The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Air4Life on May 31, 2012, 10:36:29 AM

Title: continental 4.00 - 18 M/C 64H K112
Post by: Air4Life on May 31, 2012, 10:36:29 AM: I'm shopping for a new rear tire and came upon:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/25679/ITEM/Continental-Conti-Twins-K112-Front-Tire.aspx

They are calling it a "Continental Conti Twins K112 Front Tire" [Emphasis Added] In addition, the tire image on their website looks very much like the k112 that is on the rear of my bike now. I spoke to a sweet sounding voice that confirmed that they are in fact front tires. Even after I reluctantly questioned this information a second time, I was again reassured that it is in fact a "front tire".

So, have I been riding around with a front tire on the back, or is it possible she is just talking from the rear?
Title: Re: continental 4.00 - 18 M/C 64H K112
Post by: Bob_Roller on May 31, 2012, 10:48:13 AM: I don't know if Continental has changed the tires since I got my bike back in 1981, but it came with RB2, front, and K112 rear tire .

This is from the Conti site, doesn't look like have changed anything about the appearance of the tire in 30 some years to me !!!!

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/themes/motorcycletires/sport_classic/k112_rb2/k112rb2_en.html
Title: Re: continental 4.00 - 18 M/C 64H K112
Post by: Air4Life on May 31, 2012, 11:05:52 AM: Yep, that's what I have on there now. I'm just not sure I can depend on what they are going to ship to me based on their information.

Also, with a choice of tubes, which do you think is a better way to go: a (3.50/4.0) or the slightly larger (4.0/4.6) if I use the 110/90 - 18 tire designation ?
Title: Re: continental 4.00 - 18 M/C 64H K112
Post by: Barry on May 31, 2012, 11:47:48 AM: $160 for a front tire !!!!! I don't think so.

As far as airheads are concerned a K112 is a rear tire. The correct matching RB2 front tire is shown on the same web page.

Quote
Also, with a choice of tubes, which do you think is a better way to go: a (3.50/4.0) or the slightly larger(4.0/4.6) if I use the 110/90 - 18 tire designation ?

My initial thought was go with the larger tube but then I realised you are going to fit it to a low profile tire. OK it's only 10% lower in height than a 4.00 x18 but that's 10% less room for the tube so for that reason I'd go for the smaller one. Also if it ever became a spare tube it could be squeezed into a front tire as a low speed temporary get you home fix.
Title: Re: continental 4.00 - 18 M/C 64H K112
Post by: nhmaf on May 31, 2012, 12:28:18 PM: Go for the smaller tube - its range of expansion will handle that tire size OK. The larger tube size will be easier to get kinked/wrinkled.

I carry 1 spare inner tube on my R65 - it is sized for the front tire, but will also work in the rear . IF I bought one sized for the rear it would actually bunch up/be oversized for the front.

With other airheads with different sized wheels, well, you gotta go with one of each, or, go for the statistical probability that more flats occur on rear wheels than on front wheels - and just carry a spare rear tube.
Title: Re: continental 4.00 - 18 M/C 64H K112
Post by: Ed Miller on May 31, 2012, 02:48:50 PM: The Continental front tire is for a 19" wheel. What are you supposed to use on your R65?
Title: Re: continental 4.00 - 18 M/C 64H K112
Post by: k_enn on May 31, 2012, 04:01:28 PM: IIRC, the front on a R65 is 18 inches. Continental stopped making the 18 inch RB 2 a number of years ago, that is why I switched brands.