Radial Tires

[Bob_Roller]

Anyone have any experience with radial tires on an R65 .

Need to replace the tires on my silver LS tires were manufactured 37th week of 2005 .

Tried to contact the local independent BMW shop I've been going to for 23 years .

He moved his shop 85 miles from me, not realistic to go there for tires .

Stopped into a local independent bike shop 2 miles from my home .

The owner suggested to go to Metzeler Roadtec 01 and leave the Lazertec tire series .

Radials cost a bit less less than the Lazertec tires .

[tiggum]

Bob, will you run tubes in these radial tires?  I stand to be corrected, but I don't believe that our rims are satisfactory to run tubeless tires.

[Bob_Roller]

There's been a lot of discussion about not using tubes, these wheels are the composite type not the snowflake .

From what I can remember the composite wheels were used on the first examples of the K series bikes an they were tubeless from the factory .

I don't know if this is true or not, but I've seen this countless times in print .

I had tires replaced on my '84 LS shortly after I got it, it's since turned into a parts bike not the original intention when I bought it .

I questioned the shop that replaced the tires why there was no charge for tubes, I was told that it didn't have tubes when the tires were removed .

I've had the rear wheel/tire from the '84 LS on my '81 R65 for 6 years now no issues, tire doesn't lose as much air as the front that has tubes .

I'm going to order the tires next week and talk to the owner of the shop about this, I've also heard and seen problems with the composite wheel and the valve stems on inner tubes not being long enough, can't get a nut to secure the valve stem and place the valve cap on the valve stem .

So to answer your question ( finally  ), I'm leaning toward going tubeless .

Here's a link to Snowbum's BMW tech site .

https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/section6.htm

The wheel section is lengthy to say the least !!

The composite wheels are not mentioned in this article .

[Matt Chapter]

There's another radial tire that fits the R65, at the time it was much more expensive so I stuck with Avons.

Apparently there are at least 4 different radials in 90/90 18.  Would be good to see some reviews.

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/90-90-18-street-motorcycle-tires/t11u44tn

[Kelvin]

On my 1983 R65LS I'm running Michelin "Pilot Activ", 90/90 front, 4.00 rear. I'm much happier with their grip and handling than I was with the Metzlers.

I tried to go tubeless when I had them fitted but the mechanic couldn't get them to seal properly, even after spending some time cleaning the rims. So, I have tubes fitted.

[Bob_Roller]

I started using Metzler tires on my '81 R65 since around 1986, the ME33-ME99 until the Lazertecs came decided it was time for a change .

I've got Michelin Pilot Road radial tires on the oilhead what a difference in handling .

[Bob_Roller]

Had the Metzeler radial tires installed this week on the silver '82 LS, today was the first day riding on them .

Going to work this morning, I go over some irregular pavement at 65 mph, a bit upsetting on the 14 year old Cheng Shin tires on the silver '82 LS and the Lasertec tires on the other R65's, these radials no issue what so ever .

Perfect weather this afternoon when I got out at 1430, 74 F, 23 C clear sunny low humidity .

Got to ride on a new section of urban expressway that opened at about noon today, not often you get to use a fresh section of highway in a large urban area .

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/loop-202-south-mountain-freeway-is-now-open-after-decades-of-debate/ar-BBYehiG

There were many sections of pavement that had been ground down at expansion joints, closely spaced grooves parallel to traffic flow no wandering on these grooves .
 
So at this point in time with about 100 miles on them I am quite satisfied with the radials .

Had to use a 100/90 front tire they were not available in 90/90 size .

I did go tubeless with these tires .

May get a chance next week to see how they handle in wet conditions, showers forecast for Tuesday through Friday .

This is the longest ride I've had on the bike since getting it in March of this year, found the source of a gear oil smell I've had the last few months, found the seepage from the shifter shaft seal, I was going to replace the transmission oil a few weeks ago, glad I held off on it .

[orforester]

Bob, I would check your tire pressuer often with those composite wheels.  I would think they might have a tendancy to act like spoke wheels and leak air.  JMO

Bob

[Bob_Roller]

I check tire pressures every week on the bikes, so far with the composite rear wheel being used tubeless on my '81 R65, it loses less pressure than the front with a tube installed .

I'm checking the pressures on the radial tires every day since they were mounted and no loss in 5 days .

[mrclubike]

I Have been running Avon AM26's tubeless for close to 40K miles
 
I do have to use bead sealer on the front
 It a pleasure   to change the tires compared to doing it with tubes
I even had a puncture on the rear and did not have a  rapid deflation like it would of if it would of had a tube in it
The tire stayed beaded and I was able to patch the tire from the inside
I then rode the 500 miles home with no issues 

[Bob_Roller]

I had to have a tube installed on the front wheel last week, started losing 10 psi a week .
It was leaking most of the way around on both sides of the rim .
Rear tire holding pressure fine .
I'm going to put the same radial tires on the '81 R65 on the next tire change, tubes are going in, snowflake wheels .
No experience with wet conditions yet, 2020 was one of the driest years for rain in this area .

[mrclubike]

I had to have a tube installed on the front wheel last week, started losing 10 psi a week .
It was leaking most of the way around on both sides of the rim .
Rear tire holding pressure fine .
I'm going to put the same radial tires on the '81 R65 on the next tire change, tubes are going in, snowflake wheels .
No experience with wet conditions yet, 2020 was one of the driest years for rain in this area .

You may try using a bead sealer
This is what i use
Its still easier than fighting the inner-tube