Suitable tyres for a GS500?

[GrayWolf]

Lots of questions!

Not a commuter... I live on site
Will mainly be used for road trips, 100+ kms at a time
Not looking at doing any track days in the near future
Still on my learners so no pillion
Budget is flexible but don't want to spend 3 or 4 hundred per tyre

Hope this helps you guys help me!

it's not a heavy or 'powerful' bike... Bikes like my ZZR (240kg) or the MT (260kg) are really hard on the softer compound tyres. Although its a twin the torque is low so you wont 'shred' the tyre with the 'power pulses' you get from singles or high torque twins.
Unless you are going to be going 'hard out' most of the stickier sprot tyres wear out a lot faster than 'touring' or commuter tyres. Reality is the extra stickiness is a 'nice to have' but it isnt a pre requisite. The modern budget tyre far exceeds what many of us used to ride on 30 yrs ago on 1000cc 'superbikes'. If you want to do rides with lots of corners later on, then the dual compound sport/touring tyres are a good option.... harder rubber in the centre for longevity, softer compound on the edges. I use the BT23 (high load) on the MT and have had very good results for mileage, and I have NO issues in the handling dept... Although I am sure that some of the more 'exuberent' riders (like Drew ) would say they can find the tyres 'limit'... and my 'chicken strips' are pretty small.

[GrayWolf]

Ok, so, technicalish question...

If I get new tyres fitted on my days off (wed, thur, fri), will they be ok for the Pro Rider course next weekend?

I won't get much time to ride on my days off (previous commitments), but there is the ride to Taupo which I will be doing after work the day before. Probably leaving home around 7pm (just incase that little bit of info makes a difference...)

Otherwise I could just get them after the course...

Any input would be muchly appreciated!

rough rule of thumb is be aware for about 100-150 km's... Tyres will quickly scrub in in the centre (high usage) but the angle of lean and amount of leaning dictates how long it needs to scrub in the sides and edges.... so 20-50k's? the centre and immediate tread to the sides will be just about done... then just remember to be aware as you tip the bike into corners... especially in the wet for a while. By the time you've done a tank of gas? they should be well sorted....

[MystikEagle]

Thanks alot guys! Looks like the bike will be getting new tyres wednesday ish then

[MystikEagle]

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that I got new tyres today. BT 25's I think, not sure on the number.

Went back into Hamilton tonight and went for a group ride to raglan and back. The new tyres made such a huge difference! I didn't realise how hard I was working to lean the bike around corners before. It is so much easier now and I think I'm leaning almost twice as far and cornering about 10km faster!

I really feel so much more confident now!

[ducatilover]

Bring it over to Te Puke and I'll pull some fully sick wheelies on it?

[ckai]

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that I got new tyres today. BT 25's I think, not sure on the number.

Went back into Hamilton tonight and went for a group ride to raglan and back. The new tyres made such a huge difference! I didn't realise how hard I was working to lean the bike around corners before. It is so much easier now and I think I'm leaning almost twice as far and cornering about 10km faster!

I really feel so much more confident now!

Yip, tyres make a huge difference that's why it's an asshole buying themSome people don't like how some tip, some don't like grip on the edges of others, some don't like how some slide. I suppose that's a good thing you can chew through the rubber on a bike and try a different set if one doesn't work for you.

You'll certainly scrub those tyres in more on Sunday

[Geeen]

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that I got new tyres today. BT 25's I think, not sure on the number.

Went back into Hamilton tonight and went for a group ride to raglan and back. The new tyres made such a huge difference! I didn't realise how hard I was working to lean the bike around corners before. It is so much easier now and I think I'm leaning almost twice as far and cornering about 10km faster!

I really feel so much more confident now!

Nothing like fresh rubber... Looking forward to Sunday

[neels]

Went back into Hamilton tonight and went for a group ride to raglan and back. The new tyres made such a huge difference! I didn't realise how hard I was working to lean the bike around corners before. It is so much easier now and I think I'm leaning almost twice as far and cornering about 10km faster!

Yep, amazing the difference it makes. When I got new tyres on my old bike, first corner I chucked it over like I'd been doing previously and just about steered straight into a bus shelter, so much easier to turn.

[MystikEagle]

Yep, amazing the difference it makes. When I got new tyres on my old bike, first corner I chucked it over like I'd been doing previously and just about steered straight into a bus shelter, so much easier to turn.

That's kinda what happened to me. Took it easy for a little bit but got to a corner and went to lean it over like normal and was like, hello road, where did you come from?!