Radials on my 05 LT

[usmctpdog]

My understanding is that Bias ply 020 tires were fitted to the 05/06 models because of the fork angle change.

If I were to install the Avon A45/46 set of Radials what might I expect handling wise on my 05 ?

As I am in the *Pacific NorthWet I would like to try a set of radials that
perform well in the rain. . .Not saying my 020's are bad but with only 4400 miles on my front bias 020, the tread is only measuring 2.1 mm's - I will be needing new tires soon! I have kept the pressure F42/R48.
The rear looks great still with 5+ mm tread remaining. I went to B'stone site and found that the front 020 only comes with 5/32's of new tread.

I have searched the forums and nothing comes up on that subject.

Has anyone mounted Radials on an 05/06 yet ?
Thanks!

[mpillis]

I have an 05 and the dealer without my knowledge replaced my front tire with a radial, the rear was bias and was not worn out. I did not realize till I just replaced both tires that I had the radial on front. I had noticed that there was a harmonic howling whenever I would take a curve in either direction. Now have new bias BT's on both and no more howl. I cannot say for sure that havinbg the radial on front was the problem or if it was because the tires were mismatched.

[usmctpdog]

Well, it looks like by the number of replys no one has installed radials on the 05/06 LT yet.....

I plan to. .

[bruce2000ltc]

Well, it looks like by the number of replys no one has installed radials on the 05/06 LT yet.....

I plan to. .
I've got a set ordered for my '05. Avon front and 020 Bridgestone rear. I ran this combo on my '00 and loved them.
I don't think the fork angle change had anything to do with BMW going to bias ply tires. If I remember right, BMW had stopped supplying LT's with radials on the earlier years - all about mileage.

Bruce Hodges

[dshealey]

I've got a set ordered for my '05. Avon front and 020 Bridgestone rear. I ran this combo on my '00 and loved them.
I don't think the fork angle change had anything to do with BMW going to bias ply tires. If I remember right, BMW had stopped supplying LT's with radials on the earlier years - all about mileage.

Bruce Hodges

The '99 LT originally had the Bridgestone Exdedra Radials, but the mileage was so low BMW started putting Dunlop D205 Bias ply on them mid '00, then Metzeler 880 bias ply, then when Bridgestone replaced the Excedras with the 020 radials late '01 BMW had another radial source which got mileage back to respectable. They have supplied both 880s and 020s ever since.

[BruceHarrisJr]

Yes sir, I've mounted a new pair of Radial Bridgestone BT020's on my '05 LT and they perform just as well as they did on my '00 LT. Prior to doing so I contacted Bridgestone in Nashville, Tn. and the tire engineer that I spoke with told me there would no safety issues or other concerns with using the radials. I recently completed the IBA/MTF RAT ride and had no problems. As of this date my radials have about 5,500 miles and look as though they'll go to about 14,000 on the front and 17,000-19,000 on the rear. I run 42/48 when solo and 44/48 two up. I also use www.ride-on.com and check my PSI prior to every ride. Hope this helps.

[usmctpdog]

Thanks Bruce -

That was a wealth of information and just what I was looking for!

BMW says to replace tire when down to 2mm and I am there. -

VroomHilda rides fine and no slipping of the front end thus far but will be needing new front tire before any trip. .

[Newf]

Yes sir, I've mounted a new pair of Radial Bridgestone BT020's on my '05 LT and they perform just as well as they did on my '00 LT. Prior to doing so I contacted Bridgestone in Nashville, Tn. and the tire engineer that I spoke with told me there would no safety issues or other concerns with using the radials. I recently completed the IBA/MTF RAT ride and had no problems. As of this date my radials have about 5,500 miles and look as though they'll go to about 14,000 on the front and 17,000-19,000 on the rear. I run 42/48 when solo and 44/48 two up. I also use www.ride-on.com and check my PSI prior to every ride. Hope this helps.
I bought 2 radial 020s for my 05. I have just replaced the rear but not the front yet. There were 880s on it when I got the bike used. I did notice on the side of the new radial 020 that is says maximum pressure is 42. That is what I have in the rear now.

[mrwad]

I put an 880 Radial on the front of mine. I didn't check before installing. I assumed when I ordered it that the shop ordered the right tire. Little did I know. Well, after over 2000 miles of long and short trips, one and two-up, hot and cold, dry and wet riding, I can reasonably say there is not an issue with handling. Original BS is still on the rear. Just had the 12k service done and she is cupped a little, but has a lot more miles left in her.

I have read a lot of posts on the tire issue and I am really amazed at the number of people who do not like the Metzler radials. I have had 880s on my cruizer for years. Other than a little noise in the turns, I love these things. I have over 5k on the current ones and they still look new. Metz doesn't make them in the size for my SV or I would have them there as well.

I am leery of putting a radial on the rear and will probably go with the BS bias on the rear because I am thinking I will get 14K out of the stock and I am happy with that. As I have stated, running the mix of the radial on the front and the bias on the rear has resulted in nil on the handling issues.

After reading all the tire threads it is clear that there are as many opinions as there are riders. The radials seem adequate however some are not happy with the handling. The Bias get higher marks in handling, but don't last as long. This is by no means a statement of fact as the result of counting opinions or having run a poll, just my observation having read as many of the tire threads as I can stand. I am not even sure what this one started out as.

The one thing I have not come across is anyone who has had a "catastrophic" failure that can be attributed to an improper tire. If I missed that thread, someone please point me in the right direction so I can avoid that situation.

I thought I was out some bucks when I saw the "R" on the Metz and was ready to buy the "B". But I had already put in a trip to Houston and back with no issues at all and really started to read all the tire threads. I am going to stick with what I have and replace what I have with the same until someone can supply proof that a radial is unsafe on the big rig, or proof that the mix will cause excessive wear, because I cannot see nor detect either potential on my rig.

[Sharkey]

I have almost 42K on my bike. It came with BS biasply tires. When they wore out I put BS radials on and have run them ever since. To bad they don't make them anymore. They went to 021 which the rear tire isn't rated for the LT. So I've been told. I bought 3 rears and 5 fronts when I found this out. Don't know what I will try next when I use these up.

[Jerod521]

I am almost all the way through my set of Avons front and rear. Having come from a sport bike background I LOVE the way the Avons handle. Much sharper into turns. Side to side transitions are easier/quicker. Some have complained that they seem to be "twitchy" at highway speeds. If you are being buffeted by semi's and are just hanging out in there wash then yes they are a little less stable that the 880's or the 020's. However, they are the best rain tire I have ever ridden and they stick like mad.
I personally will only run avon's from here on out. I can report that they ARE stable up to at least 118mph(GPS)

[Woolly]

I have an 05 and the dealer without my knowledge replaced my front tire with a radial, the rear was bias and was not worn out. I did not realize till I just replaced both tires that I had the radial on front.

My front needed replacing at the 6K service, and my dealer did exactly the same thing. I replaced the rear (Bias) at 12.5K miles, and no problems with this 'unusual' set-up - no handling problems, noise etc. The front has now done over 8K and does not show any signs of wear, so radial front, bias rear might be the way to go!

[glenn]

My first replacement tire on my 05 LT was the front. Dealer stuck a radial BS up there. Still had the bias BS rear, but did not notice that the front was radial for about 2000 miles when I did a tire presure check. Did not notice any handling issues.

Replaced the rear w/ a radial BS so now I have both F&R radials, still no handling issues. Didn't seem to improve handling any more than having any other set of new tires on an LT (fyi this is my second LT)

The front was replaced again and this time I am running M880 front and radial BS rear. Again, no real noticable handling issues.

I now run an M880 front and BS rear, both bias type. Handling and mileage are good.

One thing this taught me is not to worry about the bias/radial mix on a bike. I'll keep my present mix, but if I am on a trip and I had to blend bias and radial again, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Spirit_Rider]

Would these tires work on a LT? I plan on hitting alot of gravel in Alaska.

Forgive the newby questions please. I come from the cruiser crowd with ~70K on an Indian

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/5381/ITEM/Metzeler-Tourance-Rear-Tire.aspx

[zippy_gg]

I doubt the rear tire is rated for the weight of the LT...

[Dick]

Would these tires work on a LT? I plan on hitting alot of gravel in Alaska.

Forgive the newby questions please. I come from the cruiser crowd with ~70K on an Indian

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/5381/ITEM/Metzeler-Tourance-Rear-Tire.aspx
Nope - aren't rated for an LT; not the right size nor the right load rating. Those are sport bike tires, I believe.

I pulled this from the HoW pages (Tires,Suspension, etc). There are other tires listed in that category also, in case you wanna try a different brand. However, the Metzelers are usually considered the mileage kings.

The ME880 is the long distance king, but sacrifices a little traction for more mileage.

Front Tire: 120/70 B17 M/C 58V TL ME880 Marathon Front - 2.50 BAR

Rear Tire: 160/70 B17 M/C 79V Reinf. TL ME880 Marathon