EuroKClub
General forum area => Tyres => Topic started by: coops on January 21, 2018, 12:14:28 pm
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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
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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.
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Ok Thanks will have a look around. :)
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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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...and Bridgestone BT014 if you want to die in a ditch...
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http://www.metzeler.com/site/uk/products/tyres-catalogue/Roadtec-01.html?version=1181814
Maybe?
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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
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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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PR3/PR4 till I die. Hopefully not too soon ::)
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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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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. :)
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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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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.
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Slipping on white lines is surely down to the paint used and not the tyre?
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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.
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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.
I agree that a lot of tyre preference is perception. One mans (or ladies!!!) quick steering is another mans unstable and having confidence in your tyres is essential, especially in the wet.
Way back in the 90's I had a FJ1200 and a K100RS 16v. I'm sure most people would see those as similar bikes (large, fast sports tourers with lots of torque). I fitted whatever the latest flavour of Avons were to the Yamaha and absolutely loved them. Long life (for the time), stable yet I could happily wear away the hero blobs with confidence. Wet weather grip was easily good enough for me. The tyres were so good I also fitted a set to the BMW. They were awful! They felt completely wooden and, although they never actually put me into a situation where something specific went wrong, I never had any faith in them. It was so bad that even I, a tight Scotsman who doesn't like wasting money, ditched the tyres at less than half worn just to get something fitted that allowed me to enjoy riding again. Perception? Definitely yes but there must have been something significantly different to give me that perception.
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Yes, weight distribution ;D
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Then the tyre and the bike ARE aware of each other ::)
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Then the tyre and the bike ARE aware of each other ::)
The tyre is only aware of the weight being distributed not from which bike, this could go on forever ;D ;)
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Like Brian, I too am a die hard PR 2 - 3 - 4 fan. I've not tried many other boots on my K1300s but if it ain't broke why fix it.
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Metzler Roadtec Z1 are excellent.
Always had PR3/PR4 replacements on all bikes I have owned up until I found the Roadtec01, these tyres suit the K1300S with my riding style perfectly... Peter
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Used PR2 and PR3 in the past but prefer the Pirelli Angel GT type A.
A selling point of this tyre is that it maintains it's profile up to when it is worn out and this is what I find very good about it. For me I found that the Michelin tyres scrubbed out on the sides much too quickly.
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From what you say Tom it looks like there is a bigger difference in the centre and side rubber on the Michelin then the Pirelli and the softer side grip wears quicker.
What is the difference for wear and grip on the two makes Tom?
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As Ron says, it would suggest that the PR4 has softer sidewalls. As I do most of my miles commuting the proportional wear on the tyre sidewalls is considerably lower than someone who does a lot more riding for fun, which would suggest I may be better off sticking with the PR4.
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From what you say Tom it looks like there is a bigger difference in the centre and side rubber on the Michelin then the Pirelli and the softer side grip wears quicker.
What is the difference for wear and grip on the two makes Tom?
Don't really know Ron. I run two rear wheels and fit my own tyres to get the most wear out of each tyre. Gave up checking mileages.
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Michelin Road 5. I can get a pair of these 120/70 ZR17 (58W) & 190/50 ZR17 (73W) for £229.48 inc 10% discount from Demon Tweeks (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Michelin-Road-5-120-70-ZR17-58W-190-50-ZR17-73W-Motorcycle-Bike-Tyres-/312047346656?hash=item48a778a3e0). Normal price is £254.98. I'm pretty stoked about that. ::) What does the collective think, half decent deal?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y88EbYGJhEg
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Fitted? V v good.
Not fitted, not so sure...
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Fitted? V v good.
Not fitted, not so sure...
Not fitted, but includes delivery. Expect fitting to be another £30 on top so £260 all in.
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Better than my Angels - £300 fitted.
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Fit them yourself. Not difficult.
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Bought. Will go into stock/storage for now and be fitted around MOT time. Looking forward to new tyre joy already!
Cheers all.
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New tyre joy is just around the corner. 8)
(https://image.ibb.co/jvfkzR/Road_5.jpg)
(https://image.ibb.co/jUcnDm/Road_5_1.jpg)
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Great. They look the business.
At least the sipes and groves only cover as far as one is likely to lean over to in the wet. Not like the PR2, PR3 and PR4.
Will be like riding a slick towards the edge.
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Great. They look the business.
At least the sipes and groves only cover as far as one is likely to lean over to in the wet. Not like the PR2, PR3 and PR4.
Will be like riding a slick towards the edge.
I'll be laying bit fat black lines of rubber behind as I exit those hairpins! :P Cheers!
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Will be like riding a slick towards the edge.
Oo'er! That might make for a few bum-clenching moments :o
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Will be like riding a slick towards the edge.
Oo'er! That might make for a few bum-clenching moments :o
Tyre tread is for the interest of coppers and MOT testers only and Michelin know it.
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Will be like riding a slick towards the edge.
Oo'er! That might make for a few bum-clenching moments :o
Tyre tread is for the interest of coppers and MOT testers only and Michelin know it.
In the dry, yes, but not in the wet. Water needs pushing away. Hence the sipes. Lovely word.
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New tyre joy is just around the corner. 8)
(https://image.ibb.co/jvfkzR/Road_5.jpg)
(https://image.ibb.co/jUcnDm/Road_5_1.jpg)
How are you getting on with The Michelin Road 5’s? I’m considering these for my k12s
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Does the K1200S need the GT version? As this is not out until later this year or early next.
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Does the K1200S need the GT version? As this is not out until later this year or early next.
I’ve just checked on the Michelin website. It’s a little bit confusing. Type bike model and year, road 5’s come up. However, on the next page, it does suggest the PR 4 gt, so, yes, you’re absolutely right.
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Yes I know, I already checked ;D The GTs have stiffer side walls for heavier bikes.
A bit like a lawyer, lawyers never ask questions they don't already know the answer to 8)
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'Ow come, as a landlord, you always asked what punters wanted then?
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'Ow come, as a landlord, you always asked what punters wanted then?
I mostly knew what they wanted. You tend to know customers by what they drink at first and get to know their names later.
I had customers, Guinness Dave, Strongbow Gordon, Gold Label Jim and an ex West Mids policeman whos nickname was Nigel 10 bellies.
All of which has nothing whatsoever to do with tyres.
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D