BMW K100 Tires q&a

[andreitc]

Hi guys,

I own a BMW K100 which is deeply in need of a new set of tires, both front and rear.
The thing is that the motorcycle is in the process of transformation into a cafe racer / scrambler, I shall see what i came up with

And I come upon these tires that I've seen are very recommended everywhere, Continental TKC 70. I've seen they are very good on road (because I don't intend to use them for offroad / mud) and also they look very well for a cafe racer and they are not so extreme as TKC 80.

The problem is that for this motorcycle, the recommended tires dimensions are 100/90/R18 (front) and 130/90/R17 (rear) and sadly, TKC 70 are not made in this exact dimensions.

The closest dimensions they offer are: 110/80/R18 (front) and 130/80/R17 (rear). I was thinking and found that the height difference of 10% would not be such a big problem. However, I don't know what would be the difference and if it is going to be a big one regarding the width of the front tire (10 mm bigger from the standard)

The question is, what do you think? I presume there won't be any incompatibilities with the rims - I think they also support 110) - the rims are stock btw
So.. What would be the difference between the 100 and the 110 width on the front tire? Would you recommend me getting this set of tires, or look for something else? If so, what else could you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

[Nobby the Bastard]

Why are you trying to ruin a perfectly servicable bike?
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[A100man]

[Islander]

[andreitc]

Hi, don't get me wrong please, I don't want a lot of changes for this bike. I just want firstly to make it more reliable, because it is not in a wonderful state right now, and the tires need a change asap.
And because those tires look good and perform good on the street, I thought they were a good fit.

Besides those, I just want to remove the plastics, have a remade seat (because the one it currently has is ripped off and in a bad condition) and maybe new handlebars, but not for the moment (I am a begginer in motorcycling and the current handlebars will help me because they are very wide). And also, before all of these, for example, also the brake rotors needs a change (I don't think they were ever changed) and they are like $300 each, so..

That's basically what I want, so I'm not sure why you say it will perform worse on the road than it currently does.

[WD Forte]

You've stated you do not intend to go off road yet want on/off road tyres?
That is Form over Function mate
Slippery slope that , very slippery
Do you intend to 'live fast die young and leave a good looking corpse' perhaps?
(You do know those tyres were made by Satan right?)
You wanna break your mommas back when she has to lift you out of bed to clean your spazzed ass every day just cos
you had to have them fancy tyres?

You hate your mother that much ?

you people......
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[A100man]

[WD Forte]

You're a self confessed newbie so some advice.
We know you want to tinker, we all love to tinker
its part of the fun of biking
But
Build a good bike first, make it look pretty later.
After any changes, the bike must be (Function) as good as or better than before

It sounds as if the the bike needs some servicing and TLC
which as it has to be 20+ years old is understandable
and you're fixating on the appearance (Form) of the tyres.

I had the K100 RS and RT versions and hated the narrow RS bars and silly/flimsy little flip up screen so when the RT got too old and needy,
I robbed the bars, cables and screen off it and made the RS an even better, more comfy tourer.
The higher wider bars gave me so much more control at low speeds and I started to enjoy riding it around the busy, potholed, city streets.

Yep the brake discs (rotors) are horribly expensive, you may find after market alternatives cheaper
If I got another K100 dropped on me, I'd have a big list of things to check
are OK before worrying about the looks of a tyre.
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[A100man]

See this bloke George de Angelis?

https://greasengasoline.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/d95e1063-638f-4830-bb26-eae9211908e9.jpg?w=670

..he's a prick.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[A100man]

[andreitc]

Thanks for the 20-30 rows of comment just to tell me that those tires are made by 'Satan'.

Any recommended alternatives for tires for this bike, since you are saying those are bad, despite the fact that I watched almost every review I could find of them and everyone is saying that they are better on the road then a lot of alternatives which don't look like "make by Satan'? I'm insisting on this because I can't get on this bike with the actual tires, it's the first thing I have to change. I will leave the rest of changes I want to make in my own mind, because I am seeing you guys are making nasty assumptions based on a picture...

I just want your (if you have one) professional opinion.

[A100man]

[WD Forte]

[A100man]

Ghey and prowd.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[sickpup]

Didn't the K75 and K100 have a specific rear tyre made for them by Metzler to cure the inherent stability issue they all had? i.e the terrible handling.

[stinkwheel]

I'd imagine Avon Roadriders would work pretty well in those sizes, a good road tyre.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MCN]

BMW have a Massive Erection for Metzler on their machines.

I have Metzler on my S1000RR no issues. Tried Continental Not impressed.

R1200GS Metzlers 100% perfect on that bike. Conti Trail Attack lasted 3000 miles and were bald. Metzler on the same machines eaily got 7000+.

Always had Metzler on the K1300 but hard band ripped off three tyres near to 75% wear.

I fitted Michelin to the k1300. Far better tyres.

Grip and High Mileage do not like each other.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[MCN]

[to v or not to v]

[stinkwheel]

Anyway, I don't know why everyone is so down on someone wanting to take an enormous, heavy, shaft-drive BMW with odd styling and fit knobbly tyres to it in a pretence of it having some offroad capability.

That makes up 90% of BMWs current sales.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MCN]

[Islander]

[stinkwheel]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[temeluchus]

I had good experiences with the Metzeler Lasertec tyres on the K series. They also look vaguely like knobblies if you want to follow the horrendous fashion for ruining bikes.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!