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Brand and tire life on the R18

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1758297946#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Gilles
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BobW said:
Don't get hung up on the "cruiser" label for bike nor tire. The R18 is a heavy, heavy bike and the OEM specs the tire requirements and then in this case Michelin recommends the "Touring" version of the Commander III rather the "Cruiser" carcass.

This is much like the Michelin "Road 6 v. Road 6GT" where one could likely have no issues with either offering on a bike like the K1600 or even R12XXRT models that spec the GT carcass when at less than maximum demands (temps, load weight, sustained speeds, etc.), but unless I had no choice the very few dollars difference in price would not be any real savings and I trust the engineers at both BMW and Michelin calculated all these factors when determining their recommended tire. BTW the "Road" series of tires were part of the "Pilot Road" series for ever until the 6s came along and they dropped the "Pilot" from it's labeling and we see name changes in all the Brands more for marketing than contributing to the performance per se.

YRMV
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The last tires made by Michelin with the name Pilot, are the Pilot Road 4 GTs. Road 5's, Road 5GT's, Road 6's and Road 6 GT's do not have the name "Pilot" anywhere in the name. I know, sorry for being such an anal nitpicker, but been shopping for tires for my 1250 RT, which came with Road 5 GT's. 10,700 miles on them and still 3/32" rear, 2/32" front tread depth. Might swap them out anyways before the rainy season gets here in the spring.

There's no way I'd run these on the R18's, the weight increase is just too great. Even Dunlop Roadsmart 4's under the weight of a k1600 GTL suffers in longevity, and they are supposedly one of the very best for the K1600's in terms of longevity. Road 6 tires are more for lots of riding in the rain. Road 5's are little bit better in dry conditions, and Pilot Road 4's are what law enforcement runs on their 1250 RT Police models, all day long....
 
If you go on Michelin's site and plug in your bike, it will make a recommendation. For the 2023 Classic, it's the Commander III Touring for the front & rear.

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