K11 Owners Group

[N41EF]

So, looking at replacing tires, my rear is over 10 years old but has good tread, now that I've gotten the bike up to maintenance with all of the fluids changed and such I want to do tires before a long weekend shake down. I've done several hour or so trips, but want new rubber before I go too far from home.

Option one would be to replace just the rear with a Metzler as is on it now, and wear down my front. Maybe replace them as a pair later, or keep buying single Metzlers as required.

Option 2 Replace both with Bridgestone BT45's

Option 3 is replace both with Pirelli Sport Demons.

Those were the three option my local Jap dealer offered, based on what they can get easily. They are unsure if they can balance the rear until I take it off and bring it in.

I believe all of these are bias ply tires, but I've seen threads about running radials.

I'm not looking for changing wheels at the moment so stock or close to stock size is preferred.

What would you guys do?
_________________
2014 R1200RT Water Cooled
2001 R1100S Light
1993 K1100LT. Nissan Ice Blue.(Gone)

[Scott_Anderson]

My recommendation would be to go ahead and upgrade to the Radials.

You can get them in the LT rim sizes, but having them be both the same brand/style, will be a limited selection.

I run a Michelin PR2 on the front and an Avon AV46 on the rear with very good results.

YMMV.
_________________
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]

No brainer:

BT-023 front 110 80 18 35-56 psi

AV46 rear 140 80 17 40-42 psi

What I run on a few of my Ks
_________________
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

[beemeerr11]

[Number 6]

I like the PR2, 120 on the front, 170 on the back, on K1200LT rims.
You can have them on RS rims.
_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

[rbm]

This past weekend, I changed my tires from Avon Roadriders to Bridgestone T30s. T30 is the replacement for the BT023.

- 110/80-18 front
- 150/70-17 rear

These are radials and, compared to the Avon bias plys, better tires all 'round. I was not happy with the quality of the Avons. I experienced cracks and a split/cut in the tread at the front. Bear in mind, I have not even yet scrubbed in the tires so I can't comment about road feel and longevity of the T30.

As for pressures, the manufacturer recommends 36 front, 42 rear. I've read that keeping both tires at 36 is better.
_________________
- Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

[atlantaboblutz@live.com]

ditto on the 110/80-18 front - 150/70-17 rear combo.

I mount myself and the rear can be a bit tricky but a few grunts and bit of sweat and it's on. Have been using BT-023's, but weighing a PR-3 as some claim it is longer lasting.

Rear has just over 8,000 miles on it and it's about done. I was only able to pull about 6,000 out of an Avon it developed cracks that I didn't notice until taking the tire off.

If I look at cost per mile, the PR3 would need to last 9,500 miles to be the same cost/mile as the BT-23.

Is anyone running the PR3 and if so, how many miles are they getting out of them?


Perhaps shedding that 25lbs I really need to lose would help too.


UPDATE: Well, the cheap PR3 price went away, and I was up to needing about 10,500 miles to match cost/mile of the Bridgestone T-30. Not seeing that as a practical expectation... ordered the T-30.
_________________
Thanks,
Bob
Atlanta GA

'94 K1100 LT
'76 R75/6

[Tim (Midland Section)]

[N41EF]

So, I read a dozen pages of stuff from Michelin and some reviews online. Seems PR4's are the current hot tire, but not readily available everywhere now. 30 years ago you walked into your local dealer and bought what tires they had, now it was pretty easy to spend a day online reading tire reviews.

What I found for current prices for pairs on eBay and Amazon:
Avon AV55-AV56 $341.15
PR2 $323.89
PR3 $331.15

I settled on PR3's and called my local Jap bike dealer: $379.00

Several Google searches later ordered from Dennis Kirk, total was $287.24 free shipping but SC $10 tire disposal fee.

I should have them next week will let you know what I think about the PR3.

I did find a thread about mounting wider tires, someone here mentioned unwrapping the tires and letting them set a day to relax. Someone else said put a ratchet strap around the circumference of the tire to make the sidewalls puff out and make it easier to get them to seat.
_________________
2014 R1200RT Water Cooled
2001 R1100S Light
1993 K1100LT. Nissan Ice Blue.(Gone)

[N41EF]

[hosehoundfr86]

had PR3's put on my RS last summer ,, 10,000kms so far and still lookin good

[Al.]

Could you fall foul of insurance with mixed tyres??
They are always looking for a way out.
"Not as recommended by manufacturer" ????

[Scott_Anderson]

I think as long as the tires are rated for motorcycle use, and you don't have a front tire mounted on a rear, or vise-versa, there shouldn't be any issues.
_________________
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)

[Inge K.]

Depends on the national regulations, in Germany it must be from the same manufacturer and a matching pair.
Could be that other countries have close to similar rules.

[Flying Duck]

[Inge K.]

I would also add that the tires must be approved by the vehicle manufacturer.