BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

The BMW Motorrad Tyre Options, http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/inde ... _main.html,
recommends the following tyre Manufacturers & tread Patterns.

Bridgestone Battlax BT 021, Continental Road Attack, Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart, Metzeler Roadtec Z6 or Z8 & Michelin Pilot Road 2.

Both my 2007 & 2010 RT's came with Factory Fit Metzeler Z6's & the new (used) 2012 bike has the original Bridgestone 021's still fitted.

I've used Z6's for 8 years without any problems, except, they do tend to break up in the centre of the rear tyre without warning because of the tread pattern being slick in that area.
Got caught out in Scotland last year and have lost a bit of confidence in Z6 tyres, a Michelin Pilot Road (original) was fitted to get me home.
Replaced the front & road on PR1's without any problems, there were wearing well before I changed the 2010 bike for my current model.

Looking at the BMW recommendations & cost of the tyres, I have come to the conclusion that, Bridgestone, Continental & Z6's are all similar at approx. £170 per pair.
Dunlop & Z8's come out at around £190/200, PR2's are not available in B version code for the rear.
(Prices obtained from National Bike Tyres, 01325 316771 http://www.nationalbiketyres.co.uk/, for comparison, NBT are my preferred supplier/tyre fitters).

Therefore, I may run the Bridgestone 021's & see how long they last, replace with the same again or perhaps go for Z8's.
(Dropped a VFR when riding on Bridgestone 020's, therefore may have a hang-up about 021's too).

Looks like I'm leaning towards Z8's, they are listed as 1 of 3 tyres for the current LC RT, the other 2 being Continental RA 2GT & Michelin PR 4GT's.

Most of my riding is 2 Up +/- Luggage, mileage is a priority but not at the expense of safety & I appreciate tyres are also a personal choice.

Any help or comments from your experiences would be most welcome, thanks.

Cheers Steve, looking back at that thread, Z8's do get some good reviews etc.

Any others comments.

I've got Z8s done now 1500 miles on them and they feel good. Feel just as good as the Contis. The question is will they last longer, hope so.

Levisp wrote:I replaced my Contis at 6300 miles but could have stretched them to 7000 miles.

Will be interested in how long the Z8's last on your LC.

The Z8 is the only tyre now listed by BMW for both the Twin Cam & LC RT's, although the version code on the Front is now (M) for the LC, previously Standard.
They share the same Rear, version code (C).

"Metzeler has decided to develop the new (M) and (O) specifications to provide motorcyclists the latest technology in terms of wet grip by retaining a high level of performance in all other areas."

https://www.metzeler.com/site/uk/produc ... ion=950350

Have added a Poll, if there are any Manufacturers/Tread Patterns on your bike not listed, please post them here & they can be added, thanks.

A thread from UKGSer about 2012 RT Tyres, http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread ... 2-RT-tyres.

Avon Tyres recommend either their Storm 2 Ultra or Storm 3D X-M for a 2005 onwards RT, http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorbike/r-1200-rtst.

Reading the 2014 Motorrad Touring Motorcycle Tyre Test thread, has thrown up another manufacturer, Pirelli.

Pirelli recommend their Angel or Angel GT for a 2005 onwards RT, http://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-gb/moto ... nt#/search

I fitted Angel GT to my FJR1300 and they transformed the bike. Heavier bike than the RT, so I would think they would work well on the RT. However didn't transform the bike enough for me to keep it. Sold it for the RT 

I replaced the original Bridgestone 021's with Michelin P3's at 6000 miles. It transformed the motorcycle completely. I thought the Bridgestones were the slipperiest tires I've ever rode on. The Michelins have been rock solid in any weather and road surface for the last 7000 miles.


They still look to have plenty of tread left too which is a nice bonus!

Firenailer wrote:I replaced the original Bridgestone 021's with Michelin P3's at 6000 miles.

Michelin Pilot Road 3's added to the Poll.

Michelin Pilot Road 4GT's are currently leading the Poll (38.5%),  could this be because new bikes are being supplied with them or folks are switching manufacturers/makes for some reason.

There were two identically equipped and color bikes when I went to pick up my 2014. One had Metezler's and one had PR4s. I chose the one with the PR4s.
Might want want to add a like on the poll as to what came on the bike.

DaygloDavid wrote: Michelin Pilot Road 4GT's are currently leading the Poll (38.5%), could this be because new bikes are being supplied with them or folks are switching manufacturers/makes for some reason.

The factory over the years have tended to swap from one recommended tyre make to another at random. Its a supply thing, but for some time now they seem to supply more with Z8s.

Budman wrote:There were two identically equipped and color bikes when I went to pick up my 2014. One had Metezler's and one had PR4s. I chose the one with the PR4s.

Was there any particular reason why you chose the bike with PR4's on over the one with Metzelers, (presumably Z8's).