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R1100S and Tyres....

Put quite simply:
- what do people recommend for general road/touring use
- longevity
- price
- best suppliers / chains I might find locally (eg Watling Tyres)

... baring in mind my R1100S has the bigger 5.5" rear wheel to take 180/55 tyres as standard.

The bike has Bridgestone 019Rs fitted presently - but only 2m tread front and 3mm rear so time to change them I expect.

Thanks in advance gang.

This should help...

viewtopic.php?t=4699&highlight=tyres

Try a search of this site using "tyres" as a keyword & you'll find all the old threads (it's a common discussion point).

Personally, I won't use anything other than Bridgestone BT014's, but opinions differ widely. A lot depends on your riding style & mileage. The new Michelin Pilot Roads seem to be getting rave reviews at the moment though.

Mark

I've used Bridgestone 020s, 4 sets so far, 6000 miles between changes, no complaints so far.
I've just put 021s on (the replacement for 020s). Seem at least as good, and should give 15% more mileage.

When I first bought the bike it had Metzler Sportec M1s, very grippy when warm, but destroyed in 1500 miles!

My riding is fast and smooth, my suspension is sofa soft.

Mich pilot road 2 2ct
Mich pilot power 2ct

Then again I'm biased, but the roads last for ages and grip really well and the power 2cts grip really well and last reasonably well for a sporty tyre

What's the difference between the Bridgestone 019 and 020 - 019's fitted presently - have the 020s replaced them. I've heard the 014s are good but more trackday oriented and difficult to get upto temperature during normal road/touring use, so better off with 019s for general purpose riding?

Matt - the 020's are the old Bridgestone sport-touring tyre which has been replaced recently by the BT021.

Personally, if you're not planning on doing trackdays and/or riding like a complete loon (ie dragging hard parts on corners) I'd go for one of the latest sports-touring tyres. They really are quite amazing these days and no doubt have the sort of grip one wouldn't have even had with a sports tyre 5 years ago. They also warm up quicker than a full-on sports tyre and steer more progressively (but still quick enough).

I'm currently using the new Avon Storm ST's on my Blackbird which I simply cannot fault in the dry or wet. Other choices...

Michelin Pilot Road 2
Conti Road Attack: I had these on my last BCR - friend who bought the bike off me has done 2 trackdays using them and loves them.

I had BT014's on an older 1100S and hated them - had a couple of major slides in the dry (Herrman will vouch for one when he was following me!) on them. Felt fine in the wet, oddly. However, some folk love them which just goes to say, again, that one man's meat is another's poison.

Diablo Stradas.

Had M3s on the BCR for 250 miles only but they feel awesome compared to the M1s that were on her before

Sharples Tyres in Bolton were doing them for £149 for a pair (loose tyres)

Think they do mail order too

Steve H

If you want mileage over outright grip Dunlop D220.
Conti road attacks (for me) steered pretty quickly and lasted well,but for a change I've just fitted a set of 021's and although they need a lot more input than conti's on initial turn in I reckon they're a better tyre (wet or dry).
Nigel B

Since tires are a very personal and subjective matter, here is what europes biggest motorcycle mag had to say after a recent tire test;
street riding in the dry;
-best tire Metzeler Z6 Roadtec
also the rear was the longest lasting
-best street tire in the wet;
-Michelin Pilot Road 2CT
the front tie was the longest lasting
So depending if you rather replace the front or rear more often,rather ride fast in the dry or rain the Metzeler or the Michelin is the best for riding on public roads.
The new Bridgestone BT 021 scored low in both dry,wet and longevity compared to Z6 and PR 2CT...
If you like to do trackdays and it is raining the Michelin Pilot Power was the best.Even a little better than the PP 2CT...
If you prefer your track being dry the Metzeler M3 was the fastest,being followed by Pirelli Diablo Corsa 3 and Michein PP...
On the 1 Mile long testtrack the Michelin PP on a GSXR1000 was 14sec! faster than the Bridgestone BT014...
So if you ride mostly in the rain go for the Michelins,if you prefer to ride in the dry go for the Metzelers...
The Z6 lasted twice as long as the M3 and was still sticky enough for streetriding.

If you are talking about Das Motorrad, forget Metzeler and go for the Michelin. Its a great mag, but their bias for BMW and Metzeler is annoying. As soon as it the label says BMW or Metzeler, you can bet they win the test regardless of what the rest of the world concludes. ANd not once, but over and over and over again. Not that they make bad tires, far from actually, but those two brands test results should be systematically ignored if they show up in comparison tests of Motorrad.

Michelin Pilot Roads 2CT. Very impressed with them.

Otherwise Pilot Powers 2CT for faster turn in and much faster wear.

I see Dunlop have a dual compound version coming out also,although with their marketing policy how the hell they ever sell anything is a mystery to me.

When it comes to tires or women,everyone has their own preferences therefore I posted the independend findings of this magazines who ran those tires on a GSXR 1000 with a pro riding it and having the times to back up their claims.Best in the dry Metzeler.Best in the wet Michelin.
As much as it rains in england no wonder you guys like Michelin...
I guess for streetring a PR2CT in the front and a Roadtec Z6 in the back for longest life/cheapest tire costs from now on...
On the tack I stick with the Sportec M3 because I only ride in the rain if I have to...
Surprised though that the all new BT021 was really only mediocre in stick and wear.I guess Bridgestone invests all their RD-yens in making good tires for Stoner...

Yep, i've also thought as Michelin are getting a grip of the road market taking big chunks out of Bridgstone the reverse is happening on the track.