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SpankMe
29th August 2005, 20:41
Just wondering what tires are used on your GB500 / GB400 bikes.

Mine came with Dunlop TT100's and I've just replaced them with Pirelli Sport Demons (F: 100/90, R: 120:90). First thing I noticed that they raised the seat height as I could no longer get my feet flat on the ground.

The main problem is that the front is a really tight fit. The right sometimes rubs against the mudguard but only very slightly. I'm goona have to bend it a bit. Overall they are good tires and an improvement on cornering over the Dunlop’s. But I've found that I'm 10kph down on top speed, not that top speed is that important on this kind of bike anyway.

This site (http://foreven.com/motorcycles/Tyres/HoGB500.htm) has a lot of suggestions.
froggyfrenchman
29th August 2005, 20:42
have owned a few gbs, i swear by the sports demon!
SpankMe
29th August 2005, 20:52
So did you have the same fitting problem on the front?
GB500nz
29th August 2005, 21:39
Easy mistake to make: you've got the wrong size on. The GB handles way better with 90/90-18 on the front and 110/90-18 on the back. A friend with a much-modified GB stuck the bigger tyres on because he thought he needed them for the extra power and was very unhappy with the result. DO NOT ride the thing with that front tyre on -- it'll hook into the mudguard and flip you ass over tip.
Most GB people prefer Metzler 33s on the front and 66s or 67s on the back.
Bonez
30th August 2005, 11:04
Metzeler ME 33 90/90 on the front and Barracuda 100/90 on the back-couldn't get an ME55 that size. ME33s are not as fat a profile as other brands and a 100/90 should fit quite easily up front. Went down a size on the back. Seems to suit the bike well. Did the Pahongina valley road, Apiti, Ohingaiti, Viniger Hill loop on the weekend and no problems at all. Very stable and controllable even on the bits of road that didn't see any sun- read very slippery. 120 on the rear is just over tyring the things IMHO.
SpankMe
31st August 2005, 13:56
Colemans have said they are going to replace the front tyre for me with a 90/90. :niceone: Not sure what yet, they are looking to see whats available.
Lou Girardin
31st August 2005, 15:44
Colemans have said they are going to replace the front tyre for me with a 90/90. :niceone: Not sure what yet, they are looking to see whats available.

Metzeler ME33 is one of the best cross ply sport tyres. Give me a call if they can't get you one.
DogBreath
2nd September 2005, 00:05
On the subject of tyres, my Goose has just worn through its first set, Dunlop D102 140/70-17's. I found them great, but I'm returning to biking from loooong lay-off, and don't know shit from clay when it comes to tyres.
Can anyone recommend a tyre better than the BT45? I commute on country (read winding) roads, and want an all-weather tyre, I don't mind trading a bit of wear for stickiness, and I doooo like to lay it on a bit.
Any suggestions?
GB500nz
2nd September 2005, 22:31
They say the BT45's good, but I still prefer Metzlers: 33s front, 60 or 70 series rear. Last tyre change they didn't have Metz so I agreed on a Pirelli front. It's OK, but nowhere near as stable. I won't do that again.
pritch
3rd September 2005, 15:13
I've found that I'm 10kph down on top speed

Umm if the new tyres have a greater diameter than the originals, and from your comment about them keeping you on your toes, it would seem they do.

That would raise the gearing of the bike a little. It could possibly also change the way the speedo reads depending on the mechanics of the thing?
Two Smoker
3rd September 2005, 15:16
Colemans have said they are going to replace the front tyre for me with a 90/90. :niceone: Not sure what yet, they are looking to see whats available.

not too much around in that size... i think the Pirelli MT75 comes in that size...
SpankMe
3rd September 2005, 15:43
Yep, had a Pirelli MT75 fitted yesterday. Will keep the 120 rear until it wears out, then replace it with a 110 or 100.
Paul in NZ
3rd September 2005, 18:53
Ah... The world of skinny tyred bikes...

Yes - the Metz 33 IS the most universal , bestus front tyre EVER. Designed to work with nearly every rear.

BUT

Last 2 I've had don't feel quite as bomb proof in the wet as the earlier one though? (probably just me) I can recommend a Metz 99 rear. It was designed for proddie racing and wears out real fast but is brill on the Guzzi.

On the trumpy - Avon AM18 / 23 combo.... Scary good but really don't work on La Guzzi (too heavy??) Nice round profile for a even tipping into bends..

Cheers

ps - BT45 don't really work for me but shoulda tried em front and rear I suppose...
Ixion
3rd September 2005, 23:59
..

ps - BT45 don't really work for me but shoulda tried em front and rear I suppose...

I reckon you need a light bike for BT45s. Guzzi's probably too heavy. I reckon they're good on Li'l ratty, but he only weighs in at about 130 kg
Paul in NZ
4th September 2005, 11:16
I reckon you need a light bike for BT45s. Guzzi's probably too heavy. I reckon they're good on Li'l ratty, but he only weighs in at about 130 kg

The Moto Guzzi guys in Aussie swear by them for long life and acceptable grip but I think our roads chew them up quickly enough to make it barely worthwhile. Good price though!
Two Smoker
4th September 2005, 11:17
I reckon you need a light bike for BT45s. Guzzi's probably too heavy. I reckon they're good on Li'l ratty, but he only weighs in at about 130 kg

Depends on the aspect of your riding... personally i found the BT45's to be the worst tyre i have ever used, spin up out of corners, slide around heaps, and thats on the RG!!! All depends on how you ride...
Ixion
4th September 2005, 12:06
Depends on the aspect of your riding... personally i found the BT45's to be the worst tyre i have ever used, spin up out of corners, slide around heaps, and thats on the RG!!! All depends on how you ride...

Amy depend a bit on the power curve too? Peaky two smoker versus quite flat curve 4 stroke single?. Haven't had 'em spin (but not likely to on a thumper) , and they don't slide until they roll over the tread shoulder (which admittedly happens a bit earlier than I'd like)

EDIT:. Don't know what life would be, they were on the bike when I got him. Haven't seen much wear in 6000k, and still a good bit of tread left. But as Mr Two Smoker says, probably depends on how you ride, and I've always been gentle on brakes and tyres. The T500 tyres used to sort of expire of general old age still with tread left.
Two Smoker
4th September 2005, 12:14
Amy depend a bit on the power curve too? Peaky two smoker versus quite flat curve 4 stroke single?. Haven't had 'em spin (but not likely to on a thumper) , and they don't slide until they roll over the tread shoulder (which admittedly happens a bit earlier than I'd like)


Yep definately less likely to spin up on a thumper... but they didnt have the "stick" i wanted...
DogBreath
4th September 2005, 21:34
Well, I now have a BT45 on the rear and the front is coming Tuesday. I wore the D102's out under 7000k, which is a bit quick I thought. Also fell off the tread shoulder once soon after buying the bike, shit myself...
Went for the exact same profile with the bridgestones, no sense pushing my luck.
Waddabout a thread for tyre experiences? Might get some interesting/valuable history.
Anyway, I'll report in a month on how they go.
SpankMe
19th October 2006, 15:37
Shit, there's fuck all choice for 90/90-18 sport tyres. The GB needs a new front and it currently has a Pirelli MT75 which has been bloody good but they don't do them any more. Sport Demons don't do a 90/90 and the City Demon is not really a sport tyre.

I'm gonna have to get a Metzeler ME 33 which is more expensive. :( I'm still gonna get a Sport Demon for the rear as they are just as good as the matching Metzeler rear, but much cheaper.
sAsLEX
19th October 2006, 15:40
Shit, there's fuck all choice for 90/90-18 sport tyres. The GB needs a new front and it currently has a Pirelli MT75 which has been bloody good but they don't do them any more. Sport Demons don't do a 90/90 and the City Demon is not really a sport tyre.

I'm gonna have to get a Metzeler ME 33 which is more expensive. :( I'm still gonna get a Sport Demon for the rear as they are just as good as the matching Metzeler rear, but much cheaper.

Why you not go up the ramp at Cycle treads? Was you there today lunchish?
SpankMe
19th October 2006, 15:50
Yep, was hanging around there today.
Kickaha
19th October 2006, 16:42
Shit, there's fuck all choice for 90/90-18 sport tyres.



BT45 Bridgestone I race my RD350LC on them and they are good :yes:
Bonez
19th October 2006, 17:07
Shit, there's fuck all choice for 90/90-18 sport tyres. ME33s have been replaced with Lasertechs here in Palmerston North. Must still be a bit of old stock up your way. What are they selling for? I use a Baracuda rear on my GB400 and believe me when I say it is an underated tyre.
Posh Tourer :P
20th October 2006, 00:02
I think the BT45 comes in that. A dual compound means they have better stick on the outsides, but wear is as good as an ME33. I`ve done both on BMWs and BT45s on the XJ600, with no problems. But, the BT45s don`t like being pissed on by dogs - it makes them go hard - and also they upset the BM slightly because the centre tread isnt linear. The blocks on every BT45 I`ve had have worn unevenly but I`ve had complete confidence in them, to deck pegs on a fully loaded R100 and a little wee Bros too.... They definitely have more stick in the wet than the Metzelers IMHO.

I didnt get to the edge of the BT45s, but then a Bros and a loaded R100 arent good measures. Never tried the XJ that hard although I never felt on the limit of the tyres.... I guess if you have the GB500TT you might have a running out of tread problem, although the BT45 is quite round....

Oh and the only ones I wore out were on the BM - 7250miles rear and 8500 miles front - doing a lot of 80mph riding....