Dunlop GT501?

corksil · January 20th, 2014, 04:03 PM

Hey. I'll need new tires soon.

Local shops want 600+ to special order, mount, balance, etc a set of two bike tires.

Ordering tires online, installing myself, and paying minimal fee to have them balanced on a machine is the best bet.

Currently turning 15k on the odometer, believe the bike has original IRC on them, pretty squared rear, pretty cracked front.

Found a set of dunlop GT501 on ebay for $225 SHIPPED. Are these decent tires?

I won't see them for ~month but the price is fair.

Anyone have any better ideas/prices/insight?

Anyone run dunlop GT501? Thoughts?

Alex · January 20th, 2014, 04:06 PM

http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/New_gen_tire_options

Yes, the GT501 tires are fine.

/moved to new-gen tech

old3 · January 20th, 2014, 04:31 PM

Try a set of Duro HF 918 tires. I get them for $120-130 a pair shipped to NJ. Might be slightly more for you. If you lived with the IRCs that long you will find these hard to fault. I'm a guy who pushes my tires and these are cheap and give great traction/feel.

Secondly, Harbor Freight has a $40 moto wheel balancer. Grab some adhesive weights too. Simple to learn to do. If you never exceed 60 MPH don't even bother balancing IMO. I don't find a read difference till over 78 MPH and then it is a slight axle tremble at worst. It doesn't reach the bars even.

old3 · January 20th, 2014, 04:33 PM

Try here!

http://www.bikebandit.com/duro-hf918-motorcycle-tire

DaBlue1 · January 20th, 2014, 05:00 PM

Also check out the prices @ American Motorcycle Tire

fishdip · January 20th, 2014, 05:08 PM

What is the hard part getting it on or getting it off? also any cheap tools to make it really simple?

corksil · January 20th, 2014, 05:41 PM

Just checked all the websites posted.

American Motorcycle tire wants 80 bucks to ship the GT501 via fedex 2-day, no exceptions made for hawaii. 200 bucks for just the two tires, same as ebay auction.

^^ They also don't have front/rear duro's in stock. Only rear. I'd like a set of two of the same.

Bike bandit doesn't ship tires to hawaii. No exceptions. Same with revzilla. No exceptions.

So my best bet still looks like ebay with 1-month shipping for 25 bucks. 200 for the tires alone. GT501.

By the time they get here, I'll need to mount them right away.

Any other ideas? Thanks guys.

corksil · January 20th, 2014, 05:48 PM

http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcy...and-98488.html

looks like I found the tire 'balancer.'

Don't see how it would work. If our bikes had spokes, you could use it with a dial gauge to get a wheel pulled true and round.

As for balancing -- I'm under the impression that incongruencies in tire rubber thickness/material at different points in the tire attribute to a tire that weighs more on one side than the other. That's why they are 'balanced' on a machine that spins them and detects and wobble, then instructs the operation where to place the weights to re-balance the tire and offset the manufacturing variations from one tire to the next.

And yes I do definitely take this bike above 60mph every time I get on it.

Not sure how that harbor freight item would help me balance..

tfkrocks · January 20th, 2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corksil

http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcy...and-98488.html

looks like I found the tire 'balancer.'

Don't see how it would work. If our bikes had spokes, you could use it with a dial gauge to get a wheel pulled true and round.

As for balancing -- I'm under the impression that incongruencies in tire rubber thickness/material at different points in the tire attribute to a tire that weighs more on one side than the other. That's why they are 'balanced' on a machine that spins them and detects and wobble, then instructs the operation where to place the weights to re-balance the tire and offset the manufacturing variations from one tire to the next.

And yes I do definitely take this bike above 60mph every time I get on it.

Not sure how that harbor freight item would help me balance..

It's less precise but gets the job done. Spin the wheel slowly and the heavy spot will want to end up at the bottom every time. Place enough weights on the opposite side to counteract that. That's basically how tire balancing works. The fancy machine isn't really necessary.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_can...s_by_myself%3F

That's really the easy part. I got frustrated with the rest of mounting a tire myself.

corksil · January 20th, 2014, 06:08 PM

Finally got through to the service dpt at the local shop -- they will balance front/rear tires for 15 bucks.

8 bucks if I just bring them one mounted tire/rim.

After the shipping cost for the harbor freight item... I could afford to have 5 sets of tires balanced locally.

Dear diary. Just thinking out loud.

tfkrocks · January 20th, 2014, 06:27 PM

You can also just balance it on the bike. Put the wheel on the bike without the spacers so it can spin freely.

old3 · January 20th, 2014, 06:59 PM

Move to the main land? I guess that is the price of living in your location?

You can build a balance stand too, use google to find it. You ideally use low friction bearings and just follow the basics above. It can be a cheap tool to build with simple jack stands and a few parts if you are interested in doing it.

To balance, you mark the heavy spot at the point the wheel settles and add weight to the opposite side till the wheel stops at random locations. Youtube will have vids on the process.

I usually don't bother with balancing. Like I mentioned, I can just see the effects at around 78 MPH. I'll be doing a 2000 mile high speed ride next month so I'll pull it off and balance the front. For my normal stuff it isn't necessary IMO.

corksil · January 20th, 2014, 07:22 PM

That's it. I'm ordering the GT501s.

Yeh shipping here is a b!tch.

Especially the horrible thing they call "parcel post" -- after spying on the transport methods employed by the post office, I've observed them using (partially) trained dolphins to ferry packages to and from california.

They have a massive underwater cable that goes to california with clothespins on it -- they clip fish tidbits to and then pull the cable like a giant clothesline on two pulleys. Flipper and his friends follow the fish tidbits.

Unfortunately however, most dolphins get sidetracked and the packages never show up. Which is why the post office will place a new order and repeat the process. Even after the expense of losing packages and re-ordering, it's cheaper to employ dolphins than it is use planes.

I guess I'll see these tires in a month if I'm lucky.

old3 · January 20th, 2014, 07:41 PM

Like the note in a bottle, I'd offer to toss a set of tires into the ocean for you with a note attached but I'm on the east coast so it would probably end up in Ireland!

corksil · January 20th, 2014, 11:27 PM

Expect a 30% markup on anything you order in hawaii to cover shipping.

If the shipping department isn't competent, expect a 45% markup.

70usd to ship a rear seat cover cowling that cost 85usd? Damn...

My favorite is when customer service reps act miffed when you ask them to ship to hawaii.... Hey man, I know what it says on the website. It says you don't ship to hawaii.... but we are people too, despite where we live. We want nice things. Can you make an exception?

This is why we can't have nice things....

Alex · January 21st, 2014, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corksil

This is why we can't have nice things....

Other than, well, living in Hawaii.

broken neck · January 21st, 2014, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Other than, well, living in Hawaii.

Especially Maui...

Loved that Island... And the old surfers at Papalaua beach...

Hope you'll get your tires on the first attempt...

corksil · January 21st, 2014, 12:18 PM

You guys are making me want to go surfing... Papalaua was the beach I first started surfing at many years ago.

Maui no ka oi.

old3 · January 21st, 2014, 12:50 PM

Can't you just jet ski over to California and pick them up?

January 20th, 2014, 04:03 PM	#1
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	Dunlop GT501? Hey. I'll need new tires soon. Local shops want 600+ to special order, mount, balance, etc a set of two bike tires. Ordering tires online, installing myself, and paying minimal fee to have them balanced on a machine is the best bet. Currently turning 15k on the odometer, believe the bike has original IRC on them, pretty squared rear, pretty cracked front. Found a set of dunlop GT501 on ebay for $225 SHIPPED. Are these decent tires? I won't see them for ~month but the price is fair. Anyone have any better ideas/prices/insight? Anyone run dunlop GT501? Thoughts?

January 20th, 2014, 04:06 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/New_gen_tire_options Yes, the GT501 tires are fine. /moved to new-gen tech __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

January 20th, 2014, 05:08 PM	#6
fishdip ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Fish Location: co Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250/300 Posts: A lot.	What is the hard part getting it on or getting it off? also any cheap tools to make it really simple? __________________________________________________ Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied...

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January 20th, 2014, 04:31 PM	#3
old3 ninjette.org sage Name: Jim Location: NJ Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300, KTM EXC610SMR Posts: 913	Try a set of Duro HF 918 tires. I get them for $120-130 a pair shipped to NJ. Might be slightly more for you. If you lived with the IRCs that long you will find these hard to fault. I'm a guy who pushes my tires and these are cheap and give great traction/feel. Secondly, Harbor Freight has a $40 moto wheel balancer. Grab some adhesive weights too. Simple to learn to do. If you never exceed 60 MPH don't even bother balancing IMO. I don't find a read difference till over 78 MPH and then it is a slight axle tremble at worst. It doesn't reach the bars even.

January 20th, 2014, 04:33 PM	#4
old3 ninjette.org sage Name: Jim Location: NJ Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300, KTM EXC610SMR Posts: 913	Try here! http://www.bikebandit.com/duro-hf918-motorcycle-tire

January 20th, 2014, 05:00 PM	#5
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Also check out the prices @ American Motorcycle Tire

January 20th, 2014, 05:41 PM	#7
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	Just checked all the websites posted. American Motorcycle tire wants 80 bucks to ship the GT501 via fedex 2-day, no exceptions made for hawaii. 200 bucks for just the two tires, same as ebay auction. ^^ They also don't have front/rear duro's in stock. Only rear. I'd like a set of two of the same. Bike bandit doesn't ship tires to hawaii. No exceptions. Same with revzilla. No exceptions. So my best bet still looks like ebay with 1-month shipping for 25 bucks. 200 for the tires alone. GT501. By the time they get here, I'll need to mount them right away. Any other ideas? Thanks guys.

January 20th, 2014, 05:48 PM	#8
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcy...and-98488.html looks like I found the tire 'balancer.' Don't see how it would work. If our bikes had spokes, you could use it with a dial gauge to get a wheel pulled true and round. As for balancing -- I'm under the impression that incongruencies in tire rubber thickness/material at different points in the tire attribute to a tire that weighs more on one side than the other. That's why they are 'balanced' on a machine that spins them and detects and wobble, then instructs the operation where to place the weights to re-balance the tire and offset the manufacturing variations from one tire to the next. And yes I do definitely take this bike above 60mph every time I get on it. Not sure how that harbor freight item would help me balance..

January 20th, 2014, 06:08 PM	#10
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	Finally got through to the service dpt at the local shop -- they will balance front/rear tires for 15 bucks. 8 bucks if I just bring them one mounted tire/rim. After the shipping cost for the harbor freight item... I could afford to have 5 sets of tires balanced locally. Dear diary. Just thinking out loud.

January 20th, 2014, 06:27 PM	#11
tfkrocks ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rebecca Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13	You can also just balance it on the bike. Put the wheel on the bike without the spacers so it can spin freely.

January 20th, 2014, 06:59 PM	#12
old3 ninjette.org sage Name: Jim Location: NJ Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300, KTM EXC610SMR Posts: 913	Move to the main land? I guess that is the price of living in your location? You can build a balance stand too, use google to find it. You ideally use low friction bearings and just follow the basics above. It can be a cheap tool to build with simple jack stands and a few parts if you are interested in doing it. To balance, you mark the heavy spot at the point the wheel settles and add weight to the opposite side till the wheel stops at random locations. Youtube will have vids on the process. I usually don't bother with balancing. Like I mentioned, I can just see the effects at around 78 MPH. I'll be doing a 2000 mile high speed ride next month so I'll pull it off and balance the front. For my normal stuff it isn't necessary IMO.

January 20th, 2014, 07:22 PM	#13
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	That's it. I'm ordering the GT501s. Yeh shipping here is a b!tch. Especially the horrible thing they call "parcel post" -- after spying on the transport methods employed by the post office, I've observed them using (partially) trained dolphins to ferry packages to and from california. They have a massive underwater cable that goes to california with clothespins on it -- they clip fish tidbits to and then pull the cable like a giant clothesline on two pulleys. Flipper and his friends follow the fish tidbits. Unfortunately however, most dolphins get sidetracked and the packages never show up. Which is why the post office will place a new order and repeat the process. Even after the expense of losing packages and re-ordering, it's cheaper to employ dolphins than it is use planes. I guess I'll see these tires in a month if I'm lucky.

January 20th, 2014, 07:41 PM	#14
old3 ninjette.org sage Name: Jim Location: NJ Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300, KTM EXC610SMR Posts: 913	Like the note in a bottle, I'd offer to toss a set of tires into the ocean for you with a note attached but I'm on the east coast so it would probably end up in Ireland!

January 20th, 2014, 11:27 PM	#15
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	Expect a 30% markup on anything you order in hawaii to cover shipping. If the shipping department isn't competent, expect a 45% markup. 70usd to ship a rear seat cover cowling that cost 85usd? Damn... My favorite is when customer service reps act miffed when you ask them to ship to hawaii.... Hey man, I know what it says on the website. It says you don't ship to hawaii.... but we are people too, despite where we live. We want nice things. Can you make an exception? This is why we can't have nice things....

January 21st, 2014, 12:18 PM	#18
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	You guys are making me want to go surfing... Papalaua was the beach I first started surfing at many years ago. Maui no ka oi.

January 21st, 2014, 12:50 PM	#19
old3 ninjette.org sage Name: Jim Location: NJ Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300, KTM EXC610SMR Posts: 913	Can't you just jet ski over to California and pick them up?