Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories I love my metzelers

Can't believe the difference from bridgestones. The tires aren't even really broken in yet and I'm already raving about them. If you haven't ditched the stocks yet, I'd recommend looking into it.

They came with my Speedy and they have done everything I have ask of them. I have had it over far enough to drag my boots several times. When I replace mine it will be with the same. Enjoy!!!!

Dave

Avon Venoms being fitted today...hoping I like them as much as you like your Metzlers...anythings got to be an improvement over those awful Bridgestones!

Love my Avons!!! Had the front done at Christmas, and the rear about a month later (long story).
I'm not as aggressive a rider as some here, but love that they don't track the groves in the roads, and seem to just ride true. And I do feel more stable and comfortable on the tight corners.
B

Did you put a ME880 on the front, or the ME33?

Ditto, I have the ME880's front & rear.

Becky, what size did you put on the front? 100/90-18 or 120/90-18?

I know you asked Becky but I'll butt in anyway.

I run the 100/90-18 Avons on the front of my bike. They look a bit smallish under the stock TBA fender. Might try the 120 this year, even if I have to make some spacers for the front fender (I'll probably move up to a 180 on the rear, too).

My only complaint on the Avons is longevity. I only get 6000-6500 miles on a rear tire. I could probably get another 500-1000 on the front but I replace them both at the same time, usually in the Spring.

I put ME880 on the front. I was actually confused for a bit which to put on the front, but couldn't find enough information on the ME33 or anyone that carried it. No regrets though, tires are awesome. It did feel a little strange at first with the bigger tire on the front. However, it only took 50 miles before I got used to it.

HUGE advantage over the stock tire, especially on crappy roads.

The 880 is probably the best "overall".... I've run the "33" on different bikes. They handle great, but.... cup real bad if your a heavy front-braker !!

Yeah, I probably won't bother if the 120 doesn't fit under the fender. I'm too lazy to make spacers.

FJ, I get about the same mileage out of Avons as well. I don't ride that hard, so I blame it on all the stop and go driving and different road surfaces here in W.Pa.
I've got about 2500 on my current set, and another set of new ones sitting in a closet, so it will be awhile before I try some other brand.

thanks, becky...wish i'd known that a few weeks ago! i would've ordered an AM22 for the front...i've got the AM42 120/90-18 and i think i'm going to have issues with fender clearance...i'm hoping the dealer will take it back, likely subject to a restocking fee, unless someone on here tells me i'm wrong and it'll fit...

I'm loving this thread. I still have the stock tyres on (I know but eveything is stock...) but the front one is not far of it's indicator mark. So I've been pricing up new tyres. And while I have prices for both Avon and Metzlers (and nearly died of shock as to how much they are...) I'm wondering as to whether Avon or Metzler...but no not Bridgestone.
When I first got her I thought it was just me...then I joined here and found that it wasn't! The rut/groove thing that is...

I got almost 20000 miles out of my original Metzelers, and they performed great as far as I am concerned. I saw no reason to change. I put the same back on, except I bought the front Lasertec instead of the discontinued Laser. The Lasertec has a different structure and rubber compound for a claimed better performance, but I can't see any difference.

I was really impressed with the Metzelers the first month that I had my Speedmaster. I was caught in a downpour just before entering a stretch of interstate in St Paul called Spaghetti Junction. The road was drenched and puddled in spots. The tires felt true and stable in the wet corners and I never felt like I was out of control. That one incident sold me on the Metzelers. Then when I was able to run them almost 20k, well like I said, why change?

Cody

I've had bad luck with nails, but I like the performance of the Metzelers. I got 17,000 miles out of my original front tire, and I thought that was outstanding considering the kind of heat I ride in during the summer, and the chip sealed roads they have out here.

Okay........ has anyone "actually" put a "180" on the rear? Is there enough clearance?
Also, Metzeler ME880 comes in a 110/90-H18. MAW Online Catalog

That's what I've had on the front ever since the Laser wore out at 17,000 miles....an ME880 110/90-18. It's a closer fit to the fender, but has never come in contact with it in over 20,000 miles.

hey Derek, how close a fit is it? or rather, how much clearance remains? With the stock Bridgestone being equivalent to a 110/80, the sidewall height would be 88mm...the Avon 120/90 would be 108 mm, 20 mm higher! (I don't think the extra 10 mm in width will cause a problem?) Your 110/90 would have a sidewall height of 99mm...so what I'm wondering is this...is there still enough clearance to mount a 120/90 which would be 9 mm taller?

Well it isn't a uniform distance from front to back. there's a little less than 1/2 inch(about 7/16) at the front tip of the fender, and at the back tip it's a little more than half an inch.

Btw, 13mm is roughly 1/2 inch, so that additional 9mm is cutting it close...too close IMO. I wouldn't want to have it any closer than what I have, but you could lengthen the fender mount bolt holes to give you more clearance. Or some other way...there's always a way to get something to fit.

You might get rubbing on those cheesy, little, brakeline plug-clips, unless yours have already fallen out like mine have.

Cody

I have today ordered

FRONT-Lasertec( formerly ME33)110/80-18
REAR- 170/80-15 ME88

Is this correct?- I do hope so as im having them fitted tomorrow!

Ouch!

I had an Avon 41 and Avon 42 fitted yesterday. A couple of days before that I fitted a floating rotor and new pads, chnaged out the fork oil and installed progressive springs. About two weeks ago I fitted 440's and Brent's custom rear peg hangers. Can someone let me hold a dallah?

Rod, Yes those are correct. The rear tire seems to be correct in size, but short on product ID. Did you mean to write that you ordered a ME880?

That should do you. Let us know how you like the Lasertec.

Quote:

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Can someone let me hold a dallah?

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I hear ya Moe...Progressive 412s, new chain and sprockets, front brake pads, and a new igniter box. My bike slush fund is now being replenished to save up for those floating rotors and stainless brake lines(close to twice as much for us Speedmaster owners).

Thanks Moe- peaceful night for me!-

I did order the ME880 but they corrected me and said it was ME88?- reading through the posts, I began to panic, thinking I had ordered 2 Metzlers- but completely diferent sizes- the result being like a clowns comedy bike!

I have previously used Bridgestones, but found each set only lasted 6500miles. I read that Metzlers can handle 17000miles- if thats the case then I will be really happy!

I am reading this correctly aren't I !

Thanks again Moe

Regards

Rod

Rest assured Rod of York, you're on the right path to the Holy Grail.

Moe, tell me about the fit of your Venoms...front, specifically...did you mod the fender mounting?

put on mine perelli sport demon 110-80-18 and rear mt 66 170-80-15 like them.

Moe...
You "ran up a tab", didn't ya!? But... your bike is now MOe' BETTER !!

The Avon is just, almost, not quite, stock size. Therefore no fender mods. 100/90 18. This size is 2mm taller than stock and 10mm narrower.

This is my second, dual tire change out. Something about looking at a slightly abused front tire that always has me biting the bullet and replacing it when I want tread on the rear tire. I put 13,100 miles in 12 months 2 weeks, on my last set of tires. The front does/did have tread on it, but with outgassing, dryrot etc, I likes to have fresher rubber for the twisties. My rear tire had zero tread left on the contact patch area. Ever look at the Avon Venom rear tire tread? Freaks me out to see those ravenous treads rubbed flat when the old tire is positioned next to the new carcass. I could have ridden for more miles, technically speaking, but for the fact that tires get real expensive when replaced when out of state...

The last time that happened, (replacing a tire while in trip mode) I paid for one rear tire, what I pay for both the front and the rear tires.

Some have made mention of getting 17000 miles out of tire. Couple of notes on that:

Rubber gets real hard with age. The tire will develop tiny cracks too. Rolling 17K takes most riders at least 2 years. Motorcycle tires should be replaced periodically. Criteria? Either age or miles or both. So the 17K life of tires will usually be tempered with age. Yeah, this opinion of mine is due to the fact that I ride out of town, out of state and out of country (once). (Out of state for a Florida cracker is a big deal as we lives on a big peninsula that takes me 200 miles just to get to the nearest border) . For in-county and/or in-town, I might just squeeze the tire life to the max...

This rant brought to you by Starbucks whole bean expresso roast.

Vera is Moe better. But I'm Moe poorer

Got the Metzlers fitted today and I can feel the love!

I have scrubbed them in today (100miles)and coupled with the sprocket change >18 tooth, I hope to report back soon
with a new fire; one which cannot be quenched!

Feel the love

17,500 on mine. need new ones but great tires.

cat

Hey all....

I had Metzelers fitted today. So far only done about 25 miles, but it's raining...
And I wish it came with these on. No groove following and so far sticking to the road - even in the rain!

So Rod I am feeling the love.

Gina,
I'm glad you like your Metzelers. I really like mine. They probably will be faster too. Now you can keep up with all those Speedmasters out there.

Triumph must be locked into some kind of unfortunate contract with Bridgestone on the America line. Otherwise, why wouldn't they use just one tire like the obviously superior Metzeler, as on the Speedmasters. I wonder what tire brand comes on the Rocket and the Sprint and the other Triumph lines.

Cody