Tire recommendations?

[macx]

Did a search, came up with so many posts and varied opinions -

Not looking for anything real "sticky" - not a "boy racer" any more.
Good wear, safe in the wet, decent dry handling, are the "big 3" I'm
concerned about. I'll pay more for tires that aren't worn out or flat topped
beyond use within a few k miles.

And - any good places to buy tires other than a bike dealer? I'm sure they
mark tires up like everything else.



Thanks for info!

EDIT: Here are reviews on 3 tires that sound promising - any experience,
agreement or disagreement?

http://motorcycletirereviews.com/14-1-pirelliMT66.html
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/402/4716/ ... eview.aspx
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/402/2793/ ... eview.aspx

[ColumbiaBMW]

I like to order from Dennis Kirk (www.denniskirk.com), but for some reason they don't have the Metzeler ME880 for the rear right now. I think the Metzeler are the best tire for this bike though, and of course you'll hear lots of other people say otherwise, because asking what kind of tire to use is like asking what kind of oil to use on this forum. You'll get a million different opinions. For me though, I ride all year round, so I have to have a tire that does well in the rain, and I love the way the Metzeler handles in the rain, and dry. It doesn't wear too quickly either. Hope this helps.

[macx]

Mitch

That sounds pretty much the kind of tire I'd prefer -

what do you do for mounting? I would imagine a tire dealer
wouldn't be too enthused to see someone come in with tires
they bought somewhere else and ask for a good mount job?

I'm also impressed with the reviews & info on that new Pirelli
Angel ST or whatever it is. Course that Pirelli R66 sure has
some enthusiastic fans, too, on that one website anyway.
Says it handles well, tracks well, good in the wet and dry,
and wears well.

YOu're sure right about a variety of opinions, though!

Thanks for the input!

[ColumbiaBMW]

I always just take it to a small motorcycle shop here in Columbia MO, they have a guy that specializes in BMW's (not that you need a specialist to put on a tire) but he's always great, and does the work for a pretty good price. I'm sure there is some shop around you that won't mind you bringing in a tire, just call around a little.

[harveyrawn]

The combination that works for me is to buy the tires online and have them mounted by a local shop. Motorcycle Superstore (http://motorcycle.motorcycle-superstore.com/) gave me excellent service and prices on Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires and the shop mounted them for about $35 per tire. I'm using Dyna Beads for balancing and they work well.

[The Meromorph]

I am completely satisfied with the Michelin Pilot Activ my dealer put on my R1100R before he sold me the bike (used). Just as grippy in the wet as the dry, and I'm at 10,000 miles and neither tire is even half worn.

[macx]

I always just take it to a small motorcycle shop here in Columbia MO,

Well, well.

I live in Cape Girardeau (SE MO) but am working north of KC so travel thru Columbia about every other
weekend.

And I could easily trailer the bike there and leave it for as long as it takes this winter.

Would you mind sharing this shop's name & address?

Thanks much!!

Oh, Dennis Kirk didn't have the Pirelli Angel ST's I'm currently looking at, but that Motorcycle Superstore has a very good price on them. But I've got a little while yet.

Thanks!!

[macx]

I am completely satisfied with the Michelin Pilot Activ my dealer put on my R1100R before he sold me the bike (used). Just as grippy in the wet as the dry, and I'm at 10,000 miles and neither tire is even half worn.

That's very good wear! Lots of the reviews I've read, like in some of the links above, refer to being happy
to get upward of 10k on a rear tire. Some of the real superbike type tire user reviews said they got only 2500 to 3500 miles! Course I'm sure that's with constant major abuse, too.

[jas]

I'm a huge fan of Conti Road Attacks, especially in the rain. I usually purchase my tires through A and S BMW (ascycles.com).

[Daryl.Stamp]

I went through 3 or 4 sets of Conti Road Attacks before switching to Dunlop RoadSmarts this year.
The RA's were good wet or dry, just wore out too fast.

So far the RS's are holding up pretty well, no serious squaring off after a few thousand miles two-up w/ gear.

I used to pay $25-$50 per tire depending on where I bought the tires & who mounted them, but last year started changing my own w/ el-cheapo tire irons. I use Dynabeads for balancing with positive results, though there are some on the board that swear Marc Parnes is the only real option for balancing. The first tire took two hours to change, including removal, tool fetching & re-installation. The last time I did it I was down to about 30 minutes. My goal was to be more self-reliant on the road in the event of a flat. I don't imagine I'll go back to having someone else do it for me.

YMMV

DLS

[TicTac50]

I am very happy with Michelin PR2.
I have two BMW dealers near by.
One of them put up a big sign "Only tires purchased here"
The other one asking flat fee of 139.00 + Tax + some shop chargers.
The third party shop charges $39.99 for both tires with no balancing.
I get my PR2's from the web site and for the balancing I use Dyna Beads.

A+++ for Michelin PR2

[macx]

I was wondering what shops would think of mounting someone else's tires.

I've got no problems mounting tires, been doing it for years, just didn't know about balancing.

Hadn't heard of Dyna Beads.

Ironically, many years ago (maybe something like 30 or so?) somebody came out with a
circular tube mounted to a thin flat plate that mounted on the studs between the wheel
and the hub that had beads in it for balancing. Reportely worked but never really caught on.
Same principle. Inside the tire is obviously a good alternative to do the same basic thing.
No extra hardware to show through behind fancy wheels.

Thanks for the info! Guess I'll be getting out my changing equipment and tire lube.

After reading quite a few reviews of various tires, I'm very impressed with what I read about
the new Pirelli Angel ST's, only trouble is they're currently not available in the US in the 170x70.
They are in the 180x55 but that apparently takes a 1/2" wider rim.

The next alternative at the moment looks like the (also) new Metzeler Roadtec Z6 Interact.

Either one is probly more tire than I could fully put to use as I'm no longer a "sport" rider,
but I'm looking at the wet/dry handling and wear and the ST's and Interact's seem to be
the latest improvements in bike tire tech in those categories.

[twindave]

Metzeler ME880 ....Hands down, the best tires I have had on my R. Excellent in all weather conditions and weight loads. I'll never buy anything else again...I'm sold!

Front: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/ ... -Tire.aspx

Rear: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/ ... -Tire.aspx

[TicTac50]

Hadn't heard of Dyna Beads.

Below is the link to the explanation of the DynaBeads.
I used 2oz for the front tire and 3oz for the rear.
It works for me very well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq263AYgyYg

Good Luck.

[johno]

I have used the Michelin Pilot Road on my previous R, and was very happy.
New R has Metzeler Roadtek? Z6 on it, but as yet, havent ridden it.(no rego yet )

Have Pilot Road 2 on my Diversion, a bloke at work has the same on his Bandit 1200, and loves them.

[ColumbiaBMW]

Well, well.

I live in Cape Girardeau (SE MO) but am working north of KC so travel thru Columbia about every other
weekend.

And I could easily trailer the bike there and leave it for as long as it takes this winter.

Would you mind sharing this shop's name & address?

Thanks much!!

MC Cycles, not sure of the address but I'm sure it could quickly be found with a quick google search. The mechanics name that specializes in BMW's is "Racing" Dave.

-Bryan

[aussybum]

i like my 021 for their stability at 'high' speeds and i've always been a bridgestone guy.only complain the front wears out twice as fast as the rear.i'm on my 2nd front which i changed 12 mths ago.now it's already showing wear.
I thought of mixing tires,mainly due to price.Diablo Strada on the front and Pilot Road 2 on the rear. what do u think?

[MattPie]

I'm a huge fan of Conti Road Attacks, especially in the rain. I usually purchase my tires through A and S BMW (ascycles.com).

Same here, but from the original posters question I think he can get by with a 'harder' tire and get more wear out of the tire. I get between 6-8k miles on my Road Attacks. I'd describe my street riding 'middle', I'm annoyed by how slow cruiser-guys are but I'm not touching parts down in the corners. The RA's also do pretty well on the track, that's where I get parts down and do my hanging off. I should note that the 6-8k figure includes a track day or two, but that wears the sides more than the centers so it works out.

That being said, I have a set of Michelin PR2s in the garage that will go on next. Just figured I'd try something else to see if I can tell the difference.

Shops and mounting: if you look around, some shops have seen the writing on the wall and sell tires at 'internet prices'. I went this route once, but I have access to a tire changing stand now so I do them myself.

[MattPie]

i like my 021 for their stability at 'high' speeds and i've always been a bridgestone guy.only complain the front wears out twice as fast as the rear.i'm on my 2nd front which i changed 12 mths ago.now it's already showing wear.
I thought of mixing tires,mainly due to price.Diablo Strada on the front and Pilot Road 2 on the rear. what do u think?

There's plenty of possible cons with mixing tires, and for the $30-40 is saves I'd say it isn't worth it, but that's me. If you're wearing out two fronts for each rear, that's pretty good since you not taking off partially worn tires to change a set. Its sucks to take off a tire that still has a 1000 or 2000 miles left because you're changing the set.

Possible cons:
- Different levels of grip so one may let go before the other
- Different profile shapes, so it may lead to funky turn-in or leaned-over characteristics
- Some tires (Metzler Z6, I think) use the front to push water to the sides and leave no tread in the center of the rear since there shouldn't be water there. May cause hydroplaning.

The pros are:
- match wear
- cost (?)
- for most riders on the street, they won't notice the difference in grip or profile since everything else is so variable.

[lake_harley]

macx....I'm from about 25 miles North of Cape Girardeau. When I needed tires on my R1150R I had planned to go with Metzler 880's but one of the sizes wasn't available at the time. I ended up with Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires and at +/-1,500 miles on them there is NO sign of wear. I'm no hot shot rider and have 3/4-1" wide chicken strips to prove it. I noticed no strange handling when they ground around on Hwy 61 in preparation for re-paving, and have been caught in the rain more than once with no white-knuckle moments.

Lynn