[sparkx]

After trawling the Internet for tyre choices and prices in the UK, we seem to have only three options due to the load ratings.
A lot of internet sites seem to just have guidelines of tyre sizes, but no load ratings. But with checking the manufacturers Data these can be quickly dismissed.

My final list:

Avon
Avon Storm Ultra II

Front: 120-70-ZR17-58W Radial

Rear: 160-70-ZR17-79V Radial

Bridgestone
Bridgestone Battleax BT-020

Front: 120-70-ZR17-58W Biased Belted

Rear: 160-70-ZR17-79V Biased Belted

Metzeler
Metzeler ME 880 Marathon

Front: 120-70- B 17-58V Biased Belted

Rear: 160-70-ZR17-79V Biased Belted

Unless you fit the tyres yourself the internet prices are'nt necessarily much cheaper as you have to include the fitting charge of £10 - £20 per tyre.

I've just purchased a pair of Avons fitted and balanced for £204 inc VAT, against £198 +£7.50 delivery + fitting on the net.

I'd recommend a call to Universal tyres for a competitive quote here in the uk

 

[StClair]

Thanks Sparkx :wave

Copied & saved - I'll be needing a new front shortly.

 

[markmoloney]

Yup, love those Avon storms. I am on my second set.

 

[andyfb]

Hi Mark,

Good to see you - been a while!

How do you find the Avon's ? I am a dyed in the wool fan of Bridgestone - the bike had Metzlers when I got it which were awful in the wet - really squirmy... I think they never get up to temperature in the winter so slide all over the place.

The Bridgestones I have found to be excellent in all conditions... EXCEPT prolonged heat.. Cookie and I ran into problems in Germany last year - basically trashed a front tyre in a day of around 600miles of 30+ degrees C heat on the Autobahn... not travelling fast, no more than 70mph anyways... by the end of the day my front tyre that had only done 1000miles prior to the trip was toast!

So.. I like Bridgestone (most of the time!) but they are getting pretty darn expensive for a pair ... The Avon's look interesting but don't want squirmy tyres like the Metzlers....

Look forward to your views...

Andy

 

[Knife]

Regarding the Avons, I wanted them, but Avon's fitment chart only lists them for the 1999-2003 K1200LT. There is no tire listed for the 2004 on up K1200LT. Boo.

I just ordered the Bridgestone BT-20 front and rear for $233.00 to my door here in the US.

 

[markmoloney]

To sum up, I will stick with the Avons over anything else I tried. Great in the wet in particular.

 

[philh24]

To sum up, I will stick with the Avons over anything else I tried. Great in the wet in particular.

Not thinking of another pair from Whitby are you Mark this year

 

[markmoloney]

Still got the same set on. Hope to still have the same set on when I leave the UK this time.

 

[hovis]

Ihave been using Me880,s on my bike and they are the worst wet weather tyre I have ridden on absolutely no feedback and zero confidence. I about to fit an avon storm on the back, so will report back how it feels.I had to change the front recently an Iam using a maxxis and the wet grip is vastly improved over the Me880, its a pity they dont do a rear to match.

 

[hovis]

Hi all,
Ihave now fitted the avon storm to the rear and still have the maxxis on the front, and the difference is incredible. At first the bike was a bit twitchy but was greatly improved by adjusting the tyre pressures to factory spec. I have just passed 1500 miles with about half of that in wet/monsoon conditions and the wet grip is superb ,not sure how long it will last but I much prefer great wet weather against longevity.

 

[krider08]

Just ordered a set of Avons Ultra 2 here in Singapore.
Had a set of ME880s which lasted about 12000 km.
They're worn to minimal threads, and slippery like crazy in the wet! This will be my first change of tires on my 1999 LT, Have owned it for the last 2 years. Hope to test it out soon. We're tropical here, and small thunderstorms are frequent occurrences.

 

[kazakdan]

Some up to date info...

Today I bought the Bridgestones for my `99 LT. I'm told the model has changed slightly to BT020M.

I ordered and collected in person from Cabot Tyres in Bristol. Paid £228.38 inc VAT. I know fitting will cost me £20 per tyre but that is still a saving over BMW dealer price of £300 fitted.

Radial vs Belted.
I have Avon II fitted front and rear. The Avons are radial, the BT are bias belted. I was aiming to put a BT on the front and keep the Avon rear until it wore out but I am told that here in the UK it would be illegal (I suspect dangerous) to install the BT on the front mixed with the Avon on the rear.

However, the other way around would be legal. ie Avon radial front and BT belted rear.

I was also told by the tyre agent that the BTs are the only recommended tyres for my bike. ie the Avons are not on BMW's radar. Interesting.

 

[Rockdoc]

My bike had Metzelers on when I bought it and I only changed to Bridgestones when Metzelers happened to be unavailable. I can't say that I've had all that much trouble with either brand, although the handling is certainly different between the two. I can't remember what mileage I used to get from the Metzelers but the Bridgestones give me about 6,000 miles on the front and between three and four times that for a rear tyre.

Keith