Tire Recommendations for an '03 Light Truck

[cmilliron]

My wife and I will be undertaking an 8,000 mile ride this fall (coast-to-coast and a little Canada). Two up riding, loaded for bear (at or near gross weight limits) on an '03 K1200LT.

I am not an aggressive "twisty" rider. Centerstand dragging is NOT an objective! I never ride over 80 MPH and even that is rare with the wife aboard.

I have 3,000 miles on my existing tires and plan to replace these at some point along the way (hopefully only once and not breaking the bank).

I would like some Tire Brand and Model recommendations based specifically on these criteria...

Thanks in advance,

Cliff

[jdiaz]

I use Metzeler ME880s. Make sure you use plenty of air pressure (say 42 front and 46 rear) and check them cold each morning.

I don't run fully loaded a lot, but I use the whole tread (width and depth :clap ) and they seem to work fine on my bike.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

ME 880's are a good choice but the BT020's arent bad either provided the tire pressures are kept at 42 front and 48 rear. Goes for either brand tire. :)

[AZgman]

I highly recommend the Avon ST45 in the front and the Bridgestone (radial) BT020 in the rear. GREAT handling and decent wear.

Be sure to get the correct weight handling limit on the rear tire no matter what brand you choose! :thumb

[tnk12lt]

For the type of trip you are taking and the style of riding you describe, I'd go with the Metzeler 880's. I set them at 42front,48rear.

Doug
99 K1200LT
03 Ducati M800

[cmilliron]

I have surfed a couple of motorcycle tire websites for the Metzler 880's... and it seems that there may be both bias ply tires and radials in the 880 series.

If I am reading these sites correctly, which one would be best for my upcoming trip? Radial or Bias?

Will the Metzler tire sizes be a dead-on match for the Bridgestone tires already on the bike?
Front: BT020 120/70R17 M/C
Rear: BT020 160/70R17 M/C

Thanx for all the advice!

Cliff

[jdiaz]

The LT specific tires are bias-ply. If you order from a knowledgeable dealer or SW Mototires, they already know which ones are correct.

[AZgman]

There are quite a few radial tires rated for the LT. Avon 46ST, Bridgestone BT-020 (also available in bias ply), and Dunlop to name a few. While the bias ply tires will wear a little better, they will not have the grip of a radial. Go over to www.bmwlt.net for more info.

[BradfordBenn]

Just came back from a riding seminar, and the concensus for tread life was the ME880. Seemed like bias was also the most used.

[GregFeeler]

My wife and I will be undertaking an 8,000 mile ride this fall (coast-to-coast and a little Canada). Two up riding, loaded for bear (at or near gross weight limits) on an '03 K1200LT.

I am not an aggressive "twisty" rider. Centerstand dragging is NOT an objective! I never ride over 80 MPH and even that is rare with the wife aboard.

...

I would like some Tire Brand and Model recommendations based specifically on these criteria...

Thanks in advance,

Cliff


I have several different BMWs and use different tires based on use, but one is a standard K75 with Metzeler 880s. I also have a number of friends with heavier bikes that use the 880s, and based on my and their experience, I would strongly recommed them. They seem to last a long time, don't flat spot hardly at all on Interstates and still give very respectiable handling in both the twisties and rain.

[LTOwner]

I recommend the ME 880s. Have never had a handling problem with them. Have 13K on a set on the LT, and showing very little wear. I personally run 40/46 psi in them.