About to Pull The Trigger on a Pair of Metzelers

[pBrain]

NO, I am not going to shoot my tires....

Making my first major purchase for the fat girl.

About to replace the Dunlops with a pair of Metzelers ME 880.  (Not ready for the darkside yet).

Rear:  http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3502
Front:  http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3467

Motorcycle Superstore is going to Price Match.

Wanted to get some feedback from the group to make sure I'm going in the right direction here.

[old2soon]

I have a metz 880 on the front and D/S rear. I'm liking the metz 880 in all the regimes i've had it in up to this point in time(approx 10000+miles). When i purchased my I/S it came with E-3s. I like a lot better what i have on now. RIDE SAFE.

[WDAN]

I ran ME880's on my Road Star, which is less than 100 lbs lighter than my Valk, for 6 years and loved them.
I would have them on my Valk if they had them in wide white walls but they don't.

[SANDMAN5]

Darkside for me, but the Metz is the best front tire, IMHO.
Doesn't last as long as some others but has great traction...
even in the snow......up to a point, of course. I run 42 lbs in mine.

[John Schmidt]

Actually, with the Metz I strongly recommend the 200/60 in place of the 180 OEM size. Better traction with a slightly wider contact patch, better life, and I always felt it handled better. Comparing the two, with the 180 at engine rpm of 3k, the 200 will have the engine turning 3055. Currently I'm running a car tire in back with a Metz front, good combo overall....for me anyway.

Keep them inflated to at least 40/42, front/rear. Expect to get 15k miles or better on the front tire. Rear with the 200 size you should get 10-12k, possibly more if you're not an agressive rider. Barring a road hazard ruining my rear tire as happened twice, I easily got 12k. I currently have over 15k on the front with a DS in back, the front has at least another year left.

[Farther]

I am on my second set of Metzelers.  I will probably be getting another front here shortly.

[pBrain]

Great info guys.... Any one use the new Michellin Commander II Cruiser Tires?

[JC]

The Metzeler 880's way out perform the Dunflops in my opinion, but I'm liking the darkside now.

[CASABROKER]

Good tire lousy rear tire wear 6.5k to wear marks on mine went darkside.  Changed front with the new darkside started to cup 12k.   

[22Dasher]

You may wish to look into avons I got 18000 miles on my rear and almost 24000 out of the front. They are high but money well spent.

James

[RonW]

Actually, with the Metz I strongly recommend the 200/60 in place of the 180 OEM size.

any negatives with the wider 200mm tire that you can remember?

[Jess from VA]

I think Metzler makes the best handling, sticking in all conditions (esp. wet), balanced/symmetrical performance tire you can buy (Avon a close second or maybe even), but they are absolutely the quickest wearing, lowest mileage too.... and you must keep the pressure up in the 40's constant to maximize your miles (both front and rear post 50 max psi on the sidewalls).  Avons do way better for everyone mileage-wise.  

I could get no more than 8-9K of good miles on the 180 (OE size) rears (45psi); I ran a couple to 11-12K but I shouldn't have.  Only car tires on the rear now.  I love the 150 fronts, but can only get about 9K at best there either (44psi), and still running them, but I may try a Cobra (Avon).  I ride the bikes hard more often than not, and they're never worn flat, and I need a good front tire (but two or three a year on two bikes is getting steep).  My Metz mileage is not representative and many do better.  

I love Metzler tires even though they wear out too soon.  

[donaldcc]

 Just about to change out Avon Cobras, 14k on back, and 16k on front. down to wear bars on back not so on front.  wiil replace with same.  liked dunlops. haven't tried metzlers, but want to.

[John Schmidt]

Actually, with the Metz I strongly recommend the 200/60 in place of the 180 OEM size.

any negatives with the wider 200mm tire that you can remember?

None, even though it's a bit wider it doesn't really alter your handling. It is a softer compound, that's why many who ride a bit more aggressive get lower total mileage. I just liked the look and feel of the larger tire in back and it does grab good in the twisties, especially when wet. If a person doesn't like the idea of a car tire in back, the 200 m/c tire of any brand is a good trade-off.

[F6MoRider]

My current search for a set of tires for my lady indicates that btwn the three (Dunlop E3's, Metzler 880's and Avon Av72/71's), Avon are the lowest in price.   363 vs. 372 (880's) and 409 (E3's) at http://www.americanmototire.com/

I've heard the E3 is now the highest mileage Valk OEM tire but have seen no testimonials (nonetheless, I just put one on the rear).   The Metzler's are said to wear fastest (the one I just replaced was an 880 with <8000 miles).  Think I'll try the Avon's next time and go ahead and get a new rear for my spare rim and a new front as the current is beginning to look like it might need replacement (sooner than later).  When I was running the Dunlop D204(?)s a log time back, I was going through two rears for every front.  I switched to 880's as a set and the rear was almost to far gone and the front is showing wear.

Watch your air pressure closely!  Good luck to you and if you find a great deal, post it.

[PAVALKER]

Had Metz on my VTX 1800R and they handled great, sticky in the twistys and wet roads, and just overall great handling.... the early wear however is an issue to be aware of.  I prefer Avon's.... previously the Venoms and now the Cobras I believe.  I have a set of Metz Me880s that are mounted on spare wheels that were provided as replacement for tires that were recalled, but will make it a point to get a spare set for those when I get them on the bike (the Avon's need to wear out first).

My experience with Dunlops is OEM... fast wear and then one (bad) set of E3's.  Didn't feel right from the start, poor performance throughout and they both wore out at about 6k (usually I get 2 rears to 1 front).  I have heard good about the E3's, but from my experience it was not good.

[dago mooserider]

I just put a 200 metz on my valk last week. So far I love it! It looks sweet and handles great. I ride pretty aggressive and am more concerned with stickem than life  . No mods necessary for me.

[R J]

Since around 1989 or 90 I started running Metz on the front.

I like the Metz up front for the wider tread pattern on the GROUND when riding.

I run 45# in the front.

About the same time I went to the Darkside.    I've had a few MC rear's cause I'd have a flat and couldn't locate a place that would mount a Darkside for me.

I'm currently setting on a Good Year Triple Tread that I run at 36#.  It stops better, it will take off with out wheel spin, I can't even bark the tire in 2nd or 3rd now.    Prior to DS I could get a good scratch out of 2nd gear.    Love the dark side in the rain.   I know the big boy will stay under me if I should happen to get a little aggressive.

[Evie]

Always meant to try Metz but they were expensive.   Been through 2 sets of Dunlops....originals on bike were OK, but had a thump in the rear of my new set....that's it, I'll never go back.   Had 7 sets of Avons and still like them...can't think of a reason to change.   Yes, Ive done the darkside and liked it, but overall still prefer the MC.

[pBrain]

OK.... The fat girl has new shoes... TIME TO DANCE!!!

Went with the 200 on the back and now I hear a rubbing sound whenever I hit any heavy bumps or dips in the road.  Also, bike feels a bit sluggish....  I think it'll take me a bit to get used to the sticky tires.  THEY ARE STICKY!!!!

[hooptycuztom89]

mine had metz 880s on it when i got it, they were fine in the dry but they sucked when wet. i switched to E3 they grip much better when wet,

i pulled out with it one day in the rain got er strait and nailed it i spun 1st 2nd and 3rd to 7500 rpm then i let off that was with metz

[GotValk]

Just put on another set of Avon Cobra's I really like that tire, was going to try a different brand but I thought why if I like them stay with them, As far as mileage they had 14,200 on them the rear was toast (cupped bad) and I run with 40 - 42 psi but the front looked pretty good yet , The last 2/3 of last years riding season. I had developed that slow speed wobble, and seem to me unless you have done a lot of studies on it,I've heard its caused by a bad rear tire and I've heard and bad front tire.
That is why I changed both beside I didn't want the bike down twice for tires.
Scrubbed them in yesterday on a nice 200 mile ride , Wow was it nice to get out again the weather here seams  to be 3 -4 weeks earily. (Love it! ).
Anyway sorry I have not tried the Metzelers yet (Still stuck on Avons) but I've heard they are also great tires.
Find your best price then Dennis Kirk will beat it! I payed $366 for a set of Cobra's.
As far as oil still using Dino oil .

[pistolchamp]

I don't worry about the price, I go with what appears to be the best, based on this blog and my experience.

My last E-3 went over 23,000 miles, the current one will be replaced immediatley due to having a flat and that ends my interest in any motorcycle tire.

I have had a Michelin Hydroedge 205/65R16 on back for over 54,000 miles with complete satisfaction.

[john]

" Avon are the lowest in price.   363 vs. 372 (880's) and 409 (E3's) "
keep in mind that your tires are the only thing between
you and the pavement    .....            
i get 20,000 miles with the e3s ...                 
keep'em aired up  ...  " between" 45-50 psi