Tire recommendation(s)?

[lake_harley]

I bought a 2004 R1150R about 2 months ago. I've put about 2,000 Miles on it and it's time for a pair of tires (rear has a non-findable slow leak). My riding is what I'd call "utility", mostly using the bike as much as possible rather than take a car. I did do one 850+ mile weekend trip (with my son and his bike, great time together). I hope to do some 2-up touring with my wife in the future. As far as "sport" riding, the bike probably has much more sport in it than I'll ever personally have. I'd like suggestions for tires that will last a lot of miles. Good manners in the wet would be desirable as well. Like I said earlier my "sport" riding is basically nil. The only way the pegs will ever touch the ground would be if I lose my balance at low speed or if I've put the kickstand down in a soft spot.

The bike currently has Metzlers on it. I was shocked when I saw the price for a new pair! Something at a lower price would be great!

Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions.

Lynn

PS...I just joined the board yeaterday. Thanks for having me.

[riceburner]

My preferred is Pirelli Diablo Stradas - I fend they give good life, and good grip in all conditions.

[scottybooj]

hey riceburner, he said NO sport riding! And you suggest pirellis?

You will have a hard time finding 'cheap' tires for these bikes. I love my continental road attacks, but they are made for agressive riding, but that just means they handle everything well. The bridgestone line will be among the less expensive tires you'll find. I think they are the battlax line. Send a PM to Biff's R...he has had them in the past, and i believe he has a set on now.

If you're not doing heavy mileage, the contis or the pirellis are the way to go. Super super sticky, awesome handling. Some of the guys here put some heavy mileage on their rides, so a harder compound tire is preferred at the expense of handling, comfort, and wet stickiness.

edit: I just re-read your post. You do put on some mileage, so go for the Battlax 020 from bridgestone. Just ask those who have used them how many miles they get. Then buy in bulk.

[Sparky]

My riding style is quite sporty, so I have no personal experience with the kind of tire you will likely want to mount.

That said, I just did a quick Google search on the Metzeler 880, which is designed for long life, and it returned many reports of 10,000+ mile tires (albeit with reports of lower traction than other tires, but it sounds like you value mileage over ultimate grip).

My personal favorite for a combination of life and grip is the Metzeler Z6 -- I usually get about 5k-7k out of them with great wet grip -- but I think you would like something longer wearing.

[GypsyRR]

Try this link: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11850

It has a lot of good information on tire preferences from among people on this site and also costs.

and some other links:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=15381&p=136662&hilit=tires#p136662

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14633&hilit=tires

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14056&p=125975&hilit=tires#p125975

[AirForceDirt]

You're not gonna like it, but keep Metzlers on it. Get a set of touring tires, I don't remember which ones mine has, as I did not put them on, but they are great for everything, last set got clsoe to 10k before we even thought about changing them. Sure, they're spendy, but what good things aren't?

[philbytx]

Try Conti Road Attacks. Very reasonably priced and I am very impressed. Installed them on my R and loved the way they rolled into the corners. Very sticky when warmed up. I used ME880's for years on my RT and recently switched to Conti RA's on that too. Much cheaper than ME880's....

[Rockosmith]

My personal favorite for my style of not very aggressive riding but with fairly high mileage is the Michelin Pilot Road 2. I consistantly get 11,000 miles from a rear tire, slightly more from a front, but usually replace them as a set. I used to use the Metzler Z6, got about 8000 miles from a rear and 12000 from a front. Currently have a set of Conti Road Attacks. I like them but the rear is almost done at 5600 miles, the front probably would go 10000. It is back to Michelin for me.

[Dr. Strangelove]

+1 on the Metzler Marathons (880s)
I am on my second pair now. ON the first I got 10k miles. I use my bike similar to your description, but I have done NC and CO and Ark aggressively with them and they were fine.

John

[TicTac50]

A+ for Pilot Road 2
So far I have 10K on those tires loaded with the DynaBeads.
I am anticipating at least 15K on the rear tire and 20K on the front.
I paid about to $290.00 from SouthWestMotoTech.
I only had experience with original tires for a short time and then about 6 sets of Avon Azaro.
Pilot Road 2 are the best so far, at least for me.
Good Luck.

[lake_harley]

You have all come through with recommendations and preferences in a way I can make a better choice. I already feel like I'm a more informed buyer compared to going into my BMW dealership and taking his recommendation only. I certainly trust him, but then again he may be personally or financially biased to one brand vs another. I thank you all and welcome additional input.

I called today to get his input and we discussed a couple of those suggested here early in the thread. I asked about Metzler 880's (which my bike has now) and Continential Road Attacks, but will probably add Michelin Pilot Road 2's to get price quotes. I am willing to spend more now to get longer life, which may calculate to less cost per mile.

AirForceDirt...You mentioned something to the effect of "get a set of touring tires" but strongly recommended staying with Metzlers. Is there a Metzler tire that's considered more of a "touring tire" that may yield longer life than the 880's?

Thanks again everyone. I tried doing a search on "tire choice" before I posted my question but came up with such a long list of threads and posts that I didn't have the patience to sort through them. Thanks to the poster who copied the links to several earlier threads on this same topic.

Lynn

[riceburner]

hey riceburner, he said NO sport riding! And you suggest pirellis?

First time I've met a bloke called "Lynn".

Oh - and since I stopped "Sport riding" (due to a run in with an unmarked Fireblade and his mates on fully marked bikes), my Diablo Stradas are expected to last me a fair while, and still grip much better than any 020 I ever used ever have.

(As an aside: the 020 is the ONLY tyre I've ever had spinup on the power when leaving a junction - and it was a WARM, DRY day and the tyre was HOT. Never again!)

[wncbmw]

TicTac50 said:

I am anticipating at least 15K on the rear tire and 20K on the front.

Wow! You are getting about 2 1/2 times my tire mileage! I have never gotten even 7K from a rear or front!

Of course, I live in the mountains of NC. Lots of curves and a hard granite in the 'chip and seal' roads. Even car tire mileage around here sucks.

And I have used Avons, Metzler Z6, Pirelli Stadas. The Z6 and Stradas are equals with a good mix of wet and dry handling and comparable mileage.

I may try the PR2 after some riders I know have done the field tests for me!

[DSKYZD]

I may try the PR2 after some riders I know have done the field tests for me!

You'll love'em.

[wncbmw]

We'll talk this weekend! Oh and ride this weekend, if I can keep up!

[AirForceDirt]

Mine has 880's on it, and pretty much always has. We tried the Z6's and they lasted almost as long, but the front tire pattern has a tendency to follow grooves in the road, and that can lead to some entertaining moments. The z6 is more of a "sport touring" tire, which is truly what the 1150R is, but its up to you. Metzlers last the longest, out of any tire, hands down. Sure, they may not be race ready, super grippy, tires, but they'll tack on miles like none other.

[Hottech]

I was at the bike shop today(Ridenow) and they are clearancing out their tires. Can not recommend the quality, never ran them but they have a set of Dunlap D207 front and rear that would fit the R. Both tires for $169 plus tax, might want to check out your local dealer.

[PA Rider]

According to my local BMW dealer, many quality motorcycle tires are in very short supply. I have been waiting for over a month for a front Pilot Road 2.

[bmwdave52]

A+ for Pilot Road 2.
I second this recommendation.
Best tires I've had so far in seven years of ownership.

[digga]

Ahh but what sizes can i run??

i have a 020 on the rear at 170/60/ZR17 with a 120/70/ZR17 up front at the moment. looking at change, but a friend in th e trade has access to:

180/55/ZR17 with 120/ZR70/17 at £99 plus tax a pair.

Am i correct in that this slight change in profile will not upset the handling??

cheers guys