BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

RTman10 wrote:The factory over the years have tended to swap from one recommended tyre make to another at random. Its a supply thing, but for some time now they seem to supply more with Z8s.

It's interesting that the number of BMW recommended tyre manufacturers for the LC RT is only 3, Continental RA 2GT, Metzeler Z8 & Michelin PR 4GT.

Previously, with the Twin Cam, Bridgestone & Dunlop were listed, together with both Z6 & Z8, a choice of 6 tyres.

Going back further to the first 1200 RT, there was a BMW list of 8 tyres, those already mentioned, plus, Bridgestone Battlax BT 020 & Dunlop Sportmax D220 ST.

The Metzeler Z8 is the only tyre which has continued to be listed for all 3 models of RT.

Ive just had better luck in mileage and ride quality with the PR4s. It may be all in my mind but I just prefer the PR4 tire. I put a set of Michelin's on my R1100RT and had really bad  luck with them so it took a lot for me to switch from Metzeler back to Michelin. Once I did with the PR3 I was sold on them.
I dont have anything bad to say about the Z8, I just like the PR4s better and since motorcycling is mostly mental it just seems reasonable to me to go with what keeps my mind right.

This is a PR3 with 14,000 miles on it. 5/16th tread left. Hard to beat that mileage.


She rides one up all the time. Most of those miles were done last summer on her National Parks tour. 

Thanks for the feedback & as in the original post, "I appreciate tyres are also a personal choice".

For the reasons given, I'll probably still go with the Metzeler Z8 when it's time to change from the existing, original, Bridgestone Battlax BT 021's.

Any more votes, help or comments are most welcome, thanks.

DaygloDavid wrote: It's interesting that the number of BMW recommended tyre manufacturers for the LC RT is only 3, Continental RA 2GT, Metzeler Z8 & Michelin PR 4GT.

Previously, with the Twin Cam, Bridgestone & Dunlop were listed, together with both Z6 & Z8, a choice of 6 tyres.
As already posted, the Metzeler Z8 is the only tyre which has been listed for both bikes.

Call me an old cynic but I wonder how much the tyre manufacturers pay BMW to have their tyres recommended. From BMW perspective having 3 manufacturers supplying keeps them competitive on price and no supply issues. Certainly here in the UK there would no issues in fitting any Sport Touring tyre that complies to OEM specification with regards to speed and load rating. Not so sure in Germany.

Levisp wrote:Certainly here in the UK there would no issues in fitting any Sport Touring tyre that complies to OEM specification with regards to speed and load rating. Not so sure in Germany.

You could well be correct, looking at the BMW Tyre Options, they state, "This information is not binding and is based on the statutory provisions and technical regulations for Germany - changes and deviating provisions may apply abroad. Before fitting your chosen tyres, please ensure that they are based on an up-to-date version of the relevant clearance certificate for your BMW motorcycle. BMW Motorrad recommends obtaining a clearance certificate from the tyre manufacturer and keeping this certificate with the vehicle at all times."

Budman wrote:This is a PR3 with 14,000 miles on it. 5/16th tread left. Hard to beat that mileage.

PR3's certainly give good mileage, I'm surprised they haven't got more votes in the Poll.

It will be interesting to see how the PR4's compare,
Michelin say, "Thanks to improved 2CT technology, new MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 tyres last up to 20% longer than the MICHELIN Pilot Road 3 tyres,

and

"The new MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 GT tyre has been successfully homologated on BMW R 12000 RT and will equip 40% of its new models."

14000 miles out of a back tyre and still going must be a world record.  That's at least twice what most of us get. 

This isn't my bike, nor is it a Metzeler Z6, but it is how mine looked when I got caught out in Scotland.

RTman10 wrote: 14000 miles out of a back tyre and still going must be a world record.  That's at least twice what most of us get.

I was about to say the same thing.  I'd be delighted to get 7,000 out of a rear tyre.  I've never managed it yet - maybe the RT will be the first time...

I think the only way to get mileage like that is the way I got a 1600GTL the 600 miles from central France back home with no tread wear at all, in the back of a van.

Z8's are coming up on the rails.

DaygloDavid wrote: This isn't my bike, nor is it a Metzeler Z6, but it is how mine looked when I got caught out in Scotland.

This tyre looks like a Z8 to me, with the "Pi" tread pattern.



https://www.metzeler.com/site/uk/produc ... ion=950350

The photo of the PR3 rear tire in Reply 17 by Budman has 4mm of tread after 22,000 km (14k mi)

The previous rear & front tires, both PR 3's, were replaced after 26,000 km (16k mi), but still had a little tread left.

My next set will without a doubt be PR-4's !

DaygloDavid wrote:I've used Z6's for 8 years without any problems, except, they do tend to break up in the centre of the rear tyre without warning because of the tread pattern being slick in that area.

A bit like this, "I had them once but never again because of the lack of wear bars near the center."

http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/showt ... n-the-road