Big Trip Tyres

[Phil_ur_up]

Hi all,

I'm embarking on an extensive tour of Europe and Turkey and I'm currently prepping my BMW F800ST for this.

I figure it's better to fit new tyres before going, though my Bridgestone Battlax's have plenty of wear left by looks. 

I'm looking for long distance tyres primarily, and I reckon good quality distance tyres will still allow me to enjoy the twisties especially as an older rider who's not looking to scrape the pegs.

I'm hoping that some of you guyz have done a lot of miles on various tyres and can give real life mileage wear info.

I'm currently considering Metzeler Roadtec Z8's though I see a lot of praise for the Michelin Pilot Road 4's

Also, as a sub-topic I'm thinking that using Slime, or another prevent puncture liquid, could be a time and trouble saver. What are your thoughts on these liquids?

Thanks

[RideWithStyles]

Hi.

 

Yes fit new before leaving.

 

 

Edited October 8, 2024 by RideWithStyles
Autocorrect

[bonio]

PR4s should do you fine. Any touring tyre should be ok tbh, but I've always like d PR4s when I've used them. I've never used Metzeler, so can't really comment.

Don't use slime; get a proper motorcycle puncture repair kit - get strings, not mushrooms - and a small electric tyre inflator.

[husoi]

Probably you will find cheaper tyres in some of the countries you're going.

Why spend more on new ones if you can still much the ones you have? 

Unless you're going from city to city each day you probably can get them without disturbing your tour

[Stu]

I have used all of the Pilot Road range with great success! excellent grip wet or dry and good wear rate too 

 

As for slime its a massive no from me! this stuff will corrode alloy over time as I have found out the hard way! granted you probably won't be leaving it in the tyres that long and a lot of tyre fitters will refuse to change your tyres if you too 

[Fish]

I'd look to go Road 6's, last longer and better grip, even in biblical rain.

[Steve_M]

5 hours ago, husoi said:

Probably you will find cheaper tyres in some of the countries you're going.

Why spend more on new ones if you can still much the ones you have? 

Unless you're going from city to city each day you probably can get them without disturbing your tour

I had, probably, around 2,000 miles of wear left on my tyres before I embarked on our little jaunt on the continent. I put new on on the basis that i didn’t want to waste touring time while away, and I’ve had punctures on well worn tyres in the past (may be coincidental). The bike was ridden for 3050 miles, so I feel it was a good decision.

 

Oh, and the tyres are PR6 Trails to replace the PR5 Trails which had done around 6,000 miles.

 

Slime - avoid! 

[Phil_ur_up]

Thanks all for your prompt and great response!

So, slime is out then, didn't know about alloy corrosion. I planned on taking a repair kit anyway and I'll look for the string type there.

I have researched buying new tyres in Europe or Turkey but it seems the only potentially cheaper than home options come with a greater risk of "fake" brand name tyres, so I don't feel it's wise to risk that.

I checked out the Michelin PR 6's and I'm now thinking they're the way to go.

Although I didn't mention it in my O P, the idea is to head south through Portugal then across toward Istanbul for the 90 day limit, staying as far south as possible to get the best weather through winter. I'm taking camping kit and will probably be doing quite a lot of camping where the weather permits. So, the fact that the PR 6's list "Trail" in their description, and looking at the extra chunkiness of the tread, should I need to access dirt roads or farm tracks, I could probably do that a lot easier on the PR 6 than any other "Touring" tyre I've seen so far.

Of course, the F800 isn't built for off roading at all but the better looking chunky tread could well allow me to access more potential camp spots.

Thanks again all, I came to exactly the right place for sound advice.

[Steve_M]

1 hour ago, Phil_ur_up said:

Thanks all for your prompt and great response!

So, slime is out then, didn't know about alloy corrosion. I planned on taking a repair kit anyway and I'll look for the string type there.

I have researched buying new tyres in Europe or Turkey but it seems the only potentially cheaper than home options come with a greater risk of "fake" brand name tyres, so I don't feel it's wise to risk that.

I checked out the Michelin PR 6's and I'm now thinking they're the way to go.

Although I didn't mention it in my O P, the idea is to head south through Portugal then across toward Istanbul for the 90 day limit, staying as far south as possible to get the best weather through winter. I'm taking camping kit and will probably be doing quite a lot of camping where the weather permits. So, the fact that the PR 6's list "Trail" in their description, and looking at the extra chunkiness of the tread, should I need to access dirt roads or farm tracks, I could probably do that a lot easier on the PR 6 than any other "Touring" tyre I've seen so far.

Of course, the F800 isn't built for off roading at all but the better looking chunky tread could well allow me to access more potential camp spots.

Thanks again all, I came to exactly the right place for sound advice.

I’m not sure but I suspect “trail” is more about marketing to those of us with pretentious bikes… sorry, I mean big adventure bikes that will never go deliberately off road.
 

Having said that, I expect to get around 9,000 miles from a set on my GS much of which is done two up and fully laden with luggage. So mileage shouldn’t be a major isssue.

[bonio]

Agree. PRs aren't off road in any sense. They'll be fine on gravel roads but in not much use in mud or sand. If youre going to keep to thw south winter youre problem will be how to get over the mountains.

[Phil_ur_up]

Thanks guyz,

Reassuring to hear an expected 9,000 miles. Is that based on previous wear experience?

Just on the depth of tread alone, the PR 6 is the nearest thing I've seen to what we used to call semi-off road back in the day and I am only imaging farm tracks or forestry roads maybe and preferably dry too.

As to getting over the mountains, probably like two hedgehogs mating, very slowly and very carefully.

[Steve_M]

35 minutes ago, Phil_ur_up said:

Thanks guyz,

Reassuring to hear an expected 9,000 miles. Is that based on previous wear experience?

Just on the depth of tread alone, the PR 6 is the nearest thing I've seen to what we used to call semi-off road back in the day and I am only imaging farm tracks or forestry roads maybe and preferably dry too.

As to getting over the mountains, probably like two hedgehogs mating, very slowly and very carefully.

I usually change my tyres when the rear has 2mm of tread remaining - well before the legal requirement - and have got 8,000 miles from a set , so I would expect 9,000 from them. Generally this mileage will include a two-up, fully laden tour of about 3,000 miles. I’m not the most aggressive throttle jockey or heavy brake user so that might be a consideration.

 

The most off-road I’ve been with the PR’s is Kielder Drive. Passable on most road bikes, I’m told, so probably not a yardstick for judging off-roading capability.

 

[Phil_ur_up]

Thanks Steve,

Very reassuring news on the wear stats. I've got a ballpark figure of 10,000 miles round trip and although I will be laden, I'm solo and my gear's all lightweight.

I'm also not a throttle jockey and pride myself on road reading to avoid excessive braking so I should be good for that 10K hopefully.

I don't know about your 1200GS but I've been impressed by how much engine braking I get with the F800, maybe coz it's fuel injected?, allied to sitting up in the wind and reading the road means I very rarely have to brake hard at all.

I've got a mate lives on a wild Welsh hilltop where I plan to check out the off road capabilities of the PR 6's when fitted, should be interesting.

Nice pic btw, is that Kielder Drive? Also, is that derelict buildings behind or modern art? Hard to tell nowadays.

[Steve_M]

8 hours ago, Phil_ur_up said:

Thanks Steve,

Very reassuring news on the wear stats. I've got a ballpark figure of 10,000 miles round trip and although I will be laden, I'm solo and my gear's all lightweight.

I'm also not a throttle jockey and pride myself on road reading to avoid excessive braking so I should be good for that 10K hopefully.

I don't know about your 1200GS but I've been impressed by how much engine braking I get with the F800, maybe coz it's fuel injected?, allied to sitting up in the wind and reading the road means I very rarely have to brake hard at all.

I've got a mate lives on a wild Welsh hilltop where I plan to check out the off road capabilities of the PR 6's when fitted, should be interesting.

Nice pic btw, is that Kielder Drive? Also, is that derelict buildings behind or modern art? Hard to tell nowadays.

It’s an art installation on Kielder DrIve.

 

Edited October 7, 2024 by Steve_M

[Phil_ur_up]

Thanks Steve, great info.