[DocCarroll]

I have a 2011 R1200RT with about 6500 miles. It looks as if I'll need a new rear tire soon as the center is becoming very flat.
I'm 5'10 and about 188 lbs. I ride one-up and mostly on freeways and back roads. I don't lean that far over with my riding style (not a knee dragger). I live in TX so it stays pretty dry. But, I am interested in taking a few cross country rides this summer.
I've shopped for new tires on A&S and Sierra BMW sites. I am comparing the following tires:
Michelin Pilot Road 2 for $186
Dunlop Roadsmart for $185
Bridgestone BT023 for $151
Continental Contimotion for $119
Any feedback would be helpful. It's just as helpful to know which are recommended and which ones I should avoid.
Thanks

 

[TWTourist]

If interested, I have a new set of PR2 from my C-14 (traded in) I'll sell for 250.00. The rear is a 190 instead of a 180. Front should be the same. I live south of SA but my family lives in SA so I go there often.

 

[Ozonewanderer]

You might want to add the Michelin PR3 and the Dunlop Roadmsart 2 to your list of candidates.

Personally I would always replace both tires at the same time with the same manufacturer. I think they will work better together with the same design and same amount of tread.

 

[prostreetdon]

If you decide to go with the Bridgestone Battlax be sure to get the GT. I've got 10K on mine on a 2009 RT and they are not down to the wear bars yet, in fact they are quite a way from the bars. I suspect I'll get 12K out of them which is much better mileage than what I got on the Metzlers, but the rear does have a flat spot in the center. If you aren't in an area with lots of curves I think any tire will flat spot.

 

[steveaikens]

Lots of miles on PR3s. You couldn't drag me back to PR2s. During the IBR, I gobbled up a rear PR3 and could only find a PR2 to finish the ride. I rode that PR2, kicking and whining, from Colorado Springs to Ontario, CA, then over to Tucson where I had it replaced with a PR3 again. I gave the PR2 to a friend that may still be riding on it.

When I first rode the PR2, I thought it was the schitz. Then came the PR3 - that ended that love affair in a hurry. I've never looked back.

That said, tire threads are like oil threads, everyone has an opinion of what works best for them.

Sit back and relax - here's where this one is headed....

You have to try to decide what works best for you.

 

[ka5ysy]

PR3. And you can order a heavy duty version for the rear. Great tires.

 

[150flyer]

PR3s are the way to go.

 

[DocCarroll]

Thanks to everyone for your insights and recommendations. :wave
Sounds like the PR3's are the way to go. RevZilla has the pair for $305 delivered..
Now, I'm trying to decide weather I want to change the front and rear at the same time.... It seems that is what everyone recommends. But, the front still has lots of tread wear left. Seems like a waste.

 

[deanwoolsey]

I put Metzeler 880s on my 1150. If you don't do much sport riding a good touring tire works very well and since yours is going bald in the middle of the tire it sounds like you spend most of your time vertical.

 

[05Train]

Thanks to everyone for your insights and recommendations. :wave
Sounds like the PR3's are the way to go. RevZilla has the pair for $305 delivered..
Now, I'm trying to decide weather I want to change the front and rear at the same time.... It seems that is what everyone recommends. But, the front still has lots of tread wear left. Seems like a waste.

Unless your OCD just can't handle not doing both at the same time, there's no reason to change the front if there's still good tread.

 

[ndrhsr]

Check out motorcyclesuperstore.com for prices

 

[steveaikens]

RevZilla has the pair for $305 delivered..
Now, I'm trying to decide weather I want to change the front and rear at the same time....

Emoto has them for $291.00. Orders over $200 are shipped free.

http://swmotorubber.com/index.php?cPath=2_20_211

Replace them both if you aren't running PR3s now. After that, you can use your own judgement when you decide to replace one or both. Considering the mileage you'll get for the price you pay, the cost kinda balences itself out and you'll learn fast that trying to get that last mile out of a front or rear when the other is changed is now generally not worth it.

Do what works best for you.

 

[racer7]

In the PR2, I've used both the B and regular version and prefer the B on my RT. It has a more deliberate and linear handling throughout its life by a bit. Not tha the regular one is terrible- but any PR2 gets pretty obnoxious when it wears down and the front is a fairly noisy tread design.
In the PR-2, the B does not deliver longer life, etc- just slightly better handling on the RT.

 

[OU812]

I want to say thank you for the links to the best prices. I have been running RoadSmarts for 2 (3rd set) years but after the current set is done I will be going with the PR3's.
Thanks again!
Steve

 

[racer7]

I ran some sets of RoadSmarts before the PR2s and PR3s and the RS have quicker handling than the Michelins. For me they lasted about the same as the PR2s. I always thought them to be a good all around tire with pretty decent wet grip- much better than the oem Bridgestone BT-020s that were on my RT.

The RoadSmarts have been due for an upgrade since the PR3 came out and now Dunlop has done it. But I haven't heard any comparisions of the new RoadSmart 2, yet.

 

[johnhunter44]

What about milege on the PR2's vs. PR3's?

What about mileage on the PR2 vs. PR3? Most of my traveling is upright, as the center of my rear tire is worn, but edges have plenty of tread. So far, I have 9550 miles on my OEM tires on my 2009 RT. I just want a good, comfortable ride with as much mileage as I can get. I think I got my use out of the OEM's. I ride like an old man, hey, wait, I am an old man........

 

[DocCarroll]

Awesome news! My local BMW dealer said he'd match the price I was getting at RevZilla for the PR3's. I'll followup and let you know if he actually does what he says.

 

[OU812]

Awesome news! My local BMW dealer said he'd match the price I was getting at RevZilla for the PR3's. I'll followup and let you know if he actually does what he says.

I need to move to TX!

 

[Ozonewanderer]

The RoadSmarts have been due for an upgrade since the PR3 came out and now Dunlop has done it. But I haven't heard any comparisions of the new RoadSmart 2, yet.

The reviews I've read of the RoadSmart 2 have been very positive. One UK magazine said they preferred it to the PR3s, but they admitted they did not have a chance to test it in the wet.

 

[black99S]

Lots of miles on PR3s. You couldn't drag me back to PR2s. ...
When I first rode the PR2, I thought it was the schitz. Then came the PR3 - that ended that love affair in a hurry. I've never looked back.

Metzeler Z8.
Lots of miles on original PR and 3 sets of PR2s - always noisy & twitchy. Now the RT is on rails... wish I'd gone to Metzeler after the PRs wore out. sheesh, the difference is amazing.