Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Best rain tire, Metzler 880?

I need to replace my tires on my America and I want the best possible grip in the rain. I ha been running Pirelli´s
and I am not convinced that the are the best rain tires.
I have been driving real twisty roads in the rain and it did not feel really that great. I have 3 track days ( yes, track days )
at Gelleråsen raceway this spring and summer and I want the best possible grip when the rain falls. Any advice?

Regards

Pikeman59

Hi Sven

I use Metzlers, front and rear and like them in the dry but on a circuit in the wet at speed I don't know if they would be better than the Pirelli's.

Hi Sven

Ray doesn't use his bike in the rain...

But I do, and while I have done a track day, it was dry. I do however ride like an idiot in a city in the rain and find the Metzler's have all the grip I want/need.

My front metzler frightens sh:t out of me in the wet. I normally run it at 38psi but when its wet I drop it to 30. the rear seems fine

The ME33 Lazertec (stock front on the Speedmaster) is designed for wet performance.

Mine seems to do just fine.

I run nothing but the Metzlers, and laugh every time I get a chance to run in the rain. I'm usually running around in the big-city traffic, but it doesn't slow me down.

I do get a kick out of all the Harley riders off on the frontage roads while I'm hauling the mail on the slab like the sun is shining though. I know I shouldn't laugh, and I should slow down in the rain, but the tires have never made me feel the need to. That isn't a knock on the Harley riders - they can handle the rain. I think it is their Harleys that they think can't handle it....they're hunting cover!

Hejsan Sven,

PM sent!

Johann

The stock Metzlers on my 05 Speedmaster were mighty good in the rain. They've both lasted 20,000 miles as well. The front is still legal, but the rear is a slick. Both are soon to be changed out.

I like the Avon Venom X tires they do very well in the rain.

never had a problem with my 880's

Frank

Love my 880's.

imho the Venoms are the better rain tire. The Venoms are better in all categories cept one: Wear.

Cinnamon Girl came with Pirellis. I left the front tire in Lynchberg VA and the rear tire in Melbourne FL. When I got the sickle, the Pirellis had a DOT of mid 94. They were old hard and craggy er dried out. I put german tyres on Cinnamon Girl after the Pirellis. I have the Venoms on Vera. The Metz last longer than Avons. I say go with the Avons given your track days scheduled.

I have noticed that Cinnamon Girl falls into corners ever so slightly more readily than Vera. Sister sickles they are so I attribute the different feel to the front tire. Then again the rubbed down Avons might be the reason. And that's my pint. I had the Avons installed last April and they need to be replaced already. The front due to cupping and the rear cause the tread is almost gone. If I didn't have to remove the rotor I would swap the wheels and ride Vera to the GA 08 Rally. As it is I get to wear out the 880 metzelers on Cinnamon Girl.

The actual front tire profile of the Avons v the Metzelers are what I really attribute to the different cornering feel. The Metz have no flair where the tread meets the sidewall. Avons do.

What would I rather have? The Venoms. What will I put on Vera next? The ME880s.