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

Question about tire loads for the tire experts...

I've been thinking about getting a set of Conti Road attacks for my bike, but I'm completely confused by the "C" variant. That's supposed to the be the tire that BMW helped design for the newer R-bikes. I've heard it has a stiffer side-wall for our heavier bikes.

• Questions
  - The Continental fitment guide doesn't list a rear (170/60R17) "C" tire when you select the R1150R. The guide specs a C front, and a 'regular' rear. Is that kosher?
  - The load rating for the normal AND C front is '58', which is 520lbs. If the C tire doesn't carry more load, what's different about it?
  - The R1150R isn't that heavy, maybe this matters more for an RT?
  - Should I just get Strada Diablos to avoid worrying about this?

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/w ... ck_en.html

I'm no expert but from what I read somewhere...120/70 front and 170/60 rear...what does your BMW dealer think?

DJ

DJ Downunder wrote:I'm no expert but from what I read somewhere...120/70 front and 170/60 rear...what does your BMW dealer think?

My local dealer just closed (Mainline BMW), but last time I called them, they recommended the OEM Dunlop tires for US$350/set.

Those are the right sizes, I'm just trying to figure out which Roadattack variant (C or not) would be right for the bike.

I did not like the OEM dunlop's that came on my 02 & 04 R1150R's. I did like the Metlers I replaced the 02 with, I think they were Z6's. Nice handling and good wear.

MattPie wrote:

DJ Downunder wrote:I'm no expert but from what I read somewhere...120/70 front and 170/60 rear...what does your BMW dealer think?

My local dealer just closed (Mainline BMW), but last time I called them, they recommended the OEM Dunlop tires for US$350/set.

Those are the right sizes, I'm just trying to figure out which Roadattack variant (C or not) would be right for the bike.

Contact Hermy's near Reading. I was only there once, but their service staff is pretty knowledgeable.

http://www.hermys.com/

Europe requires tires certified for specific applications. US does not.

Generally, any tire that fits the rim profile and has a DOT certification without regard to load range will be safe to use for general purpose riding.

I have about 300 miles on my Conti Road Attacks. I purchased the normal size for the rear and the "C" for the front. It's BMW's new OEM part. Couldn't tell you the difference between the regular and the "C" as I have never seen the normal, but I have to admit I love the Attacks. They are very "tall" and feel a bit different at first, but after you get used to them they feel great. Plus, the look Bas A_s on the R. Definatley set it apart.

Brady

I just bought Road Attacks for my R1150R. I LOVE THESE TIRES! I cannot feel the tar-snakes and asphalt grooves that are prevalent on our area freeways.

Two questions.

1) You mention on your website that your version of this model tire, FOR BMW MODELS, is a special 'C-edition'. I doubt highly this is the version I received via the supply chain pipe-line, since my store does not stock Conti (at least for NOW).

Is there anything lacking in the 'standard' model for my application(freeway commuting) ?

Our Road Attack "C" spec. compared to our standard Road Attack has an addition carcass ply/layer for enhanced high speed stability and the sidewall will be labeled clearly as "C" for easy identification. The "C" spec. Road Attack was developed specifically for certain BMW models and your R1150R should be running our 120/70ZR17 Road Attack "C" spec. on the front and our standard 170/60ZR17 Road Attack on the rear.

2) Is the sidewall indication of 42PSI the actual MAX allowable? On my former set of Metzler's, I ran either 42/44, or 44/46, which kept it under their posted 50PSI max.

I'm a large guy that normally carries full luggage.

I'm not sure of your total load but for normal loads we recommend 36 cold psi. front and 39 cold psi. rear with 42 cold psi. front & rear being the minimum inflation for the max. load of your bike. You can run them slightly hogher (i.e. 44 front/48 rear cold psi.) however your going to trade off some cornering grip.

I went back and checked my sidewall again & found that I had received the 'C' spec version for my front. I think I've got 4K on them now. Sill loving them.

This is a popular tire for the K12RS/GT crowd. I currently run them on my K12RS. Nice tire. Go to one of the KRS forums for detailed discussions:

http://www.k-bikes.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=42

I like the Conti RoadAttack. There was a set on my 2004 Rockster when I bought it used. The front was pretty worn but the rear looked okay. I was able to get another 7000 miles out of the front. They wear very well and give good enough adhesion for my style of riding which is mostly urban commuting.

I recently replaced front and rear with a new set of RoadAttacks but was unaware of the "C" variant. I took a look at the Fitment Guide on the page you sent and the Rockster lists a "ContiRoadAttack C" for the rear and a "ContiRoadAttack Z" for the front. I have no idea what the C/Z means.

I bought both tires off eBay from atvdirect. $105 including shipping for 120-70ZR17.

The next time I have to replace tires I will look for ContiRoadAttacks if they are still available as they've worked well for me.

Thanks! Still haven't decided on a tire, but it helps to know that others have mixed the C/not-C with no apparent issues.