F800 GS front tire recommendations

[Omega Man]

Looks like it is time for a front tire for the old F800.

Size is 90/90-21 MC 54 H

I think the first tire was a Bridgestone Battlax. The current front tire is a Metzler Tourance which was a pretty fair match at the time it was changed.

Nothing against either of these tires as they have worked well- just getting a bit thin and I think it's what I detect in the handling change.

The rear tire that I changed is now a Heidenau K-60 which has been great, has been wearing like iron, but seriously tough to mount- on my hands and knees. Looks like Heidenau is now offering a tire sized for the front.

Mostly the pothole laden roads here in the Northeast.

TIA

OM

 

[20774]

Not too old of a thread:

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?97839-2013-F800GS-Tires

 

[HSVPhil]

U took the words right out of my mouth, OM.

Heidenau rubber is long-lasting and perfect for a GS application!

U could use the K60 or a less-aggressive K76.

https://www.heidenautires.com/tires/motorcycle/dual-sport/

Sláinte! HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen

 

[drneo66]

Mostly on-road, long lasting, and decent wet performance? I've enjoyed the Michelin Anakee III's

50/50 that is long lasting and holds well on wet tarmac and decent in gravel? Then I found the a Dunlop Mission Front and a Motoz Tractionator GPS to be the perfect combo. I took this combo up the Haul Road last year and they performed amazingly well, then did about 75% of the Trans Minnesota Trail and it still had quite a bit of tread left over on both.

 

[Omega Man]

Ended up going with the Metzeler Tourance again. There is a local guy who has a tire machine so, unless something goes weird, I will have him mount the tire up. He uses balancing beads and from what I have read both on the forum and on the web, should be fine.
Purchased tire, tube and rim band from MAX BMW in NH. It’s nice to support local. Fair pricing and speedy delivery.
OM

 

[Omega Man]

New tire is on. Balancing was a weight on a spoke, set-screw with Lock-Tite..
Last fall the handling became noticeably “off”. I suspected it was mostly the tire but did check the steering head bearing torque which was in spec.
It’s tough to tell bearing condition without removal so, as I had the bearings from my discovery of bad bearing in the rear back in 2014, I did the bearings and seals.
Another 25 tool event- pickup/cleanup next. Hope to test drive tomorrow.

BTW, used a fair amount of “grey” never-seize, check to see if you have any on you.
OM

drneo66"s thread was a help with the procedure and handy reference torque specs-

F-Twins Tech - F800GS Front Wheel Removal

The articles, posts and comments in this tech section are posted by individual members and reflect their personal thoughts and experiences with repairing, maintaining, and generally working on motorcycles. This information may require specific knowledge and skills, may or may not be correct or...

forums.bmwmoa.org

I did have to make a tool to hold the axel when torquing the axel nut. I also had to swing a caliper out of the way for wheel removal.

The rear wheel story-

Rear wheel bearings on a F800GS

I was wondering if anyone here has done theirs? I put a new tire on yesterday (K60) and while I had the wheel off "felt" the bearings. They have a "notchy" feel and while not at a crisis level, I am going to do them- once I round up the removal tool, the bearings and the seals. I know there has...

forums.bmwmoa.org