iT'S NOW 2015..Radials for k75S?

[rbm]

this is what i put on the brickus turkus... 100% yeeeehaaaaa...

+1 on the T30's.  I fitted those exact same tires to my K75 and the Yeehhhaaa-factor skyrocketed.  BTW, I'm running a K1100 frontend and K1100LT backend, fitted with 3-spoke rims, which is why this works for me.

[F14CRAZY]

If that 110 front will fit I think I'll try the Continentals next time

[Mongrel]

How do the T30's compare to the BTs? I have the snowflake wheels, so no T30's for me... :musicboohoo:

...but then again, I love the snowflake rims...  :neener:

[mr_10brook]

It looks like the Michelin Anakee III would fit as they list it even fitting a 1985 K100RS which have the narrower Y spoke wheels.  The tire is a dual sport tire but looks like about 90% street.

https://www.denniskirk.com/michelin/rear-anakee-iii-140-80hr-17-blackwall-tire.p643592.prd/643592.sku

Maybe some Motobricker has tried it. I plan on trying the Anakee 3 soon.

[motodude]

I used to run Anakees on my 2000 Tiger.  No complaints whatsoever.

I never thought of putting them on a K-bike.  If you do this, please update this list after you get some miles on them.

Tom

It looks like the Michelin Anakee III would fit as the list it even fitting a 1985 K100RS which have the narrower Y spoke wheels.  The tire is a dual sport tire but looks like about 90% street.

https://www.denniskirk.com/michelin/rear-anakee-iii-140-80hr-17-blackwall-tire.p643592.prd/643592.sku

Maybe some Motobricker has tried it. I plan on trying the Anakee 3 soon.

[Freelancer]

Just did a search for a friend with the old snowflake rims.  He has Dunlop D205 radials mounted on it and has enjoyed how they handled.
 I know, most say don't spoon radials onto the older rims, but he has been happy and wants radials again. Also, not able to convince him to move to newer rims.

Now, the problem is that the D205's are no longer available in the correct size. (Looks like they may be discontinued, but don't quote me. Just could only find them in one size.)

As already noted, the Azaro's are discontinued.

What I found is that the Metzeler Z6 front 110/80-18 front looks like it would work well with the Bridgestone Battle Wing rears.

Both are radials and can carry the weight, "What do you guys think?

Freelancer

[kryder]

I have been running Shinko 712's on my K75S as mentioned earlier in this thread.  HR speed rated instead of VR as recommended by BMW but I have only ridden as fast as about 110 mph indicated. It is an inexpensive tire that lasts and performs well. I run them on my old airheads as well.

[mr_10brook]

I do not think the Shinko 712 is a radial.

 Bikebandit has them listed as bias ply.

http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/shinko-712-motorcycle-tire

I could be wrong though.

[kryder]

Alas, they are not radials. My bad.

[Mongrel]

It seems a fruitless hope, but has anyone compiled a list of all the tires which can currently be put on the 75's snowflake rims?

I was hoping to try the new version of Metzeler's Marathons (the newest version is the 888), but it seems that the Metzeler site states that the only tires they have that'll fit are their Lasertecs, which are quite sticky, but I've heard people complain that they wear very quickly (as low as 3000kms according to the worst-case reviews).

So far, here's what the list appears to be:

Metzeler
Lasertec

Bridgestone
BT45 (Rear is - BT45V)

Dunlop
D404

Shinko
230 Tour Master (these, uh... well, they look kind of cheap. And they are cheap.)

Pirelli's site lists no current tires as a match.

Trying to see how these tires stack up - they're all pretty close in price. Still wondering if anyone here has tried both the T30s and BTs... ?

[K75RT Keith]

Amazon had the Avon Azaro ST 140/70r-17 $152.00 - 178.00 (approx) when I last looked about a month ago.  Also some new ones on Ebay.  The Avon Storm 2 110/80-18 should fit the front and can be found at most of the major online stores and dealers selling avon.

[mudcat]

I know they're not radials but has any one tried the Michelin Pilot Activ?

I've had two Bridgestone BT 45 rear tires develop deep cracks in the grooves at around 3K miles, so although they provided a good ride & handling on my K75S I've gone back to Lazertechs.

[RobP]

A basic question from a newb:   

For those of you who buy tires online, do you mount them yourself or take them to a shop for mounting?  If the former, do you balance them yourself, too?

[Howard64180]

Over the years I have fitted many tubed tyres, but only recently tried fitting tubeless (I didn't think I'd be able to break the bead or get them to seat).  I made a bead breaker from two pieces of wood, one long and one short.  They came from next door's old back gate jambs (after it had been replaced, of course).  The short one is hinged on the long one and has a 45 degree angled end.  Hook the long one under a fence cross piece - or a car - and away you go.  Spraying a bit of 'Mr Muscle' window cleaner on the tyre bead makes the job surprisingly easy.  YouTube was very helpful here.

On my K100, I fitted both tyres using only short levers and seated them with a foot pump, again using the window cleaner as lubrication.  The rear popped out at only 22 psi, the front took a bit more.  Both now have metal tyre valves.

As for balance, I checked the front on the bike without the calipers attached and it seemed fine (no heavy spots).  I didn't bother with the rear - if I have any problems I've found a cheap source of tyre balancing beads in the UK.  The only other tubeless tyre I've fitted - a front on a Triumph Sprint 955 - was balanced using the above method and was fine at speeds up to, er, the UK National Speed Limit.

Since I got old(er), I do prefer doing as many jobs on the bike as I can.  When I can afford the gear, I also hope to learn to weld.

[stryder]

I have been running Shinko 712's on my K75S as mentioned earlier in this thread.  HR speed rated instead of VR as recommended by BMW but I have only ridden as fast as about 110 mph indicated. It is an inexpensive tire that lasts and performs well. I run them on my old airheads as well.

Speed ratings are over rated. The max H, V, Z etc. speeds are based on "sustained" speeds for 30 minutes. Even if you have a Z rated tire, chances are you will not sustain its top speed rated speed for 30 minutes; therefore, a HR tire rated for 110 mph, doesn't mean that's the limit. It means you shouldn't sustain speeds above 110 for 30 minutes. I now how hard it is to keep a K75 under that, so you'll have to show some restrain. 

I wonder how a radial ply tire would feel when built to such high aspect ratios as found on bias ply's that will fit snowflake K75 rims, rear drum. My guess is they would feel squirmy considering the side walls have far fewer plys in them compared to stiff walled bias ply. Radials may not be a better tire for a bike with narrow rims, that calls for  a tall side-walled tire.

I'm running H rated D 404's and they are far better handling than the slippery V rated Metz Lazertecs. (except for smoothness at 80 mph) If I can find the Shinko 712's, I'll give them a try next.

[Mongrel]

I know they're not radials but has any one tried the Michelin Pilot Activ?

I've had two Bridgestone BT 45 rear tires develop deep cracks in the grooves at around 3K miles, so although they provided a good ride & handling on my K75S I've gone back to Lazertechs.

How old were they when they started cracking?

[F14CRAZY]

I know they're not radials but has any one tried the Michelin Pilot Activ?

I've had two Bridgestone BT 45 rear tires develop deep cracks in the grooves at around 3K miles, so although they provided a good ride & handling on my K75S I've gone back to Lazertechs.

How old were they when they started cracking?

My D404's have been cracking after about 6 weeks

[mudcat]

Mongrel, I'll have to check my records to verify the exact time but I know it was within one season. That is they hadn't been on the bike through a winter.

[Mongrel]

Oh, I don't think you need to check records then. I was more interested in if it was something like 3 years vs 5.

By the way, both of you, why would you not contact the manufacturer with cracking after only one year? I'd raise hell sideways if I got a batch of crap tires like that.

[stryder]

My D404's have been cracking after about 6 weeks

How old were they when you bought them? Maybe you were sold new old stock. What's was "born on" date on the sidewall? When did you buy/mount them? What about air pressure? What about riding conditions? So many variables, but I'd be pissed to see cracks anywhere on new and fresh tires after 6 weeks. You should replace them if the rubber is cracking IMO. 

[sj2000]

The link for avon in ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140-80ZR-17-69W-Avon-AV46-Azaro-Rear-Motorcycle-Tire-/271738372900?hash=item3f44de8324&vxp=mtr

The price is expensive now since it's been discontinued.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000GRP00W/ref=sr_1_1_olp?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1433515577&sr=1-1&keywords=azaro&condition=new


Some stores jacked up the price for the rear tire.

[F14CRAZY]

My D404's have been cracking after about 6 weeks

How old were they when you bought them? Maybe you were sold new old stock. What's was "born on" date on the sidewall? When did you buy/mount them? What about air pressure? What about riding conditions? So many variables, but I'd be pissed to see cracks anywhere on new and fresh tires after 6 weeks. You should replace them if the rubber is cracking IMO.

Checking the production date makes them about 4 years old...Dunlop warranties their tires for 5 years from that date, if that matters. I bought them from Village Motorsports, a non-BMW powersports dealer in Holland, MI. Pressures have always been at the max on the sidewall (41) or very close to it. I think I rode for a couple days at 36. Most all freeway slab at 75-80 mph.

I already had one replaced for free by them. At this point I've ran them long enough for the tread to be at the point where they might not replace it again. And I haven't had much time to go and have them replace it, again. And I want to switch to something else that doesn't develop cracks. My skill has increased to the point where the D404's are a limiting factor.

It's a shame because they're a pretty good tire otherwise and they're cheap. Sell for $94 or so (plus mounting/balancing)

[Freelancer]

Hey guys and gals,

My friend, Dave, just got back to me on the tires we fitted on his k100rt. I say we because the radials he had are no longer in production and asked me to help find something that might suit him.

We put a Metzeler z6 110/80 18 on the front and a Bridgestone Battle Wing 140/80 r17 on the rear. The Battle Wing is an adventure tire that is 90% road. We went this route because the tread and profiles seemed to compliment each other.

At first the Metzeler felt floaty until I informed him that the Metz Z6's are like the Pirelli Angels in that they like to be near max pressure (41psi).
Once Dave got them at the right pressure, he says they started handling great. Also says that the bike behaves much better on the dirt and gravel roads he travels when visiting friends.

So, as of now, this combo is getting two big thumbs up. :2thumbup:

Will keep you guys posted on the long term results. Dave likes to ride fast through the curves and likes to ride far. This means he will likely use them up by winter.

Later,
Freelancer

[cbluez]

October...after riding these 2 tires since the spring, I am just blown away!..It still is not quite up to par with the Guzzi handling, but it's awesome! Fear in the endless curves where I live is gone..It won't match a modern sportbike, but the radials put the fun back into this K75s..No more bias ply tires for this fellow.

[F14CRAZY]

Do radials last longer than bias?