General Comments

One known problem with the ST1100 is the tendency for headshake under deceleration.  The radials I've selected below (especially the ME-Z4) should minimise that tendency.

The safe bet is clearly the well-proven ME-Z1/Z2 combination from Metzeler.  They a fine combination of wet and dry traction, handling, and tread life and, while they're beginning to be surpassed now by other more modern tyres, you still can't do wrong with this classic.  For touring riders, while the ME-Z4 would be better, the Z1/Z2 combination is a good bit cheaper and still very good -- and through a year of high mileage riding, the cost difference will make a big difference.

The only reason not to run radials on this bike is the cost.  With radial pairs running over $200 mail-order, dropping back to bias-plies can save $100 over ME-Z4's.  The cheapest of these is the classic K591 Sport Touring tyre from Dunlop, and there's certainly nothing basically wrong with them for this bike aside from a limited tread life.

For anything sport-oriented on a heavyweight motorcycle like the ST1100, Metzeler's new ME-Z4's are the clear winner.  Good wet and dry traction and a construction designed for better highway stability and tread life, they'll do very well on this bike.  A neutral linear profile inspires confidence -- a very nice feature when you're strafing twisties on the motorcycle equivalent of an F-111 rather than an F-16.

The best available right now are the Metzeler ME-Z4's -- and I'd pay the extra dollars for the improvements over the earlier Z1/Z2.  My preference would be for the 120/70ZR18 front, but availability is limited; the 110/80ZR18 is certainly a very good alternative.

Avon

Bridgestone

Continental

Dunlop

IRC

Metzeler

Michelin

Pirelli

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