Metz ME 888 Now available!

[rockbobmel]

Metzeler Rear ME888 Marathon Ultra 180/70R16  Tire - 2680900

Rear Tire Specifications
Brand:   Metzeler
Part #:   545421
Mfg #:   2680900
Sidewall   Blackwall
Bias / Radial   Radial
Speed Rating   V(149 MPH)
Load Rating   77(908 LBS)
Ply Rating   -
Tube / Tubeless   Tube or Tubeless
Rim Size   16 in.
Tire Size   180/70-16
Front / Rear   Rear


Metzeler Front ME888 Marathon Ultra 150/80R-17 Blackwall Tire - 2680800

Front Tire Specifications
Brand:   Metzeler
Part #:   545099
Mfg #:   2680800
Sidewall   Blackwall
Bias / Radial   Radial
Speed Rating   V(149 MPH)
Load Rating   72(783 LBS)
Ply Rating   -
Tube / Tubeless   Tube or Tubeless
Rim Size   17 in.
Tire Size   150/80-17
Front / Rear   Front

[Savago]

Yay! I wanted a lonnng time for this tire.

I'm currently using the ME880.

[da prez]

  I run the Metzler on the front and love them. It is my personal choice. (not looking for an argument)
I just did a search and found the tire prices vary quite a bit. There is also several models of the same tire. When I need the next new tire , I will do a specific search. FYI. the prices vary an awful lot as I said.  I am dark side rear and will always be.

                                                    da prez

[Jess from VA]

Pres, I'm a long time front Metz 880 (radial) fan (CT rear forever).  I got an 880 bias once because I didn't take time looking at the Amazon screen I was ordering from (it was a bit cheaper, and that was the reason).  It was a good tire, but not a radial.

I will try an 888 next time.  See if it gets more than my 880 8-9K, and sticks like the 880s.  That would be nice.

I look around every time, but never find better price than Amazon.  (And I never get some old manufacturer's date code from them either, like you can get from some smaller outfits)   

[Lyle Laun]

I've been running the 888's for the last couple of years on all my bikes. They handle as well as the previous 880's but seem to be lasting a lot better mileage wise. I've got 7,000 miles on one rear tire and it looks very good, hoping to get 10,000 miles out of it.

Lyle

[Jess from VA]

Lyle, the original poster said they were now available.

Have the 180/70R16 and 150/80R-17 already been available?

[rockbobmel]

Lyle, the original poster said they were now available.

Have the 180/70R16 and 150/80R-17 already been available?

OK, I should say look what I now found. I'm brand new to Valks.

[Lyle Laun]

I've been running them for the last 2 summers

Lyle

[rockbobmel]

I have ME 880s on there now. How do they compare?

[Lyonardo]

What's the story with these?
I tried buying a pair a couple years ago, but the ship date was "unknown". I went with their me880's instead.
Have they been unavailable all this time?
Google tells me nothing.

[Jess from VA]

I just started looking for the correct sizes for sale, but not necessarily the best prices.

Rear:  https://www.jpcycles.com/product/100-2824/metzeler-me888-180-70r16-rear-tire
          https://www.amazon.com/Metzeler-ME880-Marathon-Tire-Construction/dp/B000GRSFYA/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1513494518&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=Metzeler+ME888+180%2F70R16+Rear+Tire

Front: https://www.jpcycles.com/product/922-858/metzeler-me888-marathon-ultra-150-80r17-front-tire

Did not find a front on Amazon (who does not have the best price on rear)

I cannot remember (often), but I think when the 888 first came out, they were not in these sizes.  But I didn't keep looking after not finding them.

I would only use a front.  

Metzler has both listed here (hit the All Size drop down box):  http://www.metzeler.com/site/us/products/tyres-catalogue/ME_888_marathon_ultra.html

For those who like a 200 rear, they don't list a 200/70/16, but they do list a 200/60/16

This says the 200/60 is a half inch shorter than a 180/70 (less in diameter), and only turns 2% more revolutions per mile (14.5 more turns).
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=180-70r16-200-60r16

[rockbobmel]

JP Cycle has it listed wrong as bias. The "R" in the designation means radial.

This is pasted from the Metzeler site.

54H MH90-21 M/C TL

72H MT90B16 M/C TL

130/90 - 16 M/C 67H TL

130/90 B 16 M/C 73H REINFTL

150/80 - 16 M/C 71H TL

150/80 R 16 M/C 71V TL

120/70 B 17 M/C 58V TL

130/80 B 17 M/C 65H TL

140/80 - 17 M/C 69H TL

150/80 R 17 M/C 72V TL

100/90 - 18 M/C 56H TL

110/90 - 18 M/C 61H TL

130/70 B 18 M/C 63H TL

130/70 R 18 M/C 63H TL

100/90 - 19 M/C 57H TL

110/90 - 19 M/C 62H TL

120/70 ZR 19 M/C (60W) TL

130/60 B 19 M/C 61H TL

120/70 B 21 M/C 68H REINFTL

80/90 - 21 M/C 48H TL

90/90 - 21 M/C 54H TL

130/60 B 23 M/C 65H TL

120/55 R 26 M/C 67H REINFTL

74H MT90B16 M/C TL

77H MU85B16 M/C TL

140/90 B 15 M/C 70H TL

150/90 B 15 M/C 80H REINFTL

170/80 B 15 M/C 77H TL

180/70 B 15 M/C 76H TL

130/90 B 16 M/C 73H REINFTL

140/90 B 16 M/C 77H REINFTL

150/80 B 16 M/C 77H REINFTL

160/80 B 16 M/C 75H TL

170/70 B 16 M/C 75H TL

180/60 R 16 M/C 74H TL

180/60 R 16 M/C 80H REINFTL

180/65 B 16 M/C 81H REINFTL

180/70 R 16 M/C 77V TL

200/60 R 16 M/C 79V TL

240/50 R 16 M/C 84V TL

160/70 B 17 M/C 79V REINFTL

180/60 B 17 M/C 75V TL

200/50 ZR 17 M/C 75W TL

200/55 R 17 M/C 78V TL

150/70 B 18 M/C 76H REINFTL

180/55 B 18 M/C 80H REINFTL

180/55 ZR 18 M/C (74W) TL

200/50 R 18 M/C 82H REINFTL

240/40 VR 18 M/C (79V) TL

[Valker]

Online ordering is $450 for a set of 888s. That is ridiculous for tires that may handle great but I only get 10,000 miles from. I'd have to buy multiple sets every year.

[rockbobmel]

They tout better mileage than the 880s.  What's better?

[Valker]

They tout better mileage than the 880s.  What's better?

Have to define 'better' first. Way back in the early days of my Valk, I ran Avon Venoms. Many folks didn't like them, but I did-a LOT. I got 15-16,000 miles from the rears. This is acceptable to me. Metz 880s usually give me 9-10,000 as do all the other brands I've tried except for Dunlops which give 5-6,000 miles. This mileage means that I usually have to cut trips short or buy tires while on a trip for about $750 a set mounted and balanced while on the road at a dealer. Doing that has angered me badly several times. My older Valk has had Darkside for the past 100,000 miles (naysayers-I have money to buy what I want). The $450 wouldn't bother me much if I could get 15-16,000 from a set, but I don't see that happening. I repeat-I HATE shortening a trip because my tires are wearing out. I HATE getting screwed on tires at a dealer on the road.
I'll wait until I hear better mileage reports before experimenting with the 888s. I'll be heading to Alaska again next summer. For me, that is an 11-12,000 mile trip. Still unacceptable to have tires not last a whole trip. My ST1300 gets about 15,000 from a set of Michelin PR4s.

[h13man]

888's in bias ply are a harder compound much like the Michelin Commander III. From the Shadow owners feedback they seem to wear well but have a tendency to not handle well in cold and rain. A fellow rider has the them on a 1100 Yamaha and reports the same issue. Not saying this will be the same issue on the radial version but...

[Leathel]

888's in bias ply are a harder compound much like the Michelin Commander III. From the Shadow owners feedback they seem to wear well but have a tendency to not handle well in cold and rain. A fellow rider has the them on a 1100 Yamaha and reports the same issue. Not saying this will be the same issue on the radial version but...

I found that with my Commander II but friends with heavier bikes didn't have the same issue, might be the same with the 888? Valk being a heavier bike so maybe all good?