K100rs Tires

'88 K100rs, recently purchased. Has bias-ply AVON tires. I find the bike slipping even in moderate corners over the paint strips where my previous bikes never would.

This is by far the heaviest bike I have ever owned, but I almost dropped the thing today going less than 20mph in a left turn when it slipped, again. (and not just the same corner, it happens everywhere I have ridden so far) and that was one time too many for me. The guy I was riding with took the corner much faster with no problem whatsoever (Buell X1). So I am blaming the tires.

Never knew they made bias-ply tires for bikes, is that common? What is a good tire for more sport and less touring (but also budget-friendly, still in college), or might I have purchased the wrong motorcycle altogether? (previous owner of Buell Blast and Ducati Monster 900)

Any suggestions?

Are the tires new? New tires often have 'mold release' agent on them and are slicker than snot. I know one guy that uses 80 grit on an orbital sander to get the snot off. I've just taken it slow making circles on a parking lot to get them scuffed it - just be steady and gentle. I wouldn't think a radial vs bias would be the culprit.

tires are not new, turns out they were rather old, did not notice they were cracking at the rim on the sidewall. so i think hard rubber was the problem

...and is that what people mean when they say they 'scrubbed in' their tires?

you "scrub" in a tire by running it around corners, most new tires come with a "grease" on them, to preserve them from cracking before they get sold, to "scrub" in your tires you just do like Gumby said, slowly make a lot of turns and weaving in a parking lot, I say slowly because they are slick until this crap comes off, I would think you could also get a good degreaser and clean the tires (but this may only compound the problem, I am not real sure on that one)

*edit* oops, I just re-read you question, yes that is what they mean when they say they "scrubbed in" their tires :o

Wowzers! Yep...I lowsided a Kaw on old, hard, dried out tires once. Are you going back on with Avons?