somebody clarify tire replacements for the bike!

[scottybooj]

man, so many options...

ok, if you wanted a street tire that had the following qualities, what tire would you recommend?

1)decent mileage(7K+) on the rear
2) excellent traction for twisties
3) excellent traction for wet roads
4) minimizes cupping/midline flattening

let's hear it

[MikeCam]

Tire Preferences Poll October 2007

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11850

Damn Scotty, keep up!

[Biff's R]

No listing for the new Dunlops? I think that R4R&R (john) has a set of them on right now and likes them.

I was a big fan of the Pilot Roads, but the new PR2 are nearly $300 for a set from the discount places. That seems a little steep to me, so I am trying the Bridgestones. I have not mounted the front yet, since I still have some tread left on my last Pilot Road. The rear preformed great in the rain.

[towerworker]

I reckon few care for the Dunlop D220's. I have run probably 5 sets on my 03 and have one on the front of my 04 and have a new rear ready when the current rear expires. Paid $192 for the set shipped couple of months ago. I love em. They suit an old geezer's riding style.

[Tripton]

I havent fallen in love with any tires yet, but the Michelins that were on my bike when I got it gripped the best.

Z6s dont seem to last that long for me, unless I put on the heavier one designed for the k1200gt. I got an extra 1500 miles out of that rear. I really hate that solid strip of rubber in the middle.

I have on ScorpionSyncs now. I don't think that they are quite as grippy as some of the others, but I can still scrape pegs fairly easy and it is nice and stable to redline in 6th. If you plan on taking on gravel or fireroads, these tires really help. I put them on because I have been riding my Rockster more like a GS lately.

Though not in your poll, I wouldnt put Bridgestone BT020s on a wheelbarrow. The sucked so bad that I may never get another Bridgestone again.

I dont really care what tires cost either. I will gladly pay an extra hundred bucks and actually enjoy my bike for the 5000 miles that good tires will be on there.

[skidgillen]

I believe Jeff is talking about the new Dunlop Roadsmart, which replaces the 220. It has a dual compound rear tire like the Pilot Road 2 and the Battalax BT021. And it is priced right smack dab in between the two.

[MattPie]

No listing for the new Dunlops? I think that R4R&R (john) has a set of them on right now and likes them.

And none for the Continental RoadAttacks, either.

[riceburner]

Diablo Stradas.

I've not tried the Michelins yet, but doubt I will, didn't likr the Pilot Sports when I had them so will stick with Pirelli.

[R4R&R]

No listing for the new Dunlops? I think that R4R&R (john) has a set of them on right now and likes them.

I was a big fan of the Pilot Roads, but the new PR2 are nearly $300 for a set from the discount places.

I love the new "Roadsmart" tire. Great stick on the edges, and what seems to be a harder compound in the middle. So far, so good. I have just over 4000 miles on them and theere still seems to be lots of tread left.

[dcameron]

i put a pair of conti road attacks on last year, a great improvement over the metzler z6 - they lean into the curves quicker and then roll over easily into the next curve.

[bluelight]

Will second the Road Attack. Makes the bike feel very light in the turns, easy roll in
and easy roll out. German made. Stock on the R1200R. Z fitment front and
regular rear. SW MOTO shipped $235.

[Ian]

love my z6s - long wearing, predictable and value for money!

[bruno71]

I had to replace my Z6's at about 6600 miles and the rear had the dreaded flat spot. I chose the Avon Storm ST's and they show little wear after 3000 miles. They seem good in the rain and have good grip. I'm not sure they were as sticky as the Z6's but they are close. IMHO the Z6's wore a little too quickly for the money. However, opinions about tires are a lot like those about oil and helmets. Selection is a very individual process that depends upon individual priorities and capabilities. If you have plenty of free time and can change your own tires, you may not mind buying a cheaper or very sporty and stickier brand that wear more quickly. If like me, you do not have the time or tools to change your own tires, you may want a longer lasting tire. Cost is a factor that many of us have to consider as well. The cost of a tire is reflected in both the initial cost of the tire and the frequency that it has to be replaced. Ultimately, tire choice is a compromise between wet traction, dry traction, and longevity, which affects both. Otherwise, many of us would all be running racing slicks. Of course, we want the best characteristics of all types of tires. To complicate things further, individual riding habits, conditions, frequency of tire maintenance and condition of the bike all substantially effects how a tire wears. If the bike's suspension is worn out, the tires will take more of a beating. If a bike has been wrecked or tweaked, it might cause the tire(s) to wear oddly. The load that a bike carries will also have an impact. If you are a supersized rider that does a lot of 2 up riding with all of your camping gear only taking the super slab, your rate of wear will be different from a smaller person who only rides solo and does a lot of canyon riding. What all of this blathering is leading up to is that most opinions about such things is anecdotal and fraught with too many variables to be definitive. Now to contradict myself; Tripton is spot on about the Bridgestone tires. I had some experience with them on two other bikes (Ducati and Suzuki) and in both cases they seemed to be substandard. (Not that that information is at all useful to you, but it makes me feel better to complain.) However, they may be the perfect choice if you are buying tires for your ex-wife. The best guys to answer your question are the trustworthy maintenance techs who see a large volume of bikes with a variety of tires. Usually, they get enough exposure to tire wear to get a more accurate statistical sense to which are good and bad tires. The very good techs even know the riding habits of their customers. Jackasses like me love to give their opinion, but in truth, we only have experience with a small number of tires, bikes and other variables. I think there are a couple of techs on this board------
-Bruno

[P_Jensen]

Bike came with Michelin Pilot Roads, which squared off badly and lasted about 10,000 miles. Replaced with a set of Pirelli Scorpion Sync's which handled better did not square off like the pilot roads. They lasted 8,000 miles (w/1mm thread remaining), I have a replacement set allready to be mounted. The Sync's do not last as long as road tires (Strada's, Z6's, Pilot Roads) but I like the feel better, and I am willing to live with the loss of miles. The set I just bought cost $265 shipped, which is less than the above mentioned street tires would have cost. I am using 120/70ZR17 front and a 180/55ZR17 rear on a Rockster 5.5" rim.

[Rockosmith]

Will second the Road Attack. Makes the bike feel very light in the turns, easy roll in
and easy roll out. German made. Stock on the R1200R. Z fitment front and
regular rear. SW MOTO shipped $235.

How recently did you get this price? I just looked on SW MOTO and came up with $273.90.

[scottybooj]

I wound up buying a set of conti road attacks...the one tire not on the list!

I'll let you know what I think.

I did NOT care for the Z6s when the condition of the road/weather was in question. not as sure feeling as I would like. also did not like to fall in as easy as I wanted.

[TicTac50]

Last month I got a set of Michelin CT2 from SW MOTO for $292.00 delivered.
Called my local dealer for the installation. $135.00 + TAX + shop fee did sound a little high to me.
I went with the third party installer and paid $34.00 just for the mount and steams.
I did not need to balance the tires, since I am using Dyna Beads now.
I like the feel of the Michelin CT2. Took a little trip from Miami to Alabama and back.
2500 miles later, both tires look good. I have only one concern about Michelin Pilot Road CT2 tires.
Max load capacity on the front tire = 520 pounds and the rear is = 783 pounds.
My ridding buddy put the same tires on his 1150RT and was told by the BMW tech in N. Carolina that front tire MAX load of 520 pounds is way below the requirement.
I don't know how the weight is distributed on R1150R, but it does sound logical to have more load capacity on the front tire, especially during the hard breaking.

P.S. I checked my F650 with Z6 tires and the load capacity on those tires are 407F/620R.
I wish I can find the actual numbers for the MAX LOAD for R1150R.

[wncbmw]

There are indeed many opinions on tires. I voted for the only two on the list I have used and have confidence in, wet or dry - the Z6 and the Pirelli Stradas. I would have not voted for the Avons if they were on the list - wore strangely and were abandoned with thread left due to handling issues.

I would not change tire brands until someone I know and have ridden with can recommend them. Mileage is important but secondary to handling and confidence in the corners and the rain.

[MattPie]

P.S. I checked my F650 with Z6 tires and the load capacity on those tires are 407F/620R.
I wish I can find the actual numbers for the MAX LOAD for R1150R.

From the Maint. book:
Unladen weight: 523lbs (wet, full tank)
Gross weight limit: 992lbs (making max people + gear = 470lbs)
Max Front Wheel load (max tire PSI): 396lbs
Max Rear Wheel load (max tire PSI): 660lbs

[bluelight]

To reply to the price question on the Conti Heart Attacks. I got them
in April for $235 shipped. As the $ has declined the price may have increased.
Z in front, plain in rear, and ask them where they were made. Dont buy them
if they say Korea since they are DEFINATELY made in Germany as well.

The only drawback of these tires is that you will wind up wanting to go faster,
and the thought preceeds the deed.