Tyre thread

Katie

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Wow, the first person in the tyre thread!

So, the bike is fitted with the Dunlop Roadsmart and I've only done a 1000 miles on them but I have to say I'm not keen. I tested the bike on dry roads and thought the tyres were great but on cold wet roads, not so much. Not bad enough to change out too early but thinking ahead, I'm wondering if anyone is on a change of tyres yet?

On the Mandello S I was using Dunlop Mutants - they look a bit unusual but they behaved fantastically in all conditions. I ride all year, in all conditions, so my choices are guided by that, hence staying away from sports tyres but everything else is up for grabs (apart from MIchelin Road 4 or 5's - hated them with a passion!).

Reckon this thread will be a slow burner...
 
What didn't you like about the road 5s?
I know we all have our preferences but I loved them,so much so I moved on to the 6s.
My RS1200, my viffer, my sv1000 are all shod with them.
I'm a bit miffed I can't get them for my kettle.
 
Whatever you do don’t put Chinese brand tyres on an RS . Mine handled terribly and the wear was bad .
 
Bravo said:
What didn't you like about the road 5s?
I know we all have our preferences but I loved them,so much so I moved on to the 6s.
My RS1200, my viffer, my sv1000 are all shod with them.
I'm a bit miffed I can't get them for my kettle.
Click to expand...
Road 4's were terrible for me from the outset, Road 5's were fabulous until they started to wear and then they started tracking really badly (tried a couple of times on different bikes). Road 6's stayed the course throughout their useful life. Found them pretty noisy but would definitely consider as an option.

I used to commute between 500-800 miles per week so I used to find out a lot about tyre use! My commute now is about 180 miles round trip but only once a week so I've got time to decide what comes next :cool:
 
Well it seems like this tire shoot out would be a good thing to have in this thread ... It was done by Motorrad, or simply the BMW test riders. They seem to have some great tire choices there imo.

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As far as my own experiences I started with the metzler Z8's that came from the factory on the bike. A 1250RS. I had to get them off at 3000 miles, very poor performance imo from the front tire mainly, with massive cupping. My LBS suggested the Road 6 GT's. And those have transformed the bike. Very solid in the turns, and you just forget about them. No squirming with these tires. I have more miles on them now than the stock tires and they don't show much wear yet. They are fantastic imo.
 
Metzler Roadtec 02. On my third set. Mostly because the wet performance is outstanding. I change at 5500/6000 miles but some people had 10000 miles ( mystery how), expensive but suits my riding style. I have the 1250RS.
 
Metzler Sportec 01 tyres always worked well, wet or dry, on my RS. The newer M7 and M9 RR Sportecs are meant to be even better. The M7's are more of an all rounder with a silica base for excellent wet/cold performance.
 
Pirelli Rosso 4 are my favourite sports/touring tyre at the moment. Beautiful turn in because of the profile and the grip on offer is fantastic. Only used them in the dry so far as I use the GS if the weather is shit
 
Metzeler Roadtec 01SE or Roadtec 02's take some beating as a Sport Touring tyre in my humble opinion. I can't get on with the Michelin Road 5 or 6 tyres, yet I love the Power 5 & 6 :nenau
 
MILLE_RIDER said:
Pirelli Rosso 4 are my favourite sports/touring tyre at the moment. Beautiful turn in because of the profile and the grip on offer is fantastic. Only used them in the dry so far as I use the GS if the weather is shit
Click to expand...
I put a set on my M1000R for going to Europe last summer. Brilliant allround tyre IMHO. Only 3200 miles though but thats with some great hooning around Germany & Austria :)
 
Slightly off topic but seeing that you mentioned your Mandello S I thought I'd mention that my Mandello is fitted with Pirelli Gran Turismo tyres and I was surprised to find how good they are!!Would definitely replace them with the same even though I have always been a fan of Michelins.

Kimbo
 
Its always going to personal preference. But i am in a similar situation and commute around 700km per week, plus weekend runs. (although i'm using the car for now as i'm currently waiting on the 1st 1000km service to be done on Monday)
I understand what you mean about Michelins. They seem to be the trend nowadays but i didn't like 5 or 6's either, although they were not an the RS. I did 7000km in 3 months on an NT1100 with Metzeler 01

Personally the tyre i liked the Metzeler 01. It wasn't the grippiest in all conditions, eg in hot 30+ deg summers it went greasy but it would move really smooth and predicably if pushed a bit. Cold- the lowest it's been here is 8 deg but plenty rain. Never had an issue. Obviously on wet diesel/oil contaminated roads nothing will grip. But they heat up super quick- that was the main thing that impressed me, and gave feel and confidence within a few mins riding. In all tests the new 02 seems to better in in all areas. So although i've never ridden the 02 for sure i'd say that would be the choice.

I have the Dunlop SPORT smart 4 on the RS and for a road tyre i is one of the best i have ridden. The Supercorsa SC V4 was the best road tyre by far for grip. feel, the lot. But it's a sport tyre. Bridgestone S23 was excellent again but i didn't ride them in cold wet conditions.

As we know. Tyre is personal, and again it has to match the bike, set up geo and riding style. what is great on one bike for one rider is terrible on a different bike with rider.

So to summarise my waffle. I'd say Metzeler Roadtech 02 as a guaranteed safe bet
But i am super impressed with these Dunlops that come on the performance model. But i need more time to assess wear etc. From stone cold the aren't as good as the Metzler, but again they do heat up withing a few mins. 9 deg cold roads in the mountains coming home and for all its worth as a vague reference, still hit 49 deg on the app for lean angle with rucksack on not really trying- such is the confidence and feedback they give. If they last ok with the commute and feel ok in the wet i'll be throwing set after set at the bike as i like them so much.
You could fit them and just ride in rain mode and let the TC sort it out until it gets a little warmer and then you will really love them?
Or go for the 02's and you know it will have a huge wide working window
 
Starting to look like the Metzeler Roadtechs 02 will be the next fit. Be interesting to see how opinions change as more RS's start racking up the mileage
 
zoltan said:
I follow this 1300RS lot https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BxgndW1gs/?mibextid=wwXIfr and this UK based lot https://www.facebook.com/groups/1002631750781195 found both informative. Especially the one from the international page.
Click to expand...

Is it worth making a Facebook account to read the info? I dont have social media but for sure would like to keep an eye on 1300RS info etc. It seems forums aren't as popular as they were years ago. So maybe this is the way to share/exchange info by joining FB groups.
 
Spartan said:
Is it worth making a Facebook account to read the info? I dont have social media but for sure would like to keep an eye on 1300RS info etc. It seems forums aren't as popular as they were years ago. So maybe this is the way to share/exchange info by joining FB groups.
Click to expand...
I found out from FB that the panniers from the K1300S will fit the 1250RS. A clever dude in US made a template for an adapter and emailed it to me. I like those panniers because they are small and can be expanded. Specific pages focus on one model. It’s informative.
 
Just to keep this updated. I've really enjoyed the Sportsmart Mk3. I thought the bike came with Mk4 but i was wrong. So to keep consistency I'm changing to the Mk4 and staying with Sportsmart. All subjective like all tyres and bikes. But for me the Dunlop reallt suits the RS. Can handle the weight. Heats up quickly. And gives loads of grip but also alot of feel and feedback. If it does move, its super linear and predictable. No snaps. The Mk4 seems to be just a litte better if the tests are to be believed. There is still some life left in the Mk3 but the sides are getting low. Its covered 3400km. So maybe another 1000km and change.

Tyres look similar in tread pattern 1000129875.jpg
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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