Hoops, hides, skins or just plain tires

dolson · #1 (**permalink**) 09-17-2004

Had to break down and get a new set yesterday and went with the Metz Z6's. Heard good things about them so thought I'd give them a try. Will let you know how things go. So far just the long way home from the dealer initial impressions are. These are comparing to the BT57's.

Only have 15 miles so far and not scuffed in but turn in seems a bit harder but once in is stable and stays to a line. Where the old would fall in and I'd have to counter-counter steer to hold the same line in the same corner.

Doesn't seem to "track" or follow road imperfections.

Today they will get their wet test.

Don

Rashmaster · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2004

Metzlers tend to have a more round profile, so they usually don't just fall in like the more angular tires. (avon etc) I've yet to ever cup a metzler either. Good luck. Did Stan put em on?

Will · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2004

Metzlers also seem to take a while longer to warm up. That might be why they seem harder.

dolson · #4 (**permalink**) 09-18-2004

Hi Rash, Clint or Rod have done my work. They gave me a good price on the tires and Clint gave me a good price on mounting so I just took it in.

dolson · #5 (**permalink**) 09-19-2004

Was able to put in 100 miles today all in the rain. I was able to only put on about 15 miles the day I got them in the dry so still don't have them scrubbed in properly.

So far I am pretty impressed especially in the wet. I took one of my favorite 25mph posted 90' turns at 50 in the rain which was normal for the old BT57's in the dry. No wiggles, drama they just stuck.

Very smooth running and as I said earlier they doesn't seem to track pavement imperfections but stay on course.

I'm getting used to the turn in and find it not bad just different. (rounded profile as was mentioned earlier.) But the nice thing is that Instead of having to stop the lean with these you just go to the angle and it stops where you want it to and holds that. Or you can change if you need or want, no fuss.

I was very interested in the wet handling since in Oregon if you don't ride in the rain you don't ride and I didn't want a tire that would curtail my fun. I think so far these will do fine.

Don

PassTheGravy · #6 (**permalink**) 09-20-2004

dolson, thanks for your report on the skins. Unfortunately, I found a nail in my rear tire yesterday. OTOH, it is the stock BT57 and I've been looking for a reason to replace it anyway. I plugged it, and the plug is holding fine, but I intend to replace it asap. Keep us posted on your impressions on them as you scrub them in and get used to them.

dolson · #7 (**permalink**) 09-20-2004

PTG, not to much loss on the BT57's. Mine lasted 6600 miles but I kept them on longer than I should have. The rear was below the wear bars and so was the front but the front started cupping within less than a 1000 miles and was an annoyance the whole time.
Triumph must have gotten a heck of a deal on them.

Don

#8 (**permalink**) 09-21-2004

HI All

I agree with Donlson on the BT 57's the way they fall in to a corner, I never liked that. I also hate the way they want to right the bike if you trail break in a turn.

I just had a new set of BT 020's put on my ST and I like their character. They roll in and out of turns easier and fallow a line much nicer then the 57's did. I ran the tires much longer then I had planned, 8500 Miles. A couple of back to back long rides really ran up the miles.

I was going to replace them with the Perrelli Diablo street tires, but my dealer had the 020's in stock. He likes them a lot. My brother in law has the Perrelli's on his Daytona and they work very well at the track and on the street. He has gotten good service out of them as well. the first set went around 6500 miles and he rides a bit hard so I would probably get more out of them then he did. Every one I have talked to likes these tires and swears by them. I will have to give them a try next summer I guess.

Devo · #9 (**permalink**) 10-04-2004

I had the Z6's on a BMW. They were great in the wet. I rode in some nasty midwest thunder storms with them and never had a problem. I'll probably go with them when my BT57's wear out. I agree with your observation on the way they take to a corner. Pick an angle, pick a line and they just do it.

The BT57's just feel weird. Sometimes I think they're doing more of the driving than I am.

dolson · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004

Another update. So far I've put in about 400 miles on the hides and have them pretty well scrubbed in side to side.

The wet grip is great. Not only in the pouring down rain but also in the nether world of fog and mist where the pavement is damp both in lean and straight up.

In the dry in some rougher corners where the BT57's would have some trouble even fairly fresh such as front chatter and walking and the rear stepping out or just plain drifting. The Z6's exhibited none of these problems or tendencies and just stuck to the game plan.

The slow and fast corners where the pavement is good and smooth are no brainers.

I'm liking these because unlike the BT57's where I would have to accommodate myself to the tires the Z6's seem more than willing to accommodate themselves to me.
I have a tendency to push the front and I'm also finding that the front tire is doing a good job of talking to me and so far it hasn't been complaining.

I'm running 36 / 38 psi Ft/Rear. So far this has been working out fine but will juggle the pressures a bit to experiment.

Don