The time has come to replace the tyres on my 16 valver.

The soon to be replaced items that came with the bike are Continental Road Attacks, and to be honest I cant say they inspire much confidence.

The sizes are: F - 120/70/17, R - 160/60 18

Im looking at Metzeler Roadtec Z6 Interact, Bridgestone BT 023's or Michelin Road Pilots 2's.

Anybody K100 riders got any experience with any of these?

Thanks folks.

Michelins have geen great for me. Heard good things about new Bridgestones. Metzlers felt great on Suzuki Bandit 600 but didn't last well and had funny (cupping)wear pattern.

In the end I ordered some Dunlop Roadsmarts.

Theyve arrived and Im having them fitted Tuesday

Hi Have a Pilot Road 2 on the front and Metzeler Z6 on the back I will soon replace the Metzeler with a Pilot Road 2. I was travelling somewhat faster into a bend than I should have and ran over a white line which bordered a section of the road which the PC brigade have designated as a cycle track for the 1 or two bicycles per hour that might use it in that town. It was interesting the front tyre went over the line with no change but the rear decided to slip sideways quite sharply across it and then regained its grip. I had a neutral throttle and the incident certainly caused some involuntary clenching of the buttock muscles for a second. Made me suspicious that the Metzeler may not have the ultimate grip of the Pilot Road.
Regards,
K-BIKE

I'm very happy with the BT45's!

Hi Rene,
Are you running the same size tyres as a 16 Valve which has a different size which I suspect can affect the dynamics of the front to back adhesion.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Sorry for the late response, been away for a few days. I run 110/80 and 140/80 and am very happy with the set-up.

My 16 Valve runs 120/70 on the front and 160/60 on the back.
Regards,
K-BIKE

lots of tyre threads in the forum "mr grumpy"

personally i have a preference for the pirelli sport demons ... really confidence restoring tyre ...and the front lasted me well over 18000 ks ....and really didnt need replacing ....a sharp cut through the tyre (accros the tread pattern ) decided the change for me ....ill be putting a new one on when the front wears out ...

I have RS wheels on the K11 and run Michilin Pilot Road 2. Done 7000k so far and barely worn Hang on well wet or dry but a bit noisy on a rough surface but on a smooth surface like a motorway really nice.

On the advices given in another thread I went for the Pirelli sport Demons - Went from a squared off macadam on the back and worn out Pirelli on the front to the Sport Demons all round, it transformed the handling of the bike and my confindence in it too. Read the New tyre time thread lots of advice in there on pressures etc.

88KE

For bias ply tyres I wouldn't look past Pirelli Sport Demons. On my K100RS 8V, since going to a 18x4.5" three spoke K11 rear wheel and also an 18" three spoke front wheel from a K75, I have used both Pirelli Angel ST and Continental Road Attack IIs. Both are radials. The sizes are 160/60ZR18 (the phat tyre lady) and 110/80ZR18. I reckon the Pirellis gave slightly better feedback as the Contis seem to squirm more across the road surface. I have grown used to the feeling, and they certainly turn in well, but the Pirellis felt more 'planted' somehow. As for the durability of the Contis, the bike is in a storage shed in SE Queensland awaiting my return in three months' time, but my hunch is they're not going to give the life the Pirellis did. It'll have to wait.

Meantime, I have found all I need to convert the front suspension, wheel and brakes to the 120/70ZR17 size by locating some K1100RS forks in California. They'll be in my hands by next week. I'll go to a Conti tyre which I purchased before leaving Motorline back in May, along with a secondhand wheel, calipers and discs....always a squirrel, storing his food for the future.

Charlie, are you not happy about the pair of radials on your bike, or just considering going back to a bias front and radial rear? I would have thought by now you'd have come to appreciate the merits of radials alone, and of not mixing radials and bias ply tyres.

BTW, Continental will be making radials in narrow sizes for older bikes and calling them 'Classic Attack'. Word is that they're on the market mid-year 2012. I've seen no US warehouse stocking or advertising them as yet. Also, I'm not certain they'll have the K sizes we'd use as stock sizes or the commonly used plus-ones.

current tyres ...pirelli "angel st" front and rear

gith ...not sure if its the bike...or more probably me ....but last trip south i found the tracking on the front to be quite influenced by dafting and buffeting whilst on high speed and straight roads and huge trucks (mostly bdoubles all the way ). now i know its not an rs and has quite a wide front on profile plus the big screen to catch all that air ,...but i did find the tracking of the demon excellent under all circumstances with the same body setup . i guess ill be looking for something that fits but with a centre line in the tread design for the next candidate .

but i could also take the twisty path and have no complaints at all, huh ? because around the tight and curvy bits i have no issues

radials have always seemed to me to float around the road a little more, both car and bike , not that thats in itself is an issue, but more a characteristic that i have noticed ,

my suggestion for the sports demon was an experienced appreciation to be shared with the "normal rim" sized members in the forum rather than the "phat tyred ladies " types ...

i think most folks i've talked to, who have done the demons front and rear are verry happy chappies

even "rt" is getting out every chance he can ...that must mean something .

Just got 5500 miles out of a Conti Road Attack II. Would off managed more if i wasn't doing 70 miles on a motorway daily. Found them very inspiring.....used it all the way to the edge regularly and one of the cheaper tyres in the overpriced 18 inch range.

I have to be honest haven ridden most top of the range sport touring tyres on various bikes over the years......in my opinion......there is not much that seperates them for road riding.

I have found that tyres longevity varies greatly but is largley down to style of riding, type of riding and correct tyre pressures rather than tyre type (if we are looking at tyres in the same range i.e. not a slick vs a nobbly or a good qaulity geremn tryre vs a £50 chinese job). I get at least an extra 1000 miles to the same trye when riding in winter than in summer.......and always stick to the speed limits officer.

However pychologically we all have are favourite tryes or hype around a certain trye.....and this does considerably increase confidence and subsequent enjoyment.

Charlie was right. I changed from Metzlers to Sports Demons about a year ago and found them much more confidence inspiring. It is well known that I am a slowhand rider around the corners, laugh if you must but
I find that they don't track on ruts and feel safe in the wet and I have copped a fair bit of that.
Good luck with your choice
RT