BMW Boxer Conversions: Which Tires Fit and What Am I Allowed to Ride?
Tires play a crucial role in BMW 2-valve conversions. However, I don't want to go into the evaluation of individual tire types and brands here. As a rule, the reason for fitting scrambler tires is not that people want to ride off-road. It should be clear to everyone that a low-profile sport tire always performs better than a 4.50 Shinko bias-ply tire or a TKC80 scrambler tire.
For tire conversions, especially when changing the size, there are generally no expert reports or clearance certificates from BMW or the tire companies for the old Boxers. Here, the TÜV (Technical Inspection Association) is required to check the tires for their suitability in conjunction with the respective motorcycle. The registration then takes place through individual inspection. Fortunately, there are many TÜV inspection engineers who have a great affinity for motorcycles and have the necessary expertise to evaluate such a conversion and ultimately approve it. You need such an inspector!
However, there are unfortunately also inspectors who do not want to take on this responsibility and do not want to make any entries without an expert report or a clearance certificate. If the vehicle is a 300 km/h S1000RR, I can still show some understanding. But not with our beloved BMW 2-valvers, which are miles away from such speed ranges. If you come across such an inspection engineer, I would recommend you to stop and consult another TÜV office.
But even if you have found a competent inspector, there are rules that you must observe.The tire size must match the rim size. As a rule, the tire manufacturers specify in their technical tables which rim dimensions are required for the tire in question.The speed index of the tires must be at least 10 km/h higher than the maximum speed specified in the documents.An exception applies to M&S tires. These winter tires are approved for a maximum of 160 km/h and may also be fitted to vehicles whose registered maximum speed is higher. A marking, "Max. 160km/h" must be affixed to the speedometer (sticker). The clearance of the tires must be ensured. Here we assume a minimum distance of vehicle components sideways to the tire of 5mm. Lengthwise, it must be noted that the tire grows at higher speeds. Here we pay attention to a minimum distance of 10mm.Here is a list of tire combinations that we install on our SE Concept Bikes. As mentioned, we install these tires and then have the complete vehicles approved by our TÜV inspection center. However, this list does not guarantee that your local TÜV office will behave in the same way. So it's better to discuss it with them before installation.
BMW Paralever R80R R100R models 1991-1996:
Original tire size: front 110/80-18 and rear 140/80 – 17
Possible Scrambler Tires:
front 110/80-18, rear 140/80-17
Bridgestone BT 41 M&S
Continental TKC 80 M&S
Continental TKC70 M&S
Heidenau K60 M&S
Michelin Anakee M&S
Pirelli MT90 up to 180km/h
Possible Road Tires:
front 110/80-18, rear 140/80-17
Bridgestone BT45
Bridgestone BT46
Continental ContiGo
Metzeler Lasertec
BMW Monolever R80/100 models 1984-1995:
Original tire size: front 90/90-18 and rear 120/90-18
Possible Scrambler Tires:
front 110/80-18, rear 140/80-18
Continental TKC 80 M&S
Heidenau K 60 M&S
Michelin Anakee M&S
Pirelli MT 90 up to 180km/h
Possible Road Tires:
front 110/80-18, rear 130/80-18
Bridgestone BT46
Continental ContiGo
Metzeler Lasertec
Michelin Road Classic
Pirelli Sport Demon
Alternatively Bias-ply Tires:
front
Shinko E270 4.00-18
Shinko E-270 4.50-18
rear:
Shinko E270 4.00-18
Shinko E-270 4.50-18
BMW Twinshock R80/100 models 1976-1984:
Original tire size: front 3.25-19 and rear 4.00-18
Possible Scrambler Tires:
front 110/80-19, rear 120/90-18
Continental TKC 80 M&S
Heidenau K 60 M&S
Bridgestone AX 41 M&S
Possible Road Tires:
front 100/90-19, rear 120/90-18
Bridgestone BT46
Continental ContiGo
Michelin Road Classic
Pirelli Sport Demon
Alternatively Bias-ply Tires:
front
Shinko E270 4.00-19
rear:
Shinko E270 4.00-18
For tire conversions, especially when changing the size, there are generally no expert reports or clearance certificates from BMW or the tire companies for the old Boxers. Here, the TÜV (Technical Inspection Association) is required to check the tires for their suitability in conjunction with the respective motorcycle. The registration then takes place through individual inspection. Fortunately, there are many TÜV inspection engineers who have a great affinity for motorcycles and have the necessary expertise to evaluate such a conversion and ultimately approve it. You need such an inspector!
However, there are unfortunately also inspectors who do not want to take on this responsibility and do not want to make any entries without an expert report or a clearance certificate. If the vehicle is a 300 km/h S1000RR, I can still show some understanding. But not with our beloved BMW 2-valvers, which are miles away from such speed ranges. If you come across such an inspection engineer, I would recommend you to stop and consult another TÜV office.
But even if you have found a competent inspector, there are rules that you must observe.The tire size must match the rim size. As a rule, the tire manufacturers specify in their technical tables which rim dimensions are required for the tire in question.The speed index of the tires must be at least 10 km/h higher than the maximum speed specified in the documents.An exception applies to M&S tires. These winter tires are approved for a maximum of 160 km/h and may also be fitted to vehicles whose registered maximum speed is higher. A marking, "Max. 160km/h" must be affixed to the speedometer (sticker). The clearance of the tires must be ensured. Here we assume a minimum distance of vehicle components sideways to the tire of 5mm. Lengthwise, it must be noted that the tire grows at higher speeds. Here we pay attention to a minimum distance of 10mm.Here is a list of tire combinations that we install on our SE Concept Bikes. As mentioned, we install these tires and then have the complete vehicles approved by our TÜV inspection center. However, this list does not guarantee that your local TÜV office will behave in the same way. So it's better to discuss it with them before installation.
BMW Paralever R80R R100R models 1991-1996:
Original tire size: front 110/80-18 and rear 140/80 – 17
Possible Scrambler Tires:
front 110/80-18, rear 140/80-17
Bridgestone BT 41 M&S
Continental TKC 80 M&S
Continental TKC70 M&S
Heidenau K60 M&S
Michelin Anakee M&S
Pirelli MT90 up to 180km/h
Possible Road Tires:
front 110/80-18, rear 140/80-17
Bridgestone BT45
Bridgestone BT46
Continental ContiGo
Metzeler Lasertec
BMW Monolever R80/100 models 1984-1995:
Original tire size: front 90/90-18 and rear 120/90-18
Possible Scrambler Tires:
front 110/80-18, rear 140/80-18
Continental TKC 80 M&S
Heidenau K 60 M&S
Michelin Anakee M&S
Pirelli MT 90 up to 180km/h
Possible Road Tires:
front 110/80-18, rear 130/80-18
Bridgestone BT46
Continental ContiGo
Metzeler Lasertec
Michelin Road Classic
Pirelli Sport Demon
Alternatively Bias-ply Tires:
front
Shinko E270 4.00-18
Shinko E-270 4.50-18
rear:
Shinko E270 4.00-18
Shinko E-270 4.50-18
BMW Twinshock R80/100 models 1976-1984:
Original tire size: front 3.25-19 and rear 4.00-18
Possible Scrambler Tires:
front 110/80-19, rear 120/90-18
Continental TKC 80 M&S
Heidenau K 60 M&S
Bridgestone AX 41 M&S
Possible Road Tires:
front 100/90-19, rear 120/90-18
Bridgestone BT46
Continental ContiGo
Michelin Road Classic
Pirelli Sport Demon
Alternatively Bias-ply Tires:
front
Shinko E270 4.00-19
rear:
Shinko E270 4.00-18