Triumphrat

Gatorman · 01-05-2005

I really like feel of the Metzeler Z6's so far, but only have about a thousand miles on them, and not much wet weather riding yet.

Gatorman · 01-05-2005

I really like feel of the Metzeler Z6's so far, but only have about a thousand miles on them, and not much wet weather riding yet.

FattRat · 01-10-2005

[/i](I'm on the phone right NOW looking for a decent loan rate that I might buy this '04 RS w/1500 miles...... I wish I was made-o-money.)

Allow me to add my two cents regarding experiences with tires on the Beemer:
First of all, it's the first bike I've owned that wears out the front tire at the same rate as the rear tire?!?!?! It must be a combination of weight distribution, tele-lever suspension, and integral brakes....

Macadamia Nuts:
Came on the bike, front tire seems to cup for EVERYBODY, nothing about the tire makes it stand out.... boring.

Metz' 880's:
I wanted a hard compound tire because I tend to put a lot of miles on. I was advised to run VERY high air pressures by the touring folk. This tire was also anticlimactic, except in the rain..... with the air pressure up, this tire scared the hell outa me in wet conditions! Oh, and I didn't get any better than my customary 7,000 miles outa them.....

Metz' Z4's:
Lovely, lovely tires! Felt like they were made for the Beemer. Very smooth & predictable tire, confidence inspiring.

Metz' M1's:
Orgasmic! I was stuck in the rain with bare cord showing at a Duc'ship; he wouldn't let me ride it home. He only had a Z4 for my rear, and an M1 up front. Absolutely the most fun I ever had on the 1150 Roadster during the 57,000 miles I partied on it! Less than 4,000 miles later..... I was getting new tires again.

Dunlop Battalax's:
They scared me on newly paved & tarred surface when new. As I got used to them, I found them to be TOO neutral for me. I just didn't get ANY feedback from them. But they had to be the smoothest transition from full lean left to full lean right! I kinda got used to them, and kinda learn to like them, and to my surprise gave me longer tire life than I expected to get from them!

Avon Azaro's (45 & 46):
They buzz/resonate when brand new, and you're left to wondering what the hell that hummmm is for the first 1000 miles..... They are not easily upset, they don't follow rain grooves or those steel grates that bridges have, they lasted at least a thousand mile longer for me than any other tire listed above. But I don't think it's a good tire for spirited riding through switchbacks. They don't turn in quickly, they're kind of a slow touring tire, but boy are they locomotive stable at high speed while dragging a peg at 110 mph! I kept returning to this tire three times when needing tires.

I am VERY anxious to try some Pilot Roads though. I need a tire that will last a while before having to give up the big bucks for new tires (again).
I generally got 7,000 miles with the tires listed above. The exceptions are the softer Z4 and M1, and the harder Avons got me as much as 8,500 miles once......

I can't wait to see how long I can go without having to buy tires on the RS.........

NOTE:
There seem to be a number of conflictin reports on the Z6's. Some people are complaining that they wear funny, flatten out too rapidly, show cord too soon....... and then you got the peopler who think they are the best thing that happened in the world of tires.[i]null

[ This message was edited by: FattRat on 2005-01-10 16:22 ]

dolson · 01-11-2005

I haven't had a whole bunch of mile lately but what they have been has been all wet.

My feeling on the Z6's is still the same. These are very confidence inspiring wet or dry. There may be others that are stickyer in the dry but These are no slouches and I haven't heard of any better in the wet.

Also being a more rounded profile you just set your speed and angle in the corners with very little to no corrections or falling or out.

Don

Prshguy · 01-28-2005

Here's my experience/ 2 cents. I have an 04 ST but my previous 2 BMWs, an '02 R1150RT and '96 K1100LT both came with Metzlers. I can't say I was really impressed with them. They were reasonably nuetral handling but requiered a bit of a pull to get them leaned over. Also, wear on the RT with the Z4s was not great. This experience was backed up by feedback on the BMW SportTouring site. The newer Z6s have recieved generally good feedback on that site but there have been complaints of rapid wear with replacement needed in the 4-6000 mile range by numerous people.

On the K bike, based on positive feedback from the BMW site, I switched to the Avon 45/46 combo last summer and the bike immediately felt more responsive and nimble. So far with 6K on the odo I am maybe half worn on the back and the front is at least 60%. I've not noticed any cupping or hum. I think the Avons are a great deals since they wear well, show good grip and the price is not unreasonable as things go. They have been smooth and stable and I am extremely pleased with them.

On the BMW board the Michelin Road Pilots have gotten very favorable reviews, generally better the Metlzers. So for me I will either stick with the Avons for my ST or try the Michelins depending on the $.

The best price I found for tires was with Motorcycle Accesory Warehouse: http://mawonline.com/

HTH.

Roger

sailfish · 02-08-2005

I ride a Sprint 900 and have a Z6 set with 6,000 miles on them. I would rate them as the best I've had on the bike which includes B'stones, Contis and Avons. I have yet to own a set that has gone more than 6,200 miles on the rear (the Avon 35/36) but the Z6 still has plenty of tread at 6k. This is also the first set that hasn't cupped the front. I'll probably buy them again. Regarding the Z6, has anyone noticed that the rear seem smaller for it's size that other brand tires of the same size?

shawboy · 02-11-2005

I talked with my dealer at the IMS show last weekend. They recommended either the Z6 or the Avon Azaro over anything else for a bike like the ST, with a slight preference for the Z6. FWIW.

DMc · 03-03-2005

I'm on my second front and third rear of the Z6. Love 'em. I was running Pilot Sports for two sets and they held great but wore to quickly. 1800 miles on the rear is way to expensive for me. I'm getting about 5k out of the rear Z6 now. I put a pair on my R1 street wheel set. I went with the 190 rear and hate the feeling. I should have stuck with the 180. I ride with a group of guys and most of them have made the switch to the Z6 and have liked the tire. BTW, we ride all year round on all kinds of roads and these tire do the job well. YMMV

DMc · 03-03-2005

I'm on my second front and third rear of the Z6. Love 'em. I was running Pilot Sports for two sets and they held great but wore to quickly. 1800 miles on the rear is way to expensive for me. I'm getting about 5k out of the rear Z6 now. I put a pair on my R1 street wheel set. I went with the 190 rear and hate the feeling. I should have stuck with the 180. I ride with a group of guys and most of them have made the switch to the Z6 and have liked the tire. BTW, we ride all year round on all kinds of roads and these tire do the job well. YMMV

Scarecrow · 03-15-2005

I've been riding on Mich Pilots for the past 4000 miles and like them well enough. There is some cupping up front, which is due to all the (straight-path) highway miles I log, so I can't be too critical.

One thing I've noticed is that they are cold tires and need to warm up. Not sure if anyone else has experienced this. Rain-riding is fine, but I'd have to admit to being a bit tender in the turns when it's wet out, so strenuous wet-weather riding reviews on these treads won't be found here.

Will be looking to replace these after the next riding season and will either do these again or end up with the Metz Z6's.