Time for tires on my 1980 GS1000G, tire options and sizes.

[Jedz123]

Morning
Looks like the GS1000G needs new shoes. Trying to figure out a good set. I know the Bt46 is basically the best tire I can get however I'm on a bit of budget and since it's all dry riding with the GS I was thinking about Shinko tires this time around. I think I rode 1500 local miles on it last season...
What is the widest that can fit on the back of the big block G? I'm just looking at other options as the 120 I had on the bike (IRC) lasted a whopping 1500 miles/1season and is now hitting wear indicators.
I would like to get 3-5K on a rear. The front is just kicked and is old, needs to go, it's a Kenda challenger .
712 is CHEAP and I can get into a set for less then $200, The BT46 is double the price for a set but is it worth it? As is will it last twice as long and handle twice as well?
Been awhile since I bought shoes for a big block GS, I remember running the Dunlop tires on my old 750 back in the mid 2000's and swapped to Shinkos as it would eat a rear tire ever 3000 miles it seemed. I thought about 705s but I ride primarily pavement. I know that tire lasted pretty good on my 750.
Anyway, I did search but kinda getting a mixed bag of data points.
Thanks,

[Eli69]

So I went out and checked what I have on the Ugly. Shinko 712 on the front, Dunlop 404 rear. Probably got them on amazon for whatever seemed like the most reasonable price. Sizes are standard manufacturer recommended. Wear is what I'd consider average. The ugly has full luggage stuff so it's a bit heavy. And I'm sure that at some time in the long distant past it looked as nice as your 1000G.

[Nessism]

100 front and 130 rear are the popular sizes.

Shinko's are decent. They will wear faster than more premium brands. If you are going to be riding the bike a lot, I'd go for a better tire, since that will reduce downtime.

Options seem more limited than they were previously. I just bought tires for my KZ, and options were Shinko 712/230, BT46, Avon Roadrider's, and (expensive) Michelin's. Did Avon ever get up and running making Roadrider's outside of England? I couldn't help wonder since seeing them as available at American Moto tire.

[Jedz123]

100 front and 130 rear are the popular sizes.

Shinko's are decent. They will wear faster than more premium brands. If you are going to be riding the bike a lot, I'd go for a better tire, since that will reduce downtime.

Options seem more limited than they were previously. I just bought tires for my KZ, and options were Shinko 712/230, BT46, Avon Roadrider's, and (expensive) Michelin's. Did Avon ever get up and running making Roadrider's outside of England? I couldn't help wonder since seeing them as available at American Moto tire.

I checked and the Avon's aren't available.

[Nessism]

I checked and the Avon's aren't available.

American Moto Tire has them. Free shipping, also.

[Dogma]

I just ordered a front Avon for mine. The original Roadriders are NLA. Look for Roadrider MK II.

[LAB3]

A promo from J&P Cycle just hit me email, $50 off a set of Battle-axe tires. Unfortunately there's no direct link I can share

[salty_monk]

Personally I prefer the way the Shinko's ride to the original Avon Roadrider (Hate to admit it but I guess Avon's aren't really English any more anyway...)

Roadrider did last twice as long though but when I had 3 bikes in the garage that didn't much matter to me. I guess the Mk 2 is the same tread pattern but possibly different rubber mix - coming out of a different factory using the same tooling I think.

I don't usually ride in rain though.... I did ride the Shinko 705's in rain & they were fine.

[oldGSfan]

Ahhhh tire treads. Anything better? Yes, one thing - OIL threads. I just got Shinko 712s from American Moto Tire (thanks for the tip Ed) rear 130/90-17 was $97, front 100/90-19 was $77. With $15 tax and free delivery that's $190. That is $20 less than anywhere else. The rebates on Michelin and Bridgestone are worth a look at the moment.

AMT are not up to the minute with technology but one week later the fresh, and I mean fresh tires are here. 0724 rear code, 0924 front. The front one is still warm (JK).

The front is the 57H rating, there is also a 62H I think. It will be FINE. They are so supple and should be so easy to install. I had to Sawzall (reciprocating saw) the old one off, a tire iron would have bent the rim.

I had been using Avons on my recent restos but when supply got thin I ran the 712s on my 79 GS1000 and they rode great. I'm no Rossi, but I did feel confident and the tires felt very grippy but also smooth riding. I tend to have so many bikes I spread the mileage around.

[Rob S.]

Pirelli Sport Demons.

[grcamna2]

I like the Shinko 712's which seem to perform and wear good for the $.