GS tires on an R

[telliott]

I'm due a rear tire for my R, I've only had it since spring. I'm used to riding dual sports and tend to look for gravel or rough pavement roads. Love exploring the counry. I've got a "real dualsport" and for me the GS is too tall/heavy for really exploring on it. But I still can't resist taking the R exploring some.

Wondered if anyone had used some of the dualsport tires on the R?

Which and how do they work?

How many miles to expect?

Thanks

[boxermania]

The bikes are basically alike, sans height , weight and a little less top end on the GS. You will get less mileage, more thread cupping and noise. On the other hand it should be more sure footed on the loose stuff.

[OU812]

Are not the rear rims a bit less thinner on the GS?

[MIXR]

Doing the same thing.

The only two that could find here that have appropriate sizes are the Pirelli Scorpion and Avon Distanzia.

I've gone with the Distanzia as they are 90% road 10% trail, while the Scorpions are 50% road 50% trail. The Scorpions are just a bit too 'blocky' in the tread and would heat up too much on a long road stage.

Both have a same size front as stock, but the rear only runs to a 160 (not a 170 as per stock) in both brands. No big deal as both are suited to our 5" rims. If anything, the Avons tend to run 'big' anyway, so they should be close to the same size as a stock tyre, or close enough.

Noise and handling are fine on other bikes I've ridden with the Distanzia. I'm waiting for my front tyre to arrive before they get fitted. Higher load rating, but lower speed rating.

Much more solid in the dirt and sand from past experience than 'road' tyres. I'll post some pics in a week or so as I have some rides to do when fitted.

Mick.

[Arbee]

Rumour has it that the 'R' bikes are 'GS' with a tuxedo on.

Changing the tyres will work for you, a little bit like removing the bow tie.

[jzuk]

I'm also thinking about putting dual sport tires on my 04 r1150r. I just came back from a trip in Ontario, just north of Lake Huron. There were many dirt roads that I wanted to drive on, but I choose to stay off them because of my street tires. Most of my driving is on pavement, but I'm thinking about finding a spare set of wheels and putting a dual sport/off road tire on them. That way, I can just change tires when I want to go. Will a GS wheels fit on my bike?

[sweatmark]

Try Pirelli Scorpion Syncs! Great reviews in many circles... provide some dirt road capabilities with road performance suitable for the occasional track day.

Problem: rears available in 160 and 180 width, so fitting the 160 onto the standard Roadster rim is unknown; Rockster 5.5" rear wheel standard fitment is a 180.

I've got a set of Scorpion Syncs on my 2nd wheel set for the Buell (track tires on 1st wheelset). The Mrs. and I are considering the Scorpion Syncs for our Roadster & Rockster when our Stradas wear out.

[Biff's R]

kevin50r had the Avon Distanza(sp) on the rear of his R. He liked the feel better than the normal tires.

[priapismic]

I've currently got Avon Distanzia's mounted on my R. I had a wild hair some months back, thinking I might try to learn how to ride my R on unpaved dirt and gravel roads, since I have no prior experience with either dirt or dual sport bikes. Well, one short ride down an unpaved road - until it ended at a locked gate - was all I was ever able to accomplish, so for my purposes, mounting them was a waste. I realize now I'm much more of a street/road rider than an adventurer. I'd still like to learn dual sporting, though, so someday maybe I'll get myself a smaller, lighter DS'er and learn on it.

Anyway, my rear Distanzia was almost worn smooth by 5,000 miles. I'm nursing it along, trying to squeeze out a few hundred more miles before I spring for a new tire. The front is still going strong at nearly 6k miles now, and is probably good for a few k's more.

[telliott]

<<Try>>

I haven't seen anything about these being dual sport oriented? I know they came on the Buel but I've never talked to anybody that took one off road! Have you used them off pavement?

priapismic-
Thanks for the info on mileage, that is one of the things I was looking for. I did a search before posting and found comments on which might work but they were fairly old and thought something new might be out.

Also, wanted to get some input from those that had used Distanzia's or Scorpions.

Thanks for the replies.

[colinpollock]

FWIW, I have the AVON Distanzia's on my 2004 Roadster, with a 160 rear instead of the standard 170.







The tires are working great. I really feel quite confident on them, and ride as aggressively on pavement as I would with street tires. (1/2" Chicken Strips) I got them for a ride from Phoenix, AZ to Cabo San Lucas, not knowing what the highways would be like in Mexico. I now have over 4000 miles on them, and the rear is at about 50% (guess) I have plenty of tread to get past the 5000 mile mark that priapismic said his tire lasted. It is not squaring up as quick as some other tires I've owned. This is good, as I do alot of commuting on my bike where corners aren't part of the ride. I also do some camping in the Arizona desert and take my RR down many gravel roads with no problem







The bonus with these tires is the added "utilitarian" look it gives the R1150R. These tires give the bike the impression it could go anywhere or do anything, especially with my Ferro Blue paint and blacked out engine.

The only negatives I have for the Distanzia's, and this may go for any dual sport tire, is that they are considerably noisier than a street tire. For the first few weeks, I found myself looking in my blind spots quite often, convinced I had a jacked-up 4x4 with massive mud tires beside me. I also noticed a slight reduction in my gas mileage, down to about 48 MPG at highway speeds, fully loaded with gear.

I've already begun day-dreaming about my next set of tires. I will definitely put on dual sports again, but I'm considering trying the Pirelli's just for something different.

That's my 2 cents on the topic....

Colin

[telliott]

Great Pics, it does look good with those tires. I guess I'll give them a try.
Thanks for all the responses.

[hirsty]

More info here from when I asked a similar question earlier (which I think you already saw from the above):

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... ight=tyres

Not done anything about it yet myself (OEM front still okay-ish after 12K!, rear replaced with a Dunlop after a bad puncture, now c.5K). I saw some Pirellis on a bike in a mag the other day that looked the part - will dig it out and post a link.

Best of luck with your selection - post pics & feedback!

[OU812]

colinpollock, you have big balls!

[colinpollock]

colinpollock, you have big balls!

Or no brains.... I don't know which!

[maduko]

I remember seeing R's with Tourances. Not terribly "dual sporty" but I had them on my GS and loved them.

[Brady]

Colin,

Did you change out your rear wheel or mount the 160's to the orginal? If you did, did you have any issues with the fit?

Brady

[telliott]

Colin,

Did you change out your rear wheel or mount the 160's to the orginal? If you did, did you have any issues with the fit?

Brady

One of the posts I read said that the 160 felt better than the stock size. Usually 1 size either way is OK unless you are already at the upper or lower limit for your rim size. When you use a size different (but close to) the size recommended for your rim size, it will fit but it changes the cross section of the tire. Different tires have different cross sections as well, so when you change sizes the brand of tire will have an effect as well. Sometimes good Sometimes not good

One thing I haven't seen is if anyone has put a 180 on the R? It is stock on the Rockster but it has a wider wheel. I can get a great deal on a pair of Pilot roads but the rear is a 180.

[MikeCam]

You can put a 180 on the Roadster 5" rim. Watch clearance on the can. At least one brand (which I forget) has a cross section that gets close to touching. All others have worked fine.

[MIXR]

Done, tested and loving them. Knocked up a quick thousand + kms last weekend and cannot say anything bad about them.

Had wet roads, and they seem to handle just fine. Had dirt roads, and they are far better than the stock tyres I've run in the past. Bike feels very planted in the gravel and sand. Had dry tight sealed roads, and the bike hasn't been slowed down at all! Pretty impressive for a 'cross-over' tyre.

The Avons always seem to run wide in their fittings, so the 160 rear looks almost as wide as most 170 road tyres. Heavier load rating, but lower speed rating as far as I can recall without going out to check the sidewall.

There is some increase in road noise (to be expected with the block tread) but this is really only noticeable on smooth roads or at really low speeds. I wear earplugs most of the time, so I couldn't really pick the extra 'hum' except for the odd occasion in town.

Smooth roads also bring out some slight vibration, but it's more a light tread 'buzz' than a heavy vibration. You notice this mostrly as you draw to a stop on braking at low (town) speeds. Seems more noticeable from the back wheel than the front, probably due to the bigger tread blocks.

No idea how long they will last at this stage, but highly recommended if you are a bit of an explorer and do the occasional dirt stretches. I'm pretty certain that I'll keep running them if mileage is ok. There is really very little, if any, performance drop between these and normal road tyres when loaded for a trip.

A 'light' run through the hills might mean a bit more care and respect is required, but I think they are pretty predictable so far. Good choice by my book.