Author Topic: Tyre preferences for K1200s  (Read 10695 times)

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Offline coops

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Tyre preferences for K1200s
« on: January 21, 2018, 12:14:28 pm »
Hi All, bit out of touch these days!
I have a 2005 K1200s which I have had for 10 years now and was on this forum a while back....
Looking for views on best tyres for this bike...
Sporty riding
Touring
Hot weather cool weather....
Any input would be great - appreciate this may have been done in the past just want to see what current thoughts are given different options...
Cheers
Les

Offline raesewell

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2018, 01:05:59 pm »
There are more tyre threads than you can shake a stick at, just perform a search and all will be revealed. We even have a separate section for tyre threads to make it nice and easy.

Offline coops

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2018, 03:30:58 pm »
Ok Thanks will have a look around. :)

Offline richtea

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2018, 06:09:27 pm »
There are more tyre threads than you can shake a stick at, just perform a search and all will be revealed. We even have a separate section for tyre threads to make it nice and easy.

Although to save time a (well OK, my) summary is:
- Michelin PR3 (not 4) if you want best wet + very good dry
- Pirelli Angel GT A, if you want best dry + very good wet
- other makes are also available  8)



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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2018, 06:26:56 pm »
...and Bridgestone BT014 if you want to die in a ditch...

Offline TurboBevy

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Offline fjtwelve

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2018, 07:55:19 pm »
Quote
Although to save time a (well OK, my) summary is:
- Michelin PR3 (not 4) if you want best wet + very good dry
- Pirelli Angel GT A, if you want best dry + very good wet
- other makes are also available  8)

What he said. And I would add that PR3 last longer, much longer if you are logging a lot of motorway miles
« Last Edit: January 21, 2018, 08:14:26 pm by richtea »

Offline drumwrecker

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2018, 10:24:59 pm »
I have only used PR4's on mine but switching to the GT version was an improvement in stability. I could feel the stiffer walls working and it felt good.
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Offline Phmode

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2018, 10:26:04 pm »
PR3/PR4 till I die. Hopefully not too soon   ::)

Offline Eyore

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2018, 07:23:22 am »
Metzler Roadtec Z1 are excellent with nice even wear and less flattening than Pirelli Angels and Bridgestones.  As far as I am concerned dry gip is irrelevant as all top tyres are equally good when it comes to dry grip which exceeds all sane requirements for road riding, however the differences are apparent when it comes to wet grip which to me is the top priority, followed by wear and price.
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Offline raesewell

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2018, 09:55:20 am »
PR3 and PR4 never again.
Angel GTs great tyres if a bit dear
Avons are my favourites, Storm 2 Ultra, there are still a few knocking about.
I am on the Spirit STs now and they still need a bit of scrubbing in, but so far so good they were grippy on a damp greasy day.

Don't forget the tyres and the bike are not aware of each other. The only difference from bike to bike can only be weight distribution, the rest of it is in our heads.  :)

Offline black-k1

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2018, 10:58:26 am »
PR3 and PR4 never again.
Angel GTs great tyres if a bit dear
Avons are my favourites, Storm 2 Ultra, there are still a few knocking about.
I am on the Spirit STs now and they still need a bit of scrubbing in, but so far so good they were grippy on a damp greasy day.

Don't forget the tyres and the bike are not aware of each other. The only difference from bike to bike can only be weight distribution, the rest of it is in our heads.  :)

Sorry Rae but I have to disagree completely with your last comment. Suspension settings, bearing/joint wear, riding style, roads types etc. can all have a very big affect on perception of tyres, even on similar model bikes.

I'm very happy with the PR4GTs and I've had them on both my K1300Ss. I did try the Metzler RoadTec 01 and, while initially they were better (quicker steering, more feel etc.) than the PR4GTs, their tendency  to white line from very early on put me off getting them again.
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Offline raesewell

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2018, 12:14:45 pm »
These things can make differences but a lot of tyre preference is in our perception. For instance I had PR3s fitted the day before I took my advanced test had them fully scrubbed in and on the day of the test it was raining and on the way to the test the tyre slipped on some wet white lines. So there I was taking my advanced test on tyres I had no confidence in, I managed to pass the test in spite of this but PR3s were off of my list of preferred tyres.

The suspension, ball joints etc. all affect weight distribution.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2018, 12:17:46 pm by raesewell »

Offline drumwrecker

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2018, 12:24:30 pm »
Slipping on white lines is surely down to the paint used and not the tyre?
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Offline raesewell

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Re: Tyre preferences for K1200s
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2018, 12:43:37 pm »
Slipping on white lines is surely down to the paint used and not the tyre?
Not really Ron the Avons were always stable over white lines in any conditions they also didn't track. For this reason I have got Avons fitted again admittedly a different flavour but Avons, I'll let everyone know what they are like when this bloody weather abates and I can get out a bit to test them in anger.