What about the rest of....

[Vance]

All I have been reading is the comparison about Metzler vs. Bridgestone.

What about Michelin?
What about Continental?
What about Dunlop?
What about Pirelli?

I have not picked up my 05-LT yet (still at the dealer) but I haven't seen any discussions on these other tire manufactures that are quite good at tire building. Is it that they just don't make a set of tires that can handle the weight of the LT?

Vance

[Bayliner2052]

Metzler
Bridgestone
Dunlop
Michelin (not in USA)

I think that's about all that make shoes that fit.

[sanjaun2]

Metzler (high mileage champ)
Bridgestone (stickiest especially when wet)
Dunlop (wears funny and fast)
Michelin (front tire only)
avon (some people like their front tire)

[Shogun54]

Vance,

Avon makes tires that fit the LT, front and rear. I have a set on my 2003 now and am pleased with the front but the rear took some getting used to. Sidewall strength on the rear is apparently much lower than say the BT020. Had to mess with air pressure and put some miles on it to get it to stop hopping side to side.

I have used a Michelin Pilot Road on the front with a BT020 rear and was very pleased with the combo. Will probably go back to that after the Avons wear out.

Reports from other LTers indicate that the Dunlops that fit the LT are nothing special and often have interference issues with the rear suspension. Continental doesn't make a rear rated for the LT as far as I know.

The choices in tires for the LT are limited by the load (weight) requirement for the rear tire. Most any decent front tire in the correct size can be found with a sufficient load rating, but the rears are tough to find.

Check the HOW for info on the tire specs.

Brett

[dshealey]

All I have been reading is the comparison about Metzler vs. Bridgestone.

What about Michelin?
What about Continental?
What about Dunlop?
What about Pirelli?

I have not picked up my 05-LT yet (still at the dealer) but I haven't seen any discussions on these other tire manufactures that are quite good at tire building. Is it that they just don't make a set of tires that can handle the weight of the LT?

Vance
Michelin has tires rated for the LT, but we have never had good reports from users.

Continental has nothing for the LT

Dunlop has tires, and they were factory installed on many late '99 and '00-'01 bikes, but they are bias ply and only rated fair by users. I had a set, only rate them fair at best.

Pirelli has nothing for the LT.

As it stands now, the only choices you have for the LTare:
Bridgestone BT020: both radials and bias ply. Probably the best grip of any.
Dunlop: bias only, but not very good, probably the noisest when partially worn.
Metzeler: bias only for matched set, radial for front only, rear is noisy when worn, less wet grip on rear.
Michelin: bias only, but not very good.
Avon: radial only. good front, many do not like the rear, makes the bike feel "loose" in the rear.

[Vance]

Everybody....thanks for the input. You Senior Member guys really seem to know your stuff and have good thought in your comments. I'm impressed. So what makes a Senior Member? And you can't say Gray Hair...lol :bmw:

[Bayliner2052]

So what makes a Senior Member?

Number of posts.

[BillyOmaha]

All I have been reading is the comparison about Metzler vs. Bridgestone....

Howdy Vance,

One more little tid-bit.

By now you've figured out that for the LT, "IN GENERAL", it's Metzeler for mileage and Bridgestone for stickiness. Bear in mind there both fine tires and on your first set and first experience with the LT (read, getting used to it) you'll do fine with either.

If you tend toward the quicker pace in the twisties, then Bridgestones. If you're not interested in a quicker cornering pace, but are interested in a bit higher mileage and a somewhat better level of reliability, then go with the Metzelers.

The one twist is that if you do like to "push it in the corners" and you go with the Bridgestones, then you will get cupping in short order. It can be annoying for some. Me, I just live with it in the Summer and make sure I run them down before the rains. Then I run a new set through the rainy season.

Now the "tid-bit": I know that Ken (Meese) runs Avons on the front with a Bridgestone on the rear and recommends that combination. I will be doing that myself this spring. Unfortunately, the Avon at my dealer is a special order and I tend to need new shoes on short notice. I am not unhappy with the Bridgestone fronts, just hoping to cut down on the cupping so quickly.

FWIW note: I get about 6K on Metzelers and about 5K on the Bridgestones. Cupping on the Metzelers around 3.5K and on the Bridgestones around 2K.

It could be worse.. Wofgang needs new shoes about every 3K. After I pay the bill :( it's all :) :)
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