GSband
Registered user
I agree, a bit rigid and skittish when cold, and you're right, they need warming up. Did a couple of sidesteps with cold TA's. Once warmed up, excellent tyre.
Have you worn out Tourances and Conti TA`s?
- Thread starter Big Lee
- Start date
I agree, a bit rigid and skittish when cold, and you're right, they need warming up. Did a couple of sidesteps with cold TA's. Once warmed up, excellent tyre.
Had the original Tourances on the 1150 ADV which were fine. Fancied a change so put on Trail Attacks...
The rear had done around 7.5-8 thousand miles when I recently changed it... Mostly two up on the continent. It was squared off much worse than I remember the old tourance being at that kind of milage.....in fact having taken out the back wheel it nearly stood up on its own.....
Anyway, just had a new set of 'old' Tourances fitted
Its going to be down to personal preference in the end ....
The rear had done around 7.5-8 thousand miles when I recently changed it... Mostly two up on the continent. It was squared off much worse than I remember the old tourance being at that kind of milage.....in fact having taken out the back wheel it nearly stood up on its own.....
Anyway, just had a new set of 'old' Tourances fitted
Its going to be down to personal preference in the end ....
My 2p ...
... have always had original Tourances and got VERY good mileage on my 1100 & 1150GSA. Changed to Anakee 2's after reading a bit about them and although the wear rate is pretty good they have white-lined from new
It'll be back to tourances for me in the future 
... have always had original Tourances and got VERY good mileage on my 1100 & 1150GSA. Changed to Anakee 2's after reading a bit about them and although the wear rate is pretty good they have white-lined from new
It'll be back to tourances for me in the future Tourances
I had Tourances on three previous GS's and they really felt secure, wet or dry; The heavytread pattern was only noticeable on slow sharp bends (plenty around here) but otherwise they felt like a normal tyre; Now my 2008 model is fitted with Bridgestones -BW 501. I don't feel the low speed rumble but otherwise they feel much the same as the Tourances. I won't mention mileages becuse that may provoke a meaningless debate - it all depends so much on a particular rider, routes covered, traffic, etc;etc;
I had Tourances on three previous GS's and they really felt secure, wet or dry; The heavytread pattern was only noticeable on slow sharp bends (plenty around here) but otherwise they felt like a normal tyre; Now my 2008 model is fitted with Bridgestones -BW 501. I don't feel the low speed rumble but otherwise they feel much the same as the Tourances. I won't mention mileages becuse that may provoke a meaningless debate - it all depends so much on a particular rider, routes covered, traffic, etc;etc;
I've gone through 3 rear (nearly 4) Tourances on my 1200 and two fronts and wouldn't even bother fitting anything else for road and light track riding. There may be a better tyre out there, but I'm very happy with the Metzeler Tourance.
My previous front Tourance developed what appeared to be multiple fatigue cracks in the sidewall and was replaced with a 75% refund. The replacement tyre is fine, so maybe a bad compound or manufacturing process from the factory ?
My previous front Tourance developed what appeared to be multiple fatigue cracks in the sidewall and was replaced with a 75% refund. The replacement tyre is fine, so maybe a bad compound or manufacturing process from the factory ?
Big Lee
Registered user
I run a Trial attack rear and a tourance front, works great, but I will be going back to a tourance rear, just because iI got a new one for £50 a few months back
For £50 Ian I`d be fitting Tourances too
Camskill are doing both the TA`s and Tourances for £166, I don`t think I`d be able to buy just the tyres for much less than that. It`d be handy to be able to fit them myself like you, the last time I got Lakeland Mc`s to do it they charged me £30
it still ended up cheaper than if I`d bought from them anyway 
I agree with Brian about mileages from tyres, depend if you kill them laden with luggage and pillions up and down autoroutes or go everywhere the twisty routes so evening out the wear all over the tyre
For £50 Ian I`d be fitting Tourances too
Camskill are doing both the TA`s and Tourances for £166, I don`t think I`d be able to buy just the tyres for much less than that. It`d be handy to be able to fit them myself like you, the last time I got Lakeland Mc`s to do it they charged me £30
I agree with Brian about mileages from tyres, depend if you kill them laden with luggage and pillions up and down autoroutes or go everywhere the twisty routes so evening out the wear all over the tyre
They are £139 from roundandblack on ebay including delivery
Big Lee
Registered user
They are £139 from roundandblack on ebay including delivery
By the time I get stiffed for fitting, balancing and new valves it`ll be more than Camskill!
pete1200
Guest
For what it's worth my experience with Tourances is as follows: EXPs, fine when warm but white line when below operating temperature, and easily lose temp in cool/cold city riding. Tourance 1s were excellent on the 1150 but on my GSA1200 between 20 and 40 and on braking front can feel as though disconnected from bike!
Anyone any ideas, please?
Anyone any ideas, please?
The BMW Club magazine carried an article in July 2008 with a tyre comparison over various normal road riding conditions, using R1200GSA's as the test bikes. I've seen it written up on an alternative forum (!) but cannot find the link.
Cut a long story short, top two tyres were Trail Attacks and Tourance EXP's.
I've run Tourance Mk1's before and thought they were great....so just opted for Trail Attacks to draw a comparison. Too early to conclude anything revolutionary but after trying to work through the minefield of opinion on tyres, got down to the two that happened to crop up in the Club report - TA's or Tourances. Wouldn't go for Tourance EXP's despite the survey - just too many negative views on the forums.
For me it was Tourance 1's or TA's and I fancied something recommended but which I hadn't tried!
Such a personal thing! The next tosser along will totally disagree with me!!
Cut a long story short, top two tyres were Trail Attacks and Tourance EXP's.
I've run Tourance Mk1's before and thought they were great....so just opted for Trail Attacks to draw a comparison. Too early to conclude anything revolutionary but after trying to work through the minefield of opinion on tyres, got down to the two that happened to crop up in the Club report - TA's or Tourances. Wouldn't go for Tourance EXP's despite the survey - just too many negative views on the forums.
For me it was Tourance 1's or TA's and I fancied something recommended but which I hadn't tried!
Such a personal thing! The next tosser along will totally disagree with me!!
conncarr
Guest
Used to swear by Bridgestone 020's until I tried Michelin Pilot power (Fronts) and pilot roads (rears). Unfortunately that wasn't on a GS. My only experience on a 1200GS is oldee Tourance. Amazing confidence and grip, wet and dry. Due for renewal, and will be replacing like for like (if I can get them).
Brian
Brian
Gabby
Registered user
Tourance good for me rain or shine.
58,000 miles and on my 5th front and 10th rear.
Never had a problem pushing hard in the wet or dry.
(06 GSA)
PS - not the EXP's they are not so good. Had one set then went back only lasted 4k.
58,000 miles and on my 5th front and 10th rear.
Never had a problem pushing hard in the wet or dry.
(06 GSA)
PS - not the EXP's they are not so good. Had one set then went back only lasted 4k.
Tyres for the 1200GS
In the September issue of 'Bike' magazine they carried out tests on the 1200GS comparing Contnental TKC80's; Continental Road Attack; Michelin Pilot Road; Metzler Roadtec Z6's; Avon Storm ST (front) and Azaro ST (rear); and Bridgestone BT-020/01. They came out (for road use) with the Bridgestone's top and the TCK 80's last - the order above thus showing their comparative rating. Personally I had a few sets of Touraces on my previous GS and found them very reassuring, wet or dry and as they did not wear out at the same rates, front and back I stayed with them for four years. Now the new bike has the Bridgestones and I notice that they are smoother on slow speed corners as the tread is less pronounced - otherwise they feel very good and it is a bonus to find them top of the 'Bike' tester's list.
In the September issue of 'Bike' magazine they carried out tests on the 1200GS comparing Contnental TKC80's; Continental Road Attack; Michelin Pilot Road; Metzler Roadtec Z6's; Avon Storm ST (front) and Azaro ST (rear); and Bridgestone BT-020/01. They came out (for road use) with the Bridgestone's top and the TCK 80's last - the order above thus showing their comparative rating. Personally I had a few sets of Touraces on my previous GS and found them very reassuring, wet or dry and as they did not wear out at the same rates, front and back I stayed with them for four years. Now the new bike has the Bridgestones and I notice that they are smoother on slow speed corners as the tread is less pronounced - otherwise they feel very good and it is a bonus to find them top of the 'Bike' tester's list.
I've tried Battlewings, Anakees and Tourance. Overall I favour the Tourance, great tyres in the wet and they lean all the way over in the dry.
The only downside is extremely scary front tyres from new - giving front end shimmy on the overrun, but this goes with wear. The longevity of the Tourance is not always as good as reported - I've got about 5500 out of the rear, but this is mainly spirited fully loaded riding.
The only downside is extremely scary front tyres from new - giving front end shimmy on the overrun, but this goes with wear. The longevity of the Tourance is not always as good as reported - I've got about 5500 out of the rear, but this is mainly spirited fully loaded riding.
ANTS
Guest
Had Torance 1's on old GS. GSA had Battlewings fitted when I got it. They didn't last long & the wet weather grip wasn't as good as the Tourances (resulting in a very clenched backside and a change of underpants on one or two occasions!). I've gone back to Tourances (not the EXP variety) and will stick with these.
Big Lee
Registered user
Well I decided to go for the Continental Trail Attack tyres. £165 fitted to loose wheels I thought was ok (had quotes of £190 ) I`ll pop the wheels on tonight and have a little ride out in the morning if it`s dry to scrub them in. 
) I`ll pop the wheels on tonight and have a little ride out in the morning if it`s dry to scrub them in. onitallday
Guest
Put anakee 2 s on today ,but roads to wet to scrub in,ill post my opinions as these progress.
R1200GSA
Registered user
Good call Big Lee. 100% Continental Trail Attack's. Awaiting new rear one after 5000 
miles.
Continental Trail Attack's. Awaiting new rear one after 5000 miles.