R1150R rear tire size(s)

[kantuckid]

Has anybody ran 180/55/17 on the rear of their R1150R bike(with OEM rims) with no problem? Looking at a deal on a set of tires...Thanks in advance!

[MikeCam]

It can be done safely.

[CARTEEUSMC]

Yes I have been running one after I wore out my first set of tires. Metezeler Z6. I miss the Z4

[Hottech]

I also bought a 180/55/17 to replace my Z6 170/60/17. I was told it would be abit taller and wider with more rubber on the road. I believe Rocksters run them more than Roadsters. Haven't changed mine out, still running the rear Z6 plugged for the last 4,000 miles. Let me know how it works out.

[boxermania]

My memory is not as good as it used to be but if I remember correctly the R1150R rim is 5" wide and it comes with a 170 tire, where the Rockster rim is 5.5" wide and comes with a 180 tire.

Fundamentally, the 5" wide rim is the max size for the 170 section tire, for a 180 section tire the 5.5" rim should be used, certainly a 180 will fit a 5" wide rim, however, be cognizant that motorcycle tires curvature and fitment of the bead to the rim is fairly critical and a 180 section tire is "squeezed" inward by .5".

Also wider tires tend to slow down the turn in of the bike, that's one of the reasons why racers use the less wide tire. On the other hand a 180 section tire is by far more common than a 170 section tire.

That being said, the intent of this post is to pass along some acquired knowledge and not legislate what you choose to use.

[Airman]

At Motorcycle Superstore the 180/55/17 is $7 more than the 170/60/17. If I was to get a smoking deal on a 180, I might consider it because it will work. Otherwise I wouldn't because it really isn't the right tire for a 5" rim. You could also make a case for using a 170 on a 5.5" rim, but again you're changing the radius of the contact patch.

[MikeCam]

At Motorcycle Superstore the 180/55/17 is $7 more than the 170/60/17. If I was to get a smoking deal on a 180, I might consider it because it will work. Otherwise I wouldn't because it really isn't the right tire for a 5.5" rim. You could also make a case for using a 170 on a 5" rim, but again you're changing the radius of the contact patch.

Airman, You might wish to re-read and edit your post. 170 tires go on 5" rims. 180 tires go on 5.5" rims. That's the standard.

[Airman]

At Motorcycle Superstore the 180/55/17 is $7 more than the 170/60/17. If I was to get a smoking deal on a 180, I might consider it because it will work. Otherwise I wouldn't because it really isn't the right tire for a 5.5" rim. You could also make a case for using a 170 on a 5" rim, but again you're changing the radius of the contact patch.

Airman, You might wish to re-read and edit your post. 170 tires go on 5" rims. 180 tires go on 5.5" rims. That's the standard.

Right.

[bikermeow]

It may not be intended; but I have ran a 180 on the Roadster before, no issues. But that was because I could not get a 170 in the first place!

[kantuckid]

The"deal" was for a new pair of conti force tires @ $125 plus $25 sh and I found out the front had a 2005 date and decided there were too many reasons against buying them.I am going to put a Chinese on the rear w my good Z6 front and ride until they're both worn out. I'll haul the new rear to McAllen,Tx (wear out the old rear in the 1500k to TX) and need to hear of or look for a good place to get it mounted there, before I enter MX? Anybody have a place there they like to get a tire mounted?

[Biped]

If one had to have a 180 rear tire to make life perfect and wanted to do it right, would a Rockster rear wheel fit a Roadster? Repainted, of course.

[Phang]

I bought this R1100S 5.5” rear wheel a few weeks after I changed a new 170/60/17 Metzeler Z6 on the stock 5" wheel.

Based on the home work done, the 5.5" R1100S wheel should fit R1150R without problem. I will update you guys on the suitability of the wheel in…. say, 5 years from now based on the mileage I clocked on the roadster for the past 6 months

[gregor]

In the UK you are obliged to let your insurance company know about 'non standard' items which may affect your risk profile.

[boxermania]

Biped

The Rockster wheel with a 180 section tire will fit the R, but I believe there will be contact between the tire and the single sided arm. That means that you will have to use the spacer that comes standard on the Rockster to space the wheel out and eliminate the potential rub on the arm.

[P_Jensen]

A rockster rim does fit the roadster. The spacer is a piece of sheet metal with holes for the lug nuts. I think it is there to keep the rim and hub from becoming one. The only issue with the wider tire is you will have to take the O.E muffler off when fitting or removing the rear tire, not enough clearance. Removal may not be necessary with aftermarket mufflers due to their smaller size. I bought the 5.5" so I could run Scorpion Sync's (120/70-17 & 180/55-17).

[Biped]

I bought this R1100S 5.5” rear wheel a few weeks after I changed a new 170/60/17 Metzeler Z6 on the stock 5" wheel.

Based on the home work done, the 5.5" R1100S wheel should fit R1150R without problem. I will update you guys on the suitability of the wheel in…. say, 5 years from now based on the mileage I clocked on the roadster for the past 6 months

Well, it hasn't been five years yet, but I was wondering -- have you tried to mount this wheel on your R1150R yet?

[boxermania]

P_Jensen

Just to set the record straight, no offense meant as your post had some good information, but the "spacer" in question has nothing to do with and I quote:

I think it is there to keep the rim and hub from becoming one.

But to insure there is no rub of the tire sidewall with the one-sided arm, due to the increased .500" width of the rim.

Actually the rim is aluminum allow and the hub is steel and what happens is that a bit of surface rust forms on the hub due to humidity collecting between the hub OD and and the rim ID, making the wheel removal somewhat difficult. This is easily resolved by "lightly, removing the surface rust....do make sure not to grind on the hub as the concentricity of the hub and the wheel can be affected and the ride will suffer.

A dab (just a small amout)of anti-seize or lithium grease helps upon reasembly.....the same applies to the wheel bolts.

[P_Jensen]

Boxermania;
I know you are knowledgable, but the thickness of the washer/spacer is 20 ga. sheet metal (approx 0.0359"). A spacer that thin is not about spacing the tire from the swingarm, If so why would BMW call it a "washer" and not a spacer? Why would all roadster's with their 5.0" rims be equipped with them? Any change in offset for the increased rim width is built into the wheel, and I am sure BMW took into account the amount of space available. My un-educated guesss on the use of the "washer" comes from my experience with my 3 series car where the alloy wheels love to become one with the brake rotor, a problem I have never had with the bike. Below is a link to Max BMW online parts Fiche for the R and Rockster.

For the R1150R BMW Part# 36-31-7-653-286 Washer
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/ ... spid=47984

For the R1150 Rockster BMW part # 36-31-7-653-286 Washer
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/ ... spid=47986