1990 K75s Tire Decision, BT45's or ME880S ?

[Craigt]

Need new rubber. Have read several threads on tires and I have narrowed my search to two tire designs. Seems to me, from what I have read, that the ME880 does not have as much grab as the BT45 but will last longer. How much longer is one question? My guess is that the ME is sticky enough for most rides, otherwise it would not be so popular. Another question is, Is it better to put a 110/80 (current size) on front or a 100/90 (bmw recommended). In general, what are the pros-cons.

Thanks!

Craig

 

[Zagando]

Whatever you do, Craig, keep the front tire the stock size---otherwise you might have oversteering/handling problems. It's perfectly OK to put a wider tire on the rear, though (140/80/17) if you don't mind effectively lowering the gearing by 3%.

I just got my new BT-45s mounted up and they look like they'll be putting lots of smiles on my face once I get going...

 

[roncooper]

I got 6000 miles to the wear bars on a BT45 and 12000 on a Metz 88 on the rear. The 88 does good in wet or dry.

 

[breyfogle]

Need new rubber..... My guess is that the ME is sticky enough for most rides, otherwise it would not be so popular.

Apply the whisker test ==> Did the new tire whiskers on your current tires fall off due to old age or did you wear them off all the way out to the edge of the tread ? If it is the former, any tire will be "good enough for most rides". If it is the later, go with the grippier choice.

 

[2old2rockNroll]

Apply the whisker test ==> Did the new tire whiskers on your current tires fall off due to old age or did you wear them off all the way out to the edge of the tread ? If it is the former, any tire will be "good enough for most rides". If it is the former, go with the grippier choice.

...that just rocks!

 

[Craigt]

I like the whisker test....Im going with the BT's. Thanks for the comments

 

[Sailingfool]

BT vrs ME880

I've run both the Metzler and Bt45s on my K. I like the sporting nature of the Bridgeston much better, as they roll into corners easier, stick well, and the bike just seems to ride smoother. Haven't had much experience in rain on the BTs, nor can I vouch for mileage, as I've only run a few hundred miles.

 

[jhgilbert]

I put ME880s on my old K75RT and wore all but the last set of whiskers off. Call me chicken. After riding Metzelers for a full year in all types of weather, I found that they did a good job and still had plenty of tread. But I find that they stick best in summer (surprise, right?) and I tended to ride cautiously on cold asphalt. The ABS also kicked in more in winter, more evidence for less traction on cold asphalt.

 

[tomsljr]

I have been running the 'stones for a while now and find them to be quite nice. I live in East Tennessee close to the Cherohala, Deal's Gap and some other sweet roads that I am not going to give away. As a result, I have the opportunity to do some aggressive driving on them and so far they have held up well. I have had my K75s all the way down to the pegs with no sense the tires were in any way taxed. Like the man who put them on for me said, "You're not going to out-ride them".

 

[ken e]

I have voted with my wallet for the BT45's for years (in stock size). Used to run Metzler ME33/55 and sometimes Marathon rear for two-up trips. BT's do the same for me for less $$.

thanks
Ken

 

[Sailingfool]

Me88 vs. BT 45 Whiskers...

The whisker debate had me curious. Because of the shape of the Metzler, you cannot get down to the last row of whiskers on the rear...not in two sets worth of bonafide Sport Touring. The last 1/4" of tread never touches the pavement. First ride (after going gently for the 100 mile break in) on the Bridgestones and the whiskers are gone the tread is scuffed to the edge.

 

[jhgilbert]

Now ya done it....
Someone is gonna have a story with pics and video about how their great aunt wore the last set of whiskers off a ME880 and I'm gonna look like a wuss.

 

[st3ryder]

Metzler Lasertec.

 

[DZIMBRIC]

Another question is, Is it better to put a 110/80 (current size) on front or a 100/90 (bmw recommended). In general, what are the pros-cons.

Thanks!

Craig

Run the recomended tire size. I went to a larger size front on my K1100LT because Metzler doesn't make that size anymore and ended up with an interference problem with the front frender bracket. I had to shim the fender bracket up 3/8 inch to get enough clearance to make it usable.
I like the mileage on the Metzler 880's but will probally try the battleaxes next time around.

 

[jcridge]

Craig,

If you ride all year, the 880's hands down. I had Laser Tec's and they tracked too much, and wore out just looking at them (< 6K miles) I tend to ride on the aggressive side so I never really look at the whiskers, maybe because they aren't on there for long. We had the Dunlop radials which handled great and were very predictable. I never ran them in the winter so cannot comment on the side wall flex when cold. The 880's run good from -5 to 100 degrees and run good in the rain.

You are riding a battle star, not an RR, so good handling, high mileage, good rain grip and strong side and tread carcass are the important factors.

Air pressure is the greatest factor in how a particular tire performs, when you get people saying this a that about a certain tire, see what pressures they are running, 5 psig is a world of difference in handling.

John