Dunlop gt501, Avon am26, or pirelli demon sport?

So it's time to put some tires on the kz1000 and get her rolling. Stock wheel sizes, probably going to run a 120/90-18 and 100/90-19. Right now I'm looking at the Dunlop gt501, Avon am26 roadriders, or the pirelli demon sport. Riding style is going to be "spirited" but street only, don't plan on taking this bike to the track. Any feed back or suggestions? Also, do I need to run a tube? Some of these are rated tubeless but I've heard you should still use one.
Thanks folks!

I like the Sport Demons, but I haven't ridden the other tires you mentioned, so I cannot provide a comparison. The tire sizes you mentioned are correct.

YES! You absolutely MUST run tubes. It's fine to run tubes in tires designated tubeless; it is NOT fine to run without tubes on wheels that were designed to be used with tubes no matter how the tires are marked. It's the wheels (they are missing the inner ridge that tubeless wheels must have, plus they will leak) that are the issue not the tires. Ed

Good Fortune!

I had the GT501's, they seemed to wear quickly, bought Dunlop 404's, but won't do it again. plan on trying the Avons, I've read good things about them.

I just bought the Avon AM 26s for my LTD. My mags are designed to run tubeless.
I love the Venoms and Cobras I have run on my Ultra Classic so looking forward to good results on my Kaw

I currently have GT501's on my 1200cc Z1 turbo. They grip well and track well at high speed. I don't know the lifespan yet - although I know it won't be good...

Before the GT501's I had a set of Pirelli Phantoms on the bike - I REALLY liked the grip, but the rear was toast in 1,000 hard miles.

D404's are not a performance tire - just an economical tire for easy riding.

Avons through J&P cycles are the best deal I found and are killer tires...on your doorstep in days

avon north america stood behind a tire I had questions about and they attend vintage bike shows to gather info on their tires/customers in person and answer calls in person....sent me a tire free, no questions asked for a tire that had a separation possible...just asked that I send them the old one at their cost to check for any issue, they said "one in a year of production or so might show issues"

I've used both Sport Demons and GT501's on my Honda VFR. The Sport Demons were good, but seem to wear faster than the GT501's plus the Demons are more expensive. I'm sticking with the GT501's for now. The only tires I've ran on my Z1 so far have been the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 I believe. I would probably swap over to the GT501 or the Avons since they are getting such rave reviews lately.

I got a GT501 on the front now and it's wearing real good.
Had one on the rear and it didn't last long at all but
then I was drag racing on it.

Over all for the street I like them they handle well have good wet weather
grip

The Sport Demons are slightly stickier but wear quicker than the Avons. I have no data on the Dunlops. I am currently running the Avons and am perfectly happy with them, plus they were less expensive.

Just ordered a pair of Avon am26 from J&P....Never mounted a motorcycle tire before...wish me luck!