Tire recommendations

[Caveno]

Right now I'm riding on Metzler ME 880's, they're good tires, but I want something that lasts a little longer. From this forum I see a lot of people have vibration problems because of a bad choice of tires. Any recommendations?

Thanks

[joegottberg]

Metzlers have the "high mileage" rep on LTs.

You can try Bridgestones, Avons.

I'd suggest a search on tires and get a bag of popcorn

Joe

[BecketMa]

Haven't heard of any with better mileage than what you are running.
Bob, 00LT

[wacolt]

I had 6,400 on the Avon Storm ST front tire; changed it out 3-weeks ago due to wear and cord separation. Have gone back to the Metz ME880; got 12k out of the last one. Had I not already bought a rear Avon Storm ST, I would have bought the Metz. 7,400 on the rear ST; I might get another 1,000-1,500 before it's used-up.

Just my $0.02

[RobertNolan]

Has anyone tryed Dunlop D205B 120/70B17 (58V)&160/70B17(79V)?

[Tonio]

I tried twice Front Michelin Pilot Road II ... even if BMW doesn't agree this choice. I do !
Roughly 8,000 miles with them, and a great improvement of safety sensation on wet road.
For rear tire Michelin doesn't provide a PR II ... I tried Bridgestone BT 021 ... no so good, it is said that Avon or Pirelli are better.

[Bob204bc]

I used several sets of Metzeler 880's with typical mileage of 15,000 mi front and 11,000 mi rear. Reasonably good mileage but I had no confidence in these in the rain.

I last switched to Brifgestone BT-020's and got odd results. 10,000 miles front and 15,000 miles at the rear. Just the opposite of the Metzelers. Grteat feel in wet conditions. I liked them well enough I just put on another set.

I always keep my tires at 42psi Front and 48 psi Rear.

I hope this may be of some use to you.

[Caveno]

Thanks all, I just bought a pair of Metz again. For now I'll stick with what works!

[ernesto18z]

Bob,

I was thinking about getting a set of the Bridgestone BT-020s for my 2002 K1200LT. I do a lot of solo riding, but every once in a while the SO jumps on for a ride. Are these really worth trying or should I stick with the ME880s? Thanks, Ernie

[BMWROLLIN]

I have tried Bridgstones and AVONs and while I'm not fond of the Metzeler 880's, they might very well be your best bet.

[Dix42]

Just got back from a trip to N. Ga. Noticed front end shaking on pull-off. Got about a mile from home and eased my grip on the bars was almost thrown by the shake. Avons with about 4500 miles. 41 front 45 rear. I wouldn't have believed the scoops in the tires(mainly front) rear also showing signs. No more Avons for me. Back to Metz's soon as I can get some mounted. My experience, yours may differ....

[kk610lt]

I have tried Bridgstones and AVONs and while I'm not fond of the Metzeler 880's, they might very well be your best bet.

+1 on the Metz

[RocketRon]

Since we're on tires.....what the consensus on tire preasure on front and back? I've found this to differ from what manuals generally say. My "other" bike's manual suggests 32 lbs. Most owners of that bike go with 40 to 42. What about you Beemer owners?

[LAF]

I am seeing the dreaded 5000 feather on an Avon front. The rear is fine.

I have been very good with 42/48 and the tire monitor sure helps. I can still get some miles on it and may try to make the Winter on it, not sure.

On new I loved them, and still love the rear as it looks good and no issues. I can say I have more confidence in them in every aspect to a Metzler. But if I only get 5-6000 on the front no good to me at all.

So on to the mix:

I will run the rear Avon Storm, and a Avon Azaro-ST AV45 up front and see what happens. Don't go looking for them as AV45's are not around any longer, or at least very scarce. On a tip from this board I bought 2@ 39.00 each on a special.

I know my friend on his RT is chewing up tires also. He tried Pilots and the front is worse then mine at only 4000 miles.

Metzler's are the only tire that holds up but are hard compound. They will howl like anything in corners after a bit. An IMHO too hard which accounts for the wear. Also, they are just too slippery when wet for me, and again points to hard compound.

I also did not get a bunch of miles out of my Metz front, and took a nail in the rear tire and was riding a plug, gettin ready to take a trip, so I tried the Avon's.

After this mix, and another, I will be forced onto the Metzler's again unless someone gets their shit together and makes a tire for these big a$$ed LT's.

[DasBoat2003]

And now my $.02 since I just replaced my front tire on an '03LT:

The Metzler tires are OK, but noisy and not the best on wet pavement. If you are already deaf, then use them.

I've never used an Avon anything on the rear of my LT, but used Avon Venoms front and rear for 12 years on an H-D touring bike.

I have 15K miles on my present BT020 rear tire; it is time to change and I will replace it with the same tire.

This bike, and all heavy touring bikes, are rough on front tires. Check the front tire of a GW next time you see one in a parking lot. Same wear patterns.

My last front tire was an AV55 Storm. Prior to that it was the older AV45 Azaro. The Azaro gave me 11K miles and a good ride coupled with the BT020 on the rear. As you know the Azaro is not available anymore, and it was replaced with the AV55 Storm. I bought an AV55 for my front and it lasted about 7500 miles before the cupping made the handlebars vibrate badly. I ordered a BT020 for the front. My only complaint about the BT020 is that it doesn't seem to last over 7 or 8 thousand miles. Oh well, neither does any other front tire, except for that howling Metzler.

I think it was on the way to my tire guy's place yesterday when I had the tread separation shown in the picture (the date is wrong). I was doing about 80mph down a country road with this thing. Scary.

I now have BT020's front and rear, and it's a pretty good ride. Again, my only comment is that I'm not going to expect long life from the front tire.

Dave

[Brian-NC]

Got 11,500 out of the original Metz 880s on my 02 LT. I wanted to try the Avons. They only have about 1800 miles on them, they stick A LOT better in the rain. The LT is a unique motorcycle. It rides like nothing else I've ever owned. The Avons seem to steer much quicker and for the first 400-500 miles, the LT swayed or danced underneath me as I rode. Some might describe it a "hunting". It is a product of switching from bias ply to radial tires. It has subsided now and if the mileage comes in at anything close to 10K I'll be happy. It's too soon to tell for me with Avons.

I wonder if the new Dunlop "smart tire" is reinforced to use on the LT?

Anyway, will never get better mileage than the 880s. They just suck in the rain and if you get another set, keep the pressure at 42 F and 48 R. This will help keep the cupping to a minimum.

BTW, lots of LTers on this site have used Avons and most have good success. They are considerably less $$.

[MikeERideWNC]

Sure wish I would have taken pictures of my Avons... They were toast after 1000 miles. Yes one thousand miles.
Avons are Sh1t if you ride the LT hard. Rephrase: Avons are just plain sh1tty tires for any bike.

I get 4K from the ME880s... They stick good and provide ample traction for an aggressive riders.