So, BT45's or Metzeler Lasertec?

[clonmore1]

Folks,

Is there much difference in handling etc? I want more handling then wear rate.

Thanks

Chris

[Barry]

Haven't tried both so can't comment on handling. My limited experience of the Metzler is it's overpriced, has at 7mm less depth of tread than some others which have 9mm and therefore it wears out fast. Also I don't think the 120/90 size at 125mmm wide will fit without rubbing.

From what I've heard most will vote for the BT45

[clonmore1]

Thanks Barry

[Lucky_Lou]

National Tyres in Barnsley will get you anything as that branch is a bike specialists, head into town from J37 M1 2nd exit at first roundabout you can see it from the exit just take the wheels in, mark rotation on the front,I put Michelin MT45,s on mine they have a classic look and good handling characteristics.
Lou

[Bob_Roller]

I've had Melzler ME33/ME99, now the Lazertec series tires on my '81 R65 since 1987 .

First thing I'll say is that Barry is right, they are pricey compared to other tires .

I can't compare them to other tires, due to the fact that I haven't had anything else on the bike except the Conti 'Twins'  RB2/K112 tires, that came with the bike when I bought it in '81 .

Once warmed up, they 'stick' quite well, very good in wet conditions, but then I don't get a lot of wet weather riding  here in a desert !!!

Tire life isn't great my average is 8-10,000 miles (13-16,000 km) on a rear  and 10-12,000 miles (16-19,000 km) on a front .

So if you put a lot of miles/km's on the bike, probably not a great choice for you .

[Barry]

Lou, did you mean Michelin M45 ?

That's one tyre I don't have the dimensions for. I presume the rear is a 4.00 and fits easy enough. I've been checking out all the available sizes and rear widths recently as I reckon 120mm wide is as far as I can go without rubbing or using the wider offset spacer.

[nhmaf]

I've used the old Metzler  ME33/99 on several airheads over the years, and I am much happier with the Bridgestone BT45 tires on my R65LS.   The 110/90 rear will work well and not require deflating to remove the rear wheel.   I run the 100/90 BT45 on my front rim, but the LS front rim width is 2.15 inches, whereas the snowflake front rim is only 1.85 - might want to look for a more proper 90/90 front tire size.   The older Metzlers were awful for following raingrooves, scarified pavement and bridge decking.  The BT45s ignore all that pretty well and have confidence-inspiring stickiness, IMO..

[tvrla]

I'm very happy with the fit and feel of the BT45s. Like nhmaf I also run the 110x90 in the rear and the 100 in front on the LS. However, my other wire wheeled airheads with the 1.85 front rims also have the 100x90s, so it may not be necessary to drop down to the 90x90.

I like the feel of Metzelers, but they go away much too quickly.

[Matt Chapter]

I've had both the old ME 33, and the Lazertec, and I currently have a BT45 on the front.. I feel like the Metzlers were grippier, but the BT 45 lasted a bit longer.  I will note that the only front tire I've had wash out on me is the BT 45, but it was (is) well past its wear limits at the time.  

I'm taking my front rim in for a Lazertec this evening.. it's what the local shop has in stock.

Size wise I've had the 90/90 and the 100 / 90.. as you would expect the 90 / 90 has sharper handling, feels nimbler.  Theoretically the 100 / 90 should last a little longer.  I'm going back with a 90 / 90, the BT45 I had was a 100 / 90.

I think I also had a michelin tire at one point, I don't remember anything in particular about it.

I wish I could get the mileages some of the others are talking about... I usually get 4 to 7 k (US miles) on a rear and 6 to 9k (US miles) on a front.

(All experiences generated using '86 R65 with the tri-y rims, not snowflakes)

[Bob_Roller]

A note on rear tire sizes, the 120 width rear tire, makes tire/wheel removal / installation more difficult than it needs to be .

You need to deflate the tire and put a piece of wood under the center stand  to give you a bit more ground clearance .

The Metzeler Lazertec 120 width tire gives you a very small clearance between the tire and swing arm .

If you do happen to get a rear tire that has a clearance issue, there are different  'hat spacers' that stick out of the grease seals, you can get if I remember correctly an additional 4 mm of clearance with the correct spacers installed .

[Barry]

The Metzeler Lazertec 120 width tire gives you a very small clearance between the tire and swing arm .

From the measurements I've taken I'm pretty sure it wouldn't fit mine at all without the offset  spacer. The pre 81 swinging arm is different though, definitely shorter and I think with less clearance.

I'd welcome any comments on which tires fit and which don't together with the actual widths of the tires. Some of the widths in the table are measured and some are manufacturers data but they can vary depending on the width of the rim the tire is mounted on. If I add the comments to the table above it would make a useful reference.

Attached a service bulletin on tire clearance which mentions the wider spacer. It's actually only 1.5 mm wider than stock which will allow a 3mm wider tire. 4mm is the maximum permissible offset of the rear wheel.

It's worth bearing in mind that the uses of this spacer reduces the rear wheel spline engagement by 1.5 mm. Not going to make much difference perhaps but that judgement might depend on how worn your splines are.

[Lucky_Lou]

Lou, did you mean Michelin M45 ?

Yes ......... typo whoops
Lou