I bought my bike with horrible Battleslides on them. With about 200 miles on the bike ( 3 slips later ) I changed the tires to Metzler M1's. Love the tires. I've ridden thens relatively aggressively. I live in KY and take many weekend trips to Deals Gap. Have no chicken left on rear. Don't think its possible to remove to front 1, my centerstand keeps me from going over that far =P. Anyway. I'm fixing to move to Orlando in 2 months, amazingly, the M1's managae to rack up 5500 miles in a couple months, and are about shot. Obviously theres not a lot of covers in Orlando. I kind of want to change back out to touring tires, for the tire wear purpose primarily. I love the M1's but replacing tires every 5k miles ( every 2 months ) gets expesive. The 3 slips i got from the Bridgestone Battleacks made me hesitant of going back to touring tires.
My questions mainly is what kind of average tire wear do you get out of m3's, mz4's and z6's. Florida is hot, w/ hot roads, and little turns. Will be commuting everyday on bike, so tires are important. Not sure what to do. I take the long routes to work to take the twisty back roads here. Don't have to worry about that in FL.
I tried some Z6's and did not like them at all, sidewalls are very stiff and I had at least one slip a ride with them, on perfectly good pavement. I could understand if I had ridden over somthing like a greasy tar snake but some of the slips were just from getting on the gas out of a turn? I dont care for Metzlers at all! Michelins from now on!
gr8vfr, Aug 14 2006, 10:02 AM Pilot Powers: Front and Rear is the only choice.
+1.gif No, they are not cheap. But if you like to ride the curves at a brisk pace, the extra grip they provide is a margin of safety that is well worth the price. They wear well for a sport tire.
tinyminds, Aug 13 2006, 07:32 AMMy questions mainly is what kind of average tire wear do you get out of m3's, mz4's and z6's.
I got 9000 miles out of my Z6s before I saw this:
[image: Click for full size]
I didn't like the fact that there was no center tread on the z6s, so I picked up a set of Pirelli Diablo Stradas. Suppose to be the exact same time for the most part, expect the tread makes it all the way over to the center on the Stradas.
Before the z6s, I had the z4s. I also got 9000 miles out of those but the z6s had much better traction than the z4s.
I've never tried the m1s or m3s before, so I can't comment on that. But, I liked the z6s right up until the cords showed. IMHO, the Strada are much better and would be the way to go if you were going to choose the z6 route.
blink.gif Wow, how did you get 5k from a M1 rear, I could only manage 1600 miles!!! As far as a FL tire goes does it really matter if you never ride the twisties anymore ? I would get a decent ST tire thats good in rain and wears long if you stay in the flat lands! tongue.gif Here's my M1 with 750 miles on it!
[image: IPB Image] New M1 with 750 miles, almost toast!
I say go for the Z4's if you won't be leaning much. They wear like iron, but suck big time for sport riding. The profile just doesn't allow a lot of lean without being on the edge of the rubber:
gr8vfr, Aug 14 2006, 02:22 PM It that what a two inch chicken strip looks like?
[image: Click for full size]
huh.gif What chicken strips!??
I don't know if you're trying to be funny or not (hard to tell when you don't use emoticons). dry.gif
If you look at the far left edge of the tire, you'll see a 1/4" strip of unused rubber there. That's the chicken strip. It's harder to see the right-hand side due to the angle of the picture.
That is the biggest complaint about the z4's that came mounted in the vfr at sale, they dont lean over very far before you at the edge! Slip all the time too. The Z6 replaced them as the Metzler sport touring tire, but they suck too IMHO, I dont know why anyone would actively go out and buy a Z4 when its been replaced by a newer version?
The Z6 dont give you much indication they are about to reach the cords either!
tinyminds, Aug 13 2006, 09:32 AM I bought my bike with horrible Battleslides on them. With about 200 miles on the bike ( 3 slips later ) I changed the tires to Metzler M1's. Love the tires. I've ridden thens relatively aggressively. I live in KY and take many weekend trips to Deals Gap. Have no chicken left on rear. Don't think its possible to remove to front 1, my centerstand keeps me from going over that far =P. Anyway. I'm fixing to move to Orlando in 2 months, amazingly, the M1's managae to rack up 5500 miles in a couple months, and are about shot. Obviously theres not a lot of covers in Orlando. I kind of want to change back out to touring tires, for the tire wear purpose primarily. I love the M1's but replacing tires every 5k miles ( every 2 months ) gets expesive. The 3 slips i got from the Bridgestone Battleacks made me hesitant of going back to touring tires.
My questions mainly is what kind of average tire wear do you get out of m3's, mz4's and z6's. Florida is hot, w/ hot roads, and little turns. Will be commuting everyday on bike, so tires are important. Not sure what to do. I take the long routes to work to take the twisty back roads here. Don't have to worry about that in FL.
Comments? I need help deciding =)
I'm surprised you got 5500 miles out of an M1, that's all I get out of Mez4's rears and that's running into the Cord.
The Z6 front will go somewhere near 8,000 miles I'd say on average, but wear, life ,performance have been Very very good.
I havent ran the MEZ6 rear cause I didnt think it would get the life of MEZ4, I've seen not enough proof posted anyway.
Unlike Slammer I actually like the Z6's. I got over 8k miles before the cords started to show. For a ST tire it had decent traction and I even did a track day at willow springs with them with no problems whatsoever. That being said, they do have a few things that need to be improved on. Wear Bars, obviously Metzler has no idea WHAT THEY ARE dry.gif you tend to see cords before you realize that you tire is shot. Plus, while traction is decent, it seems that the tires take a while to warm up and are quite greasy before they do. Wet weather traction is PHENOMENAL wheel.gif and I was quite pleased with it.
Tires are like women. Just depends on what you like.
Can't speak for the other tires you mentioned but NEVER will I own another set of Z6's. On my "other" bike, I burned through a rear Z6 in ~3200 miles of medium hard riding to me, and the front cupped like it was in a cupping contest. And, no, they don't stick well for me.
I hope I never get 9000 miles out of a motorcycle tire. I love burning through a rear tire quick. It means more fun!!
spud786, Sep 14 2006, 01:20 AM I'm surprised you got 5500 miles out of an M1, that's all I get out of Mez4's rears and that's running into the Cord.
That's 'cause he's a lightweight. biggrin.gif Jason, I think you'd get longer wear from the Diablo Stradas or the Pilot powers than the M1 and They're both better tires overall. After something like the m1 I wouldn't want to go back to a full on sport touring tire but since you'll be in Fl. the Pilot roads would last around 3 years. I have 5,000 miles on my Road rear and it's only 60% gone. I'd give it to you if you want it. Can't wait to get it off cause I want to lean. You could also consider Avon tires since they have a reputation of long wear. Then again, if the cost is more, what's the point.
Yeah, my VFR too came with Z4s from the dealership. Gosh I hated those tires, they were off my bike in less than 3000 miles because of how absolutely horrible they were for any riding outside the Interstate highway system!
I've heard good things about M3s, not so sure about the Z6...seems like it'd be kind of slippery in the wet?
I currently ride on Bridgeston BT020s. For me, they offer a good balance between milage and grip, and they're pretty easy to find at a decent price too. The last set I bought from mawonline.com only cost me $190 plus about $25 for shipping. Not bad huh?
I have been extremely pleased with the Z6. I have nearly 4k miles on the current pair, and they look nearly new. Granted, I live in southern cal., so I have little by way of truly cold temps to endure, but I have never felt anything less than confidence-inspiring, completely predictable traction from them, even nearly cold at temps in the high 30's.
I have previously run various Bridgestone combinations (used to think the 020's felt fairly good, and the front 010/rear 020 was quite nice), and Dunlop 220s (they were alright), on my VFR's, and the Metzelers are an immense improvement for my particular setup and riding requirements. Haven't run any french tires for the past several years, so I cannot comment on the Pilot Power comparison.
MDP, Sep 15 2006, 05:19 AM seems like it'd be kind of slippery in the wet?
Wet traction for the Z6's is amazing. As a matter of fact I have never ridden on a better ST tire for riding in the wet stuff (although I have heard good things about the Avon's as well).
I too love my Z6's. About 2.5K on current set. Maybe 1/4" chicken strips front and rear (actually less on the front). They do take a bit to warm up. I ride nearly all year in the Northeast. Tend not to go too crazy in the winter anyway.
And the wet traction is absolutely phenomenal. In fact, it's raining today!! For me riding in the wet requires occasional traction test. In a cage, easy, just stomp on the brakes. On the bike I tend to accelerate hard with a little clutch slippage, see how easy the rear breaks loose. Gives you a good sense of the available grip.
MDP, Sep 15 2006, 12:19 AM Yeah, my VFR too came with Z4s from the dealership. Gosh I hated those tires, they were off my bike in less than 3000 miles because of how absolutely horrible they were for any riding outside the Interstate highway system!
I've heard good things about M3s, not so sure about the Z6...seems like it'd be kind of slippery in the wet?
I currently ride on Bridgeston BT020s. For me, they offer a good balance between milage and grip, and they're pretty easy to find at a decent price too. The last set I bought from mawonline.com only cost me $190 plus about $25 for shipping. Not bad huh?
The main problem with the Z4 is the front tire, not the best turning tire( z6 much better). I'm on my 3rd z4 rear but I'm about to move on.
I got a screw in my Z6 front over the weekend, I'm running a pilot power now, I'm still getting accustomed to it, I had alot of faith in the Z6 front, still testing the pilot power in that regard.
Hoopster, Sep 14 2006, 08:30 PM That's 'cause he's a lightweight. biggrin.gif Jason, I think you'd get longer wear from the Diablo Stradas or the Pilot powers than the M1 and They're both better tires overall. After something like the m1 I wouldn't want to go back to a full on sport touring tire but since you'll be in Fl. the Pilot roads would last around 3 years. I have 5,000 miles on my Road rear and it's only 60% gone. I'd give it to you if you want it. Can't wait to get it off cause I want to lean. You could also consider Avon tires since they have a reputation of long wear. Then again, if the cost is more, what's the point.
+1.gif The Powers are a better tire in all ways then the M1 and wear longer too. The Strada doesn't stick as well as a M1 though, but should be great for FL wear and a ride to the twisties too. If you really like the M1 try the M3 it's replacement, but still doesn't last as long as a Power from what I can tell. Get a second set of wheels to keep stickies on and run bricks for the FL miles on the other set. tongue.gif
I have yet to have them slip except when i run through a gravel patch.
about 5k on them now and the rear would have done better had i not run across nevada and utah twice at high speed in a straight line.
i find they warm up quick even if its just 5 min down a freeway, the whole tire gets warm to the touch evenly. Front is a bit stiff on the sidewall, probably a saftey thing in case of a puncture. rear is baloney soft, feel one on the tire rack before its mounted if you dont believe me, i run mine at max pressure 42 all the time and it still flexes nice.
tinyminds, Aug 13 2006, 10:32 AM My questions mainly is what kind of average tire wear do you get out of m3's, mz4's and z6's. Florida is hot, w/ hot roads, and little turns. Will be commuting everyday on bike, so tires are important. Not sure what to do. I take the long routes to work to take the twisty back roads here. Don't have to worry about that in FL.
Comments? I need help deciding =)
To give you an idea of FL treadwear (heat, heat, heat).. I started with the OEM BT020's front and back. Compared to the people here I've met, I take it pretty easy and keep my speed down in the heat. At 6400 miles (just before the fall Dragon ride) I put an M1 on the rear because (1) the BT020 stepped out like a cheating girlfriend, and (2) it would have been completely worn at 7500 miles, with half of my vacation left to go! I'm now at ~8800 miles, and the front BT020 is just now reaching the wear bars. The M1 will hit the wear bars in about 750 miles, with practically no cupping. Once at the wear bars it still has plenty of good tread left. So I'm looking at about 3500 miles of wear on the M1, much of it riding harder in NC/TN/GA, otherwise I'd probably have got 5000+ out of it in all-FL riding.
FL road conditions to consider: banking in corners? don't bet on it. If it's there, it's inconsistent and probably banking the wrong way for rain runoff. Sand is all over the place. Hot, greasy armadillo splats everywhere. The road engineers here don't even think about consistent radiusing and there are a lot of increasing-decreasing-increasing-decreasing radius corners that just make you pissed.gif . Probably most important, the road gets very greasy in the hot and HUMID weather, so good tire compound goes a very long way to saving paint and skin, especially if you like to ride around sunset (crazy condensing humidity).
That being said, the M1 spoiled me enough that I don't want another average or more touring-oriented tire, ESPECIALLY given FL's weird road conditions. Pilot Powers will be my next set.
I ride almost exclusively in the twisties....never on freeways...16k miles this year. I had an MEz4 on the front for a while, but it cupped on the sides very badly. I went to D208's, front and rear, but they wore out very quickly. I had heard good things about the Pirelli's so I put on a pair of Diablo Stradas. Great tire but after 3k the front started to get real lose...feeling really mushy when leaned hard over and I almost lost the front on three different occasions. So, I've put a Diablo on the front. It has about 3k on it now and still feels great...no apparent cupping. I've never run Michelins, so I can't compare the two, but what really works well for me are the Pirelli's, a Diablo on the front and a Strada on the rear. Someone would have to be very persuasive to get me to change. Stock suspension, 180 lb rider, 33 psi front, 39 rear.
shotgun21, Oct 9 2006, 03:20 PM I ride almost exclusively in the twisties....never on freeways...16k miles this year. I had an MEz4 on the front for a while, but it cupped on the sides very badly. I went to D208's, front and rear, but they wore out very quickly. I had heard good things about the Pirelli's so I put on a pair of Diablo Stradas. Great tire but after 3k the front started to get real lose...feeling really mushy when leaned hard over and I almost lost the front on three different occasions. So, I've put a Diablo on the front. It has about 3k on it now and still feels great...no apparent cupping. I've never run Michelins, so I can't compare the two, but what really works well for me are the Pirelli's, a Diablo on the front and a Strada on the rear. Someone would have to be very persuasive to get me to change. Stock suspension, 180 lb rider, 33 psi front, 39 rear.
shotgun21
+1.gif That is a very good set-up IMO, I ran the Diablo front and Strada rear through several sets. I really like the Diablo's a bunch and also like the Strada's, but the Strada rears do start to break loose every once in a while when being pushed Hard after about 50% worn. I think most/avg. rider's will not find this to be the case and will have no trouble at all with them. Very good combo! fing02.gif The Pilot Power front seems to hold it's Profile better than any other Sport tire I've run though! I do all twisties also! beer.gif
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 19 Oct 2006
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