what tyre 1200GS???

[Nate]

Hi all... Im sure this has been asked but...

My 1200 (which has been superb) is about to come out of warranty...

Now... At the moment, I have the Michelin Annakees on... And I have spent many a happy mile riding through Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Spain.. Also, I have managed to outride my mates on there Zx-6R, VFR and Honda Pan (with £5,000's worth of supsension on it)...

However, Should I change tyres (if so, what for)...

or...

If it aint broke, why fix it...???

Answers on a postcard to...

Nate

 

[Jonny_L]

I get the feeling you'll get a different opinion from everyone on this one. I had anakees but couldn't get along with them. I like to class myself as a sporty/touring rider. At the moment I've not got plans to take the bike off the beaten track, so I've got Continental road attacks. They're very good, dry grip is fantastic, I've not ridden in the wet since getting them, but I had them on my old bike and never had any issues in the wet.

They completely changed the bike. It's now really sweet in the bends, lots more feedback, and I've not had a wheel step out at all (something I got from the anakees)
Some say they don't last as long as other tyres, I wouldn't know, I keep getting punctures before they get a chance to wear out

Other options I'd recommend: Michelin pilot roads, they're very good in everything really, though don't seem to excell at anything IMO.

If you like the anakees though, maybe stick with them, or go for metzler tourances or similar. They keep the offroad look of the bike too.

Bike magazine ran a big article a few months back on tyres for the 12gs, I'll try and find it.

 

[Davy F]

When I picked my 12GS up from the dealer, it came fitted with the Dunlops. I was a bit concerned being a 'Bridgestone man' for many years (I know, kinda weird, but I guess I just had built up a trust in their products). However, the Dunlops were excellent giving great grip in all conditions. However, the rear was dead in 4 1/2 k. So, after reading comments here, I decided to try the Metzler Tourances and have been well pleased with them also. Wet weather performance was most suprizing and I have to say I'm very confident on them. Best bit is the rear has now done 8k with a bit more to go yet. I reckon I'll get another thou before it's down to the legal limit. Now that Bridgestone have brought out their big trailie type tyre, I may give them a go, but I honestly wonder if they'll be a match for the longlivity the Tourances have given. I haven't thought about going down the full road tyre route as I like the bike to look like it can handle the odd grassy verge.

 

[sherpatensing]

Mine came with Anakees and I have been happy with them. However they (rear mainly) do seem a bit noisy and transmit some harshness from the road. Is it the Michelins or do other makes do this? Perhaps it's just a GS trait.

Nate,
Nice to hear a positive comment about a 1200 though

 

[Narcoda]

METZELER TOURANCES...awesome tyres- cheap too if you look in the right places

 

[Tartan Terror]

Bridgestone BT020 or 021's as they are now. Fantastic road tyre and really suit the GS.

 

[wully]

My bike came with Anakees (A.K.A. 'Panakees)and I hated them- skittery, slippery,wobbly....
Changed them at just on 1000 miles for Bridgestone Battlewings ( ?) and they are excellent.

Some people love the Anakees though, so if you like them, why change?

 

[Nate]

Well thats food for thought!!!

Dear me... I have less idea what to go for that I did yesterday... Might try the road tyres though...

So will that be the BT's or the Battlewings

Thanks for your help guys

Nate

 

[riderbob]

I've only had Tourances but have just put on Avon Distanzias (I got them for free).

However, the rear Tourance lasted 12500 miles which is pretty good and the front had some to go. Value for money in my opinion.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Bridgestone BT020 or 021's as they are now. Fantastic road tyre and really suit the GS.

As far as I'm aware, you can't get BT021s front in 19" size. Also, There has been some negative talk in the biking press about BT021s not gripping as well as BT020s. I have a friend who has them on his bike (a Ducati ST4S), and he says they're not very good - he's had the odd slide in the dry, some of which I've seen from behind at a similar speed and had no problem on Conti Road Attacks.

I rated BT020s on my 1150GS, and Battlewings were great on my 1200. I REALLY rate Road Attacks, but the rear is wearing quite quick and has squared off, too.

 

[alimey4u2]

For my riding style, skill levels & demands, Metzelers work for me.... May well be shite for you though, therefore I would advise you to stick to what you are used to. With the caveat, unless you can ride a mates bike shod with something different or you're minted....

 

[jammyk]

depends on your psychology

Mine GSA came with anakees - hated them. the bike was awful in the wet, numb in the dry and never felt secure or planted when the twisty roads arrived.

I Swapped to tourances, which i had run on my 650 dakar, and have never looked back.

I outrode my mate on his vfr750 (he was on bridgestone 020-rear 010-front) around denmark, sweden and norway, but he put that down to me having a higher bike so being able to see more.

On my R1 i have michelin pilot sport powers which, simply put, are the best go$d&mn tyres i have ever-ever used.

For the GS, stick with what you feel works for you.

Me, i will stick with the tourances. - they wear consistently(not too squared even with lots of m-way miles), work well all year around, ride nicely with a pillion on board and have a tread pattern that suits the style of the bike.