Need Tires

Kawiguy said:
I am currently looking for new tires and I came across some information that I felt was good to share. I know many riders of heavier bikes that exclusively buy GT spec tires - currently this only includes the Bridgestone T32 in ST1300 sizes. I reached out to Dunlop about the Roadsmart IV, as they sell a GT spec and SP spec in Europe, but do not have that designation in North America.

Here was their response:

"Thank you for reaching out to Dunlop Motorcycle Tires. The Roadsmart IV available in North America is equivalent to the European GT version. The Roadsmart IV is suitable for a 2003 Honda ST 1300 and meets the requirements."

Perhaps this was well known, but I thought it would be good to share if anyone was scared off since the Roadsmart IV is not listed as GT spec.

A pair of Roadsmart IV's can be had for $163.95 (front) and $185.95 (rear) + tax and shipping in Canada (so CAD). They are quite an attractive choice at that price.
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Unfortunately, I had a flat tire on my way to work last Tuesday since I hadn't had much time to shop around for new tires. I contacted Alamo Cycle Plex in San Antonio, Texas, and they had to order the Roadmasters IV for the rear wheel, which happened to be the same type the previous owner had used. The price for the tire was really good, only $169.94. I'm looking forward to testing out how it rides and seeing how long it lasts in terms of mileage. Thank you for your response.
 
GhenghisKen said:
Budget is not the issue here, it's available stock in a slightly different size combo (180/55rz17 vs the stock 170/60rz17). I can afford the new tire, just need some advice on whether the other size will kill me or not.
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I have many, many miles on this size, not only alive, but I smiled for most of the miles. You could think of it as miles of smiles, it's a great sticky tire with comfortable wet traction.
 
I hope it's OK to resurrect this thread from last summer.
I just found out that I need tires myself on my 2007 ST -1300 (non-ABS, not a police bike.)

I knew that I would be needing some tires this year but I didn't realize I would need them in February!! My rear tire is starting to show the fiber ply threads on the left shoulder. ( I must be taking left curves and left turns at intersections more aggressively than right turns / curves!

The tires have date codes of March, 2010 for the front,

and mid April, 2011 for the rear tire.

QUESTIONS:

Other than Cycle Gear, where are some good places to shop for tires and are there any national or southeast regional dealers that you can recommend for installing the tires? I've never pulled off the back wheel of a shaft driven motorcycle before.
I definitely do not want to try to mount the tires on the rims myself-- I did that decades ago on bicycles and dirt bikes and hated it and ruined more than a few tubes --although this bike of course has tubeless tires.
 
My fave discount tire shop was sold to an Arizona dealer, so I don't have a good recommendation now.
I'm double dark on the ST, but got the front Battlaxe from Amazon.
For the GSA, I find nearly new knobby takeoffs from ADVrider who bring home a new bike and change tires right away. Likely not an option for 20yo bikes...
 
There's a great deal for rear Bridgestone BT020s (OEM tire for ST1300) going on at chapmoto.com (or Amazon) for $69. I just ordered one as did others on here. I'm sure you could get a front to match. In the past, I've done well with denniskirk.com, but usually check around to see who has the best prices.

EDIT: https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/bs-020-rear-tire-sale-amazon.188690/
 
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