| Comments collected in May and June, 2003. Prices and opinions vary over time as tire manufacturers change models and designs. Threads and posts are in chronological order (first post oldest): |
| I ordered a Metzler 170/80x15 from Discount Motorcycle Tire and Accessories yesterday for $110 plus $14 shipping. Cyclewerkz quoted me $179.50. John T Plano, Texas "98 1500A Ears Shaved, Rejetted VROC #4257 |
| I'm just going through the agony of a new front tyre for the C2 (L for the yanks). I have had and swear by the Metzeler ME33 Laser 3.50 x 19 as a front, and the Metz Marathon ML2 on the rear. They provide excellent grip, especially in wet conditions. The ME33 is a softer compound tyre better suited to sports (read = more aggressive) riding and it is characterized by a close tread pattern in full V across the tyre, with a not too deep tread. The ML2 Marathon is apparently a harder compound, properly suited to heavy cruisers, rear. My tyre man didn't recommend I get a matching Marathon for the front due to the harder compound, as he thought it was not such a good wet/cornering tyre, and better suited to freeway touring. He thought I'd probably arse off with one in changing from an ME33. Unfortunately, on our coarse chip roads, on this set of tyres, and after a good thrash round the NZ South Island, I have cut out the front tyre with the rear only half worn, at about 15000 km. Less than 10,000miles. Normally I would have expected twice the front life over rear. However, my tyre man tells me that the weight, the rake, and the narrow tyre significantly increases wear given the smaller contact patch, and that what I got out of it was pretty good. Our roads are coarser, and curver as a general observation to those I've ridden Stateside (we don't have a swag of freeways! so it is reasonable to expect more wear anyway. We also ride ALL weathers all year round, several seasons and provinces in a day! LOL. Any way a set of Metzelers costs about $NZ350 with fitting/balancing perhaps another $30 depending on the 'special of the day'. Halve that for USD. I couldn't get a ME33 in time for a planned ride on Friday, so I have elected to try a Pirelli 66 front. I'm told its almost as sticky as the ME33 Laser, and the cost is $NZ150. I didn't like the Conti as a performance tyre (tyre man confirmed my view) and all I've read on the list suggested that Bridgestone didn't get a look-in. I'll let you know how it goes. Jazz DownUnder ~VROC~ #3135 1996 C2 1500 Vulcan Sports Cruiser 2002 Honda VTR1000F2 Firestorm Ulysses New Zealand #4594 Victoria MC of Wellington Bucket Racer: 100 Suzuki #88 |
| At some point, we should probably put together a list of tire sellers... Ron Ayers is the current champ from my investigation but don't carry as many tire brands/lines as dedicated tire shops like Southwest Mototires. I quoted many prices from swmototires.com, as these were readily available due to their stocking many different brands and tire models... wiredgeorge ~V~2420 CMA 74623 Venturer 147/Chaplain |
| Did ya read this? Just thought it might interest you. Bigguy" <[email protected] wrote in message news:[email protected]... I have a set (that means front AND back Auggie !) of Pirelli "Route 66" tires on my 96 1500 classic. Thru a weird set of circumstances (got the back from Wompus so I bought the front to match) this is my first MC Pirelli's. I've had some version of sport-touring car tires from them, and liked them, so I was expecting good things from these. >WRONG ! After about 1000 miles now, they are louder than the stock 'stones EVER were. In fact, they've howled ever since new, front AND back. Any speed above 50 you'd think there was an 18-wheeler along side you. My bike has some loud pipes, but these tires are LOUDER. They seem to corner and track well, but did I mention how LOUD they are? > Just thought I'd mention these tires suck, if you think you'd consider them, don't. Rant over. Bigguy in Omaha #3436 "I've been married so long I don't stop for red lights" Scott "Skooter" Krause '99 Green/Green Nomad DePOGGED & JOGGED VROC# 8371 Waterloo, IA |
| They guy who maintains the BUBF pages had something about Pirelli's being noisy contained in the survey (submitted by some smart rider) at: http://www.gis.net/~manjo/survey23_42.htm#25 <bseg> U-Turn ~V~1125 |
| Have had 3 or 4 different brands of 170/80-15 on the back. Always went with 100/90-19 on front. Venom X works best imho. The drive shaft and tire will not rub but never measured clearance. Handling isn't much different and I don't think it raises the bike any. You do get better straight line traction wiredgeorge ~V~2420 CMA 74623 Venturer 147/Chaplain |
| Thanks for the response. I had a 110/90 on the front and didn't like the handling. Got 4500 miles on a Cruisemax on the rear, which is why I went to Metzler 880s. Since I have an 880 on the front I think I will stay with an 880 on the rear. When I mixed front and rear before I noticed a difference in the handling. John T Plano, Texas "98 1500A Ears Shaved, Rejetted VROC #4257 |
| Being one of the few folks who have actually tried the various brands of tires, I just think that the Avons are far superior to any other offering at this point. I have had ?Bridgestones? (whatever came OEM), Cruisemax, Continental Milestones, two sets of Michelin Macadams, and now on the second set of Avons Venom Xs. I have used either 880s or 404/491s on my Nomad and Venture since I have owned it and went to Venom Xs there also. Guess this allows me to compare the different brands decently. I am probably going to try some Michelin Commanders as early returns on those tires have been positive. I am running a Cruisemax on the back of my Nomad currently (has about 5 k on it so far) as I shredded the Avon at 13k miles and have about 17k miles on the front tire, which is an Avon. I don't think the Venom X would have lasted as long as an 880 or 491 based on remaining tread when the tire was destroyed but the front is comparable. The Venom X handled better than an 880 or 491. I have absolutely no brand loyalty as far as tires go but will continue to look for the best combo of handling and longevity. I own 3 bikes and put over 30K miles a year on them and tires are one of my major maintenance expenses. wiredgeorge ~V~2420 CMA 74623 Venturer 147/Chaplain |
| I now have a Pirelli Route 66 100/90 x 19 on the front of my bike. The Metzeler ML2 on the rear hasn't worn much. First impressions of the Pirelli are positive. Jazz 6/03 |