Tyres - The Definitive List

[YEN_POWELL]

Metzler ME55 and ME33 on my old RD04. Horrible
Bridgestone TW41/42 on my old RD04. Not bad
Bridgestone TW47/48 on my current RD07. Horrible

I quite liked the T66 as well but couldn't seem to get them so have stuck almost continuously with the TW101/152, however as they are now as dear as the tyres everyone else talks about I might try somethng different next.

[iswoolley]

On a positive note, there are at least 8 different tyres to choose from in both road- and dirt- oriented styles. Which is pretty good for us consumers.

I've been running Michelin Anakees for the last 20'000 miles. I've found them to have good grip in all conditions, but expensive and not the longest lasting.

Iain

[paultheold]

Iain,

Your last thread said it all. " expensive and not the longest lasting"

You pay the price and get what you pay for.

Grip cost rubber, rubber costs pounds.

[robelst]

For some fun here is the autmatically translated (by babelfish) german description of the tyre

On the Intermot 2004 Bridgestone presented the new Battlewing BW501/502 for large volume Reiseenduros. With a high negative profile portion, a new rubber mixture and diagonal basis grooves Bridgestone does not aim to a trip at drivers, who move their gs mainly on bitumen, into light area however is averse. The BattleWing will replace the Trailwing TW101/152G.


Doesnt make any sense but worth a laugh piccy of the tyre here

http://makeashorterlink.com/?G14821E6A

My German is pretty good (for any of you that watched the Discovery docmentary "Hitler's women": I was the one disguised in a black Alsatian suit ), so here we go:

"Bridgstone introduced the new Battlewing for big traillies on the 2004 Intermot. With its deep profile, new compound and diagonal groove structure it is targetted at riders that use their bike mainly on tarmac with the occasional ride in light terrain. The Battlewing will replace the Trailwing 101/152"

This no test like on the other tyres in the article, because it is so new, it is plain marketing dribble but could be halfway accurate looking at the picture.

Do not forget this article is written by- and aimed at BMW GS riders! German BMW GS riders to be more precise

Other interesting conclusions: Conti TKC80 is still the best on / off-tarmac tyre, Metzeler Karoo is great too but wears quicker and is louder, the Avon Distanzia's are a bit behind the latest offerings although not much is known because not many GS riders use them. Dunlops D607 get a very high rating just like the Pirelli MT90; Michelin T66 are pants in the rain, Bridgstone Trailwings are great in the dry and in light terrain but wear quick and not particularly good in the rain (like the Pirelli's MT80).
Michelin Anakee is better in the rain than the old T66 but are rated very inconclusively by the GS owners. Metzeler Tourance seems the standard at the moment although they suffer from slow-ish steering (I can second that after swapping my Trailwings on an RD03, but overall, was still the superiour tyre by miles), while the older Enduro 4 has much quicker steering, better off-road but wears quickly (esp on the front at the sides).

Pirelli MT90's get the best rating and are apparently cheap too (in Germany), followed by the Tourance / Enduro 4 and Dunlop 607. Again, this is BMW GS territory, our bikes are lighter have less power and different sizes.
So forget all you just read

After reading this, I may try to get a cheap offer on Enduro 4's or Pirelli MT90 instead of the Tourance.

[Muckybill]

I had it down to a choice of two, then i read all the threads and looked at manufactures sites. I just can't decide now. My head hurts to much i will have to lie down.

[robelst]

I had it down to a choice of two, then i read all the threads and looked at manufactures sites. I just can't decide now. My head hurts to much i will have to lie down.

If you go for the manufacturers sites you'll find all tyres are "the best"

Pah, just go for the ones that most people rave about and let the price or associated characteristics that you value most decide: Skimpy people that do 30.000 all-season road-miles per year will rate tyres differently than loaded occasional fair weather off-road riders that just want to have maximum fun.

[mal]

My AT is fitted with Pirelli MT 80's f/r I find them surefooted in all normal road conditions ,I don't use the bike offroad so i can't comment on there off road ability.

[SteveLee]

Just picked up a new pair of Tourance this morning from Abingdon Motorcycles - £149 (not fitted). The previous set have done 12k miles.

Might have a go at fitting them myself.

Steve

[YEN_POWELL]

Buy a bead breaker or huge g clamp for the rear tyre before you start.

[DaveS]

Made a "sticky" as its such an important subject.... until it gets made in to an article.

I think there is a biggggg poll being developed (by fewtrees) for people to rate their tyres. The results will make very interesting reading.