Re: A question on rear tire fitment

["David E.B. Smith" <davidebsmith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 5/20/2005 8:44 AM, Davis Eichelberger wrote:
> Mick wrote:
> 
>> At 11:25 PM 5/19/2005 -0400, RSRiding@xxxxxxx wrote:
>>
>>> 'heads,
>>>
>>> There is a rear wheel on ebay for an R11S (5" rim). A 17" incher 
>>> would give
>>> me some options for my '94 RS that I don't have with the 18" stock 
>>> rim (I'd
>>> like to be able to use a Metlzer ME880 in the upcoming Iron Butt 
>>> Rally, but there
>>> isn't a bias version in an 18" size)
>>>
>>> Would a rim for the R11S fit on a '94 RS without causing undue distress?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Geoffrey,
>>   You need the rear 5" wheel off of an early K1200RS (this is what I 
>> use on
>> my '96 R11RT) or one from an early K1200LT.  I too like running the 
>> ME-880
>> bias ply tires and this is exactly why I switched.  I think I paid 
>> $175 for the
>> rear wheel, watch ibmwr.org/marketplace and ebay.
>>   I'm running the 120X70X17 front and 160X70X17 rear ME-880s
>>
>>
>>
> I was going to make the same switch and put a K12RS rim on, but the 
> ME-880 is now available in the correct 160/60-18 so there is no need to 
> buy a new rim to run these tires.  If you have another reason to switch 
> rims, you definately want a K12 rim not a R11S rim.
> 
>  

According to Tom Austin's presentation at the IBA meet in Omaha, the 
bias ply ME880 has significantly longer life than the radial ME880. On 
my RT, I calculate that the radial ME880s (with 18" rear) will last 
about 10K miles. Not quite enough for the IBR. There's no bias-ply ME880 
for the 18" rear of the R1100RT/RS, so to run bias-plys, you'd have to 
switch to the K12 rim (with the appropriate lug bolts). That's my plan, 
anyway.

- -- 
David E.B. Smith * Chicago IL 393 455 * BMWMOA BMWRA IBA AMA ABATE
1997 R1100RT Sine(us) Blue "No name" * Illinois IBMWR plate * 01, 03 IBR
1999 F650 Black (hers - no, really)
1999 Subaru Forester S "also a Boxer"
http://www.davidebsmith.org

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