Motorcycle Tyres for BMW R1200R
While BMW Motorrad pitches a different version of the R series at heavy tourers - the popular R1200GS - its naked sister, the R1200R, is hardly the kind of bike for nipping about town. This is a bike that loves the open road. Whilst top performance still matters, so does durability and all-weather versatility in the tyres.
Factory supplied tyres for a BMW R1200R motorcycle are often Continental Road Attacks or Metzeler Z6s. Continental specifically designed the Road Attacks for BMW. 120/70 ZR 17 is prescribed for the front and 180/55 ZR 17 behind, with the Continentals readily available at reasonable prices in both sizes. Watch out for the Conti Road Attack IIs, which offer a substantial performance improvement.
More recent releases of the BMW R1200R have bundles of electronic enhancements, including automatic stability control. The result is matchless stability for the bike and maximum comfort for the rider; however, the tyres remain the critical component that makes contact with the ground. With so much power in the bike, the tyres are not something to gamble with.
Choosing the right tyres for your BMW R1200R Motorcycle
For excellent performance and control in both wet and dry road conditions, the Bridgestone Battlax BT023 is a very good choice for this bike; in fact, by most accounts, it is better than the Metzeler Z6 in the wet. The BT-020 likewise offers balanced all-round performance with good cornering, weather tolerance and reasonable mileage. The Battlax makes a particularly good choice at the rear, where durability matters the most.
The Metzeler Tourance Next is designed with some mileage improvements over other Metzelers in mind. This is a tough tyre that will also tolerate a little off-road without much trouble; however, for maximum durability, Michelins are hard to beat. The Michelin Pilot range provides sensible choices for both front and back, and many are attractively priced. There are also Power Cups for both wheel diameters, or consider a Pilot Activ on the front with a Power Cup to provide some oomph behind.
Other recommended choices at the front are the Continental TKC80 and the affordable Bridgestone S21. For sheer good value, consider the Pirelli Diablo Rosso. If you have a little more to spare, the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa will be an upgrade for the front and the Pirelli Dragon is known to be a great weight-bearer for the back.
Some bikers simply demand the best performers and do not mind wading through them more often. Metzeler Racetec RR or M7s will be very hard to beat front or back.
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