Tyre Choice

[JanTurn]

The choice of tyre for the 1200GS been mentioned before in previous threads, however the Septembers edition of Bike magazine which is out now, they are testing out several tyres from different manufacturers. The one that comes out on top in their tests are the tyres manufactured by Bridgestone. They recomend a BT020 front and a BT021 on the rear. I ride on Michelen Pilot Road myself which is also on test. They were also was given a good overall rating. However, they say the Bridgstones are better than both the Avons and Metzelers, being good over bumps, on the brakes and on their side. I may consider going over to Bridgestones following their recomendations. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

[John Armstrong]

"Better" what a subjective word.

I guess it all depends on whether you are paid to ride around Bruntingthorpe and have no worries on the price of the tyres being fitted.

Personally, in my experience, the Tourance has more ability that I do

 

[Johnny Davies]

I thought it was a good feature, the only problem with it was that it was done entirely in a controlled/track environment at Bruntinthorpe. Although having said that the bridgestones did well in the last feature Bike did a while back, which was road based and being pipped to the post by conti r attacks.
Not sure I agree with the testers notes on the conti's instability (currently running them), a bit of a slack assessment which really needed qualification, but hey there we go.
I'm due for a change of tyres soon so might try a set of bridgy's, sounds like they might be good, and it'll be interesting to see how they stack up against the conti's.

 

[JanTurn]

II'm due for a change of tyres soon so might try a set of bridgy's, sounds like they might be good, and it'll be interesting to see how they stack up against the conti's.

Might be worth letting us know how you get on with the Bridgestones compared to the Conti's as they appear to be a popular choice amongst riders too. Thats should you decide to change Johnny. I still have a few miles left on the Michelins to go before I will have to change.

 

[ts2]

Hum? [scratches chin]

Back to back reviews are good, but I'd also take into account other peoples opinions, as a great new tyre may square off quickly, be rubbish in the wet, or just go off over time quicker (I'm not too sure whether this occurs, but I can say that no tyre I've ever used has been as good the day I changed it as it was the day I bought it).

Anyhow getting other peoples opinions (of the tyre on the same bike as you) is a good idea, but be wary of the people who say "I was on tyre X, and changed to tyre Y and it was a revelation!". As I mentioned above an old worn tyre will never feel as good as a brand new one. I've only once stayed on the same make of tyre, but the difference between old 208s and new 208s was unreal (I was on a sportier bike at the time): I couldn't believe they were the same tyre.

Saying all this, I haven't answered your question. I haven't personally tried the 020s, or the 021, but when riding a thundercat everyone swore by them (I used 208s, as they were about half the price).

In the end with tyres, most tyres will grip better than you'd expect, so half the battle is how well you trust them. If you like the sounds of the reviews this will already make you slightly quicker on bridgestones because of your immediate confidence in them. If someone tells you they slide in the wet and you believe them, then you'll tense up when it rains and the bike will slide. Catch 22 really.

TobyS

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

The 'Bike' test was covered off here

If you run a search on tyres you'll come up with lots of views and comments, and quite a few on Bridgestones.

Andres

 

[t'other dave]

Ah at last a sensable reply to bike tyre choice by ts2 Toby, I have been fitting bike tyres for to long and heard all the crap about these do this and they do that.
Toby s post is spot on. I get to hear the tales but also see the wear on there tyres to know if there opinion is valid.

 

[Woooodentop]

I have'nt read the Bike article but I'll guess that as usual the tyres were not tested in the wet when you need to rely on them most.
It would be a better article if wet weather was factored into the test.

 

[Wizard]

Ah at last a sensable reply to bike tyre choice by ts2 Toby, I have been fitting bike tyres for to long and heard all the crap about these do this and they do that.
Toby s post is spot on. I get to hear the tales but also see the wear on there tyres to know if there opinion is valid.

So an opinion is only valid if, what, there's no chicken strips? Funny, I can take any tyre to the edge on any bike..... doesn't mean I can ride, just that I've gone out in the beginners group on a dry trackday, or that I've been playing on roundabouts at 4am.

 

[73octane]

Interesting to see the difference between fastest and slowest lap times was only nano seconds. Even the standard knobblies put in a respectable time.

Just imagine how well they would have done if not taking it very gently on new rubber (as I always do for the first fifty miles or so !! )

 

[t'other dave]

So an opinion is only valid if, what, there's no chicken strips? Funny, I can take any tyre to the edge on any bike..... doesn't mean I can ride, just that I've gone out in the beginners group on a dry trackday, or that I've been playing on roundabouts at 4am.

I did'nt comment on riding ability or chicken stips but if you tell me that you must have super corsa pro's because nothing else will grip enough but have 5000 + miles outta a rear one with 1" chicken strips and flat in the middle then no opinion is not valid. I have lots of loyal customers that ive been dealing with for 17 years and some I see for 1/2/3 sets a year that I can trust the feedback from knowing there history of bikes/tyres and that they don't have ego's the size of Wales.
The point I was after is if you read a mag or your faster mate tells you they don't grip, 9 times outta 10 your put off and the tyres crap in your head even when you hav'nt had any problems. Most of todays tyres grip penty enough for road riding.

 

[theEnglishman]

Avon's for me. They've more grip than I have bottle and the replacement guarenttee works - I got a screw in the rear within 1mm of wear and they replaced it for free! And they're made in the UK.

 

[good'oleboy]

tyres

The choice of tyre for the 1200GS been mentioned before in previous threads, however the Septembers edition of Bike magazine which is out now, they are testing out several tyres from different manufacturers. The one that comes out on top in their tests are the tyres manufactured by Bridgestone. They recomend a BT020 front and a BT021 on the rear. I ride on Michelen Pilot Road myself which is also on test. They were also was given a good overall rating. However, they say the Bridgstones are better than both the Avons and Metzelers, being good over bumps, on the brakes and on their side. I may consider going over to Bridgestones following their recomendations. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Have used bridgstones on many other bikes but not on a Gs tourances have always been my top choice, unless you ride like those looneys in the bike test (track Conditions). Tourances were always to me the best tyres for my 1150GS never let go no matter the road conditions always planted. far exceed my ability. Just recently purchased a 1200 GS fitted with Avon storm STs boy these things grip like hell, and really make use of the lovely handling that the 1200 offers what they wear like don't know. The tyres have to suit what you require, not what some journo says in an environment that you may not venture into.....just my humble opinion anyways.

 

[GSmonkey]

Everybody has an opinion on tyres!! I really liked Anakees and have probably had about 4 sets on a 12GS. I loved the tyres and found them great in all conditions. The only downside really was wear rate, which were nearly as bad as the rear pads.

Next I had Battlewings which were OEM fitment on my GSA. Didn't impress me at all. OK in the dry but had the tendency to 'let go'.....nothing too dangerous, but puts you off your rhythm. In the wet, they were just a pain in the arse, used to slide everywhere, just couldn't really get much drive out of a corner.

Next I had Tourance - and I'm on my first set. Dry grip is good enough for the GS i.e. you can roll to the edge of the tyre and get great drive out of corners. Wet grip is also great. Longevity appears to be fantastic. The only downside appears to be front end wobble on deceleration on a new front tyre.

Haven't tried road tyres on the GSA yet, but I don't really like the look of them on the GS..........daft I know

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Everybody has an opinion on tyres!!

I found that on my previous 1200 (and the 1150 before that) the Tourances felt very secure and wore quite well - so I stayed with them. My new GS is fitted with Bridgestone Battlewings Although I have not had it very long I notice straightaway less 'rumble' on low speed corners (plenty of those around here.) The new bike still seems to 'take me round the corners' without any concious effort, just like the 2004 model.

 

[billynomates]

Done 4000+ miles on my GSA on Tourances wet/dry and cannot fault them been out with the DSC 2up and only had trouble keeping up while flat out,handling was no problem with the front on max preload.
just fitted a set TKC 80's ready for Portugal will see what there like in the wet.
ian

 

[good'oleboy]

tyres

I found that on my previous 1200 (and the 1150 before that) the Tourances felt very secure and wore quite well - so I stayed with them. My new GS is fitted with Bridgestone Battlewings Although I have not had it very long I notice straightaway less 'rumble' on low speed corners (plenty of those around here.) The new bike still seems to 'take me round the corners' without any concious effort, just like the 2004 model.

I liked the tourances to on my old 1150 the wear ratewas excellent always seemed a surefoot setup. reckon they were designed for the GS.!

 

[JohnP]

Continental Trail Attacks

I've just fitted Conti Trail Attacks and can't recommend them highly enough. They've really transformed the bike. I ran 2 sets of Annakee's previously and found that the last couple of thousand miles they really went off and the block tread really gave a rough ride. The Conti's have a much different tread pattern which I reckon promotes smoother rolling, whilst still being deep cut to provide grip on softer surfaces. The grip on road is superb and the bike holds it's line perfectly. They're cheaper than The Anakees and in my view a much better tyre.

 

[piskoGSA]

I've just fitted the Scorpion trail, the next generation from Scorpion MT 90 ST (1st pair in Greece.... I'm not sure how good that is since there is no feedback from anyone at least here). I have only 150klms on them but my first impressions are good. A tyre with shape conducive to easy and fast cornerning.

 

[scottpa]

I have just fitted a set of Conti Road Attacks following last years Ride review, seem fine so far. Then I get this month's Bike and now they are crap?
As TS2 says, it's difficult for us mere mortals to do back to back tests and say the new tyre is better than the last one as you are normally getting rid of a worn squared off tyre and replacing it with a shiny new one so any tyre will be better than the old one.

Personally I have not had any problems with the tyres I've hade on the GS. It's been the best turning, most confidence inspiring bike I have owned so far (Tiger, Vstrom, and a couple of Bandit 12's).
It came with Battlewings fitted. I thought that they were a good tyre in both the wet and the dry, but that was spring/summer riding so can't comment about cold winter riding. I got them cranked over as far as I was happy with (no chicken strip on the back, about 3mm on the front). I swapped them for Road Pilots at 6k as I was about to go on holiday. The rear would have lasted another thousand, the front a bit more.
The Road Pilots did seem better than the BattleWing in terms of turning but perhaps that was down to them being a road tyre pattern rather than a dual purpose. But again, no problems, gripped well, in the wet as well as dry and didn't have any problems in the winter rinding in the cold. Got them leaned over about the same as the BattleWings (i.e. I am the limiting factor, not the tyres). Again, the rear lasted 7k with a bit more life in the front. They were about £220 fitted.
The Conti's went on at 13K and have done about 100 miles on them so far. Had a bit of a slip on a roundabout at about 10 miles but that was over enthusiasim on new rubber. Seem to scrub in fairly quickly, and seem good under braking. Off to North Coast of Scotland from the South East in a couple of weeks so it should be a good test of their longevity getting up the motorway. They were £160 fitted.
The only other comment I would make would be about the Bridgestones. I had 020's on one of my Bandit12's. They were great tyres except in the winter. I used to get a fair few minor slides coming out of roundabouts when giving it the gas and that was after the tyres had 'warmed up'.