Rear tire size

[Trex]

Looking at Michelin Road 5s for 2004 R1100s. Current rear tire is 170/60 17. Michelin is not offering that size. Except in a trail tire. Either a 160/60 or a 180/55 seems to be the choice. Which one fits best on the smaller (5 inch) rear rim?

[Trex]

Answering my own question - fergettabouttit. Continental has tires that fit. I'll get Road Attach 3 tires.

[sgoodwin]

Better yet get a 5.5" wheel & run 180 tires.

[850dunstall]

Originally Posted by Trex

Looking at Michelin Road 5s for 2004 R1100s. Current rear tire is 170/60 17. Michelin is not offering that size. Except in a trail tire. Either a 160/60 or a 180/55 seems to be the choice. Which one fits best on the smaller (5 inch) rear rim?

I see Fortnine has the 170 listed. (canada)

https://fortnine.ca/en/michelin-road-5-rear-tire

[spacewrench]

Originally Posted by sgoodwin

Better yet get a 5.5" wheel & run 180 tires.

Is there a less-expensive way to do this than just buying a new OEM wheel ($1176 at MaxBMW)? Just keep watching fleaBay until something comes up? Are there any known-compatible wheels that might be more plentiful?

[Groceryrun]

I just bought the Michelin Road 5 Trail 170/60/17 for the 2004 R1100S .
I’m in the process of trying to get the tire beads seated.

Looks like Bike Bandit might have a Michelin Road 5 170/60/17 -
https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/michelin-road-5-motorcycle-tire/p/59812

[sgoodwin]

Originally Posted by spacewrench

Is there a less-expensive way to do this than just buying a new OEM wheel ($1176 at MaxBMW)? Just keep watching fleaBay until something comes up? Are there any known-compatible wheels that might be more plentiful?

They come up here & beemer boneyard occasionally. Search around & you'll find one for a reasonable price. I think I paid around $150 for mine in mint condition.

[BadToTheBown]

Originally Posted by spacewrench

...buying a new OEM wheel...

IF you gotta have 180 rear tire, one will eventually turn up (sold the one I had) but I would offer you don't need it and your bike will turn easier with what you have, it could mean some mixing of tire models, and possibly even manufacturers, but my experience has not show this to be an issue...I do prefer to keep the tires within the same manufacturer with a softer version up front and harder in rear but sometimes the tire wear front and rear just don't end up around the same mileage and I mix this up to avoid buying a new tire when I have one with say half tread left I can put on so I buy a whole fresh set next...good luck...

[wiggledbits]

Originally Posted by spacewrench

Is there a less-expensive way to do this than just buying a new OEM wheel ($1176 at MaxBMW)? Just keep watching fleaBay until something comes up? Are there any known-compatible wheels that might be more plentiful?

Yes, the ABS ring are different thicknesses. Older models 2001 and earlier I think were thicker, 2002 on, again I think that is the years that differed. I was able to use an older wheel on my 04 by adding a .192" spacer at the posts behind the ring just fine. Used SS washers matched up and maintained the required gad for sensor and runout on the ring.

[sgoodwin]

There are two advantages of the 180, mostly the choice of tires multiplies by at least 100 as there is a far larger selection of 180 tires & at full boogey there's more rubber on the road particularly the edges on sport tires giving better grip & feel versus the 170's, as for quickness in transitions that changes between tires as much as sizes from what I've run.

personal opinion: ABS sucks, take 15 lbs off your bike up high & find out what great brakes you really have.

[wswartzwel]

^^^^

Yes! much better selection of tires.

[BadToTheBown]

If you shop for the wider rear wheel, advice on the ABS ring above looks good, personall decision whether or not to do without the ABS...IF you find an earlier wheel and you're running ABS, you WILL need the thicker ring (4mm thick?) or shims (again, as noted above) and I've seen them on ebay and I might have an extra if they don't...IF you find and earlier non-ABS, it's pretty close to the later model that goes either way and uses the stamped steel ABS ring, your ABS will not know the difference, but maybe that's just my experience, good luck...