New Tyres for my R1150R

[dwayne]

I'm actually going to be in the market for new rubber come Spring. I like the stock tyres, but was wondering if there is another tyre out there that has about the same handling charteristics but longer tread life? I did hear of a tyre that had a harder rubber compound on the center of the tyre for long distance longegevity and softer on the shoulders for spirited riding. Can't remember the tyre brand and if it actually worked as designed?

[REDSTAN]

Listed in order of apparent popularity and good endorsements:

Metzler Z6
Pirelli Diablo
Michelin Pilot Roads
Avon's 45
Michelin Pilot Sports
Bridgestone BT14

what about the bridgestone 020 battleaxe tire any views??

i have the above on my bike and so far wet or dry the ride and handling is v/good front tire is close to 10.000 miles. second rear. first one covered just short of 9.500 Mile's

[duke]

One more post in this long thread:

I have followed advice offered by Riceburner and mid December replaced my 4.3k miles Metzeler Sportec M1 with Diablo Strada.

They (the Metzeler) were nice - however near the end they were behaving in a very scary way. If the tyre pressure was any lower than normal and the road was wet - the bike was behaving like drunken belly dancer. Enough about them. RIP.

The Stradas are soooo nice - scrubbed off very well, feel very stable and considering they are Sports-Touring (as opposed to the Sports-Road/Hypersports-Road Metzeler M1) they corner all the same.

I just need to see how long they are going to last.

[savente29]

Background-
Bought my first bike in May of 2004. Paid $8,700 for a used Citrus ABS Rockster w/1,100 miles. It came w/Michelin Pilot Sports. I commute 60 miles round trip daily on SoCal freeways. Ride like I stole it (or I like to think so...)

1st set-Michelin Pilot Sports:
Lasted about 4,000 miles to the rear chords.
Great tire (sticky) for the twisties but the freeway chewed them up pretty good down the middle.

2nd set-Metzler Z6(06/28/2005):
Metzeler Z6 120/70ZR-17 Front $94.25
Metzeler Z6 180/55ZR-17 Rear $117.95
Lasted about 7,000 miles to the rear chords.
Ok tire. I felt the tire spun to much from a cold start (beginning of my commute). I felt the tire was sloppy (like wet fish) from a hot start (end of my commute). As the tires wore down I felt they tended to hunt on the SoCal freeways (funky grooves they have out here).

3rd set-Avon (02/16/2006):
Avon AV45 ST 120/70ZR-17 Front $97.95
Avon AV46 ST 180/55ZR-17 Rear $131.95
Front lasted about 10,000 miles (no chords)
Got a rear flat 3,000 miles into it
*Used the tire patch kit under the seat to fix the flat and then road it to the dealership.
Good Tire. I felt the tire was better than the Z6 for my riding style and SoCal road conditions. They didn't spin cold or get sloppy when they were hot.
I replaced the rear with another Z6 from the BMW dealership....they don't carry Avon. I left the front Avon on.....enough money already spent.

4th set-Continental (1/22/07):
ContiRoad Attack 120/70ZR-17 $106.95
ContiRoad Attack 180/55ZR-17 $131.95
Scheduling 24,000 mile service for next week and tire installation.

fyi-I order my tires online from Southwest Moto and pay no shipping or taxes (when it's a set).

Keep you all posted...and thanks for reading my lengthy post.
Some may call it logorrhea.

[Brady]

Bought my R in October. 2002 with 4400 miles on it. The facotry Dunlops were still on it, not too badly worn but some flat spots from sitting. By the time I hit 8700 miles, the rear tire was pretty much bald. From this thread and several others, ordered the Conti Road Attacks from swmototires as well. A word to the wise, the Attack is BMW's new OEM and you have to call or email swmoto to get that version of the tire. It's not offered on their website. Lucked out as I found this out after ordering online but was able to get in touch with them and have the switch made before they shipped. Only got in about 60 miles on Saturday before the snow and ice hit. First impression was great. They are"tall" and fit the descriptions I had read about feeling like you are riding along a sting at first but found after I got used to it I liked the lack of effort required to lean into a sharp curve. To bastardize a quote the fonz from Waterboy: "You lean left. No. You think about leaning left." I'll keep you posted on the wear but so far so good. Plus they look pretty bad ass.... Just make sure you get the OEM tire for the front!

[MattPie]

Just make sure you get the OEM tire for the front!

So they have a 170/60R17 in the 'C' version if you call? I didn't see that one on the website and was wondering what to do about it. They have the 180 for the Rockster, but I didn't want to buy a new rim just for a tire...

[Brady]

They don't warehouse it, but order it and don't charge you extra. I orderd the regualr tire, found out there was a OEM part, emailed them and they switched it out. It took SWmoto about 2 days to get the OEM tire. A couple of bucks more for the OEM, but still chepaer than I was able to find from anyone else after you factor in shipping and taxes. You won't find the OEM on the website, but send them an email and you should be set. Good luck, I still love them! Brady

[UniMatrix]

So they have a 170/60R17 in the 'C' version if you call? I didn't see that one on the website and was wondering what to do about it. They have the 180 for the Rockster, but I didn't want to buy a new rim just for a tire...

I'm in the market for those tyres also, you need a 'C' front tyre and a normal 170/60 rear tyre for the R1150R Roadster. The Rockster needs a 'C' rear tyre and a 'Z' front.

Check out this link: http://www.conti-fitmentguide.com/

@Brady: please post further experiences when the weather clears up

[sebastien]

after my michelin polit road, my next tyres will be metzeller Z6
this tyre i very popular in france.

[Boxerjonny]

Bridgestone 020's, love em on the 1150R. Loads of feel, grip wet and dry, and they last well 5K from the rears and 10-12 from the fronts.

[John I. Stephen]

Let's just forget the mileage from these tyres; I wouldn't mind changing them every 3000 miles if the grip was exemplary ! BTW I also have those Bridgestones; they're not bad at all. But I'll change to Conti Road Attacks !
John

[UniMatrix]

I also have BT020's at the moment. I lost confidence in them because I had the rear end drift away a little about three times last season, on dry roads in high speed (100kph) corners (highway exits mainly).

The Z6's seem to be the best ones for the roadster but they are 20% more expensive, about 50 euro's a set, than the RA's. They are cheaper in other countries.

The Road Attacks got the same marks for grip as the Z6's in German 'Motorrad' magazine's sport-touring tyre review when pitched against Z6 and BT020 (qualified as 'outdated').

http://www.motorradonline.de/fm/186/Pun ... 112080.jpg

I'll know tomorrow, when I get the Road Attacks fitted!

[Airman]

after my michelin polit road, my next tyres will be metzeller Z6
this tyre i very popular in france.

Sabastien,

If there's a price difference you might consider the Pirelli Diablo Stradas. I mounted a pair when the Z4's wore out and am very pleased. They are supposedly basically the same as the Z6's.

Airman

[wncbmw]

+1 on what Airman said. I am on my second set of Pirelli Diablo Stradas and they have done well.

[sebastien]

hello airman

i agree with you
but in france the diablo are more expensive, so i'll take the z6.

[Trapper]

My vote has to be for the Michelin Road Pilots.

I took off a pair of part worn (<2000 miles) Metzeler M6s last year, because they squirmed like mad on our wet (UK) roads. In the dry they were great - but the first sign of damp and they were all over the place. Not good.

I blame the lack of tread in the centre of the rear. Crazy idea IMHO.

The Michelins seem so much better in the wet, and I haven't yet found their limit in the dry. They're better than I am.

The only other tyre I've seriously thought about is the Bridgestone Battleaxe BT020 s, as I've heard some very good reports.

I'm not that worried about minor variations in wear rate. I just want good grip (in all conditions) for reasonable cost.

Cheers

[REDSTAN]

now then trapper how yer doing Ive got the bt020 battleaxe on my 1150 and no probs wet or dry. good in a straight line and only about 1/2inc chicken strip on the shoulders when dry:smt026

they last as well front original tire 15,000 so far. second rear first did over 11,000

[Trapper]

Ey Up Redstan,

Been down to that London - good to get back up North.

I have no idea how you get 11,000 miles out of any tyre. I don't ride that hard -well not that often - and I try to be smooth. But almost every rear tyre I've ever had (a few) has eventually flattened off in the middle. (I put it down to motorway riding - even though I try to avoid it as much as possible). As a result I chuck my tyres long before they become illegal.

Once I lose that progressive tip-it-smoothly-into-the-corner feel I start looking for a new tyre.

Maybe I'm too fussy, but as my tyres are the only thing touching the road (hopefully) and thereby keeping me out of a ditch/hedge/wall/oncoming vehicle I like them in good nick.

I look forward to giving the BT020s a try out next time round.

Cheers

ps Anyone want a low mileage M6 rear - they're a very good tyre you know.......

[Ian]

Hi All,

I currently put a new set of Z6s on my R1150R after racking up 20000ks, on the original tyres - so i am a fan of the Metz, ran road pilots on my GSX1400 and they where good for a while - then died a quick death.

[dwayne]

Hi John,
One more vote for Z6's here in the damp UK. I haven't been disappointed with them and can easily get to the edges in the dry as well. Been a great set of tyres so far. The michelins also look good tho...choices eh!

Hey Chris, the Z6's do they handle better then the stock 'Stones that comes with the bike? I'm going to need a new set this coming summer, and although I want long milege, I don't want to sacrifice the handling I get from the stock rubber.