BMW K1200LT Tires - Avon Storm vs Metzler ME880

[@mehdimirza8777]

Excellent Explanation good service your honesty speaking

[@mccvf3337]

I personally use the Avon Storm 2 tyres on my K1200 LT FL and think they are the best for a continue use all the year. Metzeler 880 are too bad when raining, but sure you keep them longer. I really prefer a bit less than 10.000 km and a real grip by all weather. ✌️

[@00K1200LT]

Its the never ending problem of tires for the LT.. They come out with a good tire and then mess it up with what looks to be a better tire and its not. My BT-020 got over 15K on them.. not bad.

[@debrasellers9876]

Cleveland here and you were right My me888 tire width is wrong KURT metzler admitted to manufacturing a batch of tires wider than me880 width which is what I always ran so they agreed to change the tire for free to the corrected width of the me880 so they made a new batch of me888 tires to match that width however the rubbing was not consistent which may indicate a bearing going bad thanks again.

[@defaultname8792]

I use the Metzler 880 in the front and the Bt020 in the rear. I ride her aggressively and get about 10K in the front and about 8K in the rear. The BT020 clearly gives me confidence over tar snakes and wet pavement while I get the long distance from the Metzler in front. Best choice I've come across in owning three LTs

[@shamoy1000]

I'm sticking with the Michelin Commander 2 Bias tire on the rear. Great traction, great longevity. Rated a little light for the LT but I rarely if ever ride two up or carry heavy loads.

[@sammichael2022]

You are right about the slipping on the Metzler. During a 50 degree day with just a little bit of water on a mountain road, the rear slipped out from under me at barely over 20 MPH! My Metzlers are nearly new and they are going to get tossed. Lots of road rash; lots of pain. Get rid of them and going with Avon or a Michelin Road 4 (even with the lower weight rating - I never ride two up) and want the confidence of a better wet performing tire. I liked the Metzlers O.K. before I fell. Not so much anymore.

[@kirksmotorrad]

+Sam Michael You can probably sell them to someone who doesn't ride as aggressive.

[@Mscotter]

Sam, have you been running the Michelin PR4's on front and back? What's been your experience with handling and wear?

[@LondonSteveLee]

Like you I'm a big fan of Avon tyres. For fronts there are now a lot of good sport touring tyres, the Michelin PR4 front was too soft and heavily treaded for heavy bike, looks like the PR5 is a major improvement in this area. The Metz Roadtek 01 is astonishing in the wet and grips very well and there's the new Avon Spirit ST range of course wear the wet and dry grip is even better than the previous Storms. A very good bugdet option is the Maxxis Supermaxx Sport Touring - dunno if they're available in the US but they are decent tyres (particularly the front on heavy bikes) wet or dry and are dirt cheap here.

[@mariogauthier1957]

on my K1200LT 2007 rear tire ME888 RENFORCED run this year 18,000 miles before ME880 not renforced 12.000 miles

[@BradMosch_engineer]

After a few scary times sliding the rear of my LT, I definitely need to try a stickier tire than the 880 on the rear. I'll try the Avon. I really don't like the idea of grinding parts off by sliding on pavement, and then worry if some idiot 4-wheeled-cage-driver is tailgating and can't stop in time.

[@charlessisson3489]

Michelin Commander 2 for the rear tire. A little under rated for the LT but running one up with light loads it's great. Honest to god I have 22,000 on the tire. Great handling too. They don't make a Commander 2 for the front so I went with the Road Pilot 4 GT. Only got 12k on that one. As I mentioned, I ride one up (175lbs) without much luggage.

[@RichardDePas]

Wondering if the Avon rears will suffer the same excessive wear the fronts do since they have the long channeling. Looking forward to your ride review of them. Personally been having great luck with the BT on the rear.

[@Master-di4di]

Tour operaters use Tourance tyres for good handling & grip wet or dry & they get 10k miles . A possibility? Great vid.

[@terryphillips8211]

What do you recommend for a Shinko front (009 or 005) for my 02 Lt? I have a Dunlop D205 on the rear. You liked the Shink0 777 but at the time of your review they didn't have a mating front. They now have the models I described or other if you are aware of something else.

[@AB-hx9hs]

Hi, Never tried the Avon.but now need a front tire and I am thinking about the Avon Roadrider AM26 Tire. I need a Bias ply as my rear is the Bridgestone Battalax 020 Bias ply. The AM26 is rated 58V which is what the K1200Lt calls for. and it is less expensive than the Metzler front that I have on there. Any thoughts on this tire? does it work for the 1999 LT ? Thank you.

[@shamoy1000]

My experience the 880 always ends up wearing uneven and lumpy. Michelin Commander 2 is great although a little under rated for the LT.

[@kc03300]

my bike dealer gave me a couple of options what do you think of a Michelin road pilot 4 on the front and a Avon storm on the rear or a me880 on the front and a me 888 on the rear

[@eduardovillegas4832]

I put in my K1200LT front wheel a dunlop sportmax alpha 14, 120/70 ZR 17 M / C (58 W) so far good performance, I would like some opinion, thanks

[@kirksmotorrad]

My only opinion would be that it may wear fast.

[@westvandude]

I just got my 2001 K1200LT back on the road after many hours of repairs.... long story - got used motor as mine burned oil bad - had cracked cam cover didn't discover until installed, then I missed the spacer ring in flywheel for pressure plate... I gave it the finger and it sat in the corner of my shop with no rear end for 3+yrs. Got it together this week.... ran in the rain yesterday first time.... holy cow, I was all over the road - ZERO traction on OE (newer) tires, especially the rear was like driving on 6ft wide tar snakes all the way home. My butt was puckered tight for sure. Looking for WAY MORE rain traction than this OE tires. That was just ridiculous in my opinion. My 04' Suzuki SV1000S with Michelin pilot powers sticks like glue in the rain. BMW is total crap.

[@ГенадийАлексеевич-д2з]

westvandude

[@caste405]

Road 2 or avon ?.... you thing ABOUT ?

[@johnbaker1039]

Kirk, I thought that the 880 was replaced by the 888 late last year. Do you have anyone in your club that has tried the 888 yet?

[@kirksmotorrad]

John Baker No one that I know of yet.

[@sheldonhuber671]

It seems to me that the televeler front suspension eats tires. LT eats more because of the weight. It notice it with all the BMW with telever front suspension. My friends Harley, big and heave all get at least 50% more milage out of their tires without the cupping that occurs on the front. I have 6 bikes, Four BMWs. i love the LT, nothing rides like it, but it really is poorly designed and bad quality control. Only bike worse than this is the new GTL. Also the speedos are all off by about 7% faster so when considering gas milage or tire wear deduct about 7%.

[@sanoj1969]

What do you LT people think about Michelin Road 5 on a LT? I drive a Suzuki GSX 1400 who is a massive bike with great torque. It works fantastic on my bike both in wet and dry conditions. I am very interested to buy a LT. stay healthy and well. Regards from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@kirksmotorrad]

Sadly the PR5 does not have the correct size for the LT. It needs a 160-70-17

[@sanoj1969]

@@kirksmotorrad yes I did a search now and that was correct. MICHELIN ROAD 5 160/60R17 69W TL is the nearest dimension on this product.

[@graysenfox3600]

Any experience with this tire, the Avon Cobra Chrome AV92 REINF 160/70B17 Rear Bias Motorcycle Tire 79V 160/70-17?

[@kirksmotorrad]

Not yet

[@graysenfox3600]

illinoisBMWriders ...I’m thinking of going with this set up in southern Utah/Nevada area which gets hot in summer...thoughts/experience? Shinko Motorcycle Tire 777 Cruiser Heavy Duty Rear 160/70-17 79H Bias ...plus... Shinko 120/70ZR17 Motorcycle Tire 120/70-17 Front 120-70-17 Sport 005 Advance

[@kirksmotorrad]

@@graysenfox3600 It should work fine. Just dont expect them to last forever.

[@graysenfox3600]

illinoisBMWriders Thanks! I’ll be happy if I get 5,000 mls at their price.

[@graysenfox3600]

illinoisBMWriders hey what size is the valve stem on the rear or whats the right size for replacement. Mine is leaking. Would like to replace it myself and I saw someone use a board and a C-clamp to break the bead while the tire was still on the bike.

[@kc03300]

do you anyone whos tried a set of the Bridgestone exedra max tires in a bias ply application.

[@kirksmotorrad]

Sorry no. It looks like they dont even make a 17" rear.