switch to non off road tyres on my GSA

[MerrickCampbell]

I have just got back from 1000 miles in the North trip and several guys on thier sportsbikes or sports tourers suggested I change to road tyres and forget any of the semi off road capability. My Tourances are a bit squared off and near the end of thier life and as my skills are rising (a bit!) it makes sense what these seriously quick and very experinced guys were suggesting. I dont go off road and try and tour on as many empty B roads as possible. they say I am ready to take my IAM test and I feel I am now doing a better job in the twisties. I accept road tyres on as GS look a bit odd but any advice please? Obvioulsly good in the wet is a major consideration. Thanks for any suggestions as I want to get them this week.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Conti trail attacks or road attacks seem popular. They work for me

 

[MIKA]

Another for Road Attacks, on my second set, now RA 2 which are better than the first generation RA.

Might be tempted for the Dunlop Roadsmarts that are getting a very good name on here and other forums as well but they are a good bit more expensive than the Conti's at the moment.

 

[bmwrover]

I have the "old" Metzeler Z6: very sticky and very light (quick) handling on the 1200 GSA
Like them a lot.

 

[LBL]

Conti trial attacks for me on my third set and i dont go off road.

 

[RichieS]

Tyres

Conti Trail Attacks for me as well. They seem to be the Bridgestone BT021s of the big Traillee world. Good grip in all conditions and i got over 8k from my last rear....and i am not that gentle on them

Richie

 

[SVENA]

Conti trail attacks or road attacks seem popular. They work for me

2nd set road attacks

 

[Yorkie]

Hope this helps

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/general/links/news/cta_testwinner_en.pdf

 

[UturnTony]

Conti trail attacks or road attacks seem popular. They work for me



agreed.

on my second rear, front still got life in it. excellent dual pupose tyre

 

[red line]

been loving the conti trail attacks, my 2nd set, but lately the rear has been spinning on the wet and dont have any confidence in the wet with them as i used to, nearly had a big highside last week coming round a fast corner in 4th, so now looking at the BT’s……was looking at the road attacks, but been told many time by sport bikers that they are shite….

 

[APE]

have tried both the road and trail attacks and prefer the Dunlop Roadsmart - awesome wet weather grip - they've been brilliant in all conditions. 5k miles so far and still plenty of life left on the rear. If you are used to dual purpose tyres they will transform your bike imo

 

[Stretchamus]

Conti Trial Attacks

Trial Attacks now, Trial Attacks next time

 

[Achim]

[...] prefer the Dunlop Roadsmart - awesome wet weather grip - they've been brilliant in all conditions. 5k miles so far and still plenty of life left on the rear. If you are used to dual purpose tyres they will transform your bike imo

+1. I have 9,000m on mine at they are good for another 2,000 or so. Superb tyre.

Never liked Contis. Vastly overrated. YMMV.

 

[muppix]

My Tourances are a bit squared off and near the end of thier life and as my skills are rising (a bit!) it makes sense what these seriously quick and very experinced guys were suggesting.

Does it? Sorry, but I don't follow the logic there.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I cant really argue either way to be honest. I havent used pure road tyres on my GSA but I went from semi to full on my TDM. I put a set of road attacks on and thought they were great. That said I did my Scotland tour on the GSA with a fresh set of original Tourance tyres and they were good enough to land the stands on the road giving it some on the bends without even a twitch. Basically the bike cant use any more grip if it cant lean any further anyway. Pure road tyres are quieter and give a little less vibration but for me anyway they both grip equally well although I would say the Tourances are possibly a bit better in the wet, I went from Tourances to road attacks on the TDM by the way.

 

[MerrickCampbell]

Does it? Sorry, but I don't follow the logic there.

i was simply saying that my Tourances are nearing he end of thier life and a group of friends said I would enjoy it if I changed to a sports/touring tyre rsther than the dual purpose tyre such as the Tourance. I know I wouldnt use any tyre to its limit but hey if one would give better grip (in dry and wet) generallly feel better on road and be more suited to heavenly curvy national limit 'B' roads then thats what I want. dunlop roadsmarts are well thought of
it seems

 

[tonkatoy]

i was simply saying that my Tourances are nearing he end of thier life and a group of friends said I would enjoy it if I changed to a sports/touring tyre rsther than the dual purpose tyre such as the Tourance. I know I wouldnt use any tyre to its limit but hey if one would give better grip (in dry and wet) generallly feel better on road and be more suited to heavenly curvy national limit 'B' roads then thats what I want. dunlop roadsmarts are well thought of
it seems

If you wouldn't use any tyre to it's limit then why change ?

You can scrape things on the GS on TKC80 knobblies so what advantage do you hope to gain ?

but in the end it's all down to personal preference, so go with whatever floats your boat.

But if you're after sports bike performance - try a sports bike not a GS. There you go, justification to buy a second bike.

Next problem !!

 

[Balders1450]

Had some Trail Attacks fitted a month ago, now done 3800 miles on Alps trip, THE best tyre I've had on GSA, feel, grip everything, also voted best tyre in German Mottorad test...

http://www.conti-online.com/generato...twinner_en.pdf

 

[muppix]

But if you're after sports bike performance - try a sports bike not a GS.

+1. It seems reasonable that it you go out riding with a bunch of sports bike riders you'll get comments related to sports tyres, just as riding with Harley Dudes will result in invitations to get your helmet pierced.

My advice would be to concentrate on your riding and not worry about material stuff too much. Do the IAM thing (but keep an open mind) and get your first 100,000 miles under your belt - you'll soon realise that those tourances are good enough to scrape pegs and will outlast any sports tyre as a bonus.

And if your sportsbike buddies need convincing, you can always point out that TT racers of 50 years ago would give their right nut for the tyres you have now - theirs were made of wood and they'd still run rings round all of us in the wet.

Just a thought.

Mup.

 

[MerrickCampbell]

+1. It seems reasonable that it you go out riding with a bunch of sports bike riders you'll get comments related to sports tyres, just as riding with Harley Dudes will result in invitations to get your helmet pierced.

My advice would be to concentrate on your riding and not worry about material stuff too much. Do the IAM thing (but keep an open mind) and get your first 100,000 miles under your belt - you'll soon realise that those tourances are good enough to scrape pegs and will outlast any sports tyre as a bonus.

And if your sportsbike buddies need convincing, you can always point out that TT racers of 50 years ago would give their right nut for the tyres you have now - theirs were made of wood and they'd still run rings round all of us in the wet.

Just a thought.

Mup.

Thanks Mup. Just what I needed. Very sound advice. The Dealer said stick with Tourances and others did too but your comments were spot on so i have the whole thing in perspective. cheers