BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

So I am picking up my 2005 R1150R this weekend(private sale), and am new to BMW and road motorcycling in general....
She needs a rear tire, a 170/60r17 from what I gather.
I am so green with this(& let me mention also thrifty), that I am tempted to just drop it off at one of the 2 local ATL BMW dealers and have it done, but also interested in doing it as economically as possible.

-1. I assume dealer tire pricing is significantly higher than what one might can get online? Do dealers typically install tires purchased from an outside source?

-2. Would there be significant risk in using a non BMW dealer to do it, or a reseller like WOW?

-3. What tire brand(s) are preferred &/or disliked by the group?

-4. Any other pertinent advice would be appreciated.

Thanks very much in advance for the help.

Ron

I just had Metzler Z6's put on my 2004 R1150R.
My 4th set in 35k. (Z4's were on it when I bought it)

Hey Ron,

I recently had this same problem. I just got my bike in december and I needed to change out the front tire. I wasnt sure if I wanted to go with a dealer or not, specially because they are kind of pricy.

In the end I ordered my front tire from Revzilla, removed the tire from the bike and took it to a look motorcycle shop. They changed it out for $15. It was awesome, way cheaper than going to a dealership.

In regards to the tire, I went with the Bridgestone Battlax BT-023. Like I said, I am new to motorcycle riding so I have no idea how other tires are. I just looked in this forum and read around and a lot of people seems to like this tire.

Hope this helps a bit. .

Luis

Ron, if you can find a nearby place that will change motorcycle tires at reasonable cost ($15 is great), go with that. Or learn to change them yourself. It is quite a bit cheaper to purchase online.

Also, you might find a local BMW MC club that has access to a tire changing machine along with the necessary expertise to make the change.

Many including myself like Michelin Pilot Road.

Make sure you call an independent dealer first to make sure they have the adapter to do rims with a single side arm mount. Not everyone will.

Thank you all for the information. It is good to know of such a valuable resource here on the internets. Perhaps at some point I will be knowledgeable enough to impart some useful wisdom of my own.