77 gs550 needs new tires

[supergrafx]

I need new tires. After reading from either Basscliff, Steve, or BWringer, I noticed with my tires having only 3 digits instead of four where the dot thing is, that they are more than a decade old perhaps. Plus, they are cracking badly, at least the rear one is. I know nothing about tires, and although I will learn to replace tires, I'm thinking just having a shop do them, since there are balancing/wobble issues. I wrote down the size tires I have on now. The rear is a 120/90-18 65H Cheng Shin GS Hi Max. The front is a 100/90-19 57V Bridgestone Battlax. I've tried to research the tire subject, but my tires and in such bad shape that it is important that I just get some sugestions other than making a decision based on no experience what so ever. If you could tell me the best performance/size tires for my 77 gs550 I'd be much appeciative. I need to deal with this asap. I wouldn't be opposed to put on some goot on/off road tires too if any good ones that could fit are further suggested. Thank you all. I'm eagerly awaiting your responses.
~Gabe

[earlfor]

The tire sizes you have on your bike are optimum and I would not change that. I have had good experiences with the cheng Shin Hi Max tires. The last well and have good grip wet or dry. If you're a knee dragging extremist, you would want a softer compound sport tire as the Hi Max is a sport touring tire. I buy them from Tires Unlimited at http://www.tiresunlimited.com/default.htm

Earl

[tkent02]

Avon Roadrider, AM26.

[doctorgonzo]

Yep, sizes are right, heard people speak well of the cheng shin, pirelli makes a nice performance tire (but little pricey at about $90 each). ANY new tire is going to feel like a different bike with those old moldys you have now gone.

[supergrafx]

Thanks guys,
I was a little unsure of the sizes since I thought the front being 100/90-19 and the rear being 120/90-18, the last digit 19 was higher than the 18 on the rear. I guess I'll go with the Avon roadriders AM26 Tkent. I rode the bike to work today and it did feel worse than any other day riding, perhaps just psychologically knowing the tires were in such bad shape. Since I'm probably going to spend much more than necessary to have the shop mount em', they mise' as well be some nice ones. So I'll go ahead and order those from tiresunlimited since I see them listed. Just to confirm, I'm getting AM26's for both the rear and front, correct? Also, is there anything else I'll need like inner tubes. Sorry about not knowing, all I know is I have spoked wheels, no nothing of whether they are tubeless or not, but common sense tells me they must have inner tubes in them since I have spokes...

[earlfor]

Thanks guys,
I was a little unsure of the sizes since I thought the front being 100/90-19 and the rear being 120/90-18, the last digit 19 was higher than the 18 on the rear. I guess I'll go with the Avon roadriders AM26 Tkent. I rode the bike to work today and it did feel worse than any other day riding, perhaps just psychologically knowing the tires were in such bad shape. Since I'm probably going to spend much more than necessary to have the shop mount em', they mise' as well be some nice ones. So I'll go ahead and order those from tiresunlimited since I see them listed. Just to confirm, I'm getting AM26's for both the rear and front, correct? Also, is there anything else I'll need like inner tubes. Sorry about not knowing, all I know is I have spoked wheels, no nothing of whether they are tubeless or not, but common sense tells me they must have inner tubes in them since I have spokes...

You will need tubes if you have spoked wheels. Yes, you want the Avon 26 style, just note they are listed front and rear on the tires unlimited site.
The tires sizes break down (example 120/90-18) to 120 mm wide, sidewall height 90% of width, fits 18 inch rim.

Earl

[supergrafx]

Earl,
thanks for breaking it down for me. I had no idea what that equation of digits referred to but now understand. thank you so much. I'm going to place the order right now.

[bwringer]

Has the shop told you it's OK for you to order your own tires and have them mount the tires?

Some shops will do this, and some will not mount tires unless you order the tires through them so they can make a few more bucks.

[supergrafx]

Good afternoon BWringer! I just called a shop up in a neighborhood close to mine and spoke to one of the mechanics. Was quoted 57 bucks for the front and 68 for the rear tire. I asked if was ok to bring in my own tires and he said it was fine and he didn't mind if not gotten from the shop, so come Saturday, if I have the tires in the mail in time, and if given trouble at the shop, I'll refer to what I was quoted.

[Rover]

Get rim strips also.

[duaneage]

In would also get new tubes. Water gets in there and the tube gets a little messed up to say the least. I just did the front on my Yamaha and I went with new tube and rim strip.

There might be a lot of rust in there. It would be wonderful if the mechanic could clean up the rim a bit when he has it off but that takes a bit o' time.