Tires, again...

[gdp]

Though I'm loving the overal performance of the Michelin Pilot road III's....is any one getting more than 5 or 6 thousand miles out of ANY particular tire?

[rocker59]

Metzeler ME880 Radial. 170/60-17 REINFTL

They'll last 10,000 miles on the rear. They're a touring-oriented sport-touring radial.

Otherwise, the sport-touring offerings I've sampled last 4k to 6k on the rear.

[gdp]

Two questions:.....REINFTL?.....170/60?...not 180/55?

[rocker59]

REINFTL = reinforced tubeless

170/60-17 is the largest size. They don't make a 180/55-17.

That's no problem, though, as the 5.50 rim on the back of your Guzzi will work just fine with the 170, and will actually turn in a bit better on the curvy stuff.

I've run two or three of the ME880s on the back of my Nero Corsa for touring duties. The performance penalty compared to a RoadSmart or Z6 is small in relation to the increase in mileage.

[gdp]

...thanks...I'll give it a whirl...

[rocker59]

It'll be worth a try.

I believe I've run the ME880 rear with a Dunlop RoadSmart front, a Metzeler Z6 RoadTec front, and a ME880 front.

Each combination felt different. I've settled on the ME880 at both ends for 2-up, touring-oriented sport-touring.

Steering is slower than the sportier tires, but I've had no problems with grip and I ride in all conditions. Keep in mind, though, that it's not a sport tire!

[RokonRon]

That's no problem, though, as the 5.50 rim on the back of your Guzzi will work just fine with the 170, and will actually turn in a bit better on the curvy stuff.

That's good to know. Motorcyclist magazine speculated that the new water cooled BMW R series GS will come with a 170 rear tire, so maybe the tire manufactures will extend their Adventuring Touring tire lines to include a 170.

[rocker59]

For those who have 5.50 rims and desire semi knobbies, Continental has just announced the upcoming availability of a TKC80 rear in 180/55-17, as well as a front in 120/70-17 (for the super moto guys who want to get dirty).

[gdp]

It'll be worth a try.

I believe I've run the ME880 rear with a Dunlop RoadSmart front, a Metzeler Z6 RoadTec front, and a ME880 front.

Each combination felt different. I've settled on the ME880 at both ends for 2-up, touring-oriented sport-touring.

Steering is slower than the sportier tires, but I've had no problems with grip and I ride in all conditions. Keep in mind, though, that it's not a sport tire!

...(keep in mind that it's not a sport tire)....how aggressive can you ride with these ?

[af1-windy]

It'll be worth a try.

I believe I've run the ME880 rear with a Dunlop RoadSmart front, a Metzeler Z6 RoadTec front, and a ME880 front.

Each combination felt different. I've settled on the ME880 at both ends for 2-up, touring-oriented sport-touring.

Steering is slower than the sportier tires, but I've had no problems with grip and I ride in all conditions. Keep in mind, though, that it's not a sport tire!

...(keep in mind that it's not a sport tire)....how aggressive can you ride with these ?

I reckon once the front end has the dive dialed out of it, I won't be going off road, (on purpose ) these things can be ridden quite aggressively... I also dial out all of the free play from the throttle and I mean all, I like it like that for doing hair pin bends, you don't get that on/off throttle feeling....

Just to add another tyre, I have fitted BT023's front and rear. Had them on the all powerful Factory Tuono and got over 6k miles on the rear, Style-vio has less power but will be carrying more weight so I'm hoping for similar mileage overall and if I get the same performace as I did when fitted to the Tuono I will be very happy. Most of the miles on the tuono where done touring Europe, one trip alone was over 3100 miles. I've done 600 miles with the Bt023's fitted, I will update as the miles pile on... BTW, the rear is has been scrubbed in good and prober, no chicken strip....

windy