R80 - Buying new tires... recommendations?

[xshelton]

So, I know everyone probably has a different opinion on this.

But I just picked up an 1985 R80 after being without a BMW bike for 4 years. And it has a pretty worn out set of Avons that I have to replace first thing.

So, of the current tires which brands/models tops the list?

Love this R80 btw, had one just like it 10 years ago. I sure missed the steady clickety clack! I'll have a few projects on the bike and will snap some photos along the way to share with this fine group.

Cheers

[R80RTJohnny]

Hello,

For years I ran with Metzlers on my 86 R80RT and could never get the pressure just right. I've now gone with Michelin Macadams and could not be happier. Very good tires, nice handling, good grip etc...

BTW they cost less.

Have fun.

[pmdave]

The trick these days is to find tube-type tires in the correct sizes. It's probably unwise to run tubes in tubeless type tires.

In spite of dire warnings from the purists, I have run tubeless tires on snowflake BMW wheels (and Lester cast tube-type wheels) with no problems. I believe a tubeless tire on a tube-type (tapered bead) rim is no more hazardous than a tube-type tire and innertube on the same rim.

I had poor results with the Macadams on my K1. Cupping on the front, rapid wear on the rear. Of course the K has a lot more torque than the R.

I have had good results with Avon and Bridgestone on R bikes. Bridgestone used to make a dual compound tire with harder rubber at tread center and softer rubber at the shoulders. As I recall, these were "tube or tubeless" type.

With tube-type wheels, always use a new innertube with a new tire.

pmdave :type

[Markst1]

I just put a new front Metzler Lasertech tire on my r75/6. I wanted to do both tires but the dealer screwed up and didn't order the correct rear tire. I fell for the Metzler propaganda regarding the improved rubber compund. The tire looks exactly like the classic Metzler. After a 150 mile ride, half of which was in the rain, all I can say is WOW. It felt great on dry pavement- smooth and sticky. On wet roads it was fantastic. It feels like it is glued to the road. A huge difference from the old Metzler Laser. Much smoother and more stable. I can hardly wait for the dealer to get the correct rear tire in so I will have Lasertech's front and rear.

[jdiaz]

The trick these days is to find tube-type tires in the correct sizes. It's probably unwise to run tubes in tubeless type tires.

In spite of dire warnings from the purists, I have run tubeless tires on snowflake BMW wheels (and Lester cast tube-type wheels) with no problems. I believe a tubeless tire on a tube-type (tapered bead) rim is no more hazardous than a tube-type tire and innertube on the same rim.

I have had good results with Avon and Bridgestone on R bikes. Bridgestone used to make a dual compound tire with harder rubber at tread center and softer rubber at the shoulders. As I recall, these were "tube or tubeless" type.

With tube-type wheels, always use a new innertube with a new tire.

The monolever (1985-and-on) Airheads use tubeless tires.

I use Dunlop 491s on mine, but we also like the Bridgestone BT45.

[mcollect]

I have Bridgestone BT45s on one bike and Michlin Macadams on the other. I feel that the Michlins are a little stickier in tight turns. I also only use the Michlin natural rubber tubes, saftey issues. Never had a bad air out with them, Have with cheaper, enough said.

[Fritzc]

The trick these days is to find tube-type tires in the correct sizes. It's probably unwise to run tubes in tubeless type tires.



Aren't all tires of the tubeless type? When I had my 1976 spoke wheeled R600/6, 1971 R100/5 and 1982 R100RT with snowflake wheels, I could not find tires that were designated "Tube-Type" however I always ran the Tubleless tires with tubes. :dunno

[Fritzc]

After perusing this thread I went out and checked my tires. I have 10,000 miles on my front tire, a Metzler ME 33 Laser, which has 1/32 inches of tread left!! My rear tire, a Dunlop K491 Elite, also with 10,000 miles has 1/8 inches of tread. As soon as I close this post, I intend to order a set of Dunlop K491's from Competition Accessories. At the time I bought my tires, Dunlop was having some problems with labor or distribution. That is why I had the Metzler on the front. My choice of tire is the Dunlop, hands down, for my 1995 R100RTC. My pickup truck's tires have 60,000 miles on them and it doesn't need tires yet. It must be noted, that I am a conservative rider. At least I thouoght I was. My brother-in-law rode with me Sunday and he said I rode like a 30 year old (I'm 70)!! Of course he rides a Harley which explains a lot. :wave

[Stuff2C]

Avon Road Runners :clap

[lorazepam]

I have Avon Distanzias on my R80ST. These are GS type tires, and feel pretty good with the limited mileage I have on them so far. It was the only GS type tire that would fit my wheel combination.

[hetkind]

In the last 20 years I have used Michelin Macadams, ME88, ME33, Dunlop K491 and Avon Roadrunner. My 87 R80 has a Avon Roadrunner on the front, and a Michelin Macadam on the back with a Roadrunner rear waiting to go on as soon as the Macadam gets thin...it has 8k on the Macadam since October and it is flat spotted, but plenty of tread left.

You can't go wrong with the new Metzeler Lasartec for handling and wet weather, or Dunlop K491 for milage. I am trying the Avon Roadrunners since it seems to put a lot of rubber on the road and the ME33 fronts were following the grooves ground in the highways from partially completed road repair.

I am using Avon Distanzia's on the R80ST for adventure touring, but haven't got the chance to run that many miles on them...

Howard

[nugentch]

I use Dunlop 491s and change them every 12,000 miles. I used 591s once and they seemed to melt like butter. Replaced those after 3,500 miles. :wave

[Friedle]

Round ones work best. :D

I'm running Dunlop GT 501 tires front and rear on my 88 R 100 RS, and like them a lot in both the wet and dry. YMMV My other four Airheads run either Mich Macadams 50s or Metz Block K. I like them too.

I like bikes.

Friedle
:thumb

[BubbaZanetti]

i only ever got to run macadams on my airhead (didn't own it long enough i guess) but i wish i could get the same milage out of the tires on my oilhead. the macadam rear lasted 12K before it started to look worn, the front even longer

[rocketman]

On my 73 R60/5 I use the Metzler ME series since mileage/wear is not a problem with its lower HP and they are nice and sticky in the rain. I get around 8000 out of a set.

On my R100/7 that is my daily ride I went to the Dunlap 491 due to the fact the ME's were wearing out just too fast and I was going thru 2 sets a year. I like the 491's and while not as sticky as the Metzlers they still do well in the rain, and they don't tend to follow the grooves in grooved pavement since there is no striaght cut down the center like the ME's. I have also noticed that the profile is bit rounder/taller with more side wall than the ME's and they fell more positive in corners. One thing I did find is that because they have a taller profile there is less clearance between the front wheel and the inside of the fender, but so far this has not been a problem. To date I have around 15K on the rear and still have a few k more before getting to the wear bars. Price in my area is about the same for both.

RM

[bmwmick]

Michelin Mac50E/Mac50

Luv 'em

[flash412]

It's probably unwise to run tubes in tubeless type tires.Really? Then how come some tires say right on the sidewalls, "On tube-type rims, install tubes"? And how come every tire manufacturer (that I've looked at) says to run tubes in their tubeless tires when run on tube-type rims.