Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Tire(d) confusion.

I'm a bit confused on the tires I'm trying purchase and could use a bit of help.

What I'm trying to do is buy a set of Metzeler's ME880's.
I thought that I was all set, but then i went to the Metzeler site and used the fitment guide and it gave me a different front tire than the one I thought was the correct one.

Here's what I was going to get.
METZELER ME880 110/90HB-18 FRONT
METZELER ME880 170/80HB-15 REAR

Here's what Metzeler's site gave me:
ME 880 MARATHON - PERFECT ME 77 FRONT
Front 3.50-18TL 56SFRONT ME77 - 2.20 BAR INCHES
Rear 170/80B15M/CTL 77H ME880 - 2.50 BAR INCHES
link below:
http://www.metzelermoto.com/tyres/fitmen...amp;IMAGE1.y=16

Does anyone understand this? From what I've noticed the front tire they suggest doesn't appear to be for a spoked rim, obviously a different tread pattern. The different tread pattern makes sense because my current bridgestones don't have the same. Should they?

Any thoughts?

btw - if it isn't obvious enough I know butkis about this, so feel free to break it right on down.

much thanx,
Kurt

100 90 front and the 170 rear is just fine

Frank

You're fine with your original sizes and choice. Just go ahead and order the tires. The ME880 is one of the finest Metzeler tires produced for it's intended purpose...a hard compound high mileaage tire.

If you want some good prices on those 880s, try Southwest Moto Tires. They have free shipping if you order 2 tires. I can just about throw a rock from my backyard and hit this tire store. They are widely known on the internet on just about all motorcycle forums.

As best I can remember, 3.50-18 is the correct front tire for a 60's Bonneville. Maybe someone at metzler was having a flashback?

Nope. My tires on my '02 BA have the inch measurements on them. I guess Bridgestone also uses them.

mine too.

Are you running spoked wheels or cast? If you have spokes then don't forget to order tubes. Unless, of course, you are running fat air that doesn't leak through the little tiny spoke holes. But fat air is very hard to get, so I think tubes are required. Correct me if I'm wrong. Anyone?