New Tire Time?

[Curtis_Valk]

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts after you've put down a few thousand miles on them.  I hope the Metzler 180 rear sticks for you.

The other reason I was disappointed in the 150 Metzler on the back was that it slipped on me a few times I didn't think it ought to.  Low speed quick turns in town mainly (admittedly the intersections get quite greasy when it is even the slightest bit moist in the air) but I was comparing that to my experience on the good but five year old Dunlops that were on the bike when I bought it (2500 miles).  I didn't mention that before because I'm thinking maybe the 180 Metzeler will have a larger footprint and will probably have completely different characteristics.

Also bear in mind that it may be that I'm a bit ham fisted with the throttle at times.  I like to feel the torque in my seat.        That's the main reason I went to a car tire on the stripped down Valk.  I just couldn't get enough traction with a MC tire even though it was a big fat 180/70/R16 radial.  The other Valk has enough weight on the back with the bags and trunk (especially loaded) and it's fine.

Curtis

[TLRam1]

Curtis I am with you...

The Metzler would not grab like the Dunlop does. I slipped many times and in wet weather was not good for me either.  The worst was almost running into cross traffic for lack of stopping ability after it was put on in wet weather. I did rough it up with a burnout in the wet and little help. That was a scary moment. In dry I would nail it and bust the rear loose quite easily.

I went back to the Dunlop K555 and will not try another Metzler. All the good I here about Metz's T was surprised. Maybe an oxymoron....harder rubber longer lasting tire and suppose to grip better??

[Brad Badgett]

At MM2, a Mootster explained to me (in his opinion) the difference between the Metzler and the Dunlop .  When you start to lean into a turn, with the Dunlops on, the tires seem to ask "are you sure you want to lean?".  With Metzlers on the tires seem to ask" how far do you want to lean?".  Not my opinion.  I have never tried Metzlers.  I get ~ 8k on the rear with Dunlops, (which is about what I avg. riding each year) and would like to find a tire that might last more than 1 year.  FWIW.

Brad Badgett
MOOT #164
1996 VF750C
OK Region

[Greg Cothern]

In stock size the Metzelers do seem to lean in quicker, but in one of the larger sizes it slows back down a bit.
On my Super I had over 10K on the rear and it looked like it would go another 4-6K.  
Pressures seem to be the key to longevity, 40-42.

[2fs2ns]

Wow, 40-42?  I think I'm running 38 in mine, and I have bout 8k on mine and the rear is overdue.

[Greg Cothern]

I talked to a Metzeler rep on the phone, and he very aggressively, made it completely clear, without a doubt, that lower pressures decreased the life as well as if too low would become a safety issue if the pressures where not up to 40-42.
In my experience this is true on the longevity for sure..

[HardDriveUSA]

  Ok, I'm confused now.  I am getting a new front tire, the Dunlop k555 or a metzler size? are the 2 better choices?

[RedMagna]

HardDriveUSA

Here's my advise, if your driving straight lines and already have a Metz on the rear, go Metz.

If your leaning hard in turns a lot, go Dunlop.

Overall, it seems to be nothing more than a personal choice.  As everyone loves to debate this subject.  With the only thing I've been able to determine is that Metz get more miles, but is the extra cost worth it based on your driving style.

And btw, I got 13,000 miles on my rear Dunlop (front still in good shape) and I put a hard 4,000 miles of agressive leaning miles on the tires in the mountains of SC/NC/GA, with the rest being interstate miles.  And my chicken strip wear is about 1/4" from the "ops" line.

[DC Smith]

I agree with RedMagna.  There is no BEST choice.  There are those that love the Dunlops, like me, and those that love the Metz.  I got 12,000 miles out of my front and 10,000 out of the rear (and the tire was on the bike when I bought it)    You probably can't go wrong with either, but you will have to determine which you like better by trying both.

Now just go buy a tire and ride.  

[Len Averyt]

Well on June 11, 2007 I bought a new tire and at 22200miles its close to needing a new one Again!
Plus i finally wore out the front.
Is this typical wear? are there better wearing rear tires other than the Dunlop K555's?
I know somewhere there was a place you got a discount for buying two ore more tires, Anyone remember?

[Greg Cothern]

Len are you saying you put 22200 miles on a set of tires??  If so that is fantastic!!!  Especially for a rear tire.
I put Avons on my Project 96 Magna, I believe its going to be a great choice for the Magna...

[Curtis_Valk]

Greg, I believe the bike had around 12,500 when I sold it to Len and he replaced the rear tire shortly after that (maybe 13,500 or 14,000 I'm guessing).  The 22,200 he is referring to is the mileage on the odometer now.  He mentioned this on Saturday during our ride to Oklahoma is why I chimed in.

Len, you should get at least 12k miles out of a rear tire IMO and about 18k from the front.  Remember to keep inflation on the high side.  Nothing will wear your tires faster than low pressure, and I'm not talking neglectfully low.  If you want the most miles from your tires (and the best performance too I have found) run them close to 40 psi.  If I remember right, I ran 38 on the front and 40 on the rear.  If you go with a Metzeler on the back don't make the same mistake I did and install OEM size.  Metzeler measures their aspect ratio different or something.  If you want the closest Metzeler size to your Dunlop then you need to go with the 180/70 Metzeler instead of the stock 150 size.

If that front tire is still the Metzeler I put on there you got excellent wear out of it.  I think I put it on at around 3500 miles or so. 

Curtis

[Len Averyt]

Yea the odo is showing 22K now not 22K out of a set...I wish!
The front is still the tire i got with the bike from curtis, so it has lasted a good while.
I might as well buy a front and a rear. I guess I'll stay with the metzler on the front it has been good to me so far.
its just the rear that seams to be wearing quick.
Any good place that deals on 2 tires?

[Curtis_Valk]

its just the rear that seams to be wearing quick.

Keep the inflation pressure up (doable) and stay out of the throttle (yeah, right!!).

Seems like I remember someone mentioning motodepot or some place, but don't count on my memory.  I think the deal was that if you buy two tires they gave free shipping.  Before you buy on the internet, be sure you have someone lined up to balance them that won't "bend you over" for bringing in someone else's tires.

I bought a tire for the Magna once over off I-35E somewhere close to Royal or maybe Walnut Hill Ln. from a Kaw/Suzi dealer that was pretty reasonable by the time you took everything into account.  Sorry I can't remember more specifics.  It was on the east side of the highway.  That's all I remember. 

Curtis

[Greg Cothern]

Devin put a Metz 180-70 on the rear of his 96, LOOKs great and the turn in is real nice feel.  It is a Very nice synergy....

NOW with that said, I believe the feel of the Venom 170-80 seems to SO FAR (in my slow speed testing on my street) have the BEST feel.  BUT maybe I am just wanting them too LoL.  Seriously if they perform anywhere like the Venoms on my Valk (I know Curtis they are different hehehe) then I will be completely satisfied!