Z8's

[rendog]

Well I've had the Metzlers Z8's on for a couple of weeks now & I am more than happy with them.
They are stickier than the PR2's in the dry and easier on the turn in.
They are providing more feel to me, front and rear, and the ride is not so harsh. 
I am now running 42/44 psi which is 2 psi more than the PR2's.
I guess all this means they have different construction and softer rubber.
Don't think I'll be getting 25,000 km's from this set.  :(
But stick; sheeet, I'm scraping things that have no right to be touching the bitumen 

[saaz]

Interesting as the set of PR2s I have sitting in the garage seem really soft carcass wise.  Z6s I tried before seemed stiffer than the PR2s, but the Z8s may be different.

[rendog]

Interesting as the set of PR2s I have sitting in the garage seem really soft carcass wise.  Z6s I tried before seemed stiffer than the PR2s, but the Z8s may be different.

Hey saaz,
I had a set of Z6's - once
Thought they were rubbish and replaced after about 6,000kms.
No they weren't worn out, just hated them that much.   >:(
All good so far for the Z8's though 

[saaz]

Don't tell anyone in the US, as they seem to love the Z6s  . For me got 10,000kms out of them, nothing special about them.

[Tackleberry]

Rendog, 

We have used the Z6C's for some time at work and I never got a good feeling from them, but we went over to the Z8C's last year and I have really changed my opinion about Metzler also.  I used to run the PR2's on my Blackbird at the same time I ran the Z8 on the work bike, and felt more like I was happy on the Z8's in corners etc. 

Also feel like they give better response in the wet also.  The guys at work know if there are Z8's and Z6's and I need tyres don't even bother sending the 6's cause I will leave the bike on the stand and return them with a not so polite message about how I feel about the product.   

[rendog]

Hey Tack, I've been reading about the Z8's.
They achieve different grip characteristics by changing the way the steel belts are wound and tensioned.
As opposed to the PR2's that have different rubber compounds.
I still have the PR2's on my Blackbird and I can now pick the different compounds as the lean angle is changing 
Yeah I know better slow down.
Although I still want more feel from the ST's front wheel, I have way more confidence pushing into corners with the Z8's. 

[Down Under]

Rendog, 

We have used the Z6C's for some time at work and I never got a good feeling from them, but we went over to the Z8C's last year and I have really changed my opinion about Metzler also.  I used to run the PR2's on my Blackbird at the same time I ran the Z8 on the work bike, and felt more like I was happy on the Z8's in corners etc. 

Also feel like they give better response in the wet also.  The guys at work know if there are Z8's and Z6's and I need tyres don't even bother sending the 6's cause I will leave the bike on the stand and return them with a not so polite message about how I feel about the product. 

Mate, if the Pirelli Angel ST's are approved for use on the FJR I highly recommend you try a set.  I had one set of Z8's on my bike which were okay but IMO the Pirelli's are superior by comparison.

Cheers,

Tony

[Brian]

this is my Z6 after 8K , I do enjoy the twisties a little.... I'm opting for a new Z8 to be fitted this saturday morning

[Tackleberry]

Mate, if the Pirelli Angel ST's are approved for use on the FJR I highly recommend you try a set.  I had one set of Z8's on my bike which were okay but IMO the Pirelli's are superior by comparison.

Cheers,

Tony

Thanks for the suggestion Tony, but when it comes to the work bike it's whatever is on the shelf at the time you arrive.  Loosely translated - whatever they can get cheaply in bulk. 

But hey they are free, and I get paid to ride a motorbike.

[rendog]

Sports touring tyres tested

[sleepin]

Hey Rendog,

I just fitted a Z8 on the rear but was told there is no Z8 for the front, only a Z6??

Have they produced a new size for the ST1300 or was the salesman pulling my leg?

I originally wanted to put PR3's as the PR2's were 'cupping' but I couldn't get hold of any at the time.

If I can't get a front Z8 I am considering a BT023.

I'd be interested to hear from you,

Tx Sleepin.

[rendog]

Hey Sleepin,

I've got a pair of of Z8's, so front & rear.
Dunno what BS that salesman's slingin you?
Maybe they are out of stock in all of Australia?
Or maybe he's to slack to admit he can't find you a set?
I've got 6,000 km's on them now and the rear has a flat spot and shows some signs of cupping.
But both my PR2's cupped really badly too.
Weight, suspension, chassis twist, speed are all issues for cupping tyres.
So shed some kilos, get low, stay straight and go hard. 

[alans1100]

Hey Sleepin,

I've got a pair of of Z8's, so front & rear.
Dunno what BS that salesman's slingin you?
Maybe they are out of stock in all of Australia?
Or maybe he's to slack to admit he can't find you a set?
I've got 6,000 km's on them now and the rear has a flat spot and shows some signs of cupping.
But both my PR2's cupped really badly too.
Weight, suspension, chassis twist, speed are all issues for cupping tyres.
So shed some kilos, get low, stay straight and go hard. 

Hey Rendog,

I just fitted a Z8 on the rear but was told there is no Z8 for the front, only a Z6??

Have they produced a new size for the ST1300 or was the salesman pulling my leg?

I originally wanted to put PR3's as the PR2's were 'cupping' but I couldn't get hold of any at the time.

If I can't get a front Z8 I am considering a BT023.

I'd be interested to hear from you,

Tx Sleepin.

Hi,

According to Aussie website Z8's are only available in 17inch sizes for the 1300. Z6 is no longer available. Not saying that old stock isn't laying around in a suppliers warehouse somewhere.

18 inch size doesn't exist. May as well give up for the 1100 unless you go to 1300 size on rear.

Might be different for overseas sites.


http://www.metzeler.com.au/shop/category/roadtec-z8-interact?search_custom_category=70355&sort_by=&page=1

[sleepin]

Right, from the horses mouth - Metzler

120/70/18 Front Z8 DOES exist and they have received very good feed-back over the Z6.

BUT............ because 120/70/18 Front is not a popular tyre they are reluctant to release it until the Z6 stock has been sold.

So unless you can bitch to someone at Metzler then tell them you won't say anything you can't get a Z8 front yet in the 18 inch. (I'm not saying anything more.....)

Resolved.

[rendog]

Well after just 6,890 km's the rear Z8 is shagged.
Two things come to mind:
the right hand side is worn more than the left (damn roundabouts) 
the bottom of the rear brake pedal has been ground away from touching down 

Exciting to use, but as we ride two up 95% of the time,
I won't be getting another set.

[horizontal]

Cant comment on the z8s but had the z6s on the recommendation its what the cops use.  hated them more than the bt021s. went to pr2s, front tyre baddly scolloped at 18,000ks changed to pr3s only done 3000ks on them seem to be good. but at the end of the day tyres are a compromise. they stick like you now what to a blanket last 6000k or they never wear out and are like riding on ice.
  for the type of riding i do 18000ks with reasonably good wet and dry capalabities will do me.
                                                                                                     Greg

[sleepin]

Well after just 6,890 km's the rear Z8 is shagged.
Two things come to mind:
the right hand side is worn more than the left (damn roundabouts) 
the bottom of the rear brake pedal has been ground away from touching down 

Exciting to use, but as we ride two up 95% of the time,
I won't be getting another set.

Hi Rendog,

What tyre pressure did you run the Z8 on? You make comment about 2 up riding, did you change your rear pressure when 2 up? What's your recommendation?

[Sabie]

Hi Rendog

I went with the Pirelli ST angels, like very much so far.

Got em in Townsville

Sab

[Sabie]

Well after just 6,890 km's the rear Z8 is shagged.
Two things come to mind:
the right hand side is worn more than the left (damn roundabouts) 
the bottom of the rear brake pedal has been ground away from touching down 

Exciting to use, but as we ride two up 95% of the time,
I won't be getting another set.

Hi Rendog, its the camber of the road not the roundabouts that wear the right hand side of the tyre. You compensate without realizing

Cheers

San

[rendog]

What tyre pressure did you run the Z8 on? You make comment about 2 up riding, did you change your rear pressure when 2 up? What's your recommendation?

Two up set the front 42psi & rear 44psi.
Let 2 psi out when riding solo.
 

[Biggles]

Hi Rendog, its the camber of the road not the roundabouts that wear the right hand side of the tyre. You compensate without realizing

Cheers
San

Another reason to ride in the RH wheel track or near the road middle when safe to do so.  Apart from the greater camber, the LH wheel track and road edge tends to have more potholes and irregular repairs.

[alans1100]

its the camber of the road ........... that wear the right hand side of the tyre. You compensate without realizing

Cheers

San

This item says not so.......but read their LH wear as our RH wear.

http://www.rattlebars.com/tirewear/

[STeveo]

Very interesting and makes a lot of sense. Thanks for posting Alan.

 

[Biggles]

Hard to imagine the longer distance around the LH (in USA) curves matters so much.  I'm not up to the other reasons yet, but this quote about engine braking is very interesting in the context of trying to maximise tyre life.  I wonder whether folk on this Forum who get great mileage out of tyres observe this practice?

"Engine braking is the exercise of downshifting and releasing the clutch through all the gears when coming to a stop.  On most modern bikes equipped with disc brakes this old timer's use of the engine to aid in braking is totally unnecessary. Doing so will loose you thousands of serviceable miles on your rear tire, will double the stress on your drive train and could cause your rear wheel to lock (even on a bike with ABS) causing a crash. When coming to a normal stop (red light etc) downshifting commensurate with your speed is still essential to bike safety (in case you need to power out of a jam), but releasing the clutch when doing so is not necessary and adds greatly rear tire flat band center wear. Keep that clutch pulled."

[Brock]

I use engine braking all the time, in manual cars and on the bike, I get around 20000Ks out of a tyre on the bike..  Certainly dont think it puts any extra strain on the engine or transmission, certainly no more than accelleration