Road Tyres

I've got the pre-94 GPZ which means 16 inch wheels, leading to fairly minimal tyre selection. The standard fitment is 100/90 at the front 120/90 on the rear both H rated. I'd normally use a Metzeler ME33 Laser front but a puncture forced an unexpected replacement so I have used a Pirrelli Strada as well. The rear is a Metzeler ME99A (130/90) that Metzeler recommend, some people say the handling is better with a 120.

The Bridgestone BT45's also come highly recommended. As does Dunlop's K591, although this has now been replaced by the GT 501.

I have used both the K591 and GT501 on my EX500, and the GT501 is superior in all ways.

It has significantly more grip when warm than the 591- in moderate canyon riding, where you generally don't have the tire temperature as hot as you would on the track, the tire still grips wonderfully. It is better in the cold and the wet than the 591 also. It will still slither if it's cold and wet enough, but it generally hooks up nicely where the 591 would be trying to spit you on the road. The GT501 has much better wear characteristics- I am getting almost 7,000 miles out of a tire compared to 5,000 on the K591s. If commuting mileage is included, I am getting almost 12,000 miles out of a tire. The K591 would have been completely flattened in the middle by the time the GT501 is only starting to show wear there. The GT501 does not heat cycle out like the K591 does either- after a few months of use, a K591 will be sliding all over even when fully heated up, but the GT501s do not do that.

In short, I used to pay about $60 for K591 fronts and $65 for the rears, but I would easily pay $20 more per tire for the GT501s.

Brian Pape, 23rd March 2001

Brian also notes that the 110-90 16 tyre will need lower profile bolts in the mudguard on EX250's.

Race Tyres

If the standard fitments are a bit narrow (and not sticky enough) for you, the racers on the list have used other combinations.

Note these are not standard fitments, so if they mess up your handling or fall off the rim you can't blame the manufacturers.

I have a metzeler 150-80/16 on the racebike. I like it. It fits ok. It slides predictably. I'm using the entire tread face side to side. It's close to the swingarm, but doesn't rub. I had to notch (or remove) the chainguard.

--Wade Bartlett, 29 September 1998

Another option is the Me33 laser comp k 120/80-16 front and ME1 comp k 140/80-16 rear. I use these on my track bike and have been real happy with them, they might be overkill for street use though. Also the front reqiures grinding a little off the 4 fender bolts to make it fit.

--Chris, 29 October 1998

I like Avon's . In particular, I really like the AM22/23 combo. They are radials, stickier than the Metz... that I'm running now, lasted 5 race weekends of HARD abuse (1:27-1:30 at Loudon).

The last Avons I was running, an AM18/20 combo, were great, but not as sticky as the AM22/23's, and didn't last as long either (4 race weekends at a 1:35-1:37 pace). I would compare them to the Metz...

If you can, special order the AM22 front AM23 rear. Best thing I have ever seen on an EX500 (with stock 16" rims), and a great price to boot.

--TJ Tyron, Jr, 25 January 1999

We run a radial front (D207) with a bias ply rear (K591) on our supersport spec race bikes, with awesome results.

A motorcycle "radial" is a different product than car radials, so the "no mix" policy isn't a requirement. (Although, for liability reasons, the tire manufacturers will only confirm this "off the record").

-- David, SR Axis, 31 May 1999

Martyn has an excellent site on tyres for all sorts of bikes on his site.

17 Inch tyres

The GPz500's built after the 1994 update all have 17 inch wheels, which should mean a greater amount of choice considering its virtually the standard size for all new bikes, although the narrow rims does cut down the number available.

I'm not really interested in these but I've added this since they're didn't seem to be much else on the web about it (apart from Martyn's excellent site). The usual suspects for 16 inch wheels are available in 17 inch sizes, the only thing I'd add to Martyn's list is that BT-90's are a recommended fitment for 17 inch rims, and K591's are discontinued and being replaced by GTS501's:-

According to the press release I received (and a few conversations with a Dunlop rep), the GT501 is an upgrade to the K591. The front uses the same compound as the 591 with different carcass and sipe structure (for better wet performance). The rear uses a different rubber compound and the same carcass and sipes as the front. I've known about these tires for about a year and a half and would expect them to perform as well or better than the 591. However, I have not used them yet, and since they were just released, I don't expect anyone on the list has either. If you were happy with 591s, you should be happy with the GTs.

Evan "I'm not really a journalist, but I play one on TV" Brashfield, 13th October 2000

For race use going upto to 120 front and 140/150 rear increases the range available enormously. The Aprilia Cup only tyres from Dunlop? (D207 SP) are being sneaked out of the tyre van at race meetings.

Tyre Suppliers

GPz 500 sized tyres are rare, most suppliers won't have them in stock, so I usually phone up and order one a week before I want to get it fitted. I'm happy to recommend either of the following:-

They are very thorough, rather than quick, and Dave could talk for England.

Handily positioned round the corner from Motorcycle City on the Bevouis Valley road. Allowing you to check out the shops while your tyre is changed.

Links

Thanks to Peter Quinn for posting these on the ex500 list.

• Avon
• Bridgestone
• Continental
• Dunlop
• Metzeler
• Michelin
• Pirelli