Tires, pro’s and con’s of what you have fitted please

[bakin]

#1617

Evening guys and gals,

Tire choice can always seem a tough one, if you get it wrong it's a lot of money to change them.
I ask the question, which of the BMW reccomended tires have you ever fitted to your bike and which one's do a rate?

When I got my 1150 ADV it had Mich T66's fitted which I found to be a very good tire in the wet and dry, cornered very well, and gave me loads of confidence on the machine - used 3 sets. The down side was they only lasted about 6,000 miles (sorry need to work in pomme measurements) - NZ roads do seem very tough on tires and US roads as they are so straight.

Came to a tire change and all I could get were the Metzler Tourance, BMW reccom so I went ahead and put them on......

With in a few miles I felt the front was a little light and had a wobble from zero to 55mph and back to zero. At first I put this down to new tires, poss slightly different preasure but after much fiddling with preasures and susspention settings nothing changed. In the end I put it down to a slightly 'off' rear tire and let them wear out. Over 55 mph they were as good as the old Mich tires.

At last i've worn them out, well got close and picked up a rear slow puncture. Millage wise I had got to 6,000 miles and still had 2mm left. I wanted to go back to the T66's but could only get Mich Anakee. Straight away NO WOBBLE. One happy camper. Not done many miles so cannot answer cornering ability but 'tis all looking good.

So people how have you got on with different tire choices?

One down side of not liking it bellow 55 mhp is you get tickets, bugger. Ohh well no points as I am using a UK licence and at 48 pounds it was 12 pounds cheeper than home.

Harvey

[Dave Ross]

#5742

I’ve used Tourances and TKC80 nothing else so far. I am completely happy with either set. TKC80 are a bit squirrly at first, but soon settle in. Maybe you had a bad front tire, or it hadn’t seated properly. Good luck with your search.

[Arne Rohde]

#5743

There seems to have been a problem with some Tourance front tyres. Perhaps a bad batch.

My bike came with Bridgestone Trailwings. Didn't like them. Lasted 9000km. Then tried Michelin Anakee. They were OK, and lasted 10000km. Then a set of Avon Distanzia, which had been good on the F650GS. But they only lasted 6000km on the 1200GS. Got another set and ran them with higher pressures. They lasted 8,000. Now I've fitted a set of slightly used Metzler Tourance, but haven't had a chance to try them out. Have only ridden them home from the tyre shop, but didn't notice any wobble at all.

Of these I preferred the Anakees, and will probably go back to them at the next change. Either that or try Bridgestone BT-020 street tyres.

[Anonymous]

#5744

When I had my Adventure I only used Tourances and TKC80. I had a problem with the front Tourance only because the idiot of a tyre dealer fitted the wrong size front tyre. After I got the right size fitted the bike went great.

[Jim Young]

#5745

Hi Harvey

I had Trailwings on my 1150GS when new and hated them, could'nt wait to change them to Tourances, but when I did like Kiwi Adventure the wrong size front was fitted and it was un-nerving to say the least, would drop into corners in a very disturbing way.

When the right size was put on, good as gold.

As Artig says, some of the GS web sites say there seems to have been a bad batch of front Tourances at some stage in the past, especially in the UK.

Usually get about 10.000km from them.

Also tried Enduro 3 but a bit iffy in the wet.

I would also like to try the Bridgestone BT-020 road tyres at some stage, but I would imagine that on your RTW trip you would want more dual purpose jobs.

Hope to catch up with you before you go.
By the way the Paeroa Battle of the streets races are on this Sunday 19th Feb and if you are in the area they are not to be missed.

Cheers

Jim

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