Tire Replacement

[Xian Forbes]

So, Now that I have about 6,500 miles on the Sport its time for new tires. I would say that on the whole I was not unhappy with the Pirelli Diablo, but I would prefer to have something more suited for touring and all weather. One of my ridding buddies who owned a T-Max for a few years told me to expect to change tires at 6K...well he was correct and here I am.

I am leaning towards the OEM on the GT Metzler FeelFree, but I'm open to suggestions as to what youse guys who are already running those tires think of them, good bad or indifferent.

When I go looking for tires, it seems that there is not so many quality choices in the 15" size. It looks like there are many rear tires in 15" that are meant for cruiser type bikes, so this is a little time consuming. I certainly don't have a V-Max.

This is what I have found that looks reasonable in 15"


Pirelli Diablo 160/60

Metzler FeelFree 160/60

Michelin Power Pure 160/60


Thanks,
Christian

 

[Skutorr]

Stick with the Diablos. I've heard of premature wear with the Michelins, that whole dual-compound thing didn't really work, I had a horrible experience with the Bridgestone OEM tires in those sizes that came on my Tmax, and the Metzlers are fine, but won't stick or turn-in like the Diablos...

 

[SteveADV]

I have the Metzler Feelfrees on my C650GT and at 4300 miles they are 50% worn according to my dealer tech. I have been very happy with them in cold and wet. For what it's worth, I'm one of those guys that have two sets of tires for both cars (I do live in Northeast Ohio after all) so the rubber I use is important to me.

However, I do not have practical recent experience with other tires. The discussion about tires on another thread and my own research kept the Feelfrees on my bike.

For those new to the kind of thing Christian is talking about, the type of riding you do and the riding conditions in which you do it, will dictate the best tires for your purposes.

 

[JaimeC]

Having used both Bridgestones AND Metzelers in the past, I'm a firm believer in Metzeler. The only time I've had a "traction problem" with ANY Metzeler tire is with the ME880s on my K1200LT, and that's only on wet roads. It is no big deal for me to slow down when its raining; it's a small price to pay for the 20,000 miles I get out of each set.

The FeelFrees don't last NEARLY as long on the scooters I've owned... but I've never had ANY "grip" concerns on wet or dry roads either, and I'm routinely dragging the centerstand on spirited rides with the club. At 6,000+ miles, the tires still have plenty of tread left so when it's time to replace them, I'll be sticking with the FeelFrees.

I never did learn how long they'd last on the old TMAX. When I traded it in last year there was still plenty of tread left on them too. The original Bridgestones on the TMAX were completely shot before I got to 9,000 miles, though.

 

[bill steele]

My bike came with the Metz tires and I did not get very good mileage under 6000 miles the tires worked OK but nothing great I have switched to the Pirellis and I am familiar with there wear pattern and would expect about 7000 miles I do find that they are very sticky and are very good on wet roads and if I get more than 7000 mi out of them all is good.

 

[nik2003black]

I've changed to bridgestones as the the Metz had poor millage life I've had bridgestones before & I swear by them they lean so much better & you get decent life out of them too & you feel safer too


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[Xian Forbes]

Is that the Bridgestone Battlax that you liked nik?

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[JaimeC]

Interesting tire wear. My rear tire looks good, my front tire looks damn near trashed. I'm wondering if it's because I use the brakes a LOT more on the scooter than I do on my motorcycle? The C650GT even has less engine braking than my old TMAX so when I'm riding the twisties I'm using the brakes a lot more than usual.

Normally, I just roll the throttle on and off; every other bike I've owned has had sufficient engine braking that (in most cases) that was all I had to do to get through a turn (unless it was a particularly nasty hair pin). I suppose I could just use the rear brake (to simulate the engine braking I'm used to) but then that would quickly wear the rear pads (and using both brakes has been hammered into my system for far too long for me to easily break that habit).

In any event, the wear is far different than the wear I had on the TMAX. On the TMAX, the tires wore out at the same time but the front tire had a really strange wear pattern. The center looked brand new, but the sides were worn down to the wear bars. The rear tire had "typical" wear, with most of the wear in the center of the tire. Of course, as I've reported in previous posts, the TMAX used to "push" the front end in turns; I don't notice that tendency in the C650GT.

 

[Skutorr]

Interesting tire wear. My rear tire looks good, my front tire looks damn near trashed. I'm wondering if it's because I use the brakes a LOT more on the scooter than I do on my motorcycle? The C650GT even has less engine braking than my old TMAX so when I'm riding the twisties I'm using the brakes a lot more than usual

if you go to lighter variator weights (Dr. Pulley Sliders) or a more aggressive variator, you'll get significantly MORE engine braking off-throttle. I used to have to use the brakes coming down a big, steep hill behind my house. When I put in the lighter Dr. Pulley sliders, the engine braking was all I needed!

(Oh, and the bike will be FASTER!)

 

[wsteele]

So started out today for a ride went about 5 miles from home and stopped at the local diner as I was getting off the bike I noticed the red triangle flashing on the dash board. It showed the tire pressure low, checked the tires found a cut nail in the rear tire and only had 22 lbs of air and going down fast made it back to the house with 3 lbs of air in tire. Called the BMW dealer in my area for a new tire and a appointment to pick up the bike they told me there were no rear tires available. ( Metzlers or Perillis ) for about 1 month I found 1 in 10 minutes at the Motorcycle Super store bought it and it will be at my house on Wednesday, so they can Pick up my bike on Thursday to install the new tire. I have found that they really don't seem to put much effort in trying to locate parts for BMW scooters it is like we're the Bastard child. The service guy said they had a scooter at there shop for 2 months waiting for a tire for it. That's why I was at the Honda dealer today checking out a new bike which I will buy in the next 2 to 3 weeks. P S the Honda dealer would not take my c650 gt in trade

 

[Snowdog]

I bought a set of Bridgestone's today, HOOPS. I had good luck with them, and a lot better mileage on my Silverwing, so thought I would give them a try on my Sport. The independent bike shop can get them in a couple of days.

 

[SteveADV]

......it is like we're the Bastard child. The service guy said they had a scooter at there shop for 2 months waiting for a tire for it.....P S the Honda dealer would not take my c650 gt in trade

Hey Bill,

I hear yah and I don't want to be one of those rah-rah BMW guys, but (there is always one of those ) in a recent press release BMW mentioned that the C650GT and the C600 were "very well received". By my calculations the BMW maxi scooters represented about 5% of total sales. Not an insignificant number.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/glob...cles-schaller&outputChannelId=6&id=T0201002EN

 

[SteveADV]

Dealers will be more likely to take in trade what they think the guy/gal "walking in" is looking for in their particular dealership. Don't expect a dealer with Harley only clientele to give you a good trade-in on your BMW-anything.

 

[wsteele]

I think I will try and sell it back to the dealer I bought it from I know I'm going to take a hit on it but I like that if you have a problem with the honda there are a lot more dealers that will work on them Not so with the BMW Don't get me wrong I like the bike but there maintenance schedule is ridiculous and the cost of there parts are aleast a 1/3 to 50% more than other bikes.

 

[SteveADV]

....Don't get me wrong I like the bike but there maintenance schedule is ridiculous and the cost of there parts are aleast a 1/3 to 50% more than other bikes.

Hey Bill,

Far be it from me to act as if I know a thing about the maintenance of these things (especially compared to your mechanical knowledge), but it could be that we see so many BMWs lasting well into the 100,000+mile category is not only because of the quality of the merchandise but also because of the maintenance schedule.

I love my KLR, but I would bet a big hunk of change that the average BMW F650GS will last a lot LOT longer than my thumper with net cost per mile being similar for the life of the vehicle (or at least the time of ownership....including resale value).

Net of cost per mile considerations should also include the refinement of the Beemer vs others. Coach or first class; there is a difference in the comfort and enjoyment of the trip.

 

[TwoPort]

I've got 13K on my original Metzler's on the GT. Prolly too much freeway driving. I ordered OEM's form Motorcycle Superstore and they are supposed to arrive next week. I thought they performed very well.

 

[Scorpion56]

So started out today for a ride went about 5 miles from home and stopped at the local diner as I was getting off the bike I noticed the red triangle flashing on the dash board. It showed the tire pressure low, checked the tires found a cut nail in the rear tire and only had 22 lbs of air and going down fast made it back to the house with 3 lbs of air in tire. Called the BMW dealer in my area for a new tire and a appointment to pick up the bike they told me there were no rear tires available. ( Metzlers or Perillis ) for about 1 month I found 1 in 10 minutes at the Motorcycle Super store bought it and it will be at my house on Wednesday, so they can Pick up my bike on Thursday to install the new tire. I have found that they really don't seem to put much effort in trying to locate parts for BMW scooters it is like we're the Bastard child. The service guy said they had a scooter at there shop for 2 months waiting for a tire for it. That's why I was at the Honda dealer today checking out a new bike which I will buy in the next 2 to 3 weeks. P S the Honda dealer would not take my c650 gt in trade

If you take your bike all the way to Portsmouth for service, that was my 650GT in their shop for a couple of months waiting for Metzelers. No big deal as there was 5 feet of snow on the ground all winter. Ended up with Michelin Power Pure SC for about $250 for the set. If you're willing to take a long ride, Greater Boston Motorsports in Arlington is a Honda and BMW dealer. Maybe you'll be able to get better $$ for the Beemer.

 

[wsteele]

Steve I get what you saying and I agree with the concept, but we have 4 bikes at our house and the cost of keeping them in top condition is getting very expensive and BMW really likes to charge a lot more for there parts and labor and very few if any dealers other than BMW will work on them. One of the benefits of having multiple bikes is the maintenance gets stretched out over a longer time but still is expensive. If I don't get a decent price for the bike I will keep it and rotate throught bikes as I have been doing. I know this is a luxury problem and I'm just Bitching. The Honda I bought will make 5 bikes that we have

 

[wsteele]

If you take your bike all the way to Portsmouth for service, that was my 650GT in their shop for a couple of months waiting for Metzelers. No big deal as there was 5 feet of snow on the ground all winter. Ended up with Michelin Power Pure SC for about $250 for the set. If you're willing to take a long ride, Greater Boston Motorsports in Arlington is a Honda and BMW dealer. Maybe you'll be able to get better $$ for the Beemer.

I replaced it with a metzler because that was the most available tire to get in 3 days so they could pick up the bike on Thursday. I have michelen tires on another bike we have really good tires very grippy and wear like iron have 7000 miles on them and they look new. Give us an update on how you like the michelen tires

 

[SteveADV]

... The Honda I bought will make 5 bikes that we have

I'm with yah, Bill. I have three and that is one or two to many for me. For some guys/gals who are able to ride a lot more than I maybe a bunch of bikes make sense.

I'd like to get down to one, but that won't happen...At least not yet.