Buying and mounting tires.

[dougfollett]

After pricing a new set of tires mounted at the dealer's today my neighbor's offer to use his motorcycle tire mounting contraption is looking very attractive but I am a little hesitant to buy my own tires. I have a 1999 R1100RT and what I have so far for the tires size is 160/60 ZR18 rear and 120/70 ZR17 front. I was OK until the guy at the shop started spouting more numbers and letters than I could write down. He said something about a C rating for the front and that was about where I lost him. Is there a simple designation for the tires I need?

This is what Ron Ayers has:

Metzlers

Z6 RDTEC 120/70ZR17 Front $100.38
Z6 RDTEC 160/60ZR18 Rear $138.20

Does that sound like the right stuff? I don't ride hard or very far and my head is hurting from all the tire recommendations so I thought I'd just go with the Metzler's unless someone had a better recommendation. Thanks,

Doug

[EBDMAINE]

Double check the sizes as it appears that you have the wheel size (17 & 18) mixed up in the description with all the numbers and letters. I have used Metzlers and Dunlops, but my next set I am trying Avons. All are good, but some people have a preference. Do a forum check on how to change them so you do not mark up the wheels. The first time is the most difficult.

[dougfollett]

You can begin to understand why I am a little hesitant to order tire on line. Too many numbers. I changed the specs in the original posting as well so as not to confuse everyone.


Z6 RDTEC 120/70ZR17 Front $100.38
Z6 RDTEC 160/60ZR18 Rear $138.20

How's that, better?

[PGlaves]

RT or RS I assume?

Added - yes of course, you said RT in the original post. Sorry

Yes 17" front and 18" rear is correct

[dougfollett]

Yes RT. Are they tubeless tires? I'm assuming so.

Doug

[BMorleyW]

I put a new pair of Z6s on my 1150 RT before heading to Alaska this summer and they were great in the ten days of rain. They are a pretty wonderful tire for rain and cornering, they are not the best in terms of mileage or gravel. I presently have 6000 miles on the set I put on in July and it looks like I might be good for another 2-4000. If you don't put a lot of miles on and you don't ride a lot of gravel I don't think you can beat them. I probably will look for a more aggresive tread and little harder (more mileage) tire next time because, even though I have an RT, I do quite a bit of gravel to camp and fish. I saw the tire machine used a lot at this year's rally and if I had the space I'd buy one. Better yet, you have a buddy who is offering. You can make a significant savings by mounting your own. Hope this helps. Steve

[skidgillen]

A friend of mine at work who has a friend in the retail motorcycle business told him to buy motorcycle tires now if he needed them. Supposedly the rumor is that street motorcycle tire prices are going to jump dramatically this fall. With the economy being the way it is, I'm not going to risk it and wait until spring for tires. I'm ordering them next week.

[jyambrovich]

Hi there road pal!
I have a 2000 R1100RT and the tire sizes you quote are correct (I'll second Paul Glaves' post). The prices you've been quoted seem quite reasonable.
Yes, these are tubeless tires (I presume you have the 3-spoke cast wheel instead of traditional spokes).

I had the Metzeler Roadtec Z6s on the bike when I bought it, then replaced those with another set. I run the pressure a little on the higher side (38 psi in front, 40-41 in the rear) but I'm a 250 pounder in birthday garb. I'm definitely NOT the average 175 lb. rider.

I was fortunate to get 9000 miles from my Z6s (both sets) so I went to the Metzeler ME880 Marathon this time. I'm told that they wear a little longer which is why they tend to cost a bit more than the Z6. The ME880 has a slightly firmer compound (translated to mean less grip) but I've been known to scrape my footpegs in corners at times (yeah, I've got cylinder head guards) though just occasionally. :dance I'm commuting daily on the bike (82 miles / work day) so the miles pile on quickly. However, by the time I got 9000 miles on them, the front tire is almost BALD as a baby's backside. Not legal, and not too smart either.

What I've done is to buy the tires from my local independent BMW service facility (Ted Porter's BeemerShop - www.beemershop.com) and they charge one price to install the tire if the rim is still on the bike and a lower charge per tire if I bring the rim to them. For me, taking the rims off is quick and easy so I save myself the money. OK, I actually still spend the money but I buy oil and a filter with it so that next time I'm ready for an oil change...

I'd say it takes me 5 minutes to remove the rear wheel and maybe 15 minutes to remove the front wheel. Not bad and it saves me $40. At the same time, I check the brake pad wear and give the bike a visual once-over. That's ALWAYS a good idea.

Happy riding and lots of it!! Be safe.

[MotorradMike]

Hoorenga:

By all means make use of your neighbours stuff and change your own tires. Very satisfying and economic.

Look here for an excellent tutorial.
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15338&highlight=tire+change+tutorial

Remember, no huge forces are required, if you are sweating, you're doing something wrong. Slow down, back up, and try again.

[dougfollett]

Hey Jay, thanks for the in put. I am feeling a little more confident about buying me some tires. I shipped my transmission from my 86 R100RT to Ted's shop to get it rebuilt. I can now say that it "shifts like butta". I was very pleased with the level of professionalism and courtesy that they showed me. Wish we had a place like that around here.

Doug

[SIBUD]

Doug,

Learning to change your own tires will save you big bucks if you have more time than money, I do.

I bought a pair of 8" tire irons/spoons at the local auto parts store.

Made a oak wedge for a bead breaker. Bought a gallon of tire lube.

The last time I took tires and rims off the bike to the dealer for mounting and balancing it was $60.00. I resolved to do it myself.

SW Mototires, among others, don't charge shipping when you buy a pair. Quick delivery, very competitive prices.

I running Road Smarts right now. Will try something different next time.

Good luck.

[Jeff488]

Remember, no huge forces are required, if you are sweating, you're doing something wrong. Slow down, back up, and try again.

Here in east Texas during the Summer, one sweats just thinking about the task.
I have a dream of putting A/C in the garage!

[dougfollett]

I'm anxious to get stared putting new tires on my bike but I'm waiting for Ron Ayears Motorsports to start their Fall sale. I wrote them a note asking if they were having any sales and they said that they were having a Fall sale soon. I'm not riding now so I guess I can wait a bit. Heck with the way the economy is going they might be having a Going Out of Business sale.

Doug

[Jfixit]

For some strange reason I get more satisfaction out of mounting and balancing my own tires than I do from any other motorcycle maintenance chore.

[kgadley01]

I'm anxious to get stared putting new tires on my bike but I'm waiting for Ron Ayears Motorsports to start their Fall sale. I wrote them a note asking if they were having any sales and they said that they were having a Fall sale soon. I'm not riding now so I guess I can wait a bit. Heck with the way the economy is going they might be having a Going Out of Business sale.

Doug

the prices you quoted earlier on the Z-6's are very good. I have the same bike as you, and my last two sets have been Z-6's. I now have 880's on the bike and like them also. I mount and balance my own tire's, so I know its done right. :thumb

[dougfollett]

I've decided to screw waiting for the sale and go for it. Ron Ayers seems to have the lowest price. I have only one more question. The parts guy at the BMW shop said that the rear tires requires a "C" rating. I don't see anything about a "C" rating on any of the tires offered. Should I just assume that any Metzler 160/60 ZR18 is "C" rated? Thanks.

Doug

[rvbeemer]

Are you sure he didn't say "Z" rating? As that would be right.
I used to change my own tires when I was younger but found a local guy to mount and balance for $20 a tire and it got me off my knees, crawling around on the floor, busting my knuckles etc. They were then bought out and the price doubled. I revolted as I have 5 bikes to care for so I bought a NoMar tire changer and the rest is history.

[dougfollett]

"C" is what the man said. Something about needing to be stronger because of the mono shock.

Doug

[bikerfish1100]

Z is a speed rating. as best i could figure out from looking at a few tire sites, C is a load (weight) rating.
bottom line is the MEZ6 is an appropriate tire for an RT, and i would not concern myself beyond that. If you want best "miles per tire", i'd go with an ME880. If you want some more grip, the Z6 is a fine choice.

[dougfollett]

I went to look at a 1990 Yamaha TW200 last night. It's a little dual sport with extra wide tires. Kind of cool if you like getting off road on a comfortable bike. I didn't buy it but it turned out that the fellow selling it was the manager of the service department of a big Honda Motorcycle dealership in Auburn, ,WA. I asked him if they would change out my tires and for how much? $22 each if I brought them in off of the bike. They do it for that price all the time if any one is interested. Henshaw Honda in Auburn. I couldn't find anyone locally in Olympia who would do it for a reasonable price or even consider doing it.

[kgadley01]

Z is a speed rating. as best i could figure out from looking at a few tire sites, C is a load (weight) rating.
bottom line is the MEZ6 is an appropriate tire for an RT, and i would not concern myself beyond that. If you want best "miles per tire", i'd go with an ME880. If you want some more grip, the Z6 is a fine choice.

I agree, I've had Z-6's on my RT but now I run 880's :bolt

[Sailorlite]

FWIW, the factory rear tire on my R1200RT is the Metzeler Z6 "C". I've noticed that SW Moto Tires offers the Z6 with the "C" spec for $20 more than the non-C. Also the Michelin PR2 is available both with and without the "C".