Metzeler Cruisetec (another tire thread - sorry but not?)

[RaginTxn]

howdy all - so I'm in need of a rear tire and currently have an Avon Cobra. I enjoy the tire but unfortunately cannot find readily available our tire size. I have a 180/65-16 Michelin Commander II in the garage, but not the happiest that it's not OE sizing. Looking at Metzeler again - both the M888 and now the Cruisetec. Had never seen the latter previously - any feedback from Valk riders on this tire?

[..]

A suggestion

https://www.walmart.com/ip/GT-Radial-Champiro-VP1-205-60R16-92-H-Tire/51007320

See more here.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,90404.0.html

I ended up at 34 psi otherwise the center wears prematurley


13,500 miles

Yes, they will corner well.

[h13man]

Bridgestone 702 180/70-16 Exedra are readily available. Never had any issues 2x with them. As for the size difference, I wouldn't worry as long as the date code isn't way too old. A slight increase in rpm and tad better acceleration.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=180-65r16-180-70r16

[RaginTxn]

awesome - thanks for the responses. Not quite there yet for going to the dark side, but hadn't thought about the Bridgestones - will have to give those a look. Also good to know on the slight size being ok. I think I'll go with the Michelins for now and just see how they go since I already have it.

Thanks again 

[RonW]

The sipes are so narrow on the Metzeler Cruisetec and 888 Marathons, imho it's gives me the creeps. The Metzeler 880 were MY tires before they discontinued them for whatever reasons.

[Jess from VA]

The sipes are so narrow on the Metzeler Cruisetec and 888 Marathons, imho it's gives me the creeps. The Metzeler 880 were MY tires before they discontinued them for whatever reasons.

I was also a lifetime ME 880 user.  I have gone to the ME888s now and they seem every bit as good (but pretty dang spendy). 

[RonW]

I haven't tried the 888's myself. Maybe better rubber formula.

[h13man]

The 888's on lighter bikes like VT1100 Ace have tendency have poor grip in cold and/or wet conditions. Nothing like the 880's. Michelin, Metzler, and upper end Dunlop have gone to better wearing compounds thus it's a crapshoot whether it affects heavier rides like the Valks.

[RonW]

See I don't get the triple 8's design. The grooves are razor narrow which leaves more lands area which maybe makes the tire last longer. But unless the rubber is from mars, it's at the expense of traction on wet roads with the narrow grooves. Or, the grooves are a revolutionary design that they shed water better than the 880's. Again, I haven't tried the 888's. I probably bought the last 880's sold on the planet.

[ckahler]

I put an 888 on the rear of my V65 Magna 10 years ago. It started cracking inside the treads so I replaced it last year. It was not a good tire for the Magna. On hard launches, it would spin out easily and on heavy braking it would lock up sooner than a Dunlop 404. To be fair, It is a tire designed for heavy bikes.

[Jess from VA]

I found this article on 880 vs 888, when the 880 was still made (IMHO not the best, but some information)



https://tirepost.com/2020/05/12/metzeler-me880-vs-me888/

Metzeler ME880                 Metzeler ME888
- Softer compound          - Stiffer compound
- Wear faster                  - Last longer
- More affordable          - More expensive
- Far less in sizing          - Wider sizing options

https://comparethetire.com/metzeler-me-888-vs-880/

I wish I could still get the 880s

I only run them on the front.  So far, my 888 is very good and no slip at all, but I've done no rain yet. 

[RonW]

R.I.P, 808. It was nice knowing you.

[3fan4life]

Jumping into this late, But:

I've been using the Metzler Cruisetec for several years now and I love it!

I have NO Complaints about the tire except maybe the price.

I get better mileage out of them than anything I've ran.

I tried one of the 180/65 Michelins, my only complaint was that it increased the RPM's slightly.

I didn't like that so when it wore out I replaced it with the Cruisetec and haven't looked back.

[rug_burn]

   I got the 888 on mine right now-  I got no problems with it, nor with the 880 I had before.    I don't push the limit on this bike,  so it's fine.    I got almost 12,000 miles on the last one, we'll see if there are any  improvements.   
     We're getting limited in our choices;   I'm happy just to get a tire in the stock size.