I've been reading the tire debate on air pressures

[Torch]

,the 05 I just picked up has brand new 880's in the front and an Avon Storm in the back both radials. I'm assuming a good starting point would be 42 frt and 46 rear?

[zaphod]

You have a bit of an odd tire combo. The 880 is a bias ply and the Avon is a radial, most people wouldn’t mix them. I’ve run the Storm on the front with a Bridgestone on the rear @ 42 & 48 psi.

[Torch]

Nah these are both new radials as stamped on them...

[cfell]

hmmm... I'd say your psi choices are close to right...

If stamped "radial" hard to think otherwise.. be careful and learn how she "behaves" with the different tires.... it can make a difference.

[jackd]

,the 05 I just picked up has brand new 880's in the front and an Avon Storm in the back both radials. I'm assuming a good starting point would be 42 frt and 46 rear?

I wasn't aware that the 880 'named' tire was available in a radial. :confused:

Metzler makes the same sized front tire used on the LT in a radial design but I didn't think it was called an 880..

[dshealey]

You have a bit of an odd tire combo. The 880 is a bias ply and the Avon is a radial, most people wouldn’t mix them. I’ve run the Storm on the front with a Bridgestone on the rear @ 42 & 48 psi.

The 880 is available in both radial and bias ply in the size for the front of the LT, but not for the rear.

[dshealey]

I wasn't aware that the 880 'named' tire was available in a radial. :confused:

Metzler makes the same sized front tire used on the LT in a radial design but I didn't think it was called an 880..

Yep, it is still the Marathon 880, but radial. I ran one several years ago, but did not like it very much.

[Newf]

What is the MAX air pressure stamped on the side of the tire?

[ironbuttwannabe]

Avon's max is 42 front and rear. Although I read just last week someone was running 48 in the rear. I'm still keeping mine at 42.

[BobW]

I bought a new Bridgestone for the front before my Blue Ridge Parway trip in May and because of time constraints actually bought it from the BMW North Dallas and had them mount it. (I had ordered front and rear from SWMoto but after 10 days called them---they said they were "getting ready to process my order"......since it had already been 10 days I told them not to bother I would get them someplace else.)
BMW North Dallas said the reason my other tire was cupped was it did not have enough air pressure and it should be at 50psi !!!....front & rear.
That is what they put in it and what I have run ever since. I now have about 6,000 miles on it and no cupping. The cupping usually starts about 3500 miles with 42-44psi.

So, what really is the correct pressure?:confused:

[zaphod]

Well, you learn something new every once and a while. http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif

[bblalock]

When I was in Vermont for the '06 rally the Metz rep said 42/48. 50 is definitely over the max on the tire but what the heck. Let us know how it goes from here.

[dpaz]

Just got my Avon Storms on and love them running 40/40 psi. The only problem I am having is a bit of wobble in the front (or it feels like it) and it only happens when I get in behind an 18 wheeler. My thought was to drop the air pressure by a pound or 2 and see what happens. Any other ideas? By the way I have an '03.

[Torch]

Kinda had the same thing and checked my pressure, front was 38 and rear 36. Bumped them up to 42 frt and 46 rear and made the preload adjustment harder and it was a ton better.

[Newf]

I have bridgestone 020 radial on the rear and a 880 on the front of my 05. The bike had both 880s on it when I bought it used. I bought 2 020s for front and rear, but the front is still good so I left it. I ran 42 PSI front and 42 rear what side of tire said. I would get a bit of a wobble at higher speed with 42 rear. I moved it up to 48 PSI rear and it helped. Just hope the tire does not blow out on me.

[rattler50]

I'm running Metzelers on front and rear. I ordered a BT-020 today but the dealer said he couldn't get on until late September. I'm trying to get from from American Motorcycle tires. I e-mailed them about availability. I'm gonna give the BT-020 a try and see how I like it. My Metzeler is wearing well at 42 and 46.......... :)

[Osprey03]

I've been running 020's since I got the bike using the tyre pressure stated in the manual - no probs so far after nearly 9k.

The only wobble is when following / passing a lorry due to the wind turbulence, but runs straight as an arrow otherwise..

Ride safe

Martin

[Reid]

After running several thousand miles on my 880 rear at 48 psi I find I don't like how it's looking. Considerably more wear down the middle (about 2 inches width) and then tapers to much less. Makes me think I'm not getting enough rubber on the road. It's about time to replace the rear and think I'll go to 42-44 psi.