Tires in UK
 

Hey there,

will make a UK-trip this summer on a quite tight schedule and will probably need to change tires on the road on our two 800 GS.

Just wondering whats customary in UK. Do BMW dealers usually have tires on stock? Can we just show up? Or do we have to order in advance? Ho long in advance?

Cheers

Lars

Most bike dealers carry very little stock of anything nowadays, including for tyres and including BMW dealers.
The good news is that there are plenty of specialist tyre fitting centres that do carry big stocks of tyres; what you will need to do is check if they will deal with motorcycles or just 4 wheel vehicles - some of the latter fit bike tyres but don't like to have bikes in their premises when they are busy and others don't do "ride in" tyre changing but only change tyres for wheels that are brought in "loose".
Others specialise in motorcycles only; I try to take my business to these places.

Hi Lars, I live in London & can highly recommend Essential Rubber at Unit 3 Barrett Industrial Park, Gillender Street, E3 3JX ( East London ). They work on a (ride in) basis and are very competitive price wise. I have used them for 10 years. I ride a BMW R1200RT & they have lots of differant tyres in stock.

I forgot to mention that some places will fit tyres that are not purchased from that supplier (with a charge for fitting of course - about £15 a wheel last time I asked).
So, you could carry your own tyres and get them fitted as and when you need and you find the right place to do it.

Good advice above about the independent motorcycle tyre specialists but if it makes a difference to you, can you remove your own wheels? some people can't or don't want to, ask if they remove wheels or only fit to loose wheels as some only do the latter although they charge a smaller or no fitting fee.

Again London based, Oval Motorcycle Centre will fit tires, although not supply them,for a small fee. They're not a bike dealer, nor garage but a place where you can work on your own bike using their benches and their tools. They will accept parcels of parts, tires, etc. for you so you could order in advance from the cheapest online supplier, Oponeo can be very cheap although their stock varies from week to week, and get everything sent there ready for your arrival and while there you can do any servicing you needed as well.

Oh and they'll give you endless tea and coffee and plenty of entertaining conversation too.

Thanks for the replies!

Since I don't know how long the tyres would have lasted, I decided to get a set of new tyres before my trip and change back to the old ones as soon as I'll be back.

The Tourance I ordered should just last for the trip

Lars

Good for you! Tyres are cheaper in Germany anyways!

Lars

That was the sensible option. Start with new ones as it's highly unlikely you'll wear them out on a trip to the UK. Just as a matter of interest, I've always used one of the Watling Tyres branches, usually the Gillingham branch, as if the correct tyre is not in stock, they can get it within 24hrs. I always take the wheels off and drive them over to the workshop and they change them whilst I wait.