Tires for RT - what's your fav

[stevebee]

I have an '04 R1150RT with close to 7k miles. It came stock with Bridgestone BattleAx BT020 tires. I use the bike primarily for commuting out of the Santa Cruz mountains into Silicon Valley, so half my miles are tight twisties and half freeway. At 4k miles, the front tire started cupping. Today, there is no tread left at all on the sides. I've never ridden a tire down so far so fast before. The rear looks OK and could go for 1 or 2 thou.

 

Can anyone recommend tires that get better mileage than this? I'd expect to get about 8k and for it to go bald at 10k would be acceptable. One thing I do like about the Bridgestones is they seem pretty sticky. I'm not really a squidly rider, but on one ride I did slide the front tire, and it behaved very well with no melodrama. But they got a little squirrly with the cupping. So let's hear it for you favorite tire.

 

Thanks,

--steve

[Kenny2]

My Me 4s gave great mileage, but they are no longer made, replaced by the Me6. I ran a set of pilot roads for 11,000. They, for me, needed adjusting in the corners, constant input. I have 3,000 on a set of Avon ST45/46. Quick to get into the corners. Great traction tire dry or wet. I ride 70% on the highway and have no problems.. FWIW.

[Pigtown Willy]

Chewed up a pair of Z4's in about 5300 miles then tried some D220's - chewed them off at about 4500 miles. Then I tried a pair of Metzler ME880 Radials and LOVE them. I got 13,800 miles from the first set and could have squeezed out a couple more. Installed another pair three weeks ago.

I ride an '03 RT pretty hard and keep up with other running much "stickier" tires. Good luck.

[Paul Mihalka]

Metzeler ME880 for me. I do +/- 30K a year, so mileage is important, but I had them on a track day and scraping footpegs happily all day.

[BobFV1]

I have 5000 on my Metzeler z-6's and they are showing wear equivalent to about 60 percent of their useful life (until I replace them.) I ride twisties and slabs about evenly, and they are wearing evenly. Performance is outstanding. I highly recommend them, especially for aggressive cornering - the put the "sport" in sport touring.

[Ken H.]

You want stick with some loss of mileage - ME-Z6

You want mileage with some loss of stick - ME-880.

[Springer]

My 04 also came with the 020's and I just put Metz880's on as part of the 12K service. I probably had another 2K left in the 020's but why take a chance. I put the 880's on primarly from DB feedback as probably being a good all around tire. Mostly I was concerned about traction in the wet, since we have a great deal of that up here. I'm not an aggressive rider so stickyness was less of a factor than mileage and the performance in wet weather. Time will tell I guess.

[Peter H.]

Replaced my Dunlops with a set of Michelin Pilot Roads on my '04 RT 2 weeks ago. I just got back from a weekend trip to the Texas hill country and was very impressed with the Michelins.

 

You will be amazed at what a difference a fresh set of tires make.

 

Peter

[fatbob]

Steve:

You won't beat the mileage of the ME880. I've been running the bias ply and run them 12K. I wore out the MEZ4's my new RT came stock with in 4,700 mi. Here in Wyo stickiness is less of a concern than durability against our limestone chip sealed roads. The ME880 gets my vote, I run 'em on my goose too. I'm one of those nuts that bought a 17" wheel for his R1100RT just so he could run ME880's! (The wheel is still for sale)

 

Bob

 

[270]

880s

[Bill Neander]

Metzeler web site shows both Z6s and 880 marathons in 160-18 rear{for R1100RTs).

[Cali Kid]

This is a good post. I am about to replace tires as well. I've run 3 sets of Pilot roads, 9k, 8.5K and now only about 6.5K. I ride twisties most of the time, with slab thrown in. I like the Roads but think I need more miles. I was just considering the 880s and ME6s. BT020s I never liked. Didn't like the feel or the mileage, 4.5K only.

[BMW-K]

I have run both Z6's and PR's on my R-RS. I tend to ride hard, ride fast, and do it two-up.

 

Z6 - currently at 3,700 miles on this set. I won't get more than 5k out of the rear. Maybe less. Currently riding with 1mm left before hitting the rear wearbars. Front tire is in decent shape. Increadible stick and feedback. Very, very confidence inspiring. Quite probably the best performing tire I have ever ridden on. Performance comes at the price of wear... Given the lack of wear on the front tire, I will likely just replace the rear and call it a day.

 

Pilot Road - Got 7,500 out of my last set. I could well have gotten another 1,000 out of the set except that I horribly flat-spotted the front tire (SS1k run) which really threw handling off. Quite possibly the best "compromise" between handling and wear out there.

 

BT020's - not particularly good by today's standards. You may like them, but from my experience, they are lacking durability compared to the PR's, are down on wet-handling compared to both tires, and just don't have the performance of either the Z6 or PR. Yeah, I am not fond of them.

 

Final note, if I wasn't replacing just the rear tire, I would most likely just go back to the PR's. I don't like changing tires that quickly.

 

That's my two cents.

[John Dickens]

It came with Metzlers, I replaced them with ContiForce, My next fitment was Michelin Macadam MX 90's and I've stuck with these again this time. The replacement now is the Macadam MX100.

[Zip]

The tires that came on my '03 RT were Michelin Macadams. Those were replaced at just over 6K miles with ME880's. The Michelin front tire had cupped, and the rear was barely legal at the time of the change.

 

I've got 8K miles on the ME880's, and they are holding up well.

 

The next set of tires will be ME880's.

[270]

One last post from me on this...

 

My RT came with Mac X90's on it...I've got 9K on them, and I'm going to squeeze another 2K out before I replace with 800's. I've got a little room before the wear bars on the rear, and the front looks great. I run higher pressures in them, so maybe that's the secret. I'm very pleased with milage.

 

Years ago, the X90 was considered one of the better milage tires around for LD types.

[Springer]

"You will be amazed at what a difference a fresh set of tires make."

 

You couldn't be more right. Just out of 12k service with a new set of 880's and it feels like a a differient bike!

[baggerchris]

Boy, old Max Friz would turn over in his grave if he found out we were putting french owned tires on his creation.

[cgdR]

Boy, old Max Friz would turn over in his grave if he found out we were putting french owned tires on his creation.

Or American asses?

[2wheeler]

My '02 RT came with Bridgestone Battleaxes 020 and the front cupped terribly. They lasted 10k. Next, on went a set of the then-new Avon Azaros. Great tire, but the aggressive tread sent up a vibration I didn't like. They too lasted 10k. Then I installed Pilot Roads. No cupping, no vibration and another 10k. I just recieved my second set of Michelin Pilot Roads.

 

I ride two up 95% of the time, pressure at max 36 f/42r. I live in Illinois, so not as much time in the twisties as I'd like, but I'd say 70% twisties. I think I ride fairly aggressively, but I've never attended a track day so I guess I don't really. Good luck with your choice.

[Larsen]

Which tire handles better on wet and dry plus giving good longevity, the Michelin Pilot Roads or the Metzeler ME880?

[DavidEBSmith]

My butt feeling is that the Pilot Roads have a tiny bit more stick, and the 880s should last longer. But the 880s stick fine for me.

[Paul Mihalka]

Which tire handles better on wet and dry plus giving good longevity, the Michelin Pilot Roads or the Metzeler ME880?

I like the handling feel of the 880 much more than the Pilot Roads. Easier turn-in, needs less countersteering effort than the PRs. Dry stick is better then I need. Spirited riding with footpegs scraping no problem. If I would ride with my butt off the seat and my knees on the ground, I would probably find the limits of both tires. I don't really test tire adhesion in the wet. May be I don't want to find out were the limit is. Never had a problem with either of them. Definitely the ME880 is the mileage champion.

[Larsen]

David and Paul,

 

You're both very experienced and highly respected riders and I really appreciate your input. To see what type of wet traction each tire has I went into Scott Conary's BMW Motorcycle Tire Review site at:

 

http://www.conary.org/bmwtire/

 

According to that site the Pilot Roads have better wet traction but the last review was made March 8, 2003 or before and I'd like more current data.

 

My oldest son has Bridgestone BT57 Tires on his K12RS and on long high speed sweepers I'm not trusting my present tires trying to keep up with him, on dry AND wet surfaces.

 

I've never tried the Metzeler ME880 Tires but have put many thousands of miles on a few pairs of the Metzeler ME88 Tires I have on my K100RT.

 

If anyone else has any wet traction feedback regarding the Michelin Pilot Roads and the Metzeler ME880's I'd like to hear about it. If Paul was scraping footpegs with his Metzeler ME880's on a dry track that's good enough for me for the dry traction feedback.

Thanks,

[Deadboy]

I have been all to happy with my Dunlop 205's but no one seems to have the fronts in stock right now (they were supposed to be discontinued but are apparently not going to be). Since I am preparing for a long trip soon I have got to put on some fresh rubber and the road pilots everyone has been raving about are not available in the correct size for the 1150, at least not at SW moto tires or anywhere else I have checked, so I just ordered a set of the Avon AV 45/46's as they are supposed to be a good balance between distance and grip.

 

What did you decide on?

[DavidEBSmith]

I have about half hour of experience with the 880s in the wet. I was not pushing them hard on the mountain roads, but there was no bad behavior.

 

To the extent that Conary's website rates tires for "wet/cold" traction, I'd have to disagree with the ratings if they're for cold traction. At El P, the 880s were fine in 33 degree temperatures. In contrast to the D205s, which at one time were my favorite tire, but were positively scary in the cold.

 

I wonder how much of the low rating for tires like the 880 is psychological - "these are distance tires so they must not have good traction". If one of the motorcycle mags wanted to do us a real favor, they should do a blind tire test - send their boy racers out on the track but don't let 'em see what kind of tires they're on. (Actually, do any of the magazines actually objectively review tires, which happen to be made by some of their biggest advertisers?)

[Larsen]

Good points David,

 

Last year one of my back east trips was cut short by rain and I had 4-5 days of heavy rain with BT54's which actually did a good job but I want something different this change. I was not happy with the short life of the ME4s.

[Paul Mihalka]

I ride my ME880 all winter if there is no mess on the road, down to about 20f. I ride the same way as in summer, not really slow. I found no cold traction problem.

[Deadboy]

What size ME 880's do you run on the rear? They don't seem to offer a 160/70 for the 1150, I only see a 170/60 and am not sure how that would effect handling etc.....

 

Thanks...

[Bob Palin]

What size ME 880's do you run on the rear? They don't seem to offer a 160/70 for the 1150, I only see a 170/60 and am not sure how that would effect handling etc.....

 

Thanks...

170/60 is the right size for the 1150!

[270]

I wouldn't think this decision to death...either tire is a good choice. 880's have a reputation for lasting a long time, and I like that as I seem to ride my miles in big chunks at a time. I've not had PR's, but have had good experience with them.

 

As a rule, I pay very little head to what testers have to say about tires. 10/10's for me is another's 5/10's maybe. When I'm smooth, and the road is wet, I'm not concerned about pushing past the tires limit, just my own. I suppose the same would apply to dry conditions as well...and I'd say that rule applies to 90%+ of us here.

[KeithS]

Have used Macadam 90's, ME-Z4', and have Pilot Roads on now. I plan to go with the 880's. The way things have worked out, I'm close to change on the front, but have about 3000 left on the rear. Any issues with running an 880 on front and PR on back?

[westco]

I have a new set of RP's on my RT. The seem to steer like a set of cupped tires in a turn. I'm seriously thinking about replacing them.

 

 

 

Gary

2002 RT

1999 VT100

DL650K4

[Shawnee Bill]

Paul,

Does your RT1150-lite take the same tires as my RT1100R-lite (R1100R)?

I am not seeing ME880 in 160/60 18s?

Don't know about the front either. (Don't know the size without looking and it's dark out there and I'm nice and warm in here )

[fatbob]

Metzeler web site shows both Z6s and 880 marathons in 160-18 rear{for R1100RTs).

 

This would have come way too late for me, unfortunately.

 

Bob

[Deadboy]

What size ME 880's do you run on the rear? They don't seem to offer a 160/70 for the 1150, I only see a 170/60 and am not sure how that would effect handling etc.....

 

Thanks...

170/60 is the right size for the 1150!

 

Not on mine?!? They came with the Bridgestone 160/70 ZR 17's on the rear and that is what I replaced them with last time....now I am really confused....to make sure I just went out to the garage and checked again.....guess I answered my own question...doesn't make that big of a difference apparently......

[DavidEBSmith]

I am not seeing ME880 in 160/60 18s?

Don't know about the front either.

 

Front is a 120/70R17, according to Bridgestone's website. (For some reason Metzeler's website doesn't show any fitment for the R1100 series anymore.) ME880 is available in that and in 160/16R18 for the rear. Got mine at SW Moto Tires.

[steveknapp]

But the 880s stick fine for me.

 

Teflon has enough stick for you!

 

Then again tires made of jello would probably last long enough for me.

[Ralph]

The bike came with Z-4's I have since changed to PR's ( recommended by a forum member)and since I came off a cruiser, I really can't tell a difference. I know they do not last as long as the tires on my cruisers bikes did. Mine wear out fast in the middle only. I wonder if living in Oklahoma has something to do with that? My wife uses Dunlop 401(somethings , I forget now) on her Harley & I find them hard & slick. I have slid a few times on them & they lock up & slide quick when trying to stop in a hurry. I will have to start looking for a better tires for hers.

[PeterD]

My 04 RT also had the BT020 tires. They were pretty much shot when I replaced them at 9400 miles with Pilot Roads. The 020s were cupping pretty severely in the front and developed a pronounced flat spot in the rear starting around 6000 miles.

 

The Pilot Roads went 11,000 miles. Essentially no cupping in the front that I can see. The front tire has a bald stripe that is offset to the left side by about one inch or more. The corresponding zone to the right of center has a couple of mm of tread pattern left, and the center has just a bit of tread pattern left. The back slowly developed a flat zone but I think it is not bad. I've done quite a lot of highway miles so I expect that to happen.

 

Today I mounted a new pair of Pilot Roads from SW Moto. [Took me 5 hours total start to finish using the HF tire changer and the Marc Parnes balancer, including removing and replacing the wheels on the bike. This is the third set of motorcycle tires I have ever changed, so I am still learning and should get faster at it. Mitch, how is that new Wilco-type bar coming along? I sure could have used one today!]

 

I don't think I have enough riding experience to offer useful insight as to the handling of one tire vs another. So far I can only say that the Pilot Roads have NOT slipped out from under me (yet)!

[Paul Mihalka]

Paul,

Does your RT1150-lite take the same tires as my RT1100R-lite (R1100R)?

I am not seeing ME880 in 160/60 18s?

Don't know about the front either. (Don't know the size without looking and it's dark out there and I'm nice and warm in here )

Your R1100R takes the same tires as my R1100RT did. The rear is 160/60x18, and IS available in ME880. The front tire on all of them is 120/70x17.

[Bob Palin]

170/60 is the right size for the 1150!

Not on mine?!? They came with the Bridgestone 160/70 ZR 17's on the rear and that is what I replaced them with last time....now I am really confused....to make sure I just went out to the garage and checked again.....guess I answered my own question...doesn't make that big of a difference apparently......

I did a google search for r1150rt rear tire and all the links on the first page of results show 170/60, I think somebody put the wrong tyre on yours to start with! Handling may improve with the 170/60.

[Deadboy]

170/60 is the right size for the 1150!

Not on mine?!? They came with the Bridgestone 160/70 ZR 17's on the rear and that is what I replaced them with last time....now I am really confused....to make sure I just went out to the garage and checked again.....guess I answered my own question...doesn't make that big of a difference apparently......

I did a google search for r1150rt rear tire and all the links on the first page of results show 170/60, I think somebody put the wrong tyre on yours to start with! Handling may improve with the 170/60.

 

Perhaps, but I already find the thing will do whatever I ask it to do, but I'll keep that in mind next time around as I already ordered the Avon's in the 160/70's.....good to know....

[Shawnee Bill]

Paul,

Does your RT1150-lite take the same tires as my RT1100R-lite (R1100R)?

I am not seeing ME880 in 160/60 18s?

Don't know about the front either. (Don't know the size without looking and it's dark out there and I'm nice and warm in here )

Your R1100R takes the same tires as my R1100RT did. The rear is 160/60x18, and IS available in ME880. The front tire on all of them is 120/70x17.

 

Thanks Paul,

I searched a little harder and found both.

I am going to give ME880s a try next change which is close, after all I've got almost 2 months and 6000 miles out of my current PR's, the rear is about gone.

[John_Bennett]

http://swmototires.com doesn't show a listing for Metzeler ME880's.

 

http://www.americanmototire.com doesn't list them either.

 

http://www.ronayers.com has ME880's, but no 160/60x18 like I need for the rear on my '97 RT.

 

I wanted to give the 880's a try. I guess I'll continue with the Pilot Roads I've been using. The PR's give good service and seem to be more widely available.

[Shawnee Bill]

http://swmototires.com doesn't show a listing for Metzeler ME880's.

 

http://www.americanmototire.com doesn't list them either.

 

http://www.ronayers.com has ME880's, but no 160/60x18 like I need for the rear on my '97 RT.

 

I wanted to give the 880's a try. I guess I'll continue with the Pilot Roads I've been using. The PR's give good service and seem to be more widely available.

 

John,

Got my 160/60x18 MM880 from SW moto tires. They are under Cruiser tires

 

But, at 5280 miles on the rear I am in the wear bars , worst mileage I've gotten from ANY tire. Lasted me a whole 5 weeks, and cost $10 more than pilot road rear.

 

Ordered a set of Pilot Roads yesterday.

[John_Bennett]

Thanks for the heads-up Bill. I just purchased a Michelin Pilot Road 160/60 ZR18 for the rear of my '97 RT from http://www.americanmototire.com

 

Comparison (price + shipping):

 

http://www.americanmototire.com 117.60 + 11.54 = 129.14

 

http://www.ronayers.com 118.54 + 8.00 = 126.54

 

http://www.swmototires.com 121.95 + 14.00 = 135.95

 

 

Ron Ayers website is deathly slow on my old computer.

 

SW Moto tires was closed for the Baja 500 when I tried to order last month. Today they are closed until July 5.

 

The deciding factor for me was that American emails a tracking number (which I like a lot), ships the same day you order, and accepts PayPal (where I'm currently running a big balance from selling junk on Ebay).

 

I'll report back later on their service.

[Couchrocket]

Hi,

 

I'm currently running Z6's, but have given some thought to the Pilot Roads mostly because of the greater ease in determining wear on the rear tire.

 

For those of you who have run both on and 1150RT, how do they compare in terms of:

 

Stick?

Ease of turn-in, and "hold" in cornering.

Overall handling and ride quality?

 

I don't care that much about wear.

TIA for any comparo advice. I'm going to put a new set on before RidingSmart class and need to make a decision soon.

[Kenny2]

I have the Avons on my RT. At just over 7,000 miles the tread is 3mm in the front and 4mm in the rear. I am changing them out this Wednesday, going to Ohio, but will keep the tires to put back on after I wear this set out. I find them to have good stability in the corners.

[Deadboy]

I see this thread is still alive so I will add my impressions of the Avon 45/46's I put on before the trip....first of all let me say I have never and never expect to get the mileage some folks claim out of my tires...guy on an R1 I spoke with at a gas station told me he gets 11K out of his tires....I am happy with 6K rear and changing the front every other time....

 

That all being said I started out with 60 miles on my Avon's and after almost 4K 2 up with a large Jo's U-pac on the back, both saddlebags and a tank bag full, followed by another 2.5 K (approx. 6.5 total) I had my rear changed in Salt Lake yesterday morning and am 100% satisifed with both the mileage and the traction. Their was one day in particular in Nova Scotia we were in fullk Hoon mode 2 up riding with another RT and the tires never gave any hint of a problem even when certain other parts (center stand, passenger) started to protest....I am pretty fanatical about my PSI and checked it every morning...ran 40 to 42 rear and 36 to 39 front depending on the days plans and if the bag was going to be on board or left at the hotel....the front is still looking good, and I suspect those who have cupping issues (regardless of brand of tire) are running too low pressure in the tire.....by way of comparison I never got much more than 4K out of the MEZ 4's and the Bridgestone tires that came stock lasted a little longer (7K rear perhaps) but were unavailable when I was ordering....also, I am running a 160/70 rear Avon as per. SW Moto Tires advice so that may have some other effect regarding mileage....in fact it was the only size Salt Lake had in stock yesterday (in the Avon).

 

Perhaps some folks are willing to "push it" longer than I am, but once I hit the wear bar the tires get changed asap...

 

Nick