Tire Sugestiosn for a 1980 GS850L

[nycs10011]

Just a quick question. Need to buy my first set of new tires for a 1980 GS850L. what do you guys use?

[C.V.]

Cheng shin Hi Max if you are on a budget. Great tires, low price.

[Larry D]

Cheng shin Hi Max if you are on a budget. Great tires, low price.

May have a difficult time finding them, they are stopping production at the end of Dec. (or so I've read).

Alot of folks love their Avon Roadriders. I just put on a set of Shinko 712's, haven't really got to ride much though.

Do a search....there's a ton of tire threads.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Bridgstones Spitfire S11 good tire dual compound with decient milage

[bwringer]

Well, at least we haven't had incidents of physical violence from tire threads...


For the L models, Dunlop's Elite III are mighty fine modern tires -- long lasting and great handling. A bit spendy, but if you pile on the miles, well worth the extra dough.



Avon RoadRiders and Pirelli Sport Demons are also excellent -- the Pirellis are perhaps a bit sportier and short-lived, but both stick extremely well and behave themselves beautifully as they wear.

And in case you're wondering, GL riders can use 100/90-19 or MM90-19 tires in front, 130/90-16 or MT90-16 in the rear. Some tires, like the Dunlops, use letter sizes for unknown reasons.

If you're cheap, the Shinko, Kenda, and IRC all seem to make decent rubber.

[highmileage]

I have Dunlop Elite 3's on my '81 1000L. They look great, handle great, and last forever.

Not only is it the absolute best tire for your bike, but many who have E models are jealous because they only make them in the right size for our 'L's.

Bought mine from Chaparral (www.chaparral-racing.com). I live in Lower Slower Delaware. They're in San Bernadino, CA.

Yet when I ordered them over the phone (1-800-841-2960), I received them the very next day (they shipped them out of a warehouse in the Philly area).

Can't beat the tire or the service.

[C.V.]

May have a difficult time finding them, they are stopping production at the end of Dec. (or so I've read).

I heard the same, however, they are still available at BikeBandit...

http://www.bikebandit.com/product/3422

[tkent02]

Avon Roadriders, great tires, great price.
New tech rubber in an old tech size.
Best non-radial tire I have ridden on.

[nycs10011]

Man you guys are quick. Thanks for the tips now I gotta do some shopping around, take advantage of the winder slowdown...

[Steve]

We have Cheng Shin Hi-Max on my wife's 850L, again.

Liked the first set well enough that we did it again. Three riding seasons and 14,000 miles.

I imagine the Dunlop E3s would work well, too. I have them on my Wing and they last forever, so I imagine they would do at least as well on a GS. The last set of E3s on my Wing went just over 21,000 miles, so I did it again.

.

[KamakaziDude]

.... I just put on a set of Shinko 712's, haven't really got to ride much though.

I put a set of 712's on early last summer. I've put about 3k miles on them with no visible sign of wear and they stick really well even on wet roads. I've been extremely happy with their performance.

[twr1776]

All good tire choices, dont forget the suspension upgrades if you have not done them. You will be amazed at the difference with sticky tires and updated suspension.

[Dogma]

Slight hijack:

Are the recommendations different if you have tubeless wheels from an '83 available to put on your '80?

[twr1776]

I do not think so, I am no tire expert but have the Demons and Elite III's on the L model 19" & 16" alum tubless type mag wheels and am very happy with them.

[almarconi]

I like the Bridgestones Spitfire S11's or the Pirelli Route 66. Both are priced right and seem to wear decent.