Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Having Problems with your BMW R1200RT/R1250RT? or have some Maintenance and Service questions?
Post Reply
georgiarcoach
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2022 3:58 pm
Bike Model and Year: 2018 R1200ŔT
United States of America

Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Post by georgiarcoach »

Wondering if anyone has an opinion as to why I am only getting around 4000 mi out of my front tires. I realize this is a broad question with many variables but I am getting really crappy mileage. When I bought the bike I was delighted to see it had new Pirelli Angels on it as I had run these on my FJR (whose front end seems heavier than the RT) and got around 6K. I was really disappointed when it was shot at just over 4K. So I now have a Dunlop RSIII and am seeing similar results---at 2600 mi I am down to 2.5 to 3/ 32's left, so 4000 might be a stretch.

My riding is mostly in N. Georgia where we have lots of hills and twisties and I am mildly aggressive I guess, but no more so than many I ride with, all of whom seem to get better tire wear on their bikes, RT's included. I keep an eye on my pressure and run 38 or so in the front and do not have any balance or front end issues (that I am aware of).

Just wondering what many of you other riders of this bike are averaging for front and rear mileages and what experience you have had. Most of the tire reviews are based on handling moreso than longevity, so those have not been helpful in this regard.

Puzzled in North Georgia..........
User avatar
Randyjaco
Posts: 185
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2021 3:18 am
Location: Friendswood, Texas, USA
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2017
Has liked: 36 times
Been liked: 38 times
United States of America

Re: Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Post by Randyjaco »

Regardless of the brand/type tire you are using. That is unacceptable tire wear unless you are in full race mode. Are your back tires getting the same type of mileage? If not, you have a major problem. With the type of driving you say that you are driving. The back tires should be wearing faster. My fronts are running @10k miles and the backs @6-7k. I ride a lot of Texas back roads at a pretty serious clip.
My current front tire actually has 13K on it.

I would first check to see that your front wheel is running free and true. You should eliminate the possibility of bad bearings, dragging brakes and improperly assembled axel. What is mfg date of those tires? I am sure that others will chime in soon.
Good luck, and tell us what you find out.
Last edited by Randyjaco on Tue Sep 19, 2023 1:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
sakm
Administrator
Posts: 1327
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:13 pm
Location: Hull, UK
Bike Model and Year: 2016 R1200RT
Has liked: 453 times
Been liked: 398 times
Great Britain

Re: Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Post by sakm »

This is certainly an odd one!

I have 8k on the front on a Michelin Road 6GT which is only about half worn I also run 38psi in the front
beemrdon
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2023 4:22 am
Bike Model and Year: BMW 1200 RT, 2015
United States of America

Re: Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Post by beemrdon »

Hello folks. I just got rid of a 1996 K1100 LT SE which I rode for 10 plus years. It weighs just a little more than the 2015 RT that I just bought. I have run Michelin (pilot) Road tires for the whole time I had the K1100 bike. The last 3pair I got over 13,000 miles per pair. I can't see why I can't get that mileage with the RT. :?:
beemrdon
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2023 4:22 am
Bike Model and Year: BMW 1200 RT, 2015
United States of America

Re: Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Post by beemrdon »

I forgot to say that I ran 40psi front and 42 psi rear.
User avatar
Steve398
Posts: 734
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2019 8:41 pm
Location: West Sussex, UK
Bike Model and Year: R1200RTLC, 2018
Has liked: 280 times
Been liked: 239 times
Isle of Wight

Re: Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Post by Steve398 »

I also run 38f/42r on 6GT’s, no problem on excessive front tyre wear
Last edited by Steve398 on Tue Oct 24, 2023 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Doctor T
Posts: 1670
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:21 pm
Location: west sussex
Bike Model and Year: 2007 R1200RT SE
Has liked: 909 times
Been liked: 239 times
Great Britain

Re: Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Post by Doctor T »

I have MK1 Angle GT fitted to my RT. So far ive covered over 4,000 miles and going by the wear rate i should be on 10,000 miles before the front needs to change. Am a heavy front breaker and ride like a sports bike sometimes. Ive found single compound front tyres seem to last longer and as they wear down you don't get the high center patch that you get with multi-compound tyres.
The previous pair were RoadTec 01 and they wore out in 4,000 miles
36f/42r
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
Tenequip
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 12:02 am
Location: Ford City, PA USA
Bike Model and Year: 2022 R1250RT
Has liked: 8 times
Been liked: 8 times
United States of America

Re: Front Tire Wear 2018 R1200RT

Post by Tenequip »

It seems you have a problem with your front wheel, assuming your back tire is not doing the same thing. I see some others here
have mentioned looking at the bearings and races which is correct. I would check to see if the wheel is running straight. Put the bike on the center stand and spin the front wheel to see if it wobbles. If it does you probably need a new front wheel.
Tenequip
Post Reply