BMW R1150R Rear Tire

[Paulo]

Hi,
Is there any problem in replacing the R1150R stock rear tire, which measures 170/60R17 , by the R1200R or rockster, which measure 180/55R17?
Thanks,
Paulo

[MikeCam]

None. It works. It's been done by many members here. Have at it.

[Paulo]

I won't change the rear weel. Does it fit fine?

[Lion_Lady]

The wheel for the Rockster is 1/2 inch wider than the stock wheel for the R/R. The wider tire is not the right fit for the rim. Don't discount the danger this may entail.

P

[MIXR]

Individual tyre manufacturers usually have a rim width range that their tyres are suited for. Some also include a preferred rim width. Choose your tyre, check the brand's website, and see if it is a recommended fit.

Be wary of differences between brands. Avon (as an example) in a 170 is almost as wide as a 180 in other brands. A 180 Avon may not fit. I have found some Dunlops to be 'narrow' in the stock 170 profile.

The stock R rim will take a larger 180 (or as small as a 160) in most brands. The change in handling either way is barely noticeable, but is noticeable, so I would question why you want to do it unless you have discovered a cheap supply of the 180 size.

Remember, the 170 or 180 refers to width (profile width when inflated) and is measured in millimetres. 170 = 170 mm wide. 180 = 180 mm wide. That's an overall change (in the same brand and type of tyre) of 10 mm. That's only 5 mm per side. The tyre profile will also change with inflation, so you cannot measure this while the tyre is on the shelf in the shop.

If you are fitting the same brand and type of tyre that you have now, then measure the clearance to the shaft housing or whatever else is 'close', and see if you have room for another 5 mm of tyre. Then go see if the manufacturer is ok with the 180 on the R rim size.

This sort of thing is also being looked at by our insurance companies. If you have a non-standard tyre/rim fitment, you may void your insurance!

[Paulo]

Thanks everybody. I'll keep the original measure, as it won't make that difference. I agree that the diference in handling must be barely noticeable, if any.
Best Regards,
Paulo

[omg1010]

The R1150 rear rim is a 5" rim which is permitted only for 170 tire. The rockster rim is 5.5" and permitted for the 180 tire. So either you change the rim (use the rockster or the R1100S rim) or stick to the stock tire. However changing from 170 to 180 is not noticeable at all. To the contrary, the wider the tire the less agile the bike ... Hence I would suggest you stay with the 170 tire. Go for a Michelin Pilot Road II and you have the finest tire you can ever get for your bike.

Brgds
Oliver

[boxermania]

+1 omg1010

In some instances, those that have chosen to install a 180 section tire on the 5" rim (sections vary between tire brands as aluded above) have had issues with clearance between the sidewall of the tire and the inside of the single arm.