoadRiders, hands down.

Both are excellent handling tires, both are V speed rated (149+mph, I think), and both are thoroughly modern tire designs.

The Avons are a bit pointier and quicker steering than the Pirellis, they last a bit longer, and they're significantly cheaper than the Pirellis. So guess what's on my bike right now... :mrgreen:

There are also other excellent V-rated tires in GS sizes, including the Bridgestone BT45 and the Michelin M50/A50. I haven't tried either, but I'm sure they're also great.

Many also swear by their Metzelers.