Best Tires for R1150 R

[JRD]

What are your top three choices for the best sport touring tires for the R1150R, front and rear? What web sites already exist with this information? Looking for good balance between handling and durability...

Thanks, Joe D

[rocksterboy50]

Current consensus seems to be the Metzler M6 is the current favorite. Go to www.R1150R.net for all your info needs on this bike. Look for me with the same handle there. I own a green/black Rockster, named LOKI, currently have Me4s. front and back. Will get around 8K miles from the rear and so far 4K on the front. Handling is superb. I have also burned up a set of Bridgestone BT-010 got 7K out of reear and 9K out of front. Handling also superb. I ride around 240 cummuter miles per week at speed limit mostly highway, and between 200-350 miles on weekend at the pace which is refered to as "a spirited ride in the country". This is on deserted rural 2-lane streets. Suffice it to say that i carry bail money with me. Hope this helps, YMMV

[Kenny2]

Pilot roads.
As to where to get them, try Southwest moto. Great place, free shipping when two are ordered, have purchased two sets from them.
Now, the kind of riding is important. Is it touring or Sporting that is the primary style of riding. If it is touring, maybe ME 880-If they have the size. I have used the ME4 two sets (replaced by the ME6). I have received good mileage from them. Currently, using the Pilot roads, and I am approximately 8,000 miles. I am not a twisty craver, just a rider. Everyday slab it to work, 26 miles. Weekend twisty.

[JRD]

No doubt that the MEZ4, MEZ6, and Pilot Roads are highly regarded sport touring tires, all in the top tier. What about Bridgestone BT020 front/rear or BT020 front/BT54 rear?

Thanks, Joe D

[2wheelsdaily]

I have over 15,000 miles on Avon rear tire. It just won't wear out. Seems to be as sticky as the Bridgestones that came on the bike which lasted 12,000.

[Mr. Frank]

No doubt that the MEZ4, MEZ6, and Pilot Roads are highly regarded sport touring tires, all in the top tier. What about Bridgestone BT020 front/rear or BT020 front/BT54 rear?

Thanks, Joe D

Some people report that the BT20 front tends to wander a bit on rain grooves and bridge grates.

[HMushman]

Count my vote for the Pilot Road's from Michelin :thumb

I've got about 8K on the current pair and am just now starting to think about replacing the rear.. the front still looks great, will last hopefully twice as long as the rear. I had the Michelin Macadam's before (now discontinued) and the Pilot Road is definitely a great upgrade.

[scottfarm]

Michelin Pilot Roads #1. Great wear, Great handling, and take hardly any weight to balance. Ron ayers is the cheapest place to buy them bar none.

[username]

fwiw, i run dunlop d220s on mine. theyre really soft, and i like soft tires. i get very low mileage from them, especially on the rough chip-N-seal roads i ride here in central texas, but they seem very surefooted for me. i got ~5-6k out of my last pair, and i replace both tires everytime, just cause that's how i am. the rear wore faster than the front, and was flat-spotted from excessive highway miles/in-city riding. as they say, YMMV.

[hwunger]

... it had Michelin Pilot SPORT's on it ... wow, unbelievable stickyness in corners, I did things with it I have never done before. This is not a scientific answer, but an emotional one. They were a blast and much better than the OEM's had been. These bikes are fun, eh ?