Suitable tyres for a GS500?

[Katman]

Out of interest, are there any issues putting radials on a bike that was originally designed for bias ply tyres?

Not really any issues if you can find radials in the correct sizes.

[jim.cox]

Not really any issues if you can find radials in the correct sizes.

You should replace both tyres though.

Mix and match radial and bias ply is not a good idea

[Katman]

You should replace both tyres though.

Mix and match radial and bias ply is not a good idea

Yes, I meant correct sizes as in both correct sizes.

[MystikEagle]

Here are some better photos of the current tyres



They are a Road Winner...

[ducatilover]

Here are some better photos of the current tyres



They are a Road Winner...

IRC RX-01 f and r respectively, to be precise my dear Watson.
They're cheap shitty nylon puss and should be thrown away

Katman has nailed the hit on the hammer with the head in his first post.
I've always liked Sport Demons, run them on all my smaller bikes and never had an issue, good all round rubber.
BT45s are in the same class too
Never tried Lasertechs, but they're supposed to be great

[MystikEagle]

IRC RX-01 f and r respectively, to be precise my dear Watson.
They're cheap shitty nylon puss and should be thrown away

Katman has nailed the hit on the hammer with the head in his first post.
I've always liked Sport Demons, run them on all my smaller bikes and never had an issue, good all round rubber.
BT45s are in the same class too
Never tried Lasertechs, but they're supposed to be great

Thanks alot for that!

Do you have to go to a bike shop for tyres or can you get them from a tyre shop? My bike has a weird chain (o ring I think, and doesn't have an un-doing link), will this make a difference to who can change them for me?

If you can't tell already... I know nothing much about bikes I am slowly learning though...

[Captain_Salty]

Some tyre shops sell bike tyres but don't let them talk you into some cheap crap they might have in stock.
I have a Dunlop GT501 on the front and BT45 at the rear. My local suzuki shop have BT45's on their GS loan bike

[ducatilover]

Thanks alot for that!

Do you have to go to a bike shop for tyres or can you get them from a tyre shop? My bike has a weird chain (o ring I think, and doesn't have an un-doing link), will this make a difference to who can change them for me?

If you can't tell already... I know nothing much about bikes I am slowly learning though...

Chain makes no difference for tyre changing.
You can buy and fit them at a local bike shop, I don't know any tyre retailers who will bring bike tyres in (silly, I know)
I change my own ones, but that's a different kettle of unicorn.

[MystikEagle]

Ok, so I have three tyres to look into (BT45, Sport Demon and Lasertech) and I will need to go to a bike shop to buy them and get them fitted (and balanced?)...

Also, are all types suitable for front and back? Is there any variation in the brand? Want to know all I can so I don't get taken for a ride being a "vulnerable" female...

[Geeen]

Want to know all I can so I don't get taken for a ride being a "vulnerable" female...

If you go to a DECENT bike shop this shouldn't happen. The best parts sales people I have dealt with were both chicks. Karen who works at Bayride in Tauranga and now Kat at Hamilton Motorcycles. Both very good at their jobs. If you listen to the people on here who know their stuff ( Katman, Crasher and others who are in the industry) you wont go far wrong

[neels]

Here are some better photos of the current tyres

Without even knowing what they are, they look horrid.

I have a Dunlop GT501 on the front and BT45 at the rear.

I had GT501's on my XJ which seemed OK, but the new BT45's that replaced them were much nicer, could just be the newer tyres but I trusted them a whole lot more

Ok, so I have three tyres to look into (BT45, Sport Demon and Lasertech) and I will need to go to a bike shop to buy them and get them fitted (and balanced?)...

Also, are all types suitable for front and back? Is there any variation in the brand? Want to know all I can so I don't get taken for a ride being a "vulnerable" female...

Bike tyres are specifically front or rear, and unless you have really odd sized wheels (it appears from Katman's earlier post that you don't) you should have no problem getting a matching set.

Ring some bike shops for prices, they may need to get the tyres in for you which could take a couple of days. I'm lazy so I ride the bike there, go for a walk and get a coffee while they take the wheels off and fit the tyres, pay the extra few bucks for their time and ride home.

[MystikEagle]

If you go to a DECENT bike shop this shouldn't happen. The best parts sales people I have dealt with were both chicks. Karen who works at Bayride in Tauranga and now Kat at Hamilton Motorcycles. Both very good at their jobs. If you listen to the people on here who know their stuff ( Katman, Crasher and others who are in the industry) you wont go far wrong

Thanks! I was thinking I will go into Hamilton Motorcycles next days off. How long does it take for tyres to get changed?

[tbs]

Those Road Winners on there are horrible horrible tires. They lack any sort of feel and don't grip very well, especially in the wet. Mine fought me when I tried to turn the bike too.

I liked the Sport Demons when I had a smaller bike. Really confidence inspiring and a cool looking tread pattern. Kiwifruit is a track instructor and knows his stuff, so if he says Lazertech, then you can be sure they'll be great.

Change both at the same time. Katman has given you the sizes that are correct for your bike. The front and rear tires are supposed to be different, so just get a set fitted. Don't mix brands.

Whichever brand, Dunlop, Metzler or Pirelli, your bike will feel much better!

[nathanwhite]

How long does it take for tyres to get changed?

1-2 hours depening on how caffinated the mechanic is and some other things too I think.

[tbs]

I was going to say about an hour. By the way, take it easy on the new tires for while. They tend to be quite slippery until whatever coating they come covered in gets scrubbed off. Whoever fits your tires should tell you about that anyway.