Hi y'all,
I just responded to a local ad for a lightly used set of Metzelers. The front is a Lasertec 100/90-18 so no trouble there but the rear is a ME-Z2 130/80-17.
I think it will fit? I'm waiting for a call back on the date code and if it's less than four or so years I can see going wrong for $100.00 usd. 
And just as I was going to order a set of Battleaxes.....
See any issues?
Rob

G'day Rob , the rear tyre on offer is a little small , rear should be 130/90/17 sitting on a 2.75 inch rim

get new tyre's

JR

been hacking at the tire calculator and tire width 130/80 or 130/90 is 5.12" regardless. The Beemer manual offers an alternative tire of 140/80-17 which gives a width of 5.51"
ergo any tire between 5.15" and 5.51" in width is fine on the 2.75" stock rim. The difference in circumference/ height is less so that only affects the speedo (like that's accurate)
so I think I'm good to go! 
If I'm wrong and the tire flies of at speed I'll leave a note for my heirs to inform you of my mistake.
Cheers,
Rob

G'day Rob , when I referred to the tyre as being small I did mean the height , sorry , yes your speedo will be out plus your gearing will be slightly lower , you will be pulling more rev's for a given speed

JR

I value my life far too much to bother trying to save a few bucks and risk riding on second hand tyres.
The 80% height will hardly make any difference over the 90% height, but might make the handling a but more sure footed due to less sidewall flex. The tyre beads will be exactly the same size on both the 80 and 90.

k-wopper wrote:. . . The Beemer manual offers an alternative tire of 140/80-17 which gives a width of 5.51"
ergo any tire between 5.15" and 5.51" in width is fine on the 2.75" stock rim. The difference in circumference/ height is less so that only affects the speedo (like that's accurate)

Ya, I put on a 140/80 ZR70 on the rear, and had to go to the skinny spacer. It's a tri-spoke 3" rim in this case, and some say I can go to 150, but I don't know how without modifying the center stand.

Anyway, the speedo's off, it runs high by about 5mph. I don't think it had that problem last year cause I have GPS and would have noticed.

So, must agree that going to lower profile makes the speedo run faster.

Handling wise, it's hard to say due to the switch to radial. Ya, it's handling a lot better, but actually I don't even think about that any more cause the tires are sooo reliable.   

More to the point: If you're buying used tires, get a look at the date code first. If they are more than 4-5 years old--forgetaboutit.

Consider a pair of radials on RS and RT models even if you've still got Y-spokes. See my post on "skinny radials" for more info. You can thank Duck for the radial recommendations, he's about the first to make the switch.

bikerboy wrote:I value my life far too much to bother trying to save a few bucks and risk riding on second hand tyres.

+1

Rubbers save lives...... Would you use a used one????????

k-wopper wrote:Hi y'all,
I just responded to a local ad for a lightly used set of Metzelers. The front is a Lasertec 100/90-18 so no trouble there but the rear is a ME-Z2 130/80-17.
I think it will fit? I'm waiting for a call back on the date code and if it's less than four or so years I can see going wrong for $100.00 usd. 
And just as I was going to order a set of Battleaxes.....
See any issues?
Rob

I have new Batlax BT45 on.

The only way I would consider a used tyre is swapping from one bike to another. No way would I buy used for a bike. Any way I wouldn't buy a tyre over 3 years old because you will be running on it 4 or 5 years old. The difference between what you are proposing and nice new BTs is too much.

G'day Rob , just thinking a bit more about your question , did a little research on the Metzeler MEZ2 130/80/17 on offer , the load rating is 65 , a K100 should have a load rated tyre of 68 or better , so in summary :

wrong size , wrong load rating , secondhand

that's 3 strikes

get new tyres

just MHO

JR

Thanks for the input. 
The date code was over 4 years so i passed on the deal.
 Went down to my favourite bike shop to order the Battle-axes and the guy mentioned a promotion from Michelin putting a set of radials (pilot road 2 in front and a brand-new model pilot street for the rear) Bt-45's were $290.00usd vs. $317.00usd for the radials
Should be on by Friday so I'll be scrubbing the corners to break them in as fast as possible.
Updates to come.
Ride on,
Rob

It will be interesting to see how they go. That was one of the big drawbacks with the K100 with Y spoke that radials weren't readily available.
My Kawasaki Z1300 has the same size tyres and I could never find radials to suit until recently, good to see more makers getting into the radials for those sizes.