K11 Owners Group

Hobieone · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 19 Location: Keweenaw, Michigan

back again guys for a dose of your collective wisdom
I put a Michelin 150/70x17 on the back of my 93 LT last year and had 2 different shop fight with it before the bead sealed. The successful guy was the patient one that said "let it sit in the shop tonight and it will develope a better attitude".
it ultimate did and away I rode. Time for new tread. It wore peculiarly on the edges and I found cords last Sept. Winter shutdown arrived early.
here in Michigan's UP we're still waiting on the last of 300" of snow to melt and though I've seen a few rides on the road, I don't trust the road sand nor salt content to hit the road. So while I watch a forecast for 5-8 inches of fresh white stufftonight, it's time to get serious about replacing the rubber.
Q#1 - was the 150 profile of last years tire the reason for the weird wear on the edges? and Q#2 - I'm looking for a good recommendation on a aft end radial.
all wisdom welcomed ..... TIA Smile

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:27 am Post subject:

I ride an RS, not an LT, but I will give you my input.

BTW, I do all my own maintenance including tire changes.

A 150 width tire is pretty wide for the relatively narrow LT rear wheel, which is probably why it was tough to get the bead seated.

Also many times new tires come wrapped very tightly, with the beads touching each other. Leaving it overnight could have let the tire to relax somewhat and assume the normal shape.

Scott Anderson might be along soon- I think he has experience with a wider tire on his LT.

Good luck and may the snow go soon- we just got 4" overnight after it was 70 on Monday Crying or Very sad

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:42 am Post subject:

Yes, I did try the wider/shorter tire on my LT. It was the only one I put on also.
I went back to the standard size after.

Like John, I also mount my own tires.
I did have issues setting the bead, there were 2 issues that gave me troubles when trying to set the bead. I don't do ether.......
1. the more narrow rim of the LT, and 2. my compressor/line couldn't deliver enough volume. I ended up taking it to a regular tire shop to get the bead set.

Another issue I had was the increased difficulty for me to put the bike up on the center stand, some may not have trouble with this, but I did.

I can't say as I noticed any difference in handling or mileage for the issued involved with it. Nor did I notice any rubbing on the swing arm or exhaust. So it can be done, but for me I didn't see any worthwhile gain for the troubles installing.
Like I mentioned above, after I wore it out I went back to the standard size.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:43 am Post subject:

Avon AV46 140/80ZR-17
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

whyoldbill · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 9:14 am Post subject:

I've been running the PR2 150/70-17 on my LT for a couple of years now and have never noticed any weird wear.
I ride a lot of freeway miles to and from work, but try to take back roads whenever time permits (All solo, mind you).
I love the way the PR2s handle and wear, especially in the rain.
Just out of curiosity, how many miles did you get out of that rear tire?

I usually get at least 13k and have seen 18k on one.

Can't imagine switching at this point.
_________________
'02 - GL1800

The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton

Dave6172 · Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 4:20 pm Post subject:

Is the Avon AV46 a radial tire?

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 7:48 pm Post subject:

Yes.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Dave6172 · Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 10:41 pm Post subject:

.....and it seems getting damned hard to find. Checking into street oriented tires for gs 1200 as they are far more common than our beloved K bikes.

Corkboy · Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 4:23 am Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 1:29 pm Post subject:

JMHO but I prefer the skinnier wheel on the front of the LT with an RS rear. Makes turn-in much easier for such a heavy bike.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Corkboy · Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 3:01 pm Post subject:

Widget Maker · Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 7:36 pm Post subject:

One up side to the RS wheel change I found was after you flip the center stand spacers to the bottom side (RS position) it is much easier to get on the center stand.
_________________
K1100LT
K1200 GT

Corkboy · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 4:23 am Post subject:

Widget Maker · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 7:06 am Post subject:

There were 4 approximately 1/2" thick spacers that on an LT go between the center stand mount and the transmission but on an RS you move the spacers to under the bolt heads (or buy shorter bolts). I didn't find out about it until I had the RS wheels on but being as it's a small change it might be worth a try on LT wheels to see if the center stand would raise the bike far enough. That would make putting a fully loaded one up a lot easier.
_________________
K1100LT
K1200 GT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 7:51 am Post subject:

I never really paid that close attention to that before either.

The LT uses a 10x50mm bolt with the spacers between the stand and the transmission.

The RS only uses a 10x40mm bolt and no spacers........
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Corkboy · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 9:12 am Post subject:

Isn't it strange that the LT uses the smaller diameter (17") rear wheel, and the centre stand is closer to the ground (with the spacers). So is (doubly) more difficult to put on the stand.
Whereas the RS, with the larger 18" wheel, has the stand higher (without the spacers).

I would have thought it would have been the opposite., i.e. larger wheel + spacers, smaller wheel -no spacers.
_________________
'08 K1200GT
'87 K100RS 0140995 (Gone)
'97 K1100LT 0188024 (Gone)
'08 Transalp 700 (Gone)

Widget Maker · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 9:47 am Post subject:

The tire diameters are larger on the LT than RS. The RS has larger rim with a smaller diameter tire = shorter side walls = faster responding tire, less side wall to wind up.
_________________
K1100LT
K1200 GT

Corkboy · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:11 am Post subject:

Ahh, I see my error (thanks Mr. Maker).

I was just comparing the wheels, not the overall wheel + tyre.

Thanks.

Looks like I'll be doing the centre stand thing when I swap over to the RS rear wheel.
_________________
'08 K1200GT
'87 K100RS 0140995 (Gone)
'97 K1100LT 0188024 (Gone)
'08 Transalp 700 (Gone)

Widget Maker · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:39 am Post subject:

It made getting it up on the center stand much easier. If the spacers were exactly the right length for the tire diameter change it shouldn't have made any difference but it did. That is what got me to thinking it would be interesting to try it with stock tires. As long as it gets sufficiently off the ground it's going to take less effort. Which if you have full bags and trunk will make life much easier. I'm not going back to stock tires just to test it but if someone does I'd like to know the results.
_________________
K1100LT
K1200 GT

Corkboy · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:49 am Post subject:

Hi Widget,
I might just do that (for the good of the forum Razz

)

I am on a standard (Avon Azzuro shod) LT wheel at the moment. I don't have a problem getting the bike on the centre stand, but if I am going to an RS wheel anyway, I can change the centre stand first to see the difference on a stock LT wheel.

I'll report back, but don't hold your breath. I don't know when I'll get around to it, but I will.
_________________
'08 K1200GT
'87 K100RS 0140995 (Gone)
'97 K1100LT 0188024 (Gone)
'08 Transalp 700 (Gone)