R1200RT Tyre Recommendations

[stonehenge]

Hi,

Rather than spoil the entertaining RT vs GS Thing Thread, I thought that I would open up a tyre thread asking for your opinions on best rubber for the later RT. I have Bridgestone BT21 OEM tyres at the present that seem to handle well but give a harsh ride quality over uneven road surfaces.

Bob recommended Avon Storm Ultra II's and Metz Z6's. Any others impressed? and why?

 

[Our Gee]

Any "new" tyre impresses me, then as the miles build up and the wear pattern takes on the familiar uneven shape disatisfaction takes over. I have had two sets of Road Pilot 2 which delivered decent mileage but after about three to four thousand miles the well reported tread pattern "cupping" and associated howl when cornering takes over to a point where I just had to get them off. Legally they would have done another three thousand miles at least but I just couldn,t stand them. I now have Conti Road Attack 2 which are more "sporty" than the Michelins, have a nice comfy ride and at three thousand miles seem to be wearing quite evenly. The tread pattern could be described as mimimal which will as far as I can see will put more rubber on the road and touch wood have not yet given me a "moment" in the wet. During our recent France trip my boots touched down quite regularly which increased my self esteem somewhat !!.
There again, that was on properly engineered and constructed roads with a quality surface we in Britain can only dream of.

 

[ebbo]

Bridgestone BT020cc 120/70ZR - 17 (front) BT020aa 180/55ZR - 17 (rear) currently on the bike and other than a disastrous try-out of a BT021 on the front a few years ago that’s what I run. Trying other tires (like the 021) can be a disaster so I’m very conservative and stick to what I know works well, I’ll change if I have to…

 

[peterh]

PR 3s.

Better mileage than the PR2.

Superb grip wet or dry. Rear worn edge to edge and they have given with no cause for concern in doing so.

They work for me. But this is a very personal choice.

 

[Riktus]

I am using Metzeler Z6's and they are very good - thought I would need to change them after a recent 3500 mile trip (bike has now done about 6600 miles on them) but they still seem fine.

You do get the inherant "groan" when the front tyre is anything other than upright but the handling is still the same - excellent!

In the dealers last week for the 6000 mile service and he went through tyres with me - reckoned they would be good for another 1000 to 2000 miles and he advised Z8's as a replacement said that they were an improvement on the Z6's I have to say if they were just "as good" I would be very happy.

Rik

 

[stonehenge]

Thank you all........Steve

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

Over the years I've tried all the sport touring tyres and have settled on Maxxis as they work just the same / last just the same and cost sigificantly less than the rest.

 

[hugh jarrs]

RT tyres

Has to be BT023's. Dont know how long they'll last but so far they're great. Had a twin cam 12RT for a week from Alan Jefferies that had BT021's and it just was'nt the same. Was glad to get back on my own bike, far more confident.

 

[BBB61]

BT23's

I was chatting with a DSA examiner whose company bike is a twin cam 1200RT and it is currently fitted with BT23's. He was very impressed with them and the set had lasted 9000 miles, so god mileage out of them too.

 

[Malcvtr]

You can't get better than god mileage, Bob

 

[stonehenge]

I was chatting to a guy yesterday that rides blood bikes in and around Glous / North wilts and was saying the same about BT23's.

for Bridgestones it seems that 020's - good, 021's - poor and 023's - very good

not sure how a manufacturer can get a tyre so wrong in the 021!

 

[ebbo]

Bu*ger, the BT-020 is no longer listed on Bridgestone site

Looks like it might have to be a pair of 023's then next spring, 9000 miles sounds nice

 

[Poucher]

I have a mate who has a 1200RT, he does about 25,000 miles per year and is a very, very quick rider, wet or dry and he swears by Dunlop Roadsmarts.

For me though, having just worn out my first set of Michelin Pilot Road 3's, I'm having another set of them on, fantastic tyre, so much grip from them on wet roads particularly the front tyre, unbeatable in my opinion

 

[BBB61]

You can't get better than god mileage, Bob

Oh behave Malc!!!

 

[Martyn H]

I have a mate who has a 1200RT, he does about 25,000 miles per year and is a very, very quick rider, wet or dry and he swears by Dunlop Roadsmarts.

For me though, having just worn out my first set of Michelin Pilot Road 3's, I'm having another set of them on, fantastic tyre, so much grip from them on wet roads particularly the front tyre, unbeatable in my opinion

I rate both, & there is a RoadSmart 2 being introduced, with wet grip being an issue addressed. Then again I like Conti Road Attacks; I don't think you'll go far wrong with any of the major manufacturers, but rather it's a case of finding a tyre that you are comfortable with, in every sense of the word.

 

[beemerboy9]

The best tyre in the wet is the Michelin PR3, possibly matched by the new Roadsmart 2.
I am running PR3's but would seriously consider the Dunlops next time.

 

[stonehenge]

Was talking to a Tiger 1050 owner last night who said the same - PR3's and the Dunlops would be his choice.

Ta

 

[sgtzara]

I've the BT023 GT fitted. Well impressed.

 

[Giles]

Steve, I've stumbled across this and don't normally venture onto the RT forums...

But for your info, our fleet of RT's are all on Roadsmarts, and I personally think they're pretty good! I never think about how quickly the wear, ('cos i don't have to pay for new ones, and it's not really every day riding) so can't really comment on their mileage, but in terms of wet, dry, grip, comfort.... I rate them ....

 

[1964Hall]

I've been running Michy Pr2's for the last 80,000 miles or so. 30k on an R12ST and 50 odd on my current RT.
They are a very good tyre, no complaints about grip wet or dry.
circa 9k from front and rear (give or take a 500 miles)
Yes the front starts to go 3 sided and cups at about 5k and the bike does feel like it wants to drop into corners. This is my biggest complaint.
I tried the PR3's early this year, but the the front wore out at 5k and the rear 7k. Tyres felt just like the PR2's imo, but a little noisier.

For a change I've just ordered some 023 stones The GT versions so will give them a go and compare.

36F & 42R seem the best pressure on the michys tho.
hth
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