BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I have a 2013 RT1200 and need tyres.....What ones do I need????
I need tyre that have good grip in the dry and wet over good ware.
but not a tyre you have to get red hot before it starts to work....

I would love your input

This post could easily provoke a sarcastic comment like "You need black round ones". I would have a search on the numerous tyre threads on this forum for a multitude of comments on tyres. We all have our favourites. Not much help so far. Basically any of the main brands of sports touring tyre are good.

In the meantime heres what MCN has to say https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzcgeHLZMvw

This thread & poll on tyre options might be helpful, https://1200rt.com/index.php?topic=1217.0

The BMW recommended tyres for a 2013 TC RT are,
Bridgestone Battlax BT 021, Continental Road Attack, Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart, Metzeler Roadtec Z6 or Z8 & Michelin Pilot Road 2.

For many years, I used Metzeler Z6's, now use Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmarts.
Never had "any moments" with either tyre, but prefer the tread pattern on the Dunlops.

What BMW recommended in 2013 may not be the best now in 2016. Some if not all of those tyres have been replaced with newer ones. I'd go for one of the latest variants.

Levisp wrote:What BMW recommended in 2013 may not be the best now in 2016. Some if not all of those tyres have been replaced with newer ones. I'd go for one of the latest variants.

Very true, using the "Fitting Guides" link from NBT, https://www.nationalbiketyres.co.uk/ has come up with the following recommendations:-

Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 GT
Continental Road Attack 2 GT
Dunlop Roadsmart III
Metzeler Roadtec 01
Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT.

I agree with Levisp. I've had most types over the years and the latest version has always performed better. Just gone from Metzler Z8s to what will be their replacement Roadtec 01 HWM. Never felt better.

The latest BMW recommended tyre options for an LC RT have been narrowed down to just 3 tyre manufactures,

Continental Road Attack 2 GT, Metzeler Roadtec Z8 & Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT.

The Metzeler Roadtec 01 is their most recent sport touring tyre released in January 2016.

As far as I know, the RA 2 GT & PR 4 GT's are the latest offering from Continental & Michelin in the sport touring bracket.

I had the Michelins fitted to mine on Friday.

Initial impression is very good.

Replacing my Z8's next month, 4000 miles and have never liked them
Long beach BMW recommends PR4's which I had on my 1600
In fact 75% of the tires they put on RT's and K bikes are PR4's
Police and highway patrol bikes go with PR4's

Just fitted PR 4s after a tiny sow puncture in the front wheel of my Continentals.
The tyre was also very badly scrubbed.
I was thinking of the new Metzlers but my supplier said they were on back order. As I needed some pdq I decided on the PR4s.
Managed to scrub them in over the weekend, about 450miles in north Wales.
No problems and they felt better as the old Continental rear had squared off a bit.
Just hope they do the miles
^-^

juniorswailing wrote: I had the Michelins fitted to mine on Friday.

Initial impression is very good.

+1

Yes, PR4 GT for me to. Mind you, the bike was shod with these when I bought it last year. Verdict/opinion? Very impressed, with both wet and dry grip being outstanding.

Just a bit of advice fitted pliot road 4 gt totally transformed the 2014 rt lc I cannot recommend them more highly

I am just about to get a set of Dunlop Roadsmart 3's fitted, will report back when done

After 12 years and 95000 miles on RT's I must bee on my 12th set of Michelins which apart from punctures have never let me down.