Tires

[daytonaredeye]

In the market for a new set; the stock Metzelers lookin' a little slick. Not sure if I want to replace with Metzelers although that is what my dealer is pushing; any recommendations? I hear the name Bridgestone Battlax and Avons quite frequently in motorcycle circles. Mostly local commuting and occasional long distance trips. Only 7500 mi.

Thanks,

Curt

[philbytx]

Have ME880's on my R1150RT and they do well on the chip and seal roads here in TX, especially two-up.
However, after doing some research, I recently put a set of Conti Road Attacks on the R1100R and am really sold on them. After 1500 miles, I have no chicken strips on front or rear and they stick like crap to a blanket. They communicate very well with a quick turn in and roll into the corners...almost feels like the back is loose the first time this happens but now that I am used to the feel of them I have great confidence in the tyres.

[OU812]

How are the Conti's holding up after many miles? I put the 880's on my RT only to get as many miles as poss. Had them on my LT and they seemed to wear slowly.

[daytonaredeye]

Philbytx,

What exactly are the "chicken strips" you reference? May try Contis next change; I ended up going with the Metzlers as they were in stock and I had small window of opportunity to get this done. Am going in next week to get new steering damper installed (see separate thread), brake line bled and annual service. Dang, can't seem to walk out of that dealership under $500...

West Ga.

[Arbee]

Philbytx,

What exactly are the "chicken strips" you reference?

A chicken strip is the unused portion of the tyre, as pointed out right where the nail exits the tyre
this was one of mine on the R6, the red circle indicates where the nail was hitting on the chain and wore it down
WTF i said...

cheers arbee

[OU812]

Nice pic Arbee. Looks like that tire retired before its time.

[OU812]

Philbytx,

What exactly are the "chicken strips" you reference? May try Contis next change; I ended up going with the Metzlers as they were in stock and I had small window of opportunity to get this done. Am going in next week to get new steering damper installed (see separate thread), brake line bled and annual service. Dang, can't seem to walk out of that dealership under $500...

West Ga.

BMW= Big Money Wasted or Bring Major Wad.

[daytonaredeye]

BMW= Big Money Wasted or Bring Major Wad.

Ain't it the truth OU812!!!

[philbytx]

I see someone answered the Chicken Strip question

As far as replacing the steering damper, its a piece of cake and takes 20 minutes, the brakes are a doddle to bleed, even with ABS and what exectly is an annual service and what does it entail?
Doing a valve adjust and TB synch on a BMW is fairly brain dead and you could save so much money by buying a manual and tools and DIY. Honest, it's not that difficult.

Philbytx,

What exactly are the "chicken strips" you reference? May try Contis next change; I ended up going with the Metzlers as they were in stock and I had small window of opportunity to get this done. Am going in next week to get new steering damper installed (see separate thread), brake line bled and annual service. Dang, can't seem to walk out of that dealership under $500...

West Ga.

BMW= Big Money Wasted or Bring Major Wad.

[daytonaredeye]

As far as I know, the "annual service" will entail oil and filter change, TB check, ? valve check. After looking up the part (steering damper) on the Beemer boneyard page, looked like only 3 attachment points and, I agree, I prob could have done that easily myself. I guess I really shouldn't complain much, though, as this will only be the 5th or 6th time I've had the bike back at the dealer in the 8+ years I've owned it - the most major of those visits to have my bike repaired after I wrecked it Jan. '07. It it still low mileage (<8 K miles) and I really don't ride enough to invest in the tools and manuals to do a lot of DIY projects. The one (and only major) project I undertook myself was the cannisterectomy/installation of a GIVI top case right after purchase; I did one oil change (engine and final drive) on my own (no filter change) and installed throttlemeister bar ends last year but I don't consider those to be major projects. Undertaking a lot of acticities with my bike this year and seems every part/apparel with the name "BMW" jacks up the price another $100 or so!! I vow to keep away from the dealer for another 2 years (or until I reach another "service point", which shouldn't be until 12k mi) so as to not be sold another service or part which I do not personally identify as needed or necessary; as I said earlier, I had no idea the steering damper was "shot" until told by the dealer. Is there a BMW Anonymous out there?

[daytonaredeye]

For those that are interested, after reviewing these posts, I looked up "chicken strips" in Wikipedia and they actually have a full entry describing this finding as it relates to motorcycle tires:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_st ... cle_tires)