K11 Owners Group

Saltcreek · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject: LT tires, a follow up

I just read OTG's thread from last fall about radials:

http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5302&highlight=radial

I currently have Michelin Macadams front and rear. Two questions:

Is there consensus on the Pilot Road 2 front, Avon AV46 rear being the best combination for the LT?

My front tire (bias ply) is almost new. Can I switch to the Avon radial rear without issues and then pick up the PR2 when needed?
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject:

Not advisable. Radials and bias ply tires react differently to side loads so it's a Question

what might happen in corners....
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
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91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
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old guy old bike · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject:

I say go with Pilot Road 2's front and back.
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1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

mnb · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject:

Off the grid · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:08 am Post subject:

Do NOT mix radials and Ply, they have very different characteristics.

I had an extra set of that pair which I sold to Scott so he should be able to tell you about em too.

I loved them, see my review here:

http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5419
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
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Saltcreek · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:32 am Post subject:

I think, being unwilling to remove an almost new front tire, I will try the Pilot-Activ bias ply on the rear:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6158/ITEM/Michelin-Pilot-Activ-Rear-Tire.aspx

It's supposed to be a big improvement over the Macadam. Maybe they will wear out together next time. It comes both 130-90 and 140- 80. Can anyone explain the difference?
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Saltcreek · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:52 am Post subject:

Mystic Red · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

superchicken · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:38 am Post subject: mixing tires

Ever check out the motorcycle dark side? I have looked at the possibility of putting a car rim on the back of my RS. Mini Cooper maybe. However I need to find an adapter plate to mount to the rear drive. heheh

Friend of mine has a run flat Goodyear tire on his Goldwing. He does an anverage of 10,000 miles per month in the summers. Motorcycle tires are expensive! He is now doing 40,000 miles between tire changes.

Or can the motorcycle Tire manufactures use automotive tire compounds to make our tires?

I purchased my RS and replaced the tires with radials. 10,000 miles and the rear was worn flat in the middle. Opted for a rim from the 1200LT and now have another 15,000 miles on the bais tires.

No flat section of the back tire yet. Used to use the dunlop 491 when riding the other K bikes. i could get 30,000 miles off the rear tire!

I did read somewhere that some riders in Europe use a bais front tire with a rear radial. Just getting used to the tires and how they work, y'know?
_________________
Tim Lindstrom, ab0ts
1995 K 1100 RS
Columbia Heights, MN

Saltcreek · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:40 am Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:07 pm Post subject:

I suppose that if he had a "Goldwing Trike" he could get away with automotive tires at that mileage.
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1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Saltcreek · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject:

So I'm still thinking about this. Michelin recommends the Macadams.

The owner's manual says radial tires. What I don't get is why nobody makes front and rear radials in the right size. What were the original tires?

I'm beginning to think it may be time to replace both tires anyway based on age even with good tread.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Jim · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

I think the owner's manual spec's radials for the RT, not the LT - but I don't have the manual handy to actually look.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Phil Marvin · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject:

Saltcreek · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject:

I think I'm going to go with the Michelin Pilot Activ which they say is the upgrade to the Macadam. Still bias ply which I have become convinced was intended for the LT. Michelin says:

AUSBRICK · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:32 am Post subject: k1100 lt tires

Gidday from Aus , I've just fitted a road pilot 2 to the front of my 11 and can't believe its the same bike . Idid drop some weight off [ lower fairing for summer] and the macadam that came off was pretty stuffed but it handles the twisties heaps better. So my next question is what size fits the lt rear rim, I remember reading that a150/70 /17 rp2 will fit but I think there was mention of the rs rim which is wider ,has any one done this if so let me know cause I'm happy with the front and want a radial on the back. Thanks AUSBRICK MICK
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92k1100 lt with sidecar. 93K1100 CAFE..86K75C.95 k1100lt

Stoked Steve · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:01 pm Post subject:

I'm changing the subject a bit, to an RS question.

I currently have the original Road Pilot's on my bike and the front is getting thin. I want to replace it with a Road Pilot 2, but the rear Road Pilot still has a healthy 1/4" of tread in the middle and does not need replacing.

Can I put a Road Pilot 2 up front with Road Pilot (1?) in the rear? Any issues with this idea?
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: k1100 lt tires