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Suzuki GR650 pipes

Help! I own a 1983 Suzuki GR650 Tempter. This is one of the best bikes I've owned in the last 10 years, but no one seems to make any pipes that will fit it. I'm looking for a 2-into-2 or 2-into-1 that's more authoritative than the stock pipes. Any suggestions? Ken McNulty Framingham, Massachusetts

Try Bub Enterprises, 785 East Brokaw Road, San Jose, California 95112; (408) 298-2826. Bub special izes in pipes for less-common motor cycles, and should be able to help you out with your GR.

FZ750 tires

I own an FZ750 and I am not pleased with the stock tires. After only 900 miles, cornering stability has been noticeably reduced. On my last bike (750 Interceptor), I received impressive results with a Metzeler ME33 in the front and a ME99 in the rear, in stock sizes. My problem is this: I feel the FZ steers slowly, yet I do not want to sacrifice traction for light steering. I had planned ona 130/80 front, 140/ 90 rear. As you know, the FZ has clearance for 1 40s and 1 60s, respec tively, so the possible combinations are endless. What do you suggest? T.S. Wilson Whiteman AFB, Missouri

Your choice of Metzelers would be appropriate, especially because you have had good experience with them in the past. But unless you `re actually racing, we'd recommend sticking with the stock sizes, at least in the front. Wider tires have a tendency (on al-> most all motorcycles) to introduce some handling quirks caused by the fact that the contact patch moves far ther away from the bike's centerline when leaning over. Also, our experi ence indicates that the round profile of the ME33 tends to lighten the steering on bikes with 16-inch front wheels.

V-Max rubber dilemma

I own a Yamaha V-Max, and I have only one problem. This bike loves to eat tires every 3000 miles or so. There doesn't seem to be any good tires available, and I would like better traction. Robert W. Seeley Roswell, New Mexico

You `II have to wait out this season while using the OEM tires; there's a real shortage of V-rated aft ermarket tires in the size appropriate for the 15inch rear wheel of a V-Max or a Kawasaki Eliminator. We expect that by the summer of 1986, stickier tires will be available.

Turbo plugs

I just purchased a new Honda CX 500 Turbo about a month ago and am very pleased with the overall performance and quality of the ma chine. I perform all my own mainte nance and enjoy learning what makes this bike tick. My question is this: The recom mended plug for my bike is a DPR9EV9 gold-palladium. These plugs cost about $6 apiece and I had to wait a week for them. Is there an alternative plug readily available and less expensive which won't hurt the bike's performance? Bob Gilliam Shreveport, Louisiana

An equivalent plug with standard electrode materials is a DPR9-EA 9. It's much cheaper, and the only real difference in performance is likely to be plug life; it won `t last as long as the gold-palladium.