[bill220]

My VFR is currently equipped with Metzler tires front and rear. The rear will need to be replaced soon, the front tire has lots of tread left. When I replace the rear tire, must I get the same model Metzler to match the front? Is it like a car with performance tires where the tread patterns should be alike? I want to start shopping for the tire and don't know what my choices will be in respect to the Metzler line of tires. I won't switch brands until the front tire wears out.

[Bad Boy]

I do not know which Metzler model tire you have and your riding style. Many will tell you to never mix tires brands and models and many others do mix them. Different tires affect the handling and grip significantly. They are engineered as a set to deliver the designed characteristics. It would be safer to keep them matched unless you understand the effects of the given mix.

[Beck]

I suspect that Metzeler designs the profiles of the front and rear to kinda work together, so you get consistent perfoarmance through the whole range of the lean from the tires. But many had already done the mix and match and found it not to be too much of a problem. Maybe it only becomes an issue if the tires have very very different profiles.
Best bet is to find one that's similar to the characteristics of your Metzeler rear.

Beck
95 VFR

This post has been edited by Beck: 05 May 2009 - 05:20 PM

[bill220]

Thanks for the replies.
I will have to check and see it the model I have now is still available. I'll post up the combo I have and maybe someone can give me a little advice as well.
I'm watching my budget, otherwise I'd just get two new tires and be done with it.

[SLO97VFR]

bill220, on May 5 2009, 03:26 PM, said:

Thanks for the replies.
I will have to check and see it the model I have now is still available. I'll post up the combo I have and maybe someone can give me a little advice as well.
I'm watching my budget, otherwise I'd just get two new tires and be done with it.

I absolutely LOVE My Metzler M3 Tire on the back and have been running the M1 tire on the front with no issues. I have been finding good deals on the front M1's so that why I have them other wise the M3 all the way around for me. I have been to 2 track days and several thousand miles of riding and still going strong with no slippage or worries.

On that note it will be hard to pass up the Perrelli Deal that Cycle gear has coming.

So to answer you question I would run the Meztler M3 on the back till you need another set. You wont be sorry.

[HispanicSlammer]

Metzler recently updated its Z6 (Interact) tire with a higher silica content for better wet/dry performance also changed the way they tension the steel belts of its quote "zero degree" fiber ply braided steel wire belts. The old tire had the steel braided wire all the same with the same tension, they changed it so that the center of the tire has more tension and at the edges less tension to allow more flex and improved grip at the edge. The center is tensioned more for greater stability - less heat and greater durability.

Me I hated the first generation of Z6 tire, but many vfr owners loved them, perhaps this new generation will be a big improvement.

[dogman]

My bike had Metzler MEZ4s on it from new,- disgusting tyres, especially the front one. I chucked it at 1000Kms

You wouldnt want to mix a 4 front with a m3 rear cos the rear would be softer and stickier than the front, not a good idea.

The M3s are a great tyre, I currently have a M3 front and a Michelin pilot road 2 rear and they work well together. Its quite OK to mix brands within reason.

If you have a 4 front, ditch it and the bikes handling will be transformed.

I had the original Z6s on a previous VFR and didnt like them at all either. The new ones would need to be a lot better.

[bill220]

I checked it out last night and I have M1 Sportec's on both ends. The rear should last a while longer but I don't know how long. I'm going to shop around a bit and see what a new one costs.
I can't really classify myself into any riding style. Kind of a mix, I guess. No track riding but I stick mainly to winding back roads when possible. I ride within my abilities, which is a polite way of saying that I'm not fast, lol.

[TimC]

I used to insist on matching front and rear tires but it doesn't matter to me anymore. My rear tire may be sport or sport-touring, but I always have a stickier sportbike tire on the front.

[Bad Boy]

With a softer M1 sport tire up front and that you are a moderate pace rider I would go to a longer lasting Z6 Interact sport touring tire as the replacement in the back.

The softer sport tire up front will quicken steering and provide grip where you need it most. The longer lasting sport touring rear will add stability and adequate grip for sane street riding.

I use a similar Michelin combo Pilot Power front Pilot Road 2 Rear.

[bill220]

Bad Boy, on May 6 2009, 01:30 PM, said:

With a softer M1 sport tire up front and that you are a moderate pace rider I would go to a longer lasting Z6 Interact sport touring tire as the replacement in the back.

The softer sport tire up front will quicken steering and provide grip where you need it most. The longer lasting sport touring rear will add stability and adequate grip for sane street riding.

I use a similar Michelin combo Pilot Power front Pilot Road 2 Rear.

So the M1 is a Sport Tire? That's good to know. Dennis Kirk has Z6's on sale for $135 for the rear. I am going to shop a bit more and see how that compares to other places.
Yeah, I'm not a wild man, at least I don't think I am. I have yet to grind a peg and have a chicken strip of about 1/4 inch on the rear tire. I've dragged a boot toe a couple of times, that's about it.

[1996900sp]

The Metzler tires that came stock on my 07 were the worst pair of squared off garbage rings I have ever ridden on in my life! The rear actually Came square stock from new. I put on Michelins pilot Road IIs and never looked back. Just my opinion of course.

[swfcpilot]

dogman, on May 6 2009, 06:58 AM, said:

My bike had Metzler MEZ4s on it from new,- disgusting tyres, especially the front one. I chucked it at 1000Kms
...
...
...
If you have a 4 front, ditch it and the bikes handling will be transformed.

Z4 was a piece of junk on my '06. Took mine off with 246 miles on them after a lowside when the grip failed me. Running a Pilot Power on the front and a Bridgestone BT021 on the rear. Excellent combination on the bike IMHO. Got 8000 miles on them, putting another 1000 them slabbing cross-county next weekend, then putting a new set on.

[TN_VFR_Girl]

HispanicSlammer, on May 5 2009, 06:42 PM, said:

Metzler recently updated its Z6 (Interact) tire with a higher silica content for better wet/dry performance also changed the way they tension the steel belts of its quote "zero degree" fiber ply braided steel wire belts. The old tire had the steel braided wire all the same with the same tension, they changed it so that the center of the tire has more tension and at the edges less tension to allow more flex and improved grip at the edge. The center is tensioned more for greater stability - less heat and greater durability.

Me I hated the first generation of Z6 tire, but many vfr owners loved them, perhaps this new generation will be a big improvement.

Slammer --- funny you would mention the Z6 --- I finally got through the set that I put on my R11 last Fall --- couldn't WAIT to get something else.

Personally, I've become a fan of the Pilot Road IIs and have them on the BMW and the VFR now ...

Just my $0.02

[TN_VFR_Girl]

1996900sp, on May 6 2009, 02:40 PM, said:

The Metzler tires that came stock on my 07 were the worst pair of squared off garbage rings I have ever ridden on in my life! The rear actually Came square stock from new. I put on Michelins pilot Road IIs and never looked back. Just my opinion of course.

[billyjackjimbob]

TN_VFR_Girl, on May 6 2009, 08:23 PM, said:

1996900sp, on May 6 2009, 02:40 PM, said:

The Metzler tires that came stock on my 07 were the worst pair of squared off garbage rings I have ever ridden on in my life! The rear actually Came square stock from new. I put on Michelins pilot Road IIs and never looked back. Just my opinion of course.

You mean they make tires other than the Pilot Powers.... WHY?

Kevin

[bill220]

I bought my bike in November of 08 and the M1's were in good shape. Not new but good. I've put 2,000 miles on them and the rear is just showing wear in the center now. I really can't complain. I wanted to try a new brand but cannot justify tossing a perfectly good front tire just to run a set of Pilots.

[1996900sp]

billyjackjimbob, on May 6 2009, 01:33 PM, said:

TN_VFR_Girl, on May 6 2009, 08:23 PM, said:

1996900sp, on May 6 2009, 02:40 PM, said:

The Metzler tires that came stock on my 07 were the worst pair of squared off garbage rings I have ever ridden on in my life! The rear actually Came square stock from new. I put on Michelins pilot Road IIs and never looked back. Just my opinion of course.

You mean they make tires other than the Pilot Powers.... WHY?

Kevin

I had powers on my Ducati SS and Road IIs on the VFR and I swear the edges of the new Road IIs are stickier...

[CARTER1]

There is a gentleman in my area that has a continental road attack rear tire brand new he wants to sell for $100. Seems like a good deal. He finally called me back today after last night I already purchased a PR2. Oh well. Let me know if you want his number as I see you are in W. PA. might not be too far for you.

thanks Dave

[bill220]

CARTER1, on May 6 2009, 05:43 PM, said:

There is a gentleman in my area that has a continental road attack rear tire brand new he wants to sell for $100. Seems like a good deal. He finally called me back today after last night I already purchased a PR2. Oh well. Let me know if you want his number as I see you are in W. PA. might not be too far for you.

thanks Dave

Would it mix with a Metzler front?

[CARTER1]

bill220, on May 6 2009, 05:50 PM, said:

CARTER1, on May 6 2009, 05:43 PM, said:

There is a gentleman in my area that has a continental road attack rear tire brand new he wants to sell for $100. Seems like a good deal. He finally called me back today after last night I already purchased a PR2. Oh well. Let me know if you want his number as I see you are in W. PA. might not be too far for you.

thanks Dave

Would it mix with a Metzler front?

Not to sure. As I'm still a newb. Only year and half experience, but it is a sport touring tire/ sportbike tire. Its a sportbike tire thats supposed to give your more mileage. ( touring) I would say yes IMO.

[CARTER1]

Good review on VFRWORLD.

http://vfrworld.com/...e-shoppers.html

[CARTER1]

Went ahead and purchased the continental from the gentleman for $90, I drive a hard bargain !!

[daemontrym]

+1 on the Road Attacks I have run them on 2 bikes now and they stick like glue.

[bill220]

I think I'm going to to go with a Metzler M-3 that I found on denniskirk.com. It's $155, which seems to be reasonable.
I had thought about the Pirelli deal through cyclegear but I really don't need a front tire. It is a good deal, though.

[BusyLittleShop]

Modern tires do several things... they keep your expensive prize off the ground and
provide an inexhaustible topic of conversation on VFRD... but what they do is grip the perverted
highway transfering power from the engine to the contact patch... And sometimes not...

New versus old tires really affect how your bike feels under acceleration, braking, cornering and create
the forces that turn it... But tires are more complicated than most people think - they're full of
materials collectively known as the carcass... This combined with the rubber compounds that give a
tire its feel... but the older the tire the less the feel... Its construction can deliver great charateristics
but only over a given time... so all in all the rear wears thin whereas a front grows old... and to
maintain your prizes optium performace it's wise to replace as a set...

Tread grooves are designed to catch the riders eye... there is something about a certain pattern that
we find is more favorable than another... but all they really do is channel water... they don't channel
grip... in fact they are anti grip...

[TimC]

CARTER1, on May 7 2009, 09:08 PM, said:

Went ahead and purchased the continental from the gentleman for $90, I drive a hard bargain !!

Nice.

The first set of tires I bought for my VFR were Conti Road Attacks. Loved 'em, but I usually try different brands/models every time I replace tires. But I'd definitely buy another RA rear in the future. Stuck good and had a long life.

[Flightar]

I'm one that sure loves the Z6...Great tire IMHO. I may try Avon Storms next because they seem to work really well on my brothers FJR...Not quite the same as a VFR however.

[bill220]

Flightar, on May 11 2009, 12:30 PM, said:

I'm one that sure loves the Z6...Great tire IMHO. I may try Avon Storms next because they seem to work really well on my brothers FJR...Not quite the same as a VFR however.

I just saw the Z6 on denniskirk for $135. Now ya got me thinking, lol.

Just bought it.

[bill220]

I am having the rear Z6 mounted/balanced today. If it doesn't rain tomorrow, I'll test it out and post up my impression of it.