The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => Misc. Technical Discussion => Topic started by: R65LS_Japan on October 20, 2026, 07:21:47 AM
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Hello everyone, greetings from Japan!
I ride a 1982 BMW R65LS and enjoy riding on winding mountain roads.
I'm interested in hearing about your experiences with different tire combinations and how they affect the handling of the R65LS.
My current tires are Continental ContiClassicAttack radials:
Front: 90/90R18
Rear: 110/90R18
I'm currently on my second set, running both tires tubeless.
I really like these tires. The steering is quick, and the bike feels very stable, although I find the available lean angle somewhat limited.
High-speed stability is also excellent, even near the bike's top speed.
The only real drawback is the price!
Previously, I used the following bias-ply tires in the original sizes:
Front: Dunlop F8 3.25-18 52S TL
Rear: Metzeler Perfect ME77 4.00-18 64H TL
I particularly enjoyed the handling with this combination.
The relatively large front tire gave me a reassuring feeling, while the bike still felt surprisingly light when leaning into corners, thanks in part to the characteristics of its longitudinally mounted boxer engine.
To me, this combination brought out the natural character of the R65LS and offered a very well-balanced, enjoyable ride.
I'm now considering bias-ply tires in the following sizes:
Front: 100/90-18
Rear: 4.00-18
However, I'm also interested in hearing about other tire sizes and combinations, including 90/90-18 front tires.
I'm particularly interested in steering response, turn-in, and how naturally the bike holds its line through corners.
If possible, please also mention whether you run your tires with tubes or tubeless.
I'd love to hear your impressions, especially from riders who enjoy winding roads.
Thank you!
R65LS_Japan