tire recomendation questions

[Crazy_Russian]

good day, so its time for me to get new tires (the rear one for shore as its bold in the middle) i was looking at Dunlap GT501 or SportMAX. what would you guys recommend? I use the bike on daily bases to and from work, i also use it on long trips and some curvy roads thrum the mountains, so im trying to find a good all around tires, what would you guys recommend?

[Steve]

I don't have any experience with either of those tires, so can't tell you whether they are any good, but many of us have switched to the Shinko 230 Tour Master. If you mount them yourself (not really all that hard), Motorcycle Superstore will ship a pair to your doorstep for around $130. That's right, A PAIR, as in BOTH TIRES for $130.

Recommended sizes would be 100/90-19 for the front, and 120/90-17 for the rear, but they only carry a 130. Depending on the width of your rear rim, you might get away with it.

.

[DanTheMan]

Motorcycle Superstore is also having an extra 5% off on Pirelli, Metzler and Bridgestone tires until the 31st. I stay away from Dunlops because they generally don't last beyond 3000 miles on the rear for me, and the Pirellis have been getting 6-8k before I have to replace the rear. Fronts I usually get double. I put a Bridgestone Battleax on the 1100G last year, it's worn out now at 5500 miles, still much better than any Dunlop I ever ran on the bike.

[bbjumper]

I don't have any experience with either of those tires, so can't tell you whether they are any good, but many of us have switched to the Shinko 230 Tour Master. If you mount them yourself (not really all that hard), Motorcycle Superstore will ship a pair to your doorstep for around $130. That's right, A PAIR, as in BOTH TIRES for $130.

.

Steve,

I have a pair of Michelin Pilot Activs on my GS and have great luck with them. I have around 11k on them now and they look like they will be good for another 4k is my guess. Compared to the Shinko's they are pricey at around $ 220.00 per set. What kind of life do you get out of the Shinko's?

[duaneage]

I have used IRC Duotour 310 tires front and rear for 8 years and like them a lot.

[kb_air]

Steve,

I have a pair of Michelin Pilot Activs on my GS and have great luck with them. I have around 11k on them now and they look like they will be good for another 4k is my guess. Compared to the Shinko's they are pricey at around $ 220.00 per set. What kind of life do you get out of the Shinko's?

anyone know the tire conversions from european to american? my haynes says i need 19x3.25 h19 and 18x4.00 h18. what does that come out to?

[Crazy_Russian]

I have used IRC Duotour 310 tires front and rear for 8 years and like them a lot.

how long do they last? how do they handle in different conditions?

[Nicolas1982]

anyone know the tire conversions from european to american? my haynes says i need 19x3.25 h19 and 18x4.00 h18. what does that come out to?

This should help:

http://www.steelthundercc.com/tiresizes.html

You need 90/90 or 100/90 on front, and 120/90 for rear.

I'm curious about one thing though, a lot of people tells me NOT to put 110/90/19 tire on the front, on 1,85x19 rim, unless i get a wider one (2,15x19 from gs 1000/1100). I've seen a lot of bikes with the same rim width (1,85x19) and they had no problems at all with 110/90 tires.
What's so special with Suzuki rims then?

[kb_air]

This should help:

http://www.steelthundercc.com/tiresizes.html

You need 90/90 or 100/90 on front, and 120/90 for rear.

I'm curious about one thing though, a lot of people tells me NOT to put 110/90/19 tire on the front, on 1,85x19 rim, unless i get a wider one (2,15x19 from gs 1000/1100). I've seen a lot of bikes with the same rim width (1,85x19) and they had no problems at all with 110/90 tires.
What's so special with Suzuki rims then?

you rock. thanks oh, and i have no idea. never heard that.

[kb_air]

I don't have any experience with either of those tires, so can't tell you whether they are any good, but many of us have switched to the Shinko 230 Tour Master. If you mount them yourself (not really all that hard), Motorcycle Superstore will ship a pair to your doorstep for around $130. That's right, A PAIR, as in BOTH TIRES for $130.

Recommended sizes would be 100/90-19 for the front, and 120/90-17 for the rear, but they only carry a 130. Depending on the width of your rear rim, you might get away with it.

.

i just ordered these, free shipping and 130 bucks for the set. not to shabby.

[bbjumper]

Still checking,

Most of the reviews that I have read on the Shinko's complain about the short tire life, some as low as 5k. Any one have experience with these?

I'm looking at a minimum of 15k with my Michelin's which makes them a great deal if the reviews are accurate.

Thanks,

[Steve]

Most of the reviews that I have read on the Shinko's complain about the short tire life, some as low as 5k. Any one have experience with these?

We have been asking that same question for quite a while now, and either nobody has worn them out, or they have simply not bothered to come back and tell us.

.

[7981GS]

I only have about 1,000 miles on the oldest one that I bought and it still looks brand new.
Perhaps someone has put more miles on their's and will report back?

Eric

[bbjumper]

Thanks Guys,

I'm planning on a new set before I leave for the adventure to Yellowstone with MiloBramble in August. Sounds like a great opportunity for a road test don't ya think?

By the way Eric, as Mark said, don't know what your schedule is but it would be fun to have you join us at some point if your up to it.

Cheers

[ronin1166]

Another option: Bridgestone BT-45 Battlax.
Dual-compound construction: Harder (longer-wearing) in the center, softer (higher-grip) on the sides.

I have them on a '79 KZ1000ST (similar size/wt/geometry as the bigger GSes), and I love them.
Long-wearing, light, neutral handling, and amazing grip, especially in the wet.
Pricing is competitive also, around $105 per tire from most online vendors.

They make the Dunlop GT-501 on my Ninja 900 feel like its made of wood.
Decent grip, but feedback is kind of vague, and they don't seem to live very long.
And it has stepped out on me a few times with NO warning. I'm done with the GT501.
It's about shot, it will be replaced with a BT-45V.

.