 Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Thinking of ordering these. Are they any good? Thanks in advance! 
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Oil Expert
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Really? Hmm... that's another option. Have you tried them both?
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Avons have superior handling and grip. They wear too fast. The front has a tendency to rapidly cup, thus you only get a half life from it = replace front/rear together.
The 880s to me seem a bit harder. I got lotsa miles out of my last set. Round 17grand.
Avons take the cake (and the wallet)
Metz 880s are a sound choice at a performance level which last a bit longer and are priced the same as Avons.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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They will take you to HeII and back without problems Bengt!  .... and Greece to! Have them and will buy them again
Gooseman
Bonneville America 904 Black/Silver
Triumph Tiger 1050 Black
Ducati Multistrada 1200s
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
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OP
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 Thanks both of you!
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Oil Expert
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If you want handling in the wet I don't advise the 880s. They scare me in the wet, otherwise they seem fine. I know that the Dunlop D404s handle much better in the wet and I believe the Avons Venoms are even better than the Dunlops for wet handling. I would ride twice as hard on the Dunlops in the wet than on the Marathons which just step out at the slightest excuse.
Cheers, Richard
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09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Adjunct
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+1 on ME880 wet handling.
Pacific Blue/White 2009 America in the TX Hill Country
Not all that glitters is gold. Tolkien. Hmm Must've seen the chrome on my TA coming down the road.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Great, I just bought a set of Marathons cos the lasertechs just wouldn't last long enough.  Others never mentioned the riding in the wet issue with the 880's though.  Not that I doubt anyone's opinions but I'll find out for myself soon enough and hopefully not the hard way. Mind you I haven't had any problems so far in the wet round town but we'll have to see. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to wet weather riding. If it is true, it would be great if we could agree on the perfect tyre wouldn't it? Like good longevity to saves $'s, don't cost the earth and great handling. I've heard some manufacturers have developed tyres where they use harder compound rubber on the main area of the tyre that wears out first and softer on the sides for good corner adhestion. I haven't heard anyone mention these tyres yet?
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Adjunct
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Quote:
If you want handling in the wet I don't advise the 880s. They scare me in the wet
Never a truer word spoken.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Oil Expert
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thanks for the heads up, I'll keep it in mind
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Loquacious
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Are the 880s what are stock now? Are they better in the wet than the original stock Bridgestones? I will be putting new tires on my bike this year and my stock Bridgestone tires have 18,000 miles and still doing ok. My plan was to put the Metzlers on as replacements.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I think they are the stock ones now. Yes, they are a huge improvement over the Bridgestones, but that doesn't take much. Those were horrible tires. I don't trust the Metzler in the wet either. On the way home from the Mid West Rally this summer, we rode the last bit in the rain and for no reason my rear end just slid out sideways and scared the crap outta me. My next rear will be the IRC Wildflare heavy duty, I really like the front I have on there and if the rear is even close to it in wear and traction then it will be a winner. I only have 11k on my 880 though, so it will be a while before I need a new back tire, they wear well.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Aug 2005
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As long as they are better than the Bridgestones I have, they're probably fine for me. In August I rode the Tail of the Dragon in the rain on my bike 2-up! Granted, I was nervous about holding, but due to living in FL, the sides of my tires have very little wear. No slipping, but I didn't go near as fast through there as when I went back the next day and it was dry.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Had the ME880s on the bike from new. They are a good dry weather tyre, but in the wet they dont inspire any confidence at all. I ditched mine after 4000 miles and went with the Avons. Vast improvememt in wet and dry conditions, I doubt if they'll last as long, but I'd rather have more grip than longevity. It will work out cheaper in the long run.
Last edited by Bodger; 11/02/2009 6:36 PM.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I have really grown fond of the IRC Wild Flare.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Quote:
As long as they are better than the Bridgestones I have, they're probably fine for me. In August I rode the Tail of the Dragon in the rain on my bike 2-up! Granted, I was nervous about holding, but due to living in FL, the sides of my tires have very little wear. No slipping, but I didn't go near as fast through there as when I went back the next day and it was dry.
Which B-Stones are we talking about. One of the other posts suggest the Bstone S11 (Spitfire) is a very good tyre.
Adventure before Dementia...
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Quote:
Which B-Stones are we talking about. One of the other posts suggest the Bstone S11 (Spitfire) is a very good tyre.
I'm still on the stock Bridgestones that came on the bike (now 18,000 miles). I figure I will have to replace them during the year. I had been told the Metzlers were much better. Just better is fine with me.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Quote:
As long as they are better than the Bridgestones I have, they're probably fine for me. In August I rode the Tail of the Dragon in the rain on my bike 2-up! Granted, I was nervous about holding, but due to living in FL, the sides of my tires have very little wear. No slipping, but I didn't go near as fast through there as when I went back the next day and it was dry.
Which B-Stones are we talking about. One of the other posts suggest the Bstone S11 (Spitfire) is a very good tyre.
maybe the 880s? However Bob probably has the Mag Mopus and Exedra, since those came stock on the wire spoke Americas.
Tires in order of sheet:
Avon best tire for the money class. Handling in the wet and dry at the expense of wear.
ME880 next best in this fictional money class. Dry handling is marginally inferior to the Avons. Suffers wet handling at the gain of tread life. However, the wet handling is not all that bad. Slip-n-slide in the rain? yeah. specially when chloroform depleted leaves liter the street.
Spitfires
different class.
Mag Mopus and Exedra
different class.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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something about timing...
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I think the IRC is the best for the money. They are fairly cheap and handle very well wet or dry, as good or better than the Metzlers I had on my bike. They do wear a little faster but not much., I would still run them even if they cost a little more.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Loquacious
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i dont know what you guys mean about the 880's in the rain. i rode my america at the NH rally in about 100 miles of steady heavy rain, ask those guys about it. and i never once felt uncomfortable on it. i even thought to myself a few times how planted the bike felt. and these were 880's with like 12k on them.
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Was that all freeway riding or did it include twisties?
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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My 880s always felt firmly planted too , wet or dry but so do my IRCs.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Not with me. Even on dry ground I've found the ME to break away on a sharp turn when accelerating through the turn. Forget about water. Straight up traval, no problems (and I've been caught in a couple of our famous little flash floods). But I have an almost zero confidence in any kind of hard turn situation. Stock shocks may have something to do with it, but I know these tires will break (and drift) with little persuasion from the throttle. I'll definately be looking to something else when the time comes, for now - caution is the name of the game.
Pacific Blue/White 2009 America in the TX Hill Country
Not all that glitters is gold. Tolkien. Hmm Must've seen the chrome on my TA coming down the road.
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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twisty back roads in the PA mountains. Tom has followed me through them and I don't take it at all easy. I like to play.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Oil Expert
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I'm wondering if maybe Metzeler changed the compound on the 880s because it seems those (like me) that think they are ratsh1t in the wet have 09 bikes and those that think they are planted have over 10k (a year or so older tyres).
Cheers, Richard
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09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Iam on my 3rd set of 880's my front is showing a little cupping but I never had it bal it's getting pretty thin any way probly replace it in the spring. the factory tyres I think I replaced them around 8000 roded them till the cord was showin put plugs in them for grip Just kiding but the cord was showin  drifted mine a few times and it might of been on purpose
Last edited by damien; 11/07/2009 9:03 PM.
2005 America 145 mains, , #48 pilots, , k&n pod filters, ported intakes manifolds, nology coils and wires, pro com CDI, 62 HP at wheel 68,000 hard miles still runs great gone "traded"
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I still have my stock front Lazertech on mine at about 22,000 (have to go look forget if I hit 23,000 yet or not.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Wow - my Lasertec front is over 50% worn and only done 5000 kilometers (3125 miles)! They must have changed the compounds on those to but to softer, Seems the 880s have gone to a harder compound and the Lasertec to a much softer compound.
Cheers, Richard
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09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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880s front and rear on my '04 Speedmaster, chicken strips are....gone.
Always feel like they're gripping quite well on dry pavement. I don't push it on wet. It's a Vegas thing, the infrequent rainfall brings up oils and other slippery stuff so we learn to take it easy in wet.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I don't push it in wet weather either. I choose to err on the side of caution in the rain.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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Joined: Dec 2005
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I agree with the 880 wet riding. I got mine a few months ago, (in the dry season) I just rode 500k in the rain and had some VERY scary events. NOT happy JAN 
A dog, a bike, a ute,
Now in the deep south.. Newcastle.
Cold winters, cold rain
Come on summer
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Re: Metzeler ME 880 Marathon
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It amazing the difference in mileage reported on tires. I've got over 18,000 miles on my stock Bridgestones and am not quite at the wear indicators. I've always kept my pressure at 32/36. Obviously, I don't do burn outs.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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