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View Full Version : ME880 final report

dank
05-01-2008, 09:07 AM
I am replacing my rear ME880. I got 12,906 miles. 40-42 psi. about 1,500 miles two-up. Probably 70% of the miles were on interstate or comparable roads in terms of tire wear. It is pretty bald in the center at this point. (I'd say it lacks chicken strips, but you'd all know I was making it up.)

I figure the front for another 7-8,000 based on current wear , but will let you know later this summer.

I like them and am replacing in kind. (180/70-16).

For comparison given that we all ride differently, some more aggressively, some less; I got 9,100 on the OEM Bridgestones. I think they could have gone another 1,000 miles, but I had a large trip coming up. I changed to Metzlers because I did not like how the Bridgestones tracked, more accurately failed to rack, through corners.
ringadingh
05-01-2008, 09:18 AM
I got about 15,000 miles on my rear Metzeler, but I ran it down a lot further than I normally do. I ordered a new tire but there was a backorder on Metzelers in Canada last Aug. It took until Feb. for it to arrive. I wanted a whitewall, and they only had 10 on order for all of Canada.
misunderstood
05-01-2008, 03:12 PM
Got a rear one put on 2 days ago and am lovin it. Ready for New Mexico now. Come on May 8th.............................
buckeye
05-01-2008, 03:26 PM
Just got pair of Metzlers put on today! WOW - what a difference from the original Bridgestones!!! Better ride, better tracking, better cornering, big smile on my face. I got 9500 miles on the OEM rear and it was shot. The front still had about 3-4000 left, but since I had the bucks, I went ahead and put both on now. Went with 180/70x16 rear and 150/80x16 front on my 1600.
MarkG
05-01-2008, 03:36 PM
I will not need to replace my OEMs before the end of the year, famous last words. I have pretty much decided, thanks to this group, that the new ones will be ME880s. Everybody appears to lean towards bumping the rear tire one size for better handling, etc. There is still one area that is a little vague that I do not understand.

Bias on the front, radial on the rear?
Bias on the front and bias on the rear?
Radial on the front, radial on the rear?

What are the pros and cons to the different types of tires? Thanks.
Top Cat
05-01-2008, 05:11 PM
I don't know about pro's and con's but I have a bias on front and radial on rear because that is the only way to get the sizes I wanted for my 1600.
ponch
05-01-2008, 05:48 PM
The thing is they do list a 150/80-16 radial for a front tire. What gives?



I don't know about pro's and con's but I have a bias on front and radial on rear because that is the only way to get the sizes I wanted for my 1600.
05-01-2008, 06:07 PM
I have the Metzs, radial rear, bias front. No problems.
05-01-2008, 07:09 PM
Just got the new Rider mag... ad for new Pirelli Night Dragon tires for cruisers..... look interesting.


http://www.motorcycle.com/images/content/Product/08_mar_pirelli_dragon_02.jpg

I have Pirelli Sport Demons on the Sabre V4 750 and Pirelli Route 66's on the Vulcan 800... very happy with both of those...

I might try the Night Dragons next time.... just for sh*ts and giggles.... :)




http://www.motorcycle.com/products/pirelli-night-dragon-tire-review-76648.html





<marquee>http://images.internet-fiesta.org/greekgear/w280/italians-do-it-better-itdoitbe.jpg</marquee>
Top Cat
05-01-2008, 10:39 PM
I don't know Ponch, dealer said no can get. I didn't figure it was a big deal as alot of people on here have bias front and radial rear tires.
Idaho
05-02-2008, 06:56 AM
I don't know Ponch, dealer said no can get. I didn't figure it was a big deal as alot of people on here have bias front and radial rear tires.

I thought that I read somewhere that the radial front tire is a new addition in the Metzler line and they are not available everywhere yet. Did not verify that with Metzler. Pure rumor.
dank
05-02-2008, 09:38 AM
Just got the new Rider mag... ad for new Pirelli Night Dragon tires for cruisers..... look interesting.

I might try the Night Dragons next time.... just for sh*ts and giggles....

eekgear/w280/italians-do-it-better-itdoitbe.jpg[/img][/move]


I'll keep an open mind until you report on them. I don't see the advantage. I'm not having trouble spinning the rear wheel and the 6,000-8,000 miles they are aiming for would mean changing tires 3-4 times a summer. To me the ME880 seem to strike a good balance between grip and tire life, but each to his own.
05-02-2008, 09:42 AM
Just got the new Rider mag... ad for new Pirelli Night Dragon tires for cruisers..... look interesting.

I might try the Night Dragons next time.... just for sh*ts and giggles....

eekgear/w280/italians-do-it-better-itdoitbe.jpg[/img][/move]


I'll keep an open mind until you report on them. I don't see the advantage. I'm not having trouble spinning the rear wheel and the 6,000-8,000 miles they are aiming for would mean changing tires 3-4 times a summer. To me the ME880 seem to strike a good balance between grip and tire life, but each to his own.



It'll be a while for me.... recently got the ME8800's and love them. Pirelli and Metzeler are one company now anyway.... you're right the 6-8k doesn't impress.
doctorgski
05-02-2008, 03:14 PM
Radial -Front Radial -Rear 150 on front 180 on rear
radco
05-03-2008, 01:05 PM
The thing is they do list a 150/80-16 radial for a front tire. What gives?



I don't know about pro's and con's but I have a bias on front and radial on rear because that is the only way to get the sizes I wanted for my 1600.
RADIALS front and BACK, THATS what I am gettting this week,,,, I THINK thats what coming to the shop http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Rich
ponch
05-03-2008, 04:46 PM
I saw it on their website. I think it is the front tire for the 2000.


I don't know Ponch, dealer said no can get. I didn't figure it was a big deal as alot of people on here have bias front and radial rear tires.
macmac
05-03-2008, 05:45 PM
Radco said:

[/quote]
RADIALS front and BACK, THATS what I am gettting this week,,,, I THINK thats what coming to the shop http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Rich[/quote]

What radials from where? I am not finding any ft radials from Metz or Dunlop, and will order tires this week..
05-03-2008, 07:50 PM
Radco said:


RADIALS front and BACK, THATS what I am gettting this week,,,, I THINK thats what coming to the shop http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Rich[/quote]

What radials from where? I am not finding any ft radials from Metz or Dunlop, and will order tires this week..[/quote]

Mac,

the new Triumph Rocket III Touring comes with a stock Stone 150/80R-16 Radial front tire...... it should be soon that Metzeler and Dunlop make a replacement tire for the Rocket!!!!!

Bridgestone Exedra G853 150/80 R 16 FRONT

Bridgestone Exedra G850 180/70 R 16 REAR



Nico :)
rflnomad
05-04-2008, 07:10 AM
Im looking for the 880s in wide white wall in the sizes I need for a 05 1600. Snooping online for them. If anyone has pics with the white walls, post them; we want to look.
Thanks.
macmac
05-04-2008, 10:41 AM
Condenced some this is what and where I am finding tires, but all the ft are bias.

I need a rear bad, but could wait for a new ft...

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_165_172_602_604

METZELER ME880 150/80H-16 FRONT
KAWASAKI VN1600 VULCAN NOMAD '05-08
$115.87

METZELER ME880 180/70HR-16 REAR
KAWASAKI VN1600 VULCAN NOMAD '05-08
$175.47

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_120_131&osCsid=d58227e26fb9adb25c0542cfa3367f04

DUNLOP ELITE 3 150/80HB-16 FRONT $103.75

DUNLOP ELITE 3 180/70HR-16 REAR $170.40



http://www.ronayers.com/co/sc.cfm

TIRE ELITE3 180/70HR16 REAR
$157.35
radco
05-04-2008, 11:07 AM
Radco said:


RADIALS front and BACK, THATS what I am gettting this week,,,, I THINK thats what coming to the shop http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Rich[/quote]

What radials from where? I am not finding any ft radials from Metz or Dunlop, and will order tires this week..[/quote]

Mac, I could not find front Metz radials on their site either, BUT I thought he said he could get them both in Metz radials. Ill know Monday http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif and let you know.............Rich
05-04-2008, 12:20 PM
The funny thing to me is that radials have always had "sloppy" sidewalls, while motorcycle tires have always had stiff sidewalls. The mushy sidewalls on car tires made for longer wear as the car didn't have to fight the tires as much as they tried to follow the road. I'm not sure how this all helps on a motorcycle, but I guess it must work somehow. ???

Anyhow, I just got a new set of 880's in, as I'll be needing them by fall. Plus you can never tell when you're going to get a puncture. They are not radials, as no 160 rear was available in a radial.
skeeter
05-04-2008, 05:08 PM
I had ME880s on previous bike and really liked them and got excellent mileage from them.
Wanted to try out radials on the Nomad and put an E3 180/70R 16 on the rear. Still have factory Stone front that will change before July.
Can't get E3 radial for the front cuz they don't have the size. Can get radial front in D251 which has a different tread pattern and a higher speed rating. Have heard of the combo before with no probs.
The E3 radial felt a little... shall we say "light" in wet conditions. Made me a bit skittish. Could have been just the newness of the tire. I've put some miles on since but haven't experienced the same conditions.
Sorry if I'm off track......
ponch
05-04-2008, 05:13 PM
Scroll down and you will see a 150/80 R 16 listed. It's V rated. http://tinyurl.com/59klts


Radco said:


RADIALS front and BACK, THATS what I am gettting this week,,,, I THINK thats what coming to the shop http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Rich[/quote]

What radials from where? I am not finding any ft radials from Metz or Dunlop, and will order tires this week..[/quote]
cactusjack
05-04-2008, 05:20 PM
I'll keep an open mind until you report on them. I don't see the advantage. I'm not having trouble spinning the rear wheel and the 6,000-8,000 miles they are aiming for would mean changing tires 3-4 times a summer. To me the ME880 seem to strike a good balance between grip and tire life, but each to his own.



It'll be a while for me.... recently got the ME8800's and love them. Pirelli and Metzeler are one company now anyway.... you're right the 6-8k doesn't impress.

Nico, are ME8800's 10 times better than the 880's? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I was on a ride with the SCRC today and during a break, there was another Nomad parked next to mine. Looking at them from the rear, my tire is shot! No tread left in the center. Guess I'll be looking for some ME880's right away. I've put 9400 miles on the stock Bridgestones.
05-04-2008, 07:09 PM
Dang Jack! You are a glutton for punishment!

After about 6000, my rear 'Stone was so cupped I coulda turned it backwards and used it as a sand paddle. That thing growled like mad on the curves.
cactusjack
05-04-2008, 07:43 PM
Dang Jack! You are a glutton for punishment!

After about 6000, my rear 'Stone was so cupped I coulda turned it backwards and used it as a sand paddle. That thing growled like mad on the curves.

...is that what that noise is? ::)
kawgirl
05-04-2008, 07:59 PM
I have E3's bias on front and back and like the way they handle. I had to get the rear tire in October in a crunch and that's why I ended up with it. It replaced a 880. The front was stock and I just replaced it with the E3. It had 17,500 miles on it. I really like the way the bike handles with the E3's.
burkazoid
05-04-2008, 09:21 PM
Just got the new Rider mag... ad for new Pirelli Night Dragon tires for cruisers..... look interesting.

I subscribe to Rider saw that ad as well, and remember thinking the very same thing.
05-05-2008, 03:40 PM
Just got the new Rider mag... ad for new Pirelli Night Dragon tires for cruisers..... look interesting.

I subscribe to Rider saw that ad as well, and remember thinking the very same thing.


http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
macmac
05-05-2008, 05:59 PM
Well yeah I'ld like to figure out what.. NH wants $215.00 just to regi up the bike, which IMO is hiway robbery. I bought the 'beads and the exhaust gaskets today, and instead of getting tires right now I don't see any reason I can't run that 'slick' till the end of June..

So I guess dirt riding with the Nomad will just be more exciting.... I am all ears on who comes up with what just the same.

If I don't get out soon I fear other rides will get all the best bugs! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
05-09-2008, 12:27 AM
Friend I rode with to Yuma today starting bitching about his ME 880's as soon as I got there....... says the rear only lasted 7K (he rides real hard).... he switched to Elite 3's...so far loves 'em....... we shall see! ::)
radco
05-09-2008, 05:11 AM
I ll be road testing my Metz 880 this weekend,,,, LOVED the on my Honda,, and will see how they are on the Nomad, http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

UPDATE.... Picked the bike up today. WOW what a difference,, seems to roll better. Sweeps nice,, but only did 50 miles, so sunday my son and I are going for a ride, I will really teast them after 100 more miles http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif