Just a Metz Mess!!

[BIG--T]

Has anyone ever had a New tire that looked like this?  No more Metz for me, and am considering going darkside. Any recommendations on a good one?

 http://youtu.be/O84PJSNK4M0







Think RideOn can balance it out?

[wiggydotcom]

Your video didn't show. It said it was private.

There are lot's of Darkside threads. I have the Yokohama Avid Envigor in the 205/60R 16. A few of us are running it and like it. It's my first venture into the Dark Side so I can't speak for other tires from personal experience.

Some like the Goodyear Triple Tread. Some like the General Altimax. Other's like the Falken 912.

The latest one that's gotten nothing but good reviews is the Austone Taxi Tire. It's a little taller than a stock Valk tire but most riders say it closely resembles and behaves like a motorcycle tire.

You'll have to make your own decision on which one will best suit you.
Good luck.

[BIG--T]

Your video didn't show. It said it was private.

There are lot's of Darkside threads. I have the Yokohama Avid Envigor in the 205/60R 16. A few of us are running it and like it. It's my first venture into the Dark Side so I can't speak for other tires from personal experience.

Some like the Goodyear Triple Tread. Some like the General Altimax. Other's like the Falken 912.

The latest one that's gotten nothing but good reviews is the Austone Taxi Tire. It's a little taller than a stock Valk tire but most riders say it closely resembles and behaves like a motorcycle tire.

You'll have to make your own decision on which one will best suit you.
Good luck.

This is my first video upload to You tube- let me know if it's showing. I've read about all you mentioned except for the Austone which I've never heard of but it sounds what I'm looking for. I've been skeptical about going Darkside for years but think I'll give it a try. I'm looking for the most rounded one that resembles a MC tire.

Thanks

[BIG--T]

Is it showing now?

[KSDragonRider]

Yep, it is showing.

Yeah, if that is your tire, you are in dire need of a new one.  Depending on how old that is and how much tread is left, you might see about sticking that in Metz's can.

[BIG--T]

Yeah that's mine alright with just 2k miles on it that makes me sick!    The funny part is I brought to the Honda place and the guy said "yeah all Metz cup"!   I told him I've had cupping - that wasn't  cupping but starting to separate. Btw, he was the head mechanic! 

Yep, no more Metz for me!

[Skinhead]

The Only two downsides I have found to the Austone is that the increased height of the tire causes it to rub (bottom out) on the fender on a severe bump (on my interstate).  It will also make the bike lean over further on the side stand, I carry a 3/4 piec of wood with a string on it  to put under the side stand to reduce the added stress on the side stand.  Loop the end of the string over you handle bars and you don't have to bend over to pick up the wood.

One benefit of this is the added height, and increased circumfrence of the tire reduces your 80mph rpm by 2-300 rpm.  As stated, this is the closest CT to a MCT I have come across in my 4 CT's I've tried.

[Skinhead]

Yeah that's mine alright with just 2k miles on it that makes me sick!    The funny part is I brought to the Honda place and the guy said "yeah all Metz cup"!  I told him I've had cupping - that wasn't  cupping but starting to separate. Btw, he was the head mechanic!  

Yep, no more Metz for me!

That cupping looks severe for only 2K miles.  I have rum metz's in the past and never had cupping like that.  I would take a good look at the shock bushings, wheel bearings, and possibly swing arm bearings if I were you.  If you don't find any issues, maybe it is just a bad tire, but I would definately investigate.

[BIG--T]

Yeah that's mine alright with just 2k miles on it that makes me sick!    The funny part is I brought to the Honda place and the guy said "yeah all Metz cup"!  I told him I've had cupping - that wasn't  cupping but starting to separate. Btw, he was the head mechanic!  

Yep, no more Metz for me!

That cupping looks severe for only 2K miles.  I have rum metz's in the past and never had cupping like that.  I would take a good look at the shock bushings, wheel bearings, and possibly swing arm bearings if I were you.  If you don't find any issues, maybe it is just a bad tire, but I would definately investigate.

Well it just happened a couple weeks ago going down the interstate and all of a sudden felt a bad vibration. I stopped to see if it was a knot and checked the air pressure which read 60 psi and before I left out it was 43 cold!! Anyway I couldn't see any of that because of the bags and sitting still. I've Never seen one do that. The bike just turned 11k so I hope it's nothing you mentioned, and as I said it just happened all of a sudden- not gradual. Thanks for the info on your tire.

[KSDragonRider]

I want to know the date code is.  My bet is that the belts slipped inside the tire.  If your dealer will not mess with it, call Metz, get them to warranty it out. 

[John Schmidt]

Has to be a defective tire. I've had a bunch of Metz tires on the different bikes I've owned over the years and NEVER had one do that. Your PSI is pretty much on target, I used to run 40/42....front/back. I'd sometimes get some gator backing after a bunch of miles but never anything like that. My mileage on the OEM rear size of 180 was always less than I'd get using a 200 rear. The 200 usually gave me well over 10k, I now have a front Metz with well over 15k and no cupping or gator backing(center ridge). I sure would pursue it and also check the manufacture date on the sidewall. That service guy is totally wrong...Metz are not prone to cupping. I've read it's one of the more popular tires used by racing groups in Europe, partly due to its sticky compound and how it handles wet roads. They sure wouldn't use them if they had a tendency to separate/cup early.

[FLAVALK]

I to have run several Metz tires and never a problem. Ever manufacturer occasionally screws up.

[old2soon]

In addition to the date code on the tire was the torqueing sequence followed correctly? Is your tire pressure guage accurate? I ask about the guage cause I had a bad one. Some body mentioned all the moving parts related to the tire. I only ever had a Metz on the front and it wore even. Maybe one of the others can chime in but i'm wondering what a tire will look like minus the thrust washer in the spline assembly?? 2 K on a tire unless it's a factory defect OR some of the other stuff the board has pointed out should look almost like new-NOT like it do look. I know-stating the obvious. RIDE SAFE.

[R J]

My 1st replacement tires from stock were Metz, front & rear.

The rear started that cupping on me and I was in Sturgis, I think it was, anyway the Metz people were there on the premises.     

Went in and talked to the guys & gals.    Told em how dissatisfied I was with the tire.    They went out, got the bike and put it on their hoist.    He told me I wasn't running enough air pressure.    Told him I tried to maintain 50# since this was a rear tire and the torque of this thing jerked the tires around when getting on it, soft compound sidewalls tend to flex real bad.

He asked it I had my guage with me, told him yes, he took it and tested it for accuracy.      He stuck his air to it and said, Sir: your guage reads 15# more than actual.   So my 50# was in reality 35#.    He gave me another tire, they mounted it, aired it up to 50, gave me a new air guage and I never looked back till I went darkside.

Too low of rear tire air pressure will make any MC tire cup on a Valkyrie.   The worst one to cup on me was a Bridgestone.    Never had a CT cup on me.   I've had several ct's in MGM's life.

[dago mooserider]

I've have nothing but good things to say about the metzs on mine. They don't last as long as some others but they stick like glue......sweepers @ 90mph draggin the pegs with the wife on the back. Best part of that ride was that she wasn't even pissed about it....and the mustang went behind us.....

[Mr Whiskey]

My 1st replacement tires from stock were Metz, front & rear.

The rear started that cupping on me and I was in Sturgis, I think it was, anyway the Metz people were there on the premises.     

Went in and talked to the guys & gals.    Told em how dissatisfied I was with the tire.    They went out, got the bike and put it on their hoist.    He told me I wasn't running enough air pressure.    Told him I tried to maintain 50# since this was a rear tire and the torque of this thing jerked the tires around when getting on it, soft compound sidewalls tend to flex real bad.

He asked it I had my guage with me, told him yes, he took it and tested it for accuracy.      He stuck his air to it and said, Sir: your guage reads 15# more than actual.   So my 50# was in reality 35#.    He gave me another tire, they mounted it, aired it up to 50, gave me a new air guage and I never looked back till I went darkside.

Too low of rear tire air pressure will make any MC tire cup on a Valkyrie.   The worst one to cup on me was a Bridgestone.    Never had a CT cup on me.   I've had several ct's in MGM's life.

I was leanin' toward this! Don't trust your gauge!
Metz are prone to cupping, when you run them under inflated. This tends to happen alot with the Metz soft compound,(V speed rated, 149 mph).
I've been doing some reading & it looks like the H rated Metz (130 mph) is a bias ply.
I've been runnin' Metz V rate (for the more aggressive compound) on the front of a 2K/IS for over 40K mi.'s now & I'm gettin' good, clean, even wear, (no cupping) but I run it at 46 psi. (Test my tire gauge regularly at the shop.)
Peace, Whiskey.

[BIG--T]

My 1st replacement tires from stock were Metz, front & rear.

The rear started that cupping on me and I was in Sturgis, I think it was, anyway the Metz people were there on the premises.     

Went in and talked to the guys & gals.    Told em how dissatisfied I was with the tire.    They went out, got the bike and put it on their hoist.    He told me I wasn't running enough air pressure.    Told him I tried to maintain 50# since this was a rear tire and the torque of this thing jerked the tires around when getting on it, soft compound sidewalls tend to flex real bad.

He asked it I had my guage with me, told him yes, he took it and tested it for accuracy.      He stuck his air to it and said, Sir: your guage reads 15# more than actual.   So my 50# was in reality 35#.    He gave me another tire, they mounted it, aired it up to 50, gave me a new air guage and I never looked back till I went darkside.

Too low of rear tire air pressure will make any MC tire cup on a Valkyrie.   The worst one to cup on me was a Bridgestone.    Never had a CT cup on me.   I've had several ct's in MGM's life.

I was leanin' toward this! Don't trust your gauge!
Metz are prone to cupping, when you run them under inflated. This tends to happen alot with the Metz soft compound,(V speed rated, 149 mph).
I've been doing some reading & it looks like the H rated Metz (130 mph) is a bias ply.
I've been runnin' Metz V rate (for the more aggressive compound) on the front of a 2K/IS for over 40K mi.'s now & I'm gettin' good, clean, even wear, (no cupping) but I run it at 46 psi. (Test my tire gauge regularly at the shop.)
Peace, Whiskey.

I run 43 on rear and 40 on the front and I also constantly check my gauge. These are my first Metz and I guess I just got a bad one.

[BIG--T]

I want to know the date code is.  My bet is that the belts slipped inside the tire.  If your dealer will not mess with it, call Metz, get them to warranty it out. 

Thanks KSDragonRider, I will check the date and call Metz but I don't think it'll do any good because when i bought it the owner just had put them on and I have no paper work.

[Mr Whiskey]

Big-T, H rated or V? I hate bias ply's! My Brother is sure the front end shake he's got is due to the H rated bias ply Metz he's got on.
Jus' sayin'.
Peace, Whiskey.

[BIG--T]

Big-T, H rated or V? I hate bias ply's! My Brother is sure the front end shake he's got is due to the H rated bias ply Metz he's got on.
Jus' sayin'.
Peace, Whiskey.

IDK Whiskey, I'll check when I'm looking for the date. Come to think about it, I've got a little front end shake...but that's probably coming from the rear. I do know it's made in Germany

[Longlivedixie]

As far as going Darkside, IMO, if you are willing to countersteer with it, CT's are wondrous. If you do the 'lean steer', you will find CT's unresponsive and ponderous........and wonder what the hell everybody was talking about.

And of course, a CT offers big savings in tire cost, and lots of money saved in eliminating 3 or 4 tires changes.

Maybe you know all that stuff already.

[BIG--T]

As far as going Darkside, IMO, if you are willing to countersteer with it, CT's are wondrous. If you do the 'lean steer', you will find CT's unresponsive and ponderous........and wonder what the hell everybody was talking about.

And of course, a CT offers big savings in tire cost, and lots of money saved in eliminating 3 or 4 tires changes.

Maybe you know all that stuff already.

The "lean steer" is what I'm concerned about because i live a mountainous area and there's a whole lot of leaning going on! Btw. Love that old BSA! 

[Jess from VA]

CT riders lean too... there's just a little more counter-steer holding the bars in the corners, maybe 2-3 pounds of pressure.  Not fatiguing, not difficult, and mastered in short order.     

[BIG--T]

OK, For all that wanted to know the date, could this be it? The first 2 digits are the weeks and the last 2 the year? If so, that just might explain it and now gonna have to buy a new set!! 

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_32669/IMG_20130830_172030_192.jpg

[Daniel Meyer]

If you do the 'lean steer', you will find CT's unresponsive and ponderous........and wonder what the hell everybody was talking about.

If you do the "lean steer" and count on that, you can't steer a motorcycle and need to get some training.

Not trying to be harsh...but it's a life or death thing here.

Leaning is for lowering the CG in a turn. Countersteering is for actually turning.

If you think you're steering by leaning, what you're doing is accidentally countersteering and you're not going to survive your first emergency evasive attempt or the first corner you enter hot...