As winter is ending here in New England the topic turns to new tires. This year I plan to switch over to radials, so have been doing a little research and came up with the following options: 

AVON       
Front:       Storm 2 Ultra Sport (ST), SR-W, Reviews 4.5 / 5 (closeout)
               Tri-compound extrusion, super silica grip, inverted groove braking, water dispersal pattern
Rear:        Azaro AV46 (ST) SR-W, Reviews 4.6 / 5
               S-compound construction, variable belt density, water dispersal pattern

BRIDGESTONE    
Front:       Battlax BT023 (ST), SR-Z, Reviews 4.7 / 5
               Silicia plus RC polymer grip, all-weather performance
Rear:        Battlewing (AS 80/20), SR-V, Reviews 4.3 / 5
               Silica enriched compound, mono-spiral belt construction, reduced road noise pattern
               OEM on BMW F650GS

CONTINENTIAL
Front:        (no radial available)
Rear:         Conti Trail Attack (AS 90/10) SR-H Reviews 4.3 / 5
                Single compound silicia, 0-degree steel belt, quick warm-up time, wear resistant pattern, short break-in time

DUNLOP
Front:        Roadsmart 2 (ST) SR-Z, Reviews 4.9 / 5
                Single compound silicia, cosencant-curve pattern, deep tread, intuitive response profile for grip and cornering
Rear:         Trailmax Duo Sport (AS 80/20) SR-H, Reviews 4.7 / 5
                Jointless belt construction, block design tread, non-Aromatic rubber

METZELER
Front:        Road Tec Z8 Interact (ST) SR-Z, Reviews 4.5 / 5
                Fine carbon mix, high silicia content, variable steel belt, 0" steel radial, advanced winding, "Pi" profile, 3-zone tension interact
Rear:         Tourance Next (AS 90/10)  SR-V, Reviews 4.3 / 5
                Duo compound, 0" steel radial, advanced winding, "Pi" profile, 3-zone tension interact
                OEM on BMW R1200GS

MICHELIN
Front:        Road Pilot 3 (ST)  SR-V, Reviews 4.8 / 5
                Duo-compound, X-sipe technology, non-Aromatic rubber
Rear:         Anakee 3 (AS 80/20) SR-H, Reviews 4.7 / 5
                High silica tread compound, transverse grooves, indented tread groove

Note:
Classes ST = Sport Touring, AS = Adventure Sport (on/off road rating)
All tires are: Front 110/80R18 for 2.5" rim,  Rear 140/80/R17 for 3.0" rim
SR = speed rating

My .02: 

Front: BT-023
Rear: Avon AV46

I've run this combo on 2 K75s and a K100.  I am very happy with this setup.  Despite being different brands & tread patterns they feel very "planted" seem to "play well together."  

If I ever biff it will be my fault, not the tires'.

Good call Duck.  

I didn't even know about the Avon until you mentioned it here.   

BT023 and Avon AV46 seem to be the recommended combination for the K1100LT as well (as radials).  

I've just ordered a set.

I have just sourced wheels from a K1100RS/K1; that will give me a much wider choice of modern radial tyres for my K1100LT.  I have yet to get the wheels blasted and powdercoated, but the intention is to buy Michelin Road Pilot 3 radials because of their alleged long life owing to the hard compound in the centre and softer shoulders.

You'll prolly still find PR3s in the appropriate sizes about but they've been replaced with PR4s now.

Great list AJ! Wasn't aware of all the options. I concur with duck...I just put the AV46 on the back and the Michelin PR2 on the front with no issues whatsoever and a BIG improvement over the bias-ply!

OG

G'day TWB , jumped onto the Michelin USA website ( Michelin OZ does not list PR4's yet ) & took a look at the PR4's , they don't make a 110/80/18 & 160/60/18 , bugger !

JR

xpc316e wrote:I have just sourced wheels from a K1100RS/K1; that will give me a much wider choice of modern radial tyres for my K1100LT.  I have yet to get the wheels blasted and powdercoated, but the intention is to buy Michelin Road Pilot 3 radials because of their alleged long life owing to the hard compound in the centre and softer shoulders.

The BT-023s are also dual compound tires they ride well and last long. I recently went from PR2s to 023s on my 11LT (LT front, RS rear) and I can't tell the difference - and they cost less.

Supposedly a wider front makes turn-in stiffer (or whatever term you want to use.)  Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is a matter of personal preference I suppose.  I do know that my K75s are a heck of a lot easier (and more fun) to "throw around" in the twisties than my 11RS but that's probably due to a combination of both weight AND tire size differences.

PR2s vs. PR3s: What I've "heard" from other riders is that the PR3 is, of course, a great tire but that if you don't plan on doing a lot of wet riding that the PR2 is better.

Which won't matter once they're phased out in lieu of the PR4.