Tire Wear on 2009 K1300GT

mtnride · 11-06-2009, 09:44 PM

This past April, I purchased a 2009 K1300GT, and after putting 3500 miles on it, I found the back tire was wearing primarily on the left side, and was cupping as well. The service manager suggested a new tire. At that point in time, my bike had been at the dealership awaiting a left side switch assembly, as the left turn signal quit working. After checking the back tire on the loaner I had, which was also a K1300GT, with about 300 fewer miles on it than mine, I realized the rear tire was worn in an almost identical way: left side, and cupped. BMW, per the sales manager, claims "too many variables as regards tire wear" to replace the tire for me at their cost. Note, tire pressure maintained per specs, and no damage to my tire and same for the loaner. Both tires are factory installed Metzelers. Has anyone else had this problem? The dealership states they cannot tell if the swingarm is within specs or not. They think the problem is with the tire. By the way, my cruise didn't work when I picked up my bike and needs replacing and BMW states replace the right side also. I'm waiting for that switch at this time.

mtnride · 11-06-2009, 09:53 PM

This past April, I purchased a 2009 K1300GT, and after putting 3500 miles on it, I found the back tire was wearing primarily on the left side, and was cupping as well. The service manager suggested a new tire. At that point in time, my bike had been at the dealership awaiting a left side switch assembly, as the left turn signal quit working. After checking the back tire on the loaner I had, which was also a K1300GT, with about 300 fewer miles on it than mine, I realized the rear tire was worn in an almost identical way: left side, and cupped. BMW, per the sales manager, claims "too many variables as regards tire wear" to replace the tire for me at their cost. Note, tire pressure maintained per specs, and no damage to my tire and same for the loaner. Both tires are factory installed Metzelers. Has anyone else had this problem? The dealership states they cannot tell if the swingarm is within specs or not. They think the problem is with the tire. By the way, my cruise didn't work when I picked up my bike and needs replacing and BMW states replace the right side also. I'm waiting for that switch at this time.

Gilly · 11-07-2009, 05:57 AM

Need other opinions on the Metzeler tire, does anyone else have Metzelers on their GT?
My 1200GT had Bridgestones, the rear was to the wear bars at 6000. Have now replaced it with a Michelin PR2 after good reports on wear. Front I will do next season, early.
I have a high opinion of Metzeler though, but would rather fault the tire than the swingarm.

Gilly

Semper_Fi · 11-07-2009, 08:06 AM

My Metzlers look fine.

Driving style, road conditions, suspension set up and rider weight are huge variables.

FWIW - I will be putting on PR2's when these are ready - personal preference only

cjack · 11-07-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnride

This past April, I purchased a 2009 K1300GT, and after putting 3500 miles on it, I found the back tire was wearing primarily on the left side, and was cupping as well. The service manager suggested a new tire. At that point in time, my bike had been at the dealership awaiting a left side switch assembly, as the left turn signal quit working. After checking the back tire on the loaner I had, which was also a K1300GT, with about 300 fewer miles on it than mine, I realized the rear tire was worn in an almost identical way: left side, and cupped. BMW, per the sales manager, claims "too many variables as regards tire wear" to replace the tire for me at their cost. Note, tire pressure maintained per specs, and no damage to my tire and same for the loaner. Both tires are factory installed Metzelers. Has anyone else had this problem? The dealership states they cannot tell if the swingarm is within specs or not. They think the problem is with the tire. By the way, my cruise didn't work when I picked up my bike and needs replacing and BMW states replace the right side also. I'm waiting for that switch at this time.

What is the air pressure kept at the rear? I find that I do well with various brands of tires with about 42 in the rear (K1200S)...about 39 in the front. Saves rims when/if I hit a pothole too.

dwestly · 11-08-2009, 02:52 PM

I'm running 36/42. 6k on my K13GT and no tire wear issues to date. Being religious about tire pressure will put a lot of extra miles on your tires. My wife runs PR2s on her VFR800 and routinely gets 15k on her tires...

Semper_Fi · 11-08-2009, 03:58 PM

Interesing - I run 38/39 (as per TPS) - how do you find the front end for grip at that pressure?

dwestly · 11-09-2009, 09:48 AM

I'm running them right at the recommended TP from the manual. They seem to grip pretty well. I pushed it a little hard on the Dragon and everything stayed stuck (always a good thing...).

pakyohmeca · 11-09-2009, 04:19 PM

My rear tire wore heavy on the left side ever since I got the bike 03/09. I did get ~12000 miles out of the Metzelers. I now have Michelein's on the bike. I am very religous about the tire pressures-36/43.

Don S

dwestly · 11-09-2009, 05:22 PM

I'd bet 12k on the Metzlers is a pretty good number. I've got half that now and they're looking pretty good. How do you like the Michelins?

pakyohmeca · 11-09-2009, 06:59 PM

The Michelins "feel" softer. Maybe the difference between new and older rubber. I like both supplier's tires.

Don S

Semper_Fi · 11-09-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pakyohmeca

The Michelins "feel" softer. Maybe the difference between new and older rubber. I like both supplier's tires.

Don S

I read your post of softer as "stickier" correct me if i am wrong.

I like both tires but for overall grip, especially in the wet, I very much more prefer the PR2's

And that is a purely personal prespective

pakyohmeca · 11-09-2009, 07:09 PM

"Stickier" may in fact be a better choice of words. Thanks.

Don S

Gilly · 11-09-2009, 07:41 PM

I was actually pretty happy with my original Bridgestones, but 6000 ain't gonna cut it.
Gilly

dwestly · 11-10-2009, 07:10 AM

Only 6k on the tires? Yikes... Given my wife's experience with her PR2s for touring, I'll probably go that route when my original Metzlers pack it in...

11-06-2009, 09:44 PM	#1
mtnride Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Justus Pa. Posts: 2	Tire Wear on 2009 K1300GT This past April, I purchased a 2009 K1300GT, and after putting 3500 miles on it, I found the back tire was wearing primarily on the left side, and was cupping as well. The service manager suggested a new tire. At that point in time, my bike had been at the dealership awaiting a left side switch assembly, as the left turn signal quit working. After checking the back tire on the loaner I had, which was also a K1300GT, with about 300 fewer miles on it than mine, I realized the rear tire was worn in an almost identical way: left side, and cupped. BMW, per the sales manager, claims "too many variables as regards tire wear" to replace the tire for me at their cost. Note, tire pressure maintained per specs, and no damage to my tire and same for the loaner. Both tires are factory installed Metzelers. Has anyone else had this problem? The dealership states they cannot tell if the swingarm is within specs or not. They think the problem is with the tire. By the way, my cruise didn't work when I picked up my bike and needs replacing and BMW states replace the right side also. I'm waiting for that switch at this time.

11-06-2009, 09:53 PM	#2
mtnride Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Justus Pa. Posts: 2	Tire Wear on 2009 K1300GT This past April, I purchased a 2009 K1300GT, and after putting 3500 miles on it, I found the back tire was wearing primarily on the left side, and was cupping as well. The service manager suggested a new tire. At that point in time, my bike had been at the dealership awaiting a left side switch assembly, as the left turn signal quit working. After checking the back tire on the loaner I had, which was also a K1300GT, with about 300 fewer miles on it than mine, I realized the rear tire was worn in an almost identical way: left side, and cupped. BMW, per the sales manager, claims "too many variables as regards tire wear" to replace the tire for me at their cost. Note, tire pressure maintained per specs, and no damage to my tire and same for the loaner. Both tires are factory installed Metzelers. Has anyone else had this problem? The dealership states they cannot tell if the swingarm is within specs or not. They think the problem is with the tire. By the way, my cruise didn't work when I picked up my bike and needs replacing and BMW states replace the right side also. I'm waiting for that switch at this time.

11-07-2009, 05:57 AM	#3
Gilly What, me worry? Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Evansville, WI Posts: 960	Need other opinions on the Metzeler tire, does anyone else have Metzelers on their GT? My 1200GT had Bridgestones, the rear was to the wear bars at 6000. Have now replaced it with a Michelin PR2 after good reports on wear. Front I will do next season, early. I have a high opinion of Metzeler though, but would rather fault the tire than the swingarm. Gilly __________________ 87 K75S, bought new, now sold 07 K1200GT No problem is so big or so complicated that it can't be run away from

11-07-2009, 08:06 AM	#4
Semper_Fi Runs with Scissors Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Gloucester MA Posts: 1,974	My Metzlers look fine. Driving style, road conditions, suspension set up and rider weight are huge variables. FWIW - I will be putting on PR2's when these are ready - personal preference only __________________ 2009 KGT1300 Red Apple Metallic (mine), 2005 R1200ST Piedmont Red/Light Magnesium (hers) Luis Roth BMWMOA #143775 BMWMOA Moderator

11-08-2009, 03:58 PM	#7
Semper_Fi Runs with Scissors Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Gloucester MA Posts: 1,974	Interesing - I run 38/39 (as per TPS) - how do you find the front end for grip at that pressure? __________________ 2009 KGT1300 Red Apple Metallic (mine), 2005 R1200ST Piedmont Red/Light Magnesium (hers) Luis Roth BMWMOA #143775 BMWMOA Moderator

11-08-2009, 02:52 PM	#6
dwestly Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 109	I'm running 36/42. 6k on my K13GT and no tire wear issues to date. Being religious about tire pressure will put a lot of extra miles on your tires. My wife runs PR2s on her VFR800 and routinely gets 15k on her tires...

11-09-2009, 09:48 AM	#8
dwestly Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 109	I'm running them right at the recommended TP from the manual. They seem to grip pretty well. I pushed it a little hard on the Dragon and everything stayed stuck (always a good thing...). Last edited by dwestly; 11-09-2009 at 09:52 AM. Reason: correction

11-09-2009, 04:19 PM	#9
pakyohmeca Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 28	Tire Wear My rear tire wore heavy on the left side ever since I got the bike 03/09. I did get ~12000 miles out of the Metzelers. I now have Michelein's on the bike. I am very religous about the tire pressures-36/43. Don S

11-09-2009, 05:22 PM	#10
dwestly Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 109	I'd bet 12k on the Metzlers is a pretty good number. I've got half that now and they're looking pretty good. How do you like the Michelins?

11-09-2009, 06:59 PM	#11
pakyohmeca Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 28	The Michelins "feel" softer. Maybe the difference between new and older rubber. I like both supplier's tires. Don S

11-09-2009, 07:09 PM	#13
pakyohmeca Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 28	"Stickier" may in fact be a better choice of words. Thanks. Don S

11-09-2009, 07:41 PM	#14
Gilly What, me worry? Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Evansville, WI Posts: 960	I was actually pretty happy with my original Bridgestones, but 6000 ain't gonna cut it. Gilly __________________ 87 K75S, bought new, now sold 07 K1200GT No problem is so big or so complicated that it can't be run away from

11-10-2009, 07:10 AM	#15
dwestly Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 109	Only 6k on the tires? Yikes... Given my wife's experience with her PR2s for touring, I'll probably go that route when my original Metzlers pack it in...