R1100s Gravel Road tires

[LitlRat]

I have a question for other R1100s riders, Do you ride on gravel roads, and what tires are best for gravel? I live 7 miles off the pavement, and need a new set of tires for my bike. I bought the bike while going though a divorce, while I was living in town. The judge awarded me the house, which I was extremely happy to get. I know the S is not set up for off-road, but a set of barbacks really helps out on the handling on gravel. What tires would you suggest?

[nh7robmw]

While I don't have any firsthand experience as of yet (not until I pick up the GS/PD I'm buying next week) I've done a bit of research on dual-purpose tires and the Avon Gripsters ((AM24 model) have an excellent reputation. Very sticky on pavement and they'll work on fire trails, back roads, some dirt OK.

Hope this puts you in the right direction! ---Jeff (soon to be on two wheels again!)

[feds27]

I rented a R12GS this weekend. It had Metzeler Tourances and they worked fine on the little gravel roads that I did go on. They also road nicely on the highway.

[mcollect]

I have a R1150R and live on gravel roads. I figured that 90% of my riding was on good roads so I went with Perilli Corsa Strada's. I'll let you know how they work. I have ridden a MG LeMans for years and sport tires seem to be good for most situations, not great in mud,slower in gravel but let you howl on twisties. These things are always a compromise, so you have to decide what is more importment!

[LitlRat]

Thanks for the suggestions. I checked them all out, and none are z rated. Out here in the sticks I sometimes find that I need a tire rated up to 150. I will probably use a medium tire and just keep speed down on loose gravel. I don't take curves very fast on pavement, so extreme grip is not an issue. We have some long straight blacktop around this part of the country, makes for a boring ride, but you can get there fast. Other option, trade for a GS, IMO a more practical bike, but not near as beautiful as the 2003 S.

[bikerfish1100]

I have a R1150R and live on gravel roads. I figured that 90% of my riding was on good roads so I went with Pirelli Diablo Strada's. I'll let you know how they work. I have ridden a MG LeMans for years and sport tires seem to be good for most situations, not great in mud,slower in gravel but let you howl on twisties. These things are always a compromise, so you have to decide what is more importment!
fixed it for ya- as there's no such thing as a Corsa Strada (corsa is their race tire line, Strada is their street/sport-touring designation).
I've never had a real problem with my S on dirt/gravel, even running stock low bars and sport/touring (s/t) tires http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q13/bikerfish1100/ourDSbikeson261.jpg http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q13/bikerfish1100/roaduptoCedarMesaonUT261-1.jpg (these were taken on the Moki Dugway, rt 261, in Utah). I really like the Diablo Stradas, as well as the Conti RoadAttacks.
All the current crop of s/t tires are Z rated, so no worries there. Unless you are planning to hit lots of additional dirt, i wouldn't make the compromise to something like Tourances for a few miles of driveway. Just work on your skills, you'll be fine.