rear tire size

Post by **Acpantera** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:43 pm

Has anyone put on a 180/55 instead of the 170/60 it seams the BMW is mounting the 180's on 5"rims on many bikes....any clearance problems on the roadsters with the wider sneaker?

Post by **baltm604** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:02 pm

I have never mounted a bigger tire, but the avon st46 is a snug fit. I have to deflate the tire and wiggle it past the exhaust to get in on.

Bill

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:30 am

You need the 5 1/2" rim to fit the 180 tire...IMO.

The Roadster has a 5" rim....and 170 tire max.

The other BMW's that have a 180 tire all have the 5 1/2" rim.

DJ

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:28 am

From what I've seen, most tire manuf. specs fall in line with what was said above: 5" wheel, 170 max tire.

I think if you go with a 180 on the 5" wheel you will get an odd tire profile that may upset the overall handling of the bike.

deptom · Post by **deptom** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:07 am

Part of the deal I got with our local BMW bike dealer when I purchased my 02 Roadster was I would get a set of brand new tires and a battery at no cost to me.

A couple of days ago, the Bridgestone tires arrived and though the right size came for the front (120x70x17), a size 180x55x17 was delivered for the rear. Though the 180's made the bike look more sporty, it was scraping the stock end can when tested.

They then ordered a set of Metzelers, this time with a 170 for the rear.

Post by **Acpantera** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:33 pm

DJ if you ck BMW's spec on the web the RT and the ST both have 180/55 on 5" rims but the rock lists the 180/55 on a 5.5 . The reson that I ask is tht some tires don't come in the 170 (conti road attack). but it seems that the 180 may rub on the muffler as posted by others........any other folks with this tire ex please chime in I know actual size sometimes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

beemerphile · Post by **beemerphile** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:32 pm

I have the 180/55x17 tire on my R1150 Roadster, but I changed to a 5.5 inch wheel from a R1100S. No clearance problems. - Lee

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:54 pm

DJ if you ck BMW's spec on the web the RT and the ST both have 180/55 on 5" rims but the rock lists the 180/55 on a 5.5 .

I think you will find that it's a miss print or mistake on BMW's behalf.

I may be wrong but I think that's the case...I'm pretty sure the Rock,S,ST,RT,K bikes and even the new F800 all have a 5 1/2" wheel.

Also...I think that because we have a 5" standard and a spacer...if you fit a 5 1/2" wheel you take out the spacer...if you leave it in it will not fit..some people have made this mistake.

The answer to your question about will it fit or rub the exhaust..I think it will fit...

btw...even the new K1200R (Beast) comes in two models..one with the 5 1/2" wheel and one with the 6" wheel so you can run a 190.

DJ

Post by **Acpantera** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:15 pm

a type o would make sense, but they made the same mistake several times. I guess I'll play it safe and stick with the 170....maybe in an Avon. I would like to stay with the michelins but I vowed to boycot them eversince they hosed me at the US Grandprix. Thanks for the help.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:12 am

DJ Downunder wrote:Also...I think that because we have a 5" standard and a spacer...if you fit a 5 1/2" wheel you take out the spacer...if you leave it in it will not fit..some people have made this mistake.
DJ

So that's what the spacer is for?

wardieone · Post by **wardieone** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:48 am

If you want to go to a 180/55 ZR17 you will need the rim from a R110S or a Rockster. Both have 5 1/2" rear wheels. Check out Chicago BMW 20% off on a $500 wheel is $100! Any reason why you need the bigger rubber? Wardieone

peterbulgar · Post by **peterbulgar** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:50 pm

Thanks for the cost info of a wheel from Chicago BMW, wardieone.

The only reason that I would want a larger rear wheel is to take advantage of the far greater availability of the 180/55 tire size as opposed to the slightly oddball 170/60 stock size - something to think about if you travel a lot.
peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA

beemerphile · Post by **beemerphile** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:49 pm

DJ Downunder wrote:Also...I think that because we have a 5" standard and a spacer...if you fit a 5 1/2" wheel you take out the spacer...if you leave it in it will not fit..some people have made this mistake.

I don't remember a spacer. Where is it fitted? - Lee

Post by **wncbmw** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:30 pm

Ditto the comment on the tight fit of Avons in a 170. Mine barely cleared and was a bear to install! Metzler seems easier for some reason.

Post by **challey** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:49 pm

DJ Downunder wrote:
Also...I think that because we have a 5" standard and a spacer...if you fit a 5 1/2" wheel you take out the spacer...if you leave it in it will not fit..some people have made this mistake.

I don't remember a spacer. Where is it fitted? - Lee

There is a spacer shown in the manual but when I removed my rear wheel last week, there was nothing there. The only other time the wheel was removed was last summer when the dealer put new tires on. Could they have forgotten to put it back in place? Obviously, the bike works without it - I have put about 2,000 miles on since I got the new tires - what are the long term effects of not having the spacer in place?
Charlie

Post by **Acpantera** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:50 pm

I've had my wheel assy off many times and I don't recall any spacer either?......on another reply the only reason why I wanted info on the 180 is because it is a more popular size when offered in tire packages.....always ck'n for the best deal you know.....

Post by **challey** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:39 am

I phoned my shop, who tell me that there is indeed supposed to be a spacer there, at least for my 2003 R. They insist there's no way they forgot to put the spacer back but since this is the first time the wheel's been off since they mounted new tires, well let's just say that I'm sceptical. In any event I've ordered a new spacer ($10.50) and will replace it myself but wonder if I need to be concerned about any damage or uneven wear from running without it?

Post by **Acpantera** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:25 pm

How thick is this spacer? and I'm the only one who has ever had the rear wheel off, so Im sure nothing has fallen out unless the spacer is stuck to the drve and I never noticed it. If the spacer was missing would it cause the tire to rub on the drive housing?

Post by **challey** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:33 pm

I'm told the spacer is about 1/8" thick. My tire doesn't rub without it (MEZ6) but that may not be the case for all. The shop says the spacer is for tracking, so not having it in place means that rear wheel is offset to the right by the width of the spacer. Not sure if this is enough to affect the handling - in my case, I haven't noticed anything funny. The shop also said that it's common for it to fuse to the wheel or the drive assy (not the case for me) but I think you'd pretty easily notice it if that were the case.

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