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Tire replacement thoughts
#93477 08/31/2006 7:38 AM
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I shopping for tires and did search (this search function pretty much sucks). I think I'm going with Metzeler 880 on the rear but from past postings there was a Metzeler 330 everybody was using which appears to be no longer avaiable.
Whats the replacement suggestion for the 330? Is anybody using the Lazertecs? I kinda like the tread patterns on those.
Any ideas?
ModelMaker


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Re: Tire replacement thoughts
ModelMaker #93478 08/31/2006 8:19 AM
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The Lazertec is the direct replacement for the 330. Pretty much the same tyre.

Re: Tire replacement thoughts
ModelMaker #93479 08/31/2006 4:41 PM
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Back when I bought my Speedmaster in 2003, the front was called an ME33 Laser, which Metzeler has since changed the name of to Lasertec. Not much looks different about it, same tread pattern.

The other common tire choice around here is the Avon Venom. Venoms generally don't wear as long as the Metzelers, but they give you better traction through corners.

Another option is to put on Metzeler 880s front and back. You can't get the stock size in the 880 front, but a slightly taller 110/90-18 will fit and a side benefit is that it will give you a more accurate speedomter(only reads 5% high instead of 10% on my bike).

I've been running the Metzler 880s front and back for 25,000 miles now. For me they're what I want in a tire, decent traction and long life, but YMMV.

Re: Tire replacement thoughts
ModelMaker #93480 08/31/2006 10:29 PM
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I ran the Metzlers twice. Now I'm trying the Continental Mileage touring tires. I have about 3000 miles on em, and am happy. I haven't been able to try em in the rain yet. I've been told I will get better mileage with the Connies than I did with the 880's, which is important to me right now. I'll keep you guys posted.

Re: Tire replacement thoughts
leonard #93481 09/01/2006 7:31 AM
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Of the two tread patterns I am for some reason drawn to the Lasertec over the 880. Looks like it has more tread. But isn't the ideal condition to have more rubber than tread on the road??
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Re: Tire replacement thoughts
ModelMaker #93482 09/01/2006 2:42 PM
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The more rubber, the better the traction. I have 880's front and back, and not one slip from either end. Great tires!


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Re: Tire replacement thoughts
Sandmann #93483 09/01/2006 3:08 PM
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The ME33 Lazer was the original front tire. The 330 was a different tire entirely (but has, I believe, been discontinued anyway). The ME33 Lazertec replaces the original ME33 Lazer. The tread pattern is the same, but the Lazertec uses different compounds for better traction and wear characteristics.


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Re: Tire replacement thoughts
Wyrm74 #93484 09/01/2006 3:14 PM
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Quote:

The more rubber, the better the traction.




Not always true. Too large of a contact patch can actually reduce your traction, it has to do with the amount of weight vs the side and rotational forces or something, maybe one the engineers can explain it (my daughter, a third year engineering student isn't here right now or I would ask her) .
You need tread for wet traction and the ME33 is designed for that.


Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también

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