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Author Topic: Best tires for an R65?  (Read 2809 times)

alexznam357

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Best tires for an R65?
« on: May 02, 2009, 08:43:06 PM »
Hey Guys...
Saw this on WEBBIKEWORLD and thought it might find some interest here.  Anyone else found the "perfect tires" for an R65?
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/sizes.htm

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2009, 09:34:32 PM »
HOO HOO !!! Dreaded tire thread dead ahead, everybody in the pool !!!

'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline Justin B.

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Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2009, 10:01:37 PM »
[movedhere] BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 [move by] Justin B..
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2009, 10:07:12 PM »
I've found that the Macadam Mac 50 110/90H18 in the rear and 90/90H18 Mac 50e in the front provide a superb compromise between stickiness, quick handling, and long life.  I routinely get over 10k miles on a rear...
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2009, 10:09:53 PM »
Well that didn't take long !!

I've used Metzeler  ME 33 / ME99, now called Lazertec tires since around 1987, front tire life 12-13,000 miles, 8-9,000 miles on a rear tire.

Stick like Velcro in warm to hot conditions.

Tires are good in wet conditions.

Need a good warm-up in colder temps, or they act 'squirrelly' if asked to work before then.

Cost is a bit high, last set that I put on was around $350 for two tires, and two Metzeler tubes, plus mounting and balancing.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2009, 10:10:34 PM by Bob_Roller »
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline nhmaf

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Re: Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2009, 10:20:01 PM »
Like the article indicates, a keypoint to consider is that the 110/90 or xxx/yy "size" for the tire is actually really just the ratio, or profile of height to width.  Tires from different manufacturers or even different models from the same manufacturer with the same "xxx/yy" indication can actually differ by at least several millimeters in height and/or width fro one another, though the overall "ratio" remains correct.  So,
someone may fit a 120/90 brand x tire on the rear of an R65 without rubbing, but a 120/90 of a different brand will NOT fit.   I am happy with my BT45 tires (100/90 front, 110/90 rear) though I do not have much mileage on them yet (~1900 miles, but wearing good so far).
« Last Edit: May 02, 2009, 10:20:54 PM by nhmaf »
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

alexznam357

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Re: Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2009, 05:07:02 AM »
Alright...sorry about a "dreaded tire post" in the wrong spot. Somebody just shoot me!

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2009, 09:00:58 AM »
ok   [smiley=shoot.gif]
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline steve hawkins

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Re: Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2009, 05:49:43 AM »
I like 'em 'black and round' with some lines on where they touch the ground.

I prefer a name that I recognise on the sidewall, them balanced, and the right amount of air in them.

A new set of boots is always going to be better than the worn out ones you have just swapped out.  So it is often pretty subjective.

How long they last is often down to the individual rider and they type of riding being done.

Tyre talk is for the race track.

Me, currently Continentals, by they way, as they were cheaper.....
« Last Edit: May 05, 2009, 05:51:01 AM by steve_hawkins »
Steve Hawkins R100 (that wants to be an R65)

Offline Semper Gumby

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Re: Best tires for an R65?
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2009, 08:42:48 AM »
WooHooo!

+1 Michelin Macadam....
Bill Gould ?1980/03 R65 When at first you don't succeed....Moo!