tires

[Guest]

what tire sizes and brands are you running with your GS1000 stock wheels that you like? coming from a sport-bike with endless options, I need some feedback. looking for something that handles well.

Thanks in advance!

[80GS1000]

I liked the Pirelli Sport Demons when I had stock wheels on my GS1000.

[Nessism]

There are a large number of different threads on this topic and as you might imagine there are lots of different opinions. Avon Roadriders seem to be the forum favorite but they have some history of cracking. Sport Demons are the popular choice with guys that insist on grip and don't mind paying for it with shorter life. Shinko's, 712 and 230, are the value leaders. And then there are lots of other options that you can't go wrong with either like the Conti Go, BT45, and others. Lots of choices. On the negative side I'd stay away from Kenda Challengers since they have a poor reputation in the wet. Don't want to say cheap tires suck because the Shinko's are decent, but a little short lived.

[bwringer]

"GS1000" doesn't narrow things down much.

What year?

Chain or shaftie?

E, G, or GL?

Put this info in your signature for easy reference.



Anyway, yeah, the Shinko 712 or 230 are excellent choices, great grip wet or dry, and very economical, but they're known to not last incredibly long. I tend to ride at, er, elevated velocities and lean angles, but I only put a few thousand miles per year on my '83 GS850G. I spoon on a fresh set of Shinkos every year and I've always got fresh buns.

Back when my GS was my only bike, I usually used the Avon RoadRiders. Excellent stick and well-behaved, and about twice the life of the Shinkos. More expensive, but the cost per mile works out better if you ride a lot.

If you need that last 1% of ultimate grip for racing or track days, the Pirelli Sport Demons are usually considered the ultimate in stickiness, but it's by a very narrow margin. They're also expensive and short-lived.


Those are the main "usual" recommendations.


There are some others out there, but availability sometimes depends on your bike, which we don't know enough about yet. For example, there are Dunlops, Metzelers, and Michelins that are only available in some GS sizes.