How much longer for my ME880's ?

[ranks]

Got a question for the gurus out there.
I've always run ME880's.
Religuosly run 42F 48R, check before every ride.
I've always changed before the wear bars.

The most I've gotten on a rear is 12K.

I have 6K on current rear, with 2mm before it hits wear bar even with tread in center.

One Tire was replaced due to puncture at 8K. This tire with 6K looks like my other one did when I replaced it before heading out to CCR a few years ago.

Maybe I'm just riding harder these days ?

Can I put 1500 miles on these ?

Trying to decide if I need new tires before Red River, or take the R1200GS (have 6K on Tourances and don't know the life of them yet, but looks like 1/4 to 1/2 life left).

Please, anyone who gets 10-12K on a ME880 rear, and keeps a good eye on their tread depth, let me know what you think.

(I'f I did take them, I would replace as soon as I get home, but I hate to throw 1.5-2K of tires out, if its safe.)

Thanks in advance.

[JPSpen]

James,

I ran mine till the center was smooth...

The new B'stone Bias 020's I put on yesterday are way, way different.

Like going from regular roller skates to in-line skates. Takes no effort to turn the front end now and she really corners scary quick...

Kind of freaked me out a couple of times this morning when I was scuffing them up....A completely different bike with the Bridgestones.


John

[afterburner]

When it comes to where the rubber meets the road, don't f#@&* around !!

I mean, when in doubt, OK, deduct!! as in the irs. . .

but when it comes to tires . . . don't be a penny pincher !!

Put it in perspective man !! How much are you worth ????

You've probably spent much more $$$ on dates that didn't even give you a nice kiss afterwards not to mention the B*&$#@ job you were expecting !!

So, with all due respect BUY SOME NEW TIRES !! then ride with confidence.

Matt :D :D

[DavidTaylor]

If you're that worried about them replace the tires. They are the ONLY thing connecting you to the road, so why chance it??

[tvguy]

Please turn to page 78 in your manuals.... Why is it I can ride fast and wild for 10K miles on a set of tires running the correct tire pressure?

Why would anyone want to over inflate their tires to pull off a few extra mile?
It's bad enough that there is so little rubber on the road, but to put even less is crazy. Running to much pressure gives you less grip on the road, slippery when wet and you are just wearing out the center on your tire.

Please buy a new set of rubber, use the correct tire pressure and have the confidence knowing that you are as safe as you are going to get for the next 10K miles.

See attached file!!

[Ghost55]

I run 880s at 40/46. Replaced the front at 12K, and the rear at 17K. Ride mostly one up about 60% high speed interstate, and 40% local and twisties/tecnical roads. I replaced both pre-emptively, as I could have gotten a few thousand more from both, but as mentioned above, why risk it.

[sanjaun2]

How much tread depth does the tire have when new. Some tires start off new at 6.5 mm. that 2mm left would be almost 1/3 of the life left. When I first bought my bike I was given a super deal on a dunlop 205 front tire. It barely had more than 4mm brand new!! I would remeasure your tread depth and if it were more than 2mm to the wear bars ride it. NM is a very sunny place so chances are you will not hit to much heavy rain. I would think the 880 should be good for at least 10k. I get over 15k out of my bias BT020 rear

[rglassma]

Please turn to page 78 in your manuals.... Why is it I can ride fast and wild for 10K miles on a set of tires running the correct tire pressure?

Why would anyone want to over inflate their tires to pull off a few extra mile?
It's bad enough that there is so little rubber on the road, but to put even less is crazy. Running to much pressure gives you less grip on the road, slippery when wet and you are just wearing out the center on your tire.

Please buy a new set of rubber, use the correct tire pressure and have the confidence knowing that you are as safe as you are going to get for the next 10K miles.

See attached file!!

Tvguy,

I just wanted to comment on what you have said regarding the information in the manual:

It is my own personal experience that through warrenty tire replacement, BMW has acknowledged that the information on tire pressure in the manual is incorrect. Yes incorrect !!!! Based on personal exchanges with bridgestone (the stock tire provider of the BT020), for this bike, they recommend 42 psi front and 48 psi back. BMW acknowledged that by replacing my front tire under warranty when the front cupped at approx. 4K. Furthermore, BMW of Denver service manager, Martin recommended to me if you are riding two up or with a heavy load, you should consider adding an extra 2 pounds on top of that.

It is fairly common knowledge on this forum that the pressures mentioned are the correct pressure for the stock tires under normal load and use.

Thanks

Bob Glassman
'03 K1200LTC
15K

[ranks]

How much tread depth does the tire have when new. Some tires start off new at 6.5 mm. that 2mm left would be almost 1/3 of the life left. When I first bought my bike I was given a super deal on a dunlop 205 front tire. It barely had more than 4mm brand new!! I would remeasure your tread depth and if it were more than 2mm to the wear bars ride it. NM is a very sunny place so chances are you will not hit to much heavy rain. I would think the 880 should be good for at least 10k. I get over 15k out of my bias BT020 rear

I was hoping someone had some new ME880's around and could do this. (Get the new tire depth in the center to the wear bar).

[Malki]

I'm just about to put new tyres on my LT, not sure whether to stick with 880's or go with 020's, and all this talk of 42/48 pressures is quite scary over here in the UK. I run 36/42 one or two up, and 36/46 two up and loaded for most conditions. I'd never dream of going 42 in the front...how do you guys stop in the wet?
Any tyre dealer over here just freaks out at the thought of 42psi up front.

Bob, where did BMW aknowledge the info in the manual was wrong, my dealer tells me 36/42 for normal riding.

[Stobie]

The high pressures are probably the cause of the 880's poor wet weather performance that has been mentioned quite a few times on this forum. I run the BMW recomended pressures and have had no problem whatsoever.

Stobie.

[jwd98056]

How much tread depth does the tire have when new.
According to the manufacturers specifications the front (ME880 120/70-B17 ZR 58H) has 5mm (0.197") of tread when new and the rear (ME880 160/70-B17 ZR 79V) has 9mm (0.354") of tread.

[sanjaun2]

Thanks Jim, All I could find when I searched was the v rated rear at 6.5mm I knew our version for the LT would be different.

[yaklt]

I had some people at STCII try to talk me into overinflation.

I believe that's nice for track day, when you WANT to be able to gently, easily drift. Not for the street, nor for good tire traction or wear.

Some people at STCII also believed Metzler recommended higher pressure than BMW. I searched for Metzler's recommendations - they are LOWER than BMW's (and my experience says BMW numbers 'feel' better than the 4 lbs lower rear pressure that Metzler lists for the K1200LT).

See my post (and link to Metzlers catalog recommendations) here (http://yarkos.blogspot.com/2006/04/note-on-metzler-880-tire-pressures.html)

[ranks]

According to the manufacturers specifications the front (ME880 120/70-B17 ZR 58H) has 5mm (0.197") of tread when new and the rear (ME880 160/70-B17 ZR 79V) has 9mm (0.354") of tread.

Thanks !!

That was what I was looking for to make an informed decision on how fast they were wearing. You just cant go by looks, and I never had measured them new.

Thanks again !!

[Moonshine]

Check out the thread "Measured Metzler tire wear" on page 2 of this link.

[ranks]

I did, but it was all in inches. Only thing small enough to measure that I have is in mm's.

Thanks again !!

[Moonshine]

The conversion of mm to inches is to multiply inches by 25.4 to get mm or to convert mm to inches multiply mm by .03937 to get inches. So if you have 2mm of remaining tread depth you have .07874" of tread depth in inches. It has been my past experience to consume .0000198" of tread depth per mile that I ride. This I have discovered over the life of the three Me880 tires I have used. The new Me880 have a tread depth of approximately .300" very close to the center of the tire measured with the tire inflated to 50PSI. I would guess that you have approximately 3,900 miles left to run until the tread is completely used up in the center of the tire. I would think this would not be a good practice to do this in case you would encounter a wet road condition. Slicks do not fare well on wet roads, they really can cause pucker factor 10 and then your legs get real shaky and beads of sweat break out on your forehead and you know what schrivles to nothing.

[jwd98056]

Most people would probably just look at their tires but being an engineer I had to make up a speadsheet to calculate tread life :D. I set it up for my two motorcycle tire types (Metzler ME 880s and Dunlop D402s) but it could be easily modified for whatever tires you use. My tire gauge is SAE so I convert everything to inches and put conversion tables in it for reference.

[meese]

Funny, the last track day I was on they recommended 32/36 for the LT. Unless you're Valentino Rossi or Mat Mladin, you don't want the tires to slide at all. And somehow I doubt either of them has even taken an LT on a track.

And the Avon/BT020 combo doesn't slip in the rain at 42/48, or at any other time for that matter.

[UncleRock]

Got a question for the gurus out there.
I've always run ME880's.
Religuosly run 42F 48R, check before every ride.
I've always changed before the wear bars.

The most I've gotten on a rear is 12K.

I have 6K on current rear, with 2mm before it hits wear bar even with tread in center.

One Tire was replaced due to puncture at 8K. This tire with 6K looks like my other one did when I replaced it before heading out to CCR a few years ago.

Maybe I'm just riding harder these days ?

Can I put 1500 miles on these ?

Trying to decide if I need new tires before Red River, or take the R1200GS (have 6K on Tourances and don't know the life of them yet, but looks like 1/4 to 1/2 life left).

Please, anyone who gets 10-12K on a ME880 rear, and keeps a good eye on their tread depth, let me know what you think.

(I'f I did take them, I would replace as soon as I get home, but I hate to throw 1.5-2K of tires out, if its safe.)

Thanks in advance.
When you see the second ply it is time to change them.
I never get the high miles out of a tire that people on this list talk about.
You (or I for that matter) should not do this, when you run the tire to it's limit. There is a very distinct feel coming off of the side wall back to vertical. Not long after this you will hear and feel a distinct pop (some kind of liner or membrane between the belts and tread case)
Slow way down because every mile you have to go is opening the gash wider exposing more ply/belts.
Rock :eek:

[ranks]

Thank you everyone for the replies, information, and concern.

It all confirms my GUT feeling to change them before the trip to Red River.

I was looking for some emperical evidence that might suggest 5-6K left but no go. I MIGHT make it, but I don't want to push it. Besides, new skids will make the corners much more confident, and there do seem to be some curves around Red River, unlike Central Oklahoma.

Thanks again everyone !!

[ranks]

I've never had a problem in the wet (Except on paint) with the 880's at 42/48.
Some have, and I don't doubt that. Too many factors...Road Surface, amount of water, time since started raining, load on bike, shocks, amount of throttle, amount of tire wear, etc.

For me, they've been great. My current set, seems to be my lowest mileage, but I feel that the change in mileage has come from increased confidence on the bike, increased skill over the last year, and definately an increase in how hard I take the curves.

It just didn't seem right for them to be gone so fast. Looks like if I did wear them to the bars, I might get 9 or 10K out of them, but I'm not going to chance it on a long trip away from home.

Besides....Still much better than the 4.5K I got on BT020's on my old FZ1 !!!

The high pressures are probably the cause of the 880's poor wet weather performance that has been mentioned quite a few times on this forum. I run the BMW recomended pressures and have had no problem whatsoever.

Stobie.

[NM99K12LT]

My 2 cents - I am 6'7" and 300#. I ride on ME880s set at 36.5F/46.5R. I usually change tires at about 10K and check pressure before every ride. I ride aggressively on the numerous twisties we have here in NM. Hated the OEM Bridgestones on my 99LT - shredded 1 set of Dunlops (and the side of my boot soles) on a single trip from Clifton, AZ to Alpine, AZ (MAJOR curves!). Never had a problem with traction wet or dry since switching to ME880s. Have never tried the BT020s and probably will not unless I experience a problem with the Metz. The only thing I notice is some skipping around on tar snakes during the heat of summer. Enjoy the Ride!

[Mopos]

It is my own personal experience that through warrenty tire replacement, BMW has acknowledged that the information on tire pressure in the manual is incorrect. Yes incorrect !!!! Based on personal exchanges with bridgestone (the stock tire provider of the BT020), for this bike, they recommend 42 psi front and 48 psi back. BMW acknowledged that by replacing my front tire under warranty when the front cupped at approx. 4K. Furthermore, BMW of Denver service manager, Martin recommended to me if you are riding two up or with a heavy load, you should consider adding an extra 2 pounds on top of that. It is fairly common knowledge on this forum that the pressures mentioned are the correct pressure for the stock tires under normal load and use.


Hi Bob, so if I have an extended warrenty, and under 12K on the Metzlers, Martin might change them?

Adam

[eljeffe]

Hi Bob, so if I have an extended warrenty, and under 12K on the Metzlers, Martin might change them?

Adam

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