Author Topic: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S  (Read 4254 times)

Offline SDCR john

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 155
Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« on: August 01, 2019, 05:30:58 PM »
Fellow Brick riders,

  I hope that this is the right spot to post a tire info thread, if not, I apologize in advance.

  I got my 94 K75 S this Spring, and it has Metzeler bias ply tires mounted. The front is almost done, and I have about 50% tread left on the rear. I am ready to have new tires mounted.

   So my question is, can I mount a set of modern, sport touring radials, and should I try to find tires with a size that is the exact match to my bias ply size, or is there different size that is preferred?

 The current tires are: Front: Metzler Lasertec  100/90-18. Rear is Metzler Lasertec  130/90-17.

My goal, is for comfortable ride  quality, good handling and perhaps higher mileage life.

Any recommendations, advice or tips  is very much appreciated. Thanks.

1994 BMW K75S Dakar Yellow #0154446
1983 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans
2000 BMW R1100 RS
Bucks County Pa.

Offline Scott

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 77
Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2019, 07:07:28 PM »
I'm very happy with my Avon Roadriders, they are the right type tire and size for these motos and reasonably priced.  Might be worth a look, I've always found the Metzlers to be a bit twitchy.  I suppose it's subjective, but I've owned many motorcycles and am really and happy with these.  Another tire i liked on my r100r was a Pilot Active, I think by Michelin.  Happy searching, chunk.
  • SoCal
  • bmw R100r, bmw k75, hondapotamus G/W, XT 500 enduro

Offline SDCR john

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Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2019, 08:58:15 PM »
Scott,

Thanks for the tip. I looked online, but could not find the 100x90-18 front size. Did you buy yours recently?

I'm very happy with my Avon Roadriders, they are the right type tire and size for these motos and reasonably priced.  Might be worth a look, I've always found the Metzlers to be a bit twitchy.  I suppose it's subjective, but I've owned many motorcycles and am really and happy with these.  Another tire i liked on my r100r was a Pilot Active, I think by Michelin.  Happy searching, chunk.
1994 BMW K75S Dakar Yellow #0154446
1983 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans
2000 BMW R1100 RS
Bucks County Pa.

Offline Scott

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 77
  • SoCal
  • bmw R100r, bmw k75, hondapotamus G/W, XT 500 enduro

Offline BlitzenGruv

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  • Posts: 218
  • My first BMW. Been riding old British forever..
Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2019, 10:38:31 PM »
I use Roadriders on all my British bikes, but they are not radials. Also, they are not made with a specific front or rear tire, just pay attention to the direction arrows when mounting.
I use 100/90x18 on the rear. I think I got my last set from Iron Pony, but they should be available from many different vendors.
I use Metzeler Roadtec on the K, but it's a much heavier machine.
  • Crossville, TN
  • '92 K100rs, 16v, '71 BSA Lightning, '72 Triumph Bonneville, '72 Triumph Trident
You say I'm schizophrenic, but I don't believe we are.

Offline SDCR john

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 155
Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2019, 06:05:33 PM »
thanks for the info. I am sure that Roadriders are good tires, but I would like to try modern radials. So, still looking for any i do on using radial tires on the k75S, that would be appreciated.
I use Roadriders on all my British bikes, but they are not radials. Also, they are not made with a specific front or rear tire, just pay attention to the direction arrows when mounting.
I use 100/90x18 on the rear. I think I got my last set from Iron Pony, but they should be available from many different vendors.
I use Metzeler Roadtec on the K, but it's a much heavier machine.
1994 BMW K75S Dakar Yellow #0154446
1983 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans
2000 BMW R1100 RS
Bucks County Pa.

Offline andrej_gr

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 13
Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2019, 09:40:03 PM »
Did a little research last year specifically looking for radials for my K75. Not too many options at suitable dimensions. Ended up with Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2 140/70/17 on the back and Pirelli Angel GT 110/80/18 on the front. Have done a couple thousand km, so far so good.

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  • Sydney, Australia
  • K75

Offline K1300S

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  • Posts: 1257
Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2019, 10:12:44 PM »
huge thread on this topic.  one of the many...
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,2927.msg111912.html#msg111912

no real advantage to radials for these bikes.  the modern bias tires are every bit as good.   i run michelin pilot activ's on both my K75S's.  love them.  they are used for track duty, around town and trips.  zero issues and lots of grip (including on track).
Project Thread "K75s Midlife Refresh"
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,7810.0.html

Offline SDCR john

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  • Posts: 155
Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #8 on: August 04, 2019, 08:33:03 AM »
Mlytle,

Thanks for the link and the tip on the Michelin Pilots. I am beginning to think that staying with bias ply tires is my best route, as I can get a correct size match for the front and back.
1994 BMW K75S Dakar Yellow #0154446
1983 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans
2000 BMW R1100 RS
Bucks County Pa.

Offline caveman

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  • Posts: 196
Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2019, 05:02:43 AM »
I'm also running Avon Roadraiders and like them very much. Normally I run the rear for 6  to 7,000 mile and change the front ever other rear. Took a trip this spring and stretched them out to 9,400 miles and still had a bit of tread left on them. I like them because they give good grip on wet roads compared to other tires I have tried. I don't care for lazertecs at all.
  • Kennerdell, PA.
  • 87 K100RT, 88 K100LT

Offline billday

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Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2019, 08:10:00 AM »
Early in my motobricking career I wasted a fair amount of money on Metzelers that started cracking the minute they were mounted.

Now I swear by Shinkos. Great value, and they seem to have a thing for making tires that fit old motos.
  • New York State, USA 10977
  • 1985 K100
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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Radial Tires on a 94 K75 S
« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2019, 08:29:32 AM »
Early in my motobricking career I wasted a fair amount of money on Metzelers that started cracking the minute they were mounted.

Now I swear by Shinkos. Great value, and they seem to have a thing for making tires that fit old motos.

+1  I am torn between the Shinko and Bridgestone.  The Eurotires don't seem to offer the value, mileage, grip, and price vs. the Oriental brands.
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Tags: tires