BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

hammo wrote:One can only have opinion when you change your tyres to see how many miles you have covered and how much they cost.

I'm now on my 5th pair of Dunlop Roadsmart I tyres. The previous 4 pairs lasted an average of 5,200 miles. A new pair of tyres can be purchased for £130, that's 2.5p/mile.

How many miles do you get out of your tyres and how much do they cost?

David. wrote: I'm now on my 5th pair of Dunlop Roadsmart I tyres. The previous 4 pairs lasted an average of 5,200 miles. A new pair of tyres can be purchased for £130, that's 2.5p/mile.

How many miles do you get out of your tyres and how much do they cost?

Don't take this the wrong way, but how a tyre performs on different models is another factor, I'm interested in tyres for a LC, not Twin cams, or Hex Heads which have different suspension and are different weights. Also like a previous poster, personally, I am not the least bit interested in how long they last, its about grip in dry and wet, tyres in the scheme of things are a reasonably cheap commodity.

One tyre which has stood the test of time across all R1200/1250RT models, is the Metzeler Z8.

As recommended by BMW Motorrad, https://www.bmw-motorrad.com/content/da ... 913863.pdf

Casbar wrote:
Don't take this the wrong way, but how a tyre performs on different models is another factor, I'm interested in tyres for a LC, not Twin cams, or Hex Heads which have different suspension and are different weights. Also like a previous poster, personally, I am not the least bit interested in how long they last, its about grip in dry and wet, tyres in the scheme of things are a reasonably cheap commodity.

I agree that performance and safety are the important considerations but I also feel that longevity has to be taken into account. I  take 1 or 2 foreign trip a year ( or did until this year) and a set of tyres that are worn out at 4000 miles are far from ideal. You could set off with a 1000 miles on the tyres and need to change them before you got home. I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation that tyres can perform consistently /safely over 6000 miles or more.

In 2015, I had two high mileage tours to Germany & Norway, both two up fully loaded with luggage. A new pair of Dunlop Roadsmart I's were fitted before going to Germany, covering 2,200 miles. The Norway trip was estimated to be around 2,800 miles, we ended up doing 3,100 miles.

This was my first pair or Roadsmarts, therefore was unsure about their mileage expectations. I thought 5,000 miles would be pushing it, especially two up with luggage. Decided to have a new pair fitted for Norway, keeping the others as part worns to be used later. On checking the tread depth/wear, one rear tyre would certainly have not done both trips & the front would have been close to the legal limit.

From experience over 4 pairs of tyres, this was the correct decision.

Unfortunately, when using Metzeler Z6's, with the knowledge of mileage built up over having used several pairs, I set off to Scotland. The trip was around 1,000 miles and I fully expected the tyres to last the trip. After less than 500 miles, the rear tyre was down to the canvas/cords, obviously, had to have the tyre changed whilst away. The road surfaces in Scotland are more abrasive on tyres.

Having been caught out once, if there is any doubt, I now fit new tyres. With Dunlop Roadsmart I's still being available for £130, why wouldn't I.

MikeS wrote:
I agree that performance and safety are the important considerations but I also feel that longevity has to be taken into account. I  take 1 or 2 foreign trip a year ( or did until this year) and a set of tyres that are worn out at 4000 miles are far from ideal. You could set off with a 1000 miles on the tyres and need to change them before you got home. I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation that tyres can perform consistently /safely over 6000 miles or more.

Think we agree, but my point is, i change my tyres well before the legal limit. A lot will not notice that their tyres are going off in the performance department, because it happens gradually and people just adapt to the differences. So if I get to 6k I am reasonably happy to change if I feel things are not right. Like I said earlier the cost of tyres is small compared to what a lot spend on add ons to the bike and the cost of the bike. But like all things we all have different views and some like to get high mileages, there is a thread going at the moment on the LT forum, there are guys in the US there that have got 18k out of a set of PR4GTS

Generally, I find that when the serviceable tyre tread depth gets down to 1.0 - 1.5mm above the legal TWI's, the ride is not compliant.

The mileages quoted for the Dunlop Roadsmart I's are before the legal limit is reached.

Using M&P as a price comparison site, Metzeler Roadtec 01's (HWM) and Michelin Road 5 GT's are around £260 to £270 per pair.

For the same mileage, I'd rather have two pairs of Dunlop Roadsmarts I's for that price.

It's always left me in bewilderment the mileages  our cousins get compared to us. Are their roads less abrasive? How can you get 10,000 miles from a rear tyre & it still be legal & not down to the cords 

David. wrote: Using M&P as a price comparison site, Metzeler Roadtec 01's (HWM) and Michelin Road 5 GT's are around £260 to £270 per pair.

For the same mileage, I'd rather have two pairs of Dunlop Roadsmarts I's for that price.

Price has never been my prime consideration with motorcycle tyres. Safety (I.e grip and handling) are far more important. I’ve been using Metzeler Roadtec 01’s for the last three years on my LC and find them excellent in all respects. They have come top in all the tests of Sport Touring tyres I’ve read.


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I'm now on my 5th pair of Dunlop Roadsmart I's, having so far covered a total of 23,600 miles on them over the last five years. They are safe, grip and handle well.

Dunlop RoadSmart – The Tyre That Redefined Sport Touring, http://www.cambriantyres.co.uk/dunlop-r ... t-touring/

I'm running metz roadtech 01s..... and I just don't like them. Nothing wrong with them, I just.....

I got the Road 5 GTs installed today.  Can't wait to test them out.

Hello all. I owned a 1996 BMW K1100 LT for the last 8 years and used only Michelin 3, 4, 5, etc. The last 3 sets I got 13,000 miles +.
I just bought a 2015 BMW R1200 RT and had the newest version of the Michelin Road GT tires installed. After 4,000 miles they look about 1 half worn. I'm interested to know what others have gotten with these tires (?).
BTW, I live in the Las Vegas area and the roads in the south west US are generally good .
As a side note, I always ran 40/42 air pressure.