tire talk

[zeke]

Looks like it is time for new tires. What is the latest out there? My buddy put a set of dunlop Q 3 on his bike and really like them. But it doesn't seem like they have a rear that will fit the RR. These are the sizes current on there, Metzler z 6 interact front 120 70 z r 17 (58w) rear 170 60 z r 17 (72 w). Was pretty happy with those, but would be willing to try something else. I do a lot of Hwy riding so maybe there is a tire better suited to that...?
Thanks, Zeke

[RadicalR1150R]

I've used Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact Sport Touring Front Tire & Roadtec Z8 Interact Sport Touring Rear Tire on my R1150R with excellent results, Superb cornering/lean, although the tar snakes when wet are a little exciting on the roads here in Michigan. Motorcycle Superstore will deliver free to your home or service dealer.

[AZBMWRIDER]

I had a set of Michelin RP4's mounted on my '02 R about three months ago .
Very impressed with the tires, been running Michelin RP2's since I got the bike .
Living in a desert, no experience with wet conditions as of yet .

[zeke]

I was considering the pilot 4, or metz 880. Leaning towards the pilot 4. Both seem to have good reviews, from reputable manufactures. I'll keep you posted.

[windy]

I also wanted Michelin Pilot Road 4's,but two local dealers found that they were on backorder every where. So in order to ride to a rally,the shop mounted Bridgestone Battalax B30s. So far they are working well. Fine handling wet or dry and not as bad as some on tar snakes. I live and ride in north Georgia mountains and we have lots of curves and tar snakes.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Loving the experience with the Pirelli Angel GT s
My history
1 set PR1s
2 sets PR2 s
1 set Me 880s -wore a little better than the PR3s, but didn't grip nearly as well
3 sets PR3 s- liked them but they felt "squishy" just soft sort of-liked them though
1 set Pirelli Scorpion trails - loved them but mileage was "only" 8k and for me that's short
Had a Z8 on the rear for a while and found it no different than the Z6, and no better than the Angel GT it replaced after a flat--they didn't have an Angel in stock.

Second set of Angel GTs and they are second only, re grip wet dry, and a VERY close second to the Scorpion Trails. If I were buying today, I would look at thr PR4s, and price them against the Pirellis and likely get the Pirellis again. I like them that much.

John

[Shakey]

With only 6600 miles on the clock I just had to change out my Z8s. The rear had some wear left and had flattened off but the BMW dealer who kindly let me take a new GS out for a three hour spin said that what I had thought of as "feathering"on the front tyre was actually part of a "bulging defect" they have seen on these tyres on the R12 and F800GT. I was warned to ride the 200 miles home very carefully.
So I've just had a set of PR4s fitted but alas have not had the chance to go out and try them as yet.

[dbdicker]

I've used Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact Sport Touring Front Tire & Roadtec Z8 Interact Sport Touring Rear Tire on my R1150R with excellent results, Superb cornering/lean, although the tar snakes when wet are a little exciting on the roads here in Michigan. Motorcycle Superstore will deliver free to your home or service dealer.

This has been my exact experience. been thru Avons, PRs and Contis too. Something about the tire that BMW recommends for its own stuff --- maybe it's in my head.

Just great -- except for the tar snakes, yes!

[Dr. Strangelove]

aren't they recommending the Pirellis now? Thought I saw that somewhere.

Wet tar snakes on Ca 3 in May...YES! YIKES. Like ice.

[zeke]

Got the p4. Front and rear. No wet riding yet. So far I'm very happy. Great cornering. I'm not a super aggressive rider, and the tires have held well on the curves I have hit. I would bet they would hold real well at an aggressive lean angle. Slab riding is fine as well, kind of unmentionable.. comfortable ride on flat straight high speed roads. Overall pretty happy thus far. Hopefully I'll get some decent milage out of the tires.

[peels]

Is there a reference anywhere for MOST MILEAGE? Personally, I would sacrifice some handling for straight line wear. Just to try it. I commute in a straight 7 mile line to work, the strips show quickly.

I owned MIchelin Pilots on my streetbike, those handled fantastically, but wore out crazy fast. My R has Metzeler 8's on it. A friend recommended Commanders, he gets good mileage out of them on his HD, but don't make a suitable size for the beemer....

Id like to see a mileage report for the PR4's.

[Dr. Strangelove]

If you're just looking for mileage I suspect the Metzler 880 (Marathon) could be the champ. Hard compound though they do handle well enough. They got the most mileage for me by maybe 10%???

[Yangins]

Have a couple guys using Shinko 009 raven. So far holding out very well. I might trya rear when my co to are gone this next month.

[peels]

If you're just looking for mileage I suspect the Metzler 880 (Marathon) could be the champ. Hard compound though they do handle well enough. They got the most mileage for me by maybe 10%???

Excellent, thanks. My R has the Z6's on there... great grip....really. but the wear isnt up to my standards.

Have a couple guys using Shinko 009 raven. So far holding out very well. I might trya rear when my co to are gone this next month.

I really wondered about those....the cheapness scares me...a little. but i liked the channel right down the middle of the tire for the wet. hmmm....I might look into them. they're cheap enough if they suck. As high mileage vs cost is what I'm looking for. Basically. VALUE. I had shinkos on an atv..but thats different. reviews I'm seeing aren't bad. Ive got time. maybe another 1000 outta my z6's still.

thanks.

[pebmr]

Is there a reference anywhere for MOST MILEAGE? Personally, I would sacrifice some handling for straight line wear. Just to try it. I commute in a straight 7 mile line to work, the strips show quickly.

I owned MIchelin Pilots on my streetbike, those handled fantastically, but wore out crazy fast. My R has Metzeler 8's on it. A friend recommended Commanders, he gets good mileage out of them on his HD, but don't make a suitable size for the beemer....

Id like to see a mileage report for the PR4's.

Zeke,

I have PR2's on mine and they mainly do a 60 mile roundtrip commute most days of the week. A short trip now and then. Maybe a tiny bit of gravel. Currently, they have over 20,000 miles on them, just getting down to the wear bars, and a little squared off ( not nearly as bad as previous Z6's though!). I had about 15,000 on the Z6's when I changed them out. I have a set of PR3's waiting to be mounted later this year.

[peels]

Is there a reference anywhere for MOST MILEAGE? Personally, I would sacrifice some handling for straight line wear. Just to try it. I commute in a straight 7 mile line to work, the strips show quickly.

I owned MIchelin Pilots on my streetbike, those handled fantastically, but wore out crazy fast. My R has Metzeler 8's on it. A friend recommended Commanders, he gets good mileage out of them on his HD, but don't make a suitable size for the beemer....

Id like to see a mileage report for the PR4's.

Zeke,

I have PR2's on mine and they mainly do a 60 mile roundtrip commute most days of the week. A short trip now and then. Maybe a tiny bit of gravel. Currently, they have over 20,000 miles on them, just getting down to the wear bars, and a little squared off ( not nearly as bad as previous Z6's though!). I had about 15,000 on the Z6's when I changed them out. I have a set of PR3's waiting to be mounted later this year.

20k on motorcycle tires? excellent.

[zeke]

20k that's what I'm talking about. Good for you on those tires. Thanks.

[dustburm]

I have a Rockster with PR2's. I commute a short 18 mile freeway round trip. A few trips from Phoenix up the Yarnell Hill to Prescott but not often. I've got almost 22k and not down to the ware bars. I grab the throttle on top vs the bottom to get plenty of 'twist', ya know. I brake hard with the front brake so the front tire is a bit cupped. Not to the point of being 'rabid roto tiller' scarey on cornering. I have more tire choices than clues which to pick. I wished I knew more about replacement PR3's and PR4's because I was happy with the PR2's.

I needed front pads (HBC's?) after about 11k (but had almost a 'nickle' thick left). I checked with previous owner (to 46k) and he thought he had put 2 sets of rear pads on but not fronts. I really use the front brake almost all of the time. Is there an 'ABS' thing that causes the rear pads to SEEMINGLY go quickly? My fronts are down to less than a 'nickle' thick at 71K miles so after the heat subsides a bit they will get replaced with the HBC's(?) in my tool box.

Dusty Burman

[EasyBee]

I need new tyres and my dealer says I should go for the Bridgestone Battlax T30. Anybody any experiece with these tyres?

[peels]

I have a Rockster with PR2's. I commute a short 18 mile freeway round trip. A few trips from Phoenix up the Yarnell Hill to Prescott but not often. I've got almost 22k and not down to the ware bars. I grab the throttle on top vs the bottom to get plenty of 'twist', ya know. I brake hard with the front brake so the front tire is a bit cupped. Not to the point of being 'rabid roto tiller' scarey on cornering. I have more tire choices than clues which to pick. I wished I knew more about replacement PR3's and PR4's because I was happy with the PR2's.

I needed front pads (HBC's?) after about 11k (but had almost a 'nickle' thick left). I checked with previous owner (to 46k) and he thought he had put 2 sets of rear pads on but not fronts. I really use the front brake almost all of the time. Is there an 'ABS' thing that causes the rear pads to SEEMINGLY go quickly? My fronts are down to less than a 'nickle' thick at 71K miles so after the heat subsides a bit they will get replaced with the HBC's(?) in my tool box.

Dusty Burman

there are only two pads vs 4 on the front. dual discs.

and...22k on the pr2's! is your whole commute on memory foam mattress covered roads?? LOL!!!!!