Triumphrat

runtheton · 07-07-2007

just got home from Beaverton Or. 250 miles from my home .where i got a new rear tire for my Thruxton . only to find out its a bias not a radial tire like the one that came on it .
still have the original front radial tire on the the bike .

the tire i got is a Metzeler Lasertec 130/80-17 m/c 65H . they can't get the original one that came on it they said .(Mz2) same size..

Q 1. so can i run the Bias ply on the rear and a Radial on the front ?

Q2 anyone run this rear tire on their bike (the Lasertec)Metzeler ? looks like a good tire :???:

hate to go back to Beaverton.

Craig

[ This message was edited by: runtheton on 2007-07-08 20:44 ]

Geoff · 07-07-2007

I was concerned about that also, as mine came new with a bias back and a radial front. I didnt think you could mix them, but apparently you can and it works just fine. No squirrely handling or anything else that feels weird.
G

mecscc · 07-08-2007

Interesting question. The long held view is to NEVER mix the two, on cars or bikes. The assumption is, I guess, that the radials flex much more than the bias ply tires and you will get two responses from the tires going around the same corner, etc. It may depend on how you ride, how aggressive you are in the twisties, etc. It would be worth while to inquire of the manufacturer, rather than the dealer, to see what they advise.

This is the first I have heard of anyone doing it and it sounds like Geoff is having no problems.

In all the years I have ridden I have never mixed them, but only because I was told that you should not. Maybe that was bad advice.

Check with Metzler.

Monte

REVOLT · 07-08-2007

Did some Homewrok...

Metz ME33 Laser - Bias
Metz ME72 - Radials
BT45F - Bias
BT45R - Bias

Moto- Tire Combo (Bias/Radial)
T100- ME33 Laser / MEZ2 Yes
Bonneville- BT45F / BT45R No
Thruxton- ME33 / MEZ2 Yes

These are per Triumph Owner's manual...

badrufus · 07-09-2007

My 2005 T100 came with a radial MEZ2 on the rear and a bias ME33 Laser on the front as OEM fitment. It is unusual to combine radial and bias, and should only be done when the tire manufacturer recommends a particular combination for a particular bike. Furthermore, I am under the impression that the combination is supposed to be rear radial and front bias, not the other way around.

The Metzler MEZ2 radial for the rear is still available from Metzler. A month ago, I needed to replace my front Metzler and called Pirelli/Metzler tech support to talk to them about the continued availability of the rear MEZ2, as what I got for the front was going to be influenced by what would be available for the rear. They indicated that the rear MEZ2 was being produced only for the Bonneville and would continue to be produced. They also indicated that the ME33 Laser had been replaced by the Lasertec for the front.

I think you need to call Metzler and ask them [(800) 747-3554]

Geoff · 07-09-2007

I just had a look and you are correct badfufus- the radial is on the rear, and bias on front. I wonder how it would feel with radials on both ends? And why would this combo be specced on certain bikes and be a no - n o on others?
G

SaintBernard · 07-09-2007

I would also be curious about running a radial on the front. Is there even one available for the T100?

Thanks,
Doug

357Bob · 07-09-2007

When radials first came out for cars you never mixed them in any combination. I had to once (for money reasons) & my car (57 Chevy) was all over the road. When I went with radials all the way around it straightened up. Radial tires will track over a seam in the road that runs the same direction as your travel (parallel) while a bias ply tire will try to climb it. The front of my car wouldn't follow the rear.
So. I notice my T100 doing weird things when I first bought it. The front & rear wouldn't track together. Then I noticed the steel belted radial on the rear & the bias ply on the front. That never made any sense to me. Plus the tread pattern is different. I have always expected someone on the forum to bring this up.
Now at 10,000 miles in one year I have changed both tires. I have Kenda Challengers front & rear. 6 ply rating & 130 speed rated. I wouldn't go back to those Metzlers for anything. Love the Kendas. Look good too. Now the fenders are filled & look better. Just my opinion of course. Bob.

Geoff · 07-09-2007

Bob, are the Kendas bias or radial?
G

ohiorider · 07-09-2007

Bob, another Kenda question. Are you running a 130/90-17 ono the rear. I've looked at a couple of sites, and cannot find the recommended 130/80-17 rear tire.

I've got a front Dunlop 501 that's causing me problems, the first to do so .... this is the third rear and second front 501 I've installed. This is where mail order doesn't work out too well .... I'll have to have a shop dismount the tire, then I'll have to return it to the distributor, and wait it out (that probably won't happen .... I'll put something else on the front in the meantime).

Bob (Ohiorider)