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chris Sunderland Big Brick Rider
Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:21 pm Post subject: LT tires |
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Has anyone tried a bigger front tire? I am wondering if I should try a 120/70 18.
Any thoughts? _________________ '04 WR450f
'93 K1100LT |
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whyoldbill Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 440 Location: in the boonies, northwest of Columbus, Ohio
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:34 am Post subject: Re: LT tires |
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chris Sunderland wrote: | Has anyone tried a bigger front tire? I am wondering if I should try a 120/70 18.
Any thoughts? |
Chris,
I'm currently running a 120/70-18 on my LT (Metzeler ME-880). It's a snug fit, but it will work. The one and only problem I had was the screw that hold the little cover between the forks will cut a nice new groove in the center of the tire, so grind that sucker off.
The ME880s are apparently made of a harder compound and don't perform quite as well as the LaserTecs when wet. If you ride in the rain very much, you probably won't be impressed. In fact, my LT feels like it's sliding over the "tar snakes" (asphalt crack sealant) rather than rolling over them.
Other than that, I can't say I've noticed any change in the handling.
That's my $.02 worth. Your Mileage May Vary.
regards,
Bill _________________ '02 - GL1800
The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton |
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garydi Brick Rider
Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 26 Location: highland, michigan
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 11:09 am Post subject: lt metzlers 880 |
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I too went with the Metzlers however, I HAD to raise the front fender. Not only would the center screw hit the tire but the fender hit the tire too. After fensder mods, I'm still only 3/8 inches away. I'd go with the lazer techs. _________________ k1100lt 94 46000 miles
harley elec glide classic 08
honda v750s sabre 82 |
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chris Sunderland Big Brick Rider
Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 11:33 am Post subject: |
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I want to go with the PR2's front and rear. SInce I will have to go to the 150 on the rear, I thought, why not go wider in front too?
I ride pretty hard and I get ALL of the Mac 50 that I have on now. _________________ '04 WR450f
'93 K1100LT |
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whyoldbill Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 440 Location: in the boonies, northwest of Columbus, Ohio
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject: RE: LT Tires |
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I am also getting ready to go with the PR2s. I don't see that 10mm difference in width helping with anything as far as handling or tire life. Given the limited clearances, I am going back to the 110/80-18 on the front.
I agree with Gary, if you're not switching to radials, the LazerTec is better on the LT. IMHO.
Regards,
Bill _________________ '02 - GL1800
The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton |
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RAL88 Flying Brick Rider

Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 736 Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with the Lazetecs. I have run those on the bike since I got it. From experience they are great in wet weather and I have scraped the pegs with them in dry weather. The softer compound is much better than the old compound I started with without much loss in mileage. I just went over to Metzeler Z6 Interact radials and I will give a report once I get some more miles on them. _________________ Rich
"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R |
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chris Sunderland Big Brick Rider
Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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I have been running the bias ply Mac 50. I like them. But it is time to make the switch to the radials. What's the difference between the 120/70 18 and the 120/80 18?
Will one fit better? _________________ '04 WR450f
'93 K1100LT |
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whyoldbill Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 440 Location: in the boonies, northwest of Columbus, Ohio
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:57 pm Post subject: RE: LT Tires |
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chris Sunderland wrote: | What's the difference between the 120/70 18 and the 120/80 18?
Will one fit better? |
12 mm in sidewall height. So, the 120/80 would be about 1 inch larger in diameter than the 120/70-18.
If you compare to the stock 110/80-18, you're only looking at 16 mm diameter increase (.63 inches)
Comparing the stock to the 120/70-18, you actually decrease the diameter if the front tire by 8 mm (about 1/3 inch)
Ya gotta love these online calculators
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php
Bill _________________ '02 - GL1800
The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton |
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chris Sunderland Big Brick Rider
Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 10:30 am Post subject: |
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thanks. That helps.
If I lower the rear with the wider rear tire and then raise the front with the wider front tire, I am going to be riding a chopper!!
I think I'll stick with the stock front tire size. And I may re-think going to the wider rear.
Thank for all the help! _________________ '04 WR450f
'93 K1100LT |
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old guy old bike Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 373 Location: Lisbon, OH
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Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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The rear is about 3/8" wider, 3/16" per side or 10mm and 5mm if you prefer. I have not had clearance issues with this setup. It is a little shorter but has not been a problem with me. Might be an issue with the high mileage slab riders though.
Jeff _________________ 1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods |
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RAL88 Flying Brick Rider

Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 736 Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA
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Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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I recently went with a larger RS rear tire and kept the LT front tire and I have not seen a problem running it this way. _________________ Rich
"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R |
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Tim (Midland Section) Flying Brick Rider

Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 960 Location: Pinxton, Nottingham, England.
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Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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I run Mich PR2 Front & Avon Azaro rear, just to keep original sizes. Only done 500 miles so cannot fully report yet, but so far so good _________________ Regards Tim,
Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485 |
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Ragman Mad Brick Rider
Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 97
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Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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I'm running a 120/90-18. Fits but tends to feather more because of the narrow 3" front rim.
Ragman _________________ "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."
~Thomas Jefferson
1995 K1100LT
1980 Hadley Giggleson FLHC |
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mnb Flying Brick Rider

Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 660 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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Tim (Midland Section) wrote: | I run Mich PR2 Front & Avon Azaro rear, just to keep original sizes. Only done 500 miles so cannot fully report yet, but so far so good |
I've just about worn out my first set of the same setup of tires. I never encountered rain, so I can't report on how they do in the wet, but in the dry, I'm very happy with these tires. I've got another pair lined up and ready to install.
I got 6k out of the set (front did not outlast the rear 2:1 like normal, it wore the same). I typically get 4k or so from a rear, so overall, I think the mileage is ok. 6k is the service interval, too, so that is convenient. _________________ M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition |
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Sonu Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 400 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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I also run the PR2 front + Avon Azaro combination and am very happy with it. Better grip and a bit softer ride.
I've put 3K miles on so far and they look like they have more than 50% tread left.
I've had over 10 days of riding in the rain and felt pretty confident with these tires (I do slow down a bit in the rain with ANY tire)
Sanjiv _________________ 1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO
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