K100 Tire Recommendations

[ravenbill]

I have an 85 K100RT and have been using Metzler Lasertec tires. I have been satisfied with their performance except for treadwear. My next logical move was to install Metzler Marathon tires.............more mileage!

I need a 130/90-17 or 130/80-17 for the rear tire.
Metzler doesn't list this tire size for the Marathon line..............arrrgh!

So, any recommendations for tires comparable to the Marathons?

[BuddingGeezer]

Metzler Marathon ME 880 tires. I've got 6k+ on a set and they hardly look run. K100LT. I'll buy them again.
140/80-17 will fit great.

Ralph Sims

[ragman]

Metzler Marathon ME 880 tires. I've got 6k+ on a set and they hardly look run. K100LT. I'll buy them again.
140/80-17 will fit great.

Ralph Sims

Are you using radial or bias?
Thanx,
Ragman

[BuddingGeezer]

Are you using radial or bias?
Thanx,
Ragman

Bias. The only radial tire I know of that will fit the narrow wheels of the old Ks are Dunlop 205. Someone on this forum likes them.

The bike is a 1987 K100LT. I have put 17k miles on the bike. Tires when I bought it were Dunlop 491s. You couldn't give me a set. Have been very pleased with ME880s. Increased the handling, and I just finished a 2820 mile trip, with over 400miles in driving rain and wind. Tires felt real solid.

The 140/80 rear fits great.

Ralph Sims

[TheDamun]

Isnip...I need a 130/90-17 or 130/80-17 for the rear tire. Metzler doesn't list this tire size for the Marathon line..............arrrgh!
?

The 880 comes in a stock size for The Best Year K100.

Many older RT & LTs came to us with different sizes because not all mfg's have the 140/80s.

The first number is the width in millimeters.
The second number is the aspect ratio of height in percent
140/80 = 140 x 80% = 112mm tall. (stock for the K100)
130/80 = 130 x 80% = 104mm tall. (turn in nice, hard on suspension)
130/90 = 130 X 90% =117mm tall (tall in the saddle, more work on curves)

M880s are the RT tire if you're not dragging your knees.

I'm down with the Geez on the Dunlop 491's. On my old 85K-RT they slid on acceleration in curves, and turned in like rectangles.

On the RS I ran Michelin Pilot Aktivs - great for 2000 miles, then they hardened up and handled like sled rails on hard ice.

For the RS, may of us like the Bridgestone Battleax BT45 - that sweet spot between price, stickiness, longevity.

-- Damun Gracenin
1983 K100 RS

[motoedde]

Damun et al,
Lets not forget the ME 88 Marathon...

[GregFeeler]

Metzler Marathon ME 880 tires. I've got 6k+ on a set and they hardly look run. K100LT. I'll buy them again.
140/80-17 will fit great.

Ralph Sims

I have the 880's on one of the K75s and the 140/80-17 does fit fine. Nice tire for extended mileage and very resistant to road groves.

[KBikeKev]

I just did the Laser Tech to Me880 swap myself. The 140/80 -17 fit just fine on my 85 RS. Actually, I can fit my whole finger between the rear tire and the drive shaft housing. The laser tech had much less room, barely getting the tip of my finger in same spot. I was worried about putting a fatter tire back there, but turns out it is skinnier?!? Don't know how that works, but they ride and look great!!! Looking forward to putting allot more than the 3500 miles I had on last set of Laser Techs on them.

[dgoodwin]

I just put Bridgestone BT 45's on my '85 K100RT and also used dynabeads for balancing. I am very happy so far, but after only 250 miles.