michelin or metzeler?

[ayub1911]

hmm... i need a new rear so da question is should i go wit a michelin or a metzeler? also im thinkin i might put a 190/55R17 as opposed to da 180 dat comes stock. any suggestions?

[YOMAMAR6]

whats on ur front????? and don't do a 190/55R17 the 180/55R17 is a great size alot of people go down from 190 to 180's on there bike for handling reasons. i have Michelin 120/70R17 front and 180-55R17 pilot powers warms up quick and is sticky. i went up on the front 1 size stock is 120/60R17 cause i hear it was more stable in corners. my 2 cents

[WindBurnt]

michelin's all the way. pilot powers or the 2tc's fosho. u dont want a 190 on 600cc bikes, 190's are for leader bikes, so they say.

[dansrc51]

whatever you put on the back, put on the front. you shouldn't mix and match brands, as they are made to work in tandem with one another. I prefer Pirellies, but that's just my prefernce.

[Xusia]

You have 2 issues here, brand and size. I'll start with size. You might be able to fit a 190 on your rim, but it would be a waste of money. A 180/55 tire will help the bike turn more quickly (this is good) and provide a larger side contact patch for more traction at lean. My bike puts down 160 dyno'ed hp to rear wheel and I've slipped it once, and only then because I gave it too much throttle. A Michelin, Metzeler, or Pirelli 180/55 WILL hold you in the corners. A 180/55 is also cheaper than a 190.

As for brand, I have run Metzeler and Pirelli, but not Michelin. Assuming you want maximum traction for the street (and not the track), those I know who have run all of them prefer, as I do, the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III. If it HAS to be a Metzler or Michelin, I'd probably recommend the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT over the Metzeler Sportec M-1 only because the 2CT is a dual compound tire (like the Corsa III) and will almost certainly provide more traction than the M-1.

If you want a longer wearing tire that still offers good grip for the street, then the Metzeler Sportec M-3 is probably the best tire. Although it doesn't have quite as much grip as the other tires mentioned, unless you dragging knee regularly the M-3 has plenty of traction (I've run them also, while dragging knee - it was at it's limit!). It's only real weakness is that it needs a bit more warm up, whereas the 2CT and Corsa III offer serious grip almost immediately.

[tlrmike99]

Here's my :2cents: :


I have 180's on both my 1000's. THey steer in quicker and handle better, and as mentioned, are cheaper. I have ran alot of tires, but not the sport-tec's. I am able to get the most out of the Powers, hands down. THis summer I was able to get two track days (Normal pilots, not TC2's) and about 2500 street miles out of a rear! Thats good for a fat guy on a 1000. I was getting 1500 or so on Dunslops, and about 2000 max on Bridgstone 014's....

ANyway, from what I hear from people, Sport-Tec's and Power's last the best, and both are plenty sticky.

[MTS620]

Brian, how many miles do you get out of the Corsa III's? I just put on a set of Avon Storms that should last me the winter, but I'll be ready for something sticky in the spring. Thanks.

-Mats

[Xusia]

I haven't actually run that tire yet. I bought them, but the old rear still has tread left. I have historically gotten ~4000 miles from the standard Diablo - also a great tire - on the rear, and I expect about the same for the Corsa III because I typically wear out the center, not the sides. The main difference between the standard Diablo and the Diablo Corsa III is the use of a softer compound on the sides (where I usually have plenty of tread left).

Not that you asked, but I get about 6000 miles out of standard Diablo on the front. I expect to get less out of Corsa III because I usually wear out the sides on front, where the Corsa III has a softer compound. Hopefully, they will "sync" up at around 4000 miles!!

[ayub1911]

thanx fo da info everyone i think ill go take a look at those pirellies n ill stick wit da 180 den. i have D208 up in front its practically new and i would hate to waste it but if u said dey work better wen both tires r changed den imma have to change dem both.

[YOMAMAR6]

def change both!

[dansrc51]

thanx fo da info everyone i think ill go take a look at those pirellies n ill stick wit da 180 den. i have D208 up in front its practically new and i would hate to waste it but if u said dey work better wen both tires r changed den imma have to change dem both.
if the front really has some decent tread left you have two options, one save the cost of replacing two tires and just run another rear. usually the front lasts two rears depending on make, manufacturer and riding style. the second option is to keep it when you have new tires put on. Save it in case you ever decide to swap back to dunlop 208's or if one of you buds ever have a need for one.

[Xusia]

I have run different brands front & rear at times, and never had a problem. Generally I would recommend following the advice of sticking with the same brand, but in this case you are switching brands. Considering there is plenty of tread left on the front, I'd leave it and just change the back. I really think you will be fine.

[lil' mikey]

I'm assuming you have a 5.5 rim if your running a 180. your not gaining but loosing buy putting a 190 on there. Unless your just going to Starbucks and back. sure, 190 look wide and cool. but, if your a rider you will stick with the 180. putting a 190 on a 5.5 rim makes the tire roll outward on hard corners makes it unsafe and you will probably never touch the outside of the tire and if you do your running on tread not supported by your rim and the sidewall the way tires are designed. which in hand will make it want to wash out. 190 are for the liter bikes with wider rims. more power need more rubber to the ground. stick with what you have as far as tire size.....now tire type is a pretty much a rider preference. you buy what you get... I ran the metzler m-1 for several years. Never had a problem with them. then they came out with the m-3 and haven't had a problem yet since I switch to the m-3. my theory is(If you like to heel your bike lay it down) you get what you pay for. OK, sooooo, I say metzler unless you want to go race tires. just my preferance


oh yeah. also I run mix match tires at times and unless your pushing the envelope I highly doubt your running into problems


I just realized if your asking this question you might not have a lot of riding years under your belt. take your time and don't push your limits. you will get the feel for the tires. and make your own choice. everyone has there own opinion and you will in time have yours.

when you use new tires to you.... get use to them and how they react to your riding style before you try to be a hero...:2cents: :idunno:

[TAT2D]

And don't forget. NEW TIRES ARE SLICK!!!!! The guys at cycle parts make you say it out loud when you get new tires mounted:thumbup:

Most people say 100-150 miles to scrub off the mold release agent.

[ayub1911]

ya its not like imma be slidin my tires thru a corner anytime soon thanks fo da info tho now i really want to check out those pirellies

[YOMAMAR6]

i heard they don't last long but i don't know never used them

[dansrc51]

i heard they don't last long but i don't know never used them
in my experience I've had much better results milage wise with the pirellies v.s. the Michellens...

[blackjack]

I put Michelin Pilots on my bike and it made a big difference, I also stayed with the size that the factory recommended, I wanted to go one size bigger on the back but like Brian said, stay with the size that's on it, I have 2800 miles on them, and I don't ride real fast, but I'm getting great mileage from them, my next bike will have Michelins on it, just my two cents :2cents: as well, good luck! :thumbup:

[Xusia]

I got more miles out of the Pireli's than the Metzeler's, but I think it depends on your riding style. If you are on the gas a lot, go very fast (like over 120mph), burn out, etc., you are going to go through tires more quickly. The slower and smoother you are, the longer the tires will last.

In my case I actually went DOWN from a 190/50 to a 180/55, and I'm never going back!!!

[dansrc51]

I got more miles out of the Pireli's than the Metzeler's, but I think it depends on your riding style. If you are on the gas a lot, go very fast (like over 120mph), burn out, etc., you are going to go through tires more quickly. The slower and smoother you are, the longer the tires will last.

In my case I actually went DOWN from a 190/50 to a 180/55, and I'm never going back!!!you know that Michellen now has a 190 / 55 right? I'm very curious about it......

[Xusia]

Yeah, many brands do, but they are always so expensive (and I'm such a cheapskate!)...