Topic: Which one? Bridgestone BT 45's or Dunlop GT501's

[Chris Liston]

Need new tires and was looking at both the BT45 or GT501.  What do you guys think.  I like twisties and both tires are a sport touring design.

The local shop can only get the BT45's in V rated and there $$$, not sure about the GT501's.

Sizes  120/90/18 rear  and 100/90/19 front

Thanks

[Chris Liston]

Just ordered the V Rated BT45's in the sizes above from americanmototire.com.  Got some tubes and rim tape also.  Everything shipped came to $205,  I figure with mounting and balancing I'm still saving about 60 bucks below shop prices.  And besides they couldn't get the size at a good price.  I can't believe how cheap americanmototire.com is.

[MRieck]

For the record the 501's work very well.

[Bob Wessner]

I've noticed on several posts regarding tires, folks seem to go with "V" rated. Assuming we are talking about stock bikes in terms of power/speed, "H" rated is good for up to 130 m.p.h. Why the V's?

[Dennis]

Bob, I went with the Spitfire S-11 (a Bridgestone, sport touring tire just below the BT45) on my 750F. One of the reasons was that the BT45, 19" front tire was only available in "V" rating at the time and I just wanted an H rated tire.
I have the BT45's on my RD350, H rated, 18" front and rear. 

[Chris Liston]

I went with the V's because I couldn't get the rear size I wanted in H's.  Everyone is sold out it seems in a 120/90/18.  O well, for the price I paid I'll settle with V's.  I'm not going anywhere over 80mph 75% of the time so it will be okay either way.

[Bob Wessner]

Makes sense, I was just curious.

[endobendo]

FYI, this site has real cheap tire, etc. prices:  www.mawonline.com, 800.241.2222

Bridgestone BT45 V
120/90-18  81.95
100/90-19  72.95
USD

 

[Chris Liston]

Those were the same prices at www.americanmototire.com  The only reason I ordered from them was I couldn't find any tubes and tape at mawonline.  Americans site was super easy to navigate.

complete price:  First price is what my dealer was going to charge me,  Second BOLD is the online price.

1  CONTINENTAL INNER TUBES FITS 3.25/3.50/3.75/4.10-19, 100/90-19, 110/80-19, 110/90-19  TUB064    US$11.95  US$10.76 

1  CONTINENTAL INNER TUBES FITS 4.00/4.25/4.50/4.60-18, 4.25/85-18, 120/80-18, 120/90-18, 130/80-18, 130/90-18, 140/80-18  TUB063    US$13.95  US$12.56  

2  KENDA RIM STRIPS 18"/19"  ACC015    US$1.25  US$2.26 

1  BRIDGESTONE BT45 REAR 120/90V-18  BQ4740    US$140.95  US$81.31 

1  BRIDGESTONE BT45 FRONT 100/90V-19  BQ3745    US$125.95 US$72.35 

[Dennis]

Chris,
You will never find tape or rim strips at MAW. I don't know about tubes. When I contacted them a few years ago (to phone in an order) they told me that they will not sell any items that retail for less than $5. Then they told me that there is a "service charge" on every order, $5 or $6, I don't recall the exact amount.
I told then that if they couldn't sell me a $2 rim strip that I will buy my tires somewhere that will and so I do. I also told them that they would never hear from me again. I WILL NOT do business with anyone who operates like that, I don't care how low their prices are.
Funny thing, they keep sending catalogs.

[Chris Liston]

I keep getting their catalogs too.  I might have ordered something from them along time ago.  not sure

[BobbyR]

I would have not used the 501s, but i do have the Bridgestones. On my 78 750K I found I needed to up the Tire pressures up a couple of pounds. I think the sidewalls have more flex than the Contis they were built for. I find they track really well on all surfaces. I had an incident in which I was sure I was going to lay it down to avoid a SUV. I was amazed she went all the way down to the pegs and came back up. It had to be the Tires since I am not that good. That incident presold my next pair.

[Terry in Australia]

The BT45's are brilliant, I have been putting them on all my bikes for the last 10(?) years, I've pushed my old BMW R100RS to 130 Mph on them, and my Suzuki GS1000S to damn near 150 Mph with no problems except me screaming like a little girl!

I put the new "V" rated BT45's (they don't make 'em in "H" rated anymore, to my knowledge) on my F2 and it handles like a 1970's era Ducati (but with a #$%*-load more reliability) because my Suzuki has done 9000 miles on that set of tires and they're still legal! I haven't tried the Dunlops, but if Mike ("Mister Head") Rieck says they're good, then they are! Cheers, Terry.

[Hop on a Honda]

Tires?
I had a pair of Contis on my bike which were ORIGIONAL when I bought my CB 759 7 years ago they has splits in the casing but seem to go for another year! giving them 30 years on the rims!
I woke up and bought a new pair of AVONs .
They went very well in the wet and the heat in Australia.I managed to put 15 thousand ks on them by doing many highway miles on them.I'm not a speed hog like Terry!!
Good ride too.
Now I have a new pair of Bridgstone Spitfires and so far they have been very good, especially on the windy roads on the Newcastle & Gosford central coast area of NSW.

Good tires are great insurance.
Liker grease and oils are cheaper than parts.
Dave

[Chris Liston]

Just got the tires today.  I can't wait to get them all mounted up.  They are much sportier than the Cheng Shins on the bike now.   I can already see the corners coming

[Uncle Ernie]

No doubt about it; it's good to see corners coming.

[Dennis]

You're not going to believe the difference!
You will love them!