TIRE 2006 NOMAD ME 880????

[spirello]

I HAVE A 2006 NOMAD. I HAVE READ ABOUT SOME PEOPLE PUTTING METZLER ME 880 TIRES ON THE REAR IS RADIAL BUT THE FRONT IS BIAS. IS THIS RIGHT? I THOUGHT THAT MIXING THE TWO WOULD NOT WORK? HELP

[ponch]

Yeah, that's what they recommend. The 2005 and up Nomad's don't have the tire choices I'd like and what other bikes have. Oh well.

[lw]

Dumb question alert!

Trip,
I read on the FAQ page that Ruby Earl's speedo was inaccurate prior to your replacing the tires and that mounting the 150/80/16, ME880 corrected it. How far off was the speedo before the new rubber, and is this inaccuracy common to all Nomads?

[bluetongue]

I found mine to be off about 7% (GPS) before up-sizing the rear tire. Now it is pretty close within 1 to 2 mph. I have heard that they can be off by 10%.

[trip]

<<<Trip,
I read on the FAQ page that Ruby Earl's speedo was inaccurate prior to your replacing the tires and that mounting the 150/80/16, ME880 corrected it. How far off was the speedo before the new rubber, and is this inaccuracy common to all Nomads? >>>

lw,
Although the ME880 did correct most of the inaccuracy, it didn't coorect all of it. I can't really tell you in percentages, but before going to Metzeler's, my speedo was off up to 10 MPH. Now, it's only off by a couple of MPH, same as bluetongue. I have always heard that this was common amoung Nomads, at least the later models.

Trip

[trip]

<<<I HAVE A 2006 NOMAD. I HAVE READ ABOUT SOME PEOPLE PUTTING METZLER ME 880 TIRES ON THE REAR IS RADIAL BUT THE FRONT IS BIAS. IS THIS RIGHT? I THOUGHT THAT MIXING THE TWO WOULD NOT WORK? HELP >>>

Actually spirello, I think it's the other way around. You don't want to run both tires radial on a Nomad.

Trip......

Now I'm totally confused......... are you saying you don't want both radials... but one radial and one bias is ok?

[dragon57]

I recently put Metzeler ME880's on mine (both, I would never mix and match on a motorcycle)
The difference is night and day from those factory Bridgestones!!
It feels sooo much better in the twisties! But, be sure to run 40lbs in both (Metzelers), don't go by the manual anymore.
just my 2 cents..
Oh, by the way; mine's a 2003; not sure if it makes a diff or not; Trip could probably tell you more...

[spirello]

MY QUESTION IS IF THE REAR IS RADIAL IS THE FRONT BIAS PLY?

[trevwales]

On the US metzeler site,the fitment shown for an '05 1600 Nomad was
Front 130/90-16 M/C 67H TL ME880 FRONT - 36 PSI - 3.0 INCHES
Rear 180/70R16 M/C 77H REINF.TL ME880 - 40 PSI - 4.5 INCHES

The '-' in the front tyre indicates bias construction, the 'R' in the rear indicates radial construction.
Check the site at (http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/tyres/fitment_chart/fitment.action)

[okienomad]

I can give you a full report after I get back from a ride to Alaska. I just installed a ME 880 180/70R16 on my rear leaving the factory tire up front (only has 3k on it) on my 2006 Nomad. Should rack up about 7000 miles before getting back.

As far as speedo accuracy, checking the stock tire with a GPS I found it to be actually going 55mph when speedo read 60. With new tire, actual speed shows about 57.5 when reading 60. So like Trip says, the oversize tire can correct for some but not all of the speedo inaccuracy.

[trip]

spirello,
I have always been told and have run on the premise that as far as a Nomad is concerned, it is best practice to run a radial on the rear and a bias on the front.

I haven't heard any stories of what would happen if a person runs both front and rear radials, but I understand that it has a lot to do with the suspension and the way it's designed on a Nomad.

Hope this helps.
Trip

[oledawg]

On tires, on my 02 Nomad I went from Bridgestones to Dunlop 404's to try for better mi. I could only get 6500 on the Bridgestones (rear) (10,000 ft.)34psi. ft. 42psi.rear but good handling. The Dunlops using the same psi. ft. & rear both tires shot 6500mi. I then went to Metzlers 880 stock size 150-80-16 ft.& rear. 33psi. ft. 41psi. rear. I increased tire mi. to 9,000mi. on the rear tire. The handling on the Metzlers was as good but not better than the Bridgestones initially,but after about 4500 mi. the Bridgestones started to fall off, and also were very noisey. Where as the Metzlers didn't seem to start to fall off untill about 7,000mi.and even then they didn't fall off quite as quickly as the Bridgestones. I might also add most of my riding is 2up. I don't knowhow true it is as to mixing Bias with Radial ply tires,but i can asure y'all this is one Ole Dawg that won't cross that line. Met a fellow on a ride last wknd. with an 07 Vulcan 2000 and he told me to take a look at his rear tire, He had an automobile tire on and said he'd get 15,000 mi. I asked how it handled, he said it was like removing Power Stearing.He was a BIG Man bout 6'4" 275lbs. So I do know some folks do some strange things, but this Ole Dawg ain't one of um. BEE SURE YA KNOW "WHAT YER DOIN"when you change the rules.

[ponch]

I don't know why they specify the 130 front when they make a 150 as well and that's what they nomad calls for. The classic has a 130 up front. I did email them asking why and I did not receive a response.



On the US metzeler site,the fitment shown for an '05 1600 Nomad was
Front 130/90-16 M/C 67H TL ME880 FRONT - 36 PSI - 3.0 INCHES
Rear 180/70R16 M/C 77H REINF.TL ME880 - 40 PSI - 4.5 INCHES

The '-' in the front tyre indicates bias construction, the 'R' in the rear indicates radial construction.
Check the site at (http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/tyres/fitment_chart/fitment.action)

[nightflight1]

I have ran the Metz 880's for about 6 K miles and the radial on the rear with bias front has worked out great. The pressure is 40 psi on both tires, ride is smoother, tire wear is better. I will replace them with Metz 880's again when needed. My Speedo is still not accurate, my GPS shows that I am still running about 5 mph slower at 60 than speedo reads.
Wayne
Night Flight

[roosed]

"I have ran the Metz 880's for about 6 K miles and the radial on the rear with bias front has worked out great. The pressure is 40 psi on both tires, ride is smoother, tire wear is better. I will replace them with Metz 880's again when needed. My Speedo is still not accurate, my GPS shows that I am still running about 5 mph slower at 60 than speedo reads.
Wayne
Night Flight"

WOW! Now I'm confused too! Metz offers the 880 in Bias and Radial both? Seems wierd they'd call it the same thing?

Don't radials offer better wet road traction? Maybe I'm just paranoid but I want the best wet traction up front I can find that wears decently.

Sounds like Kawi desgined their speedo system just for folks in VA where speeding fines will almost buy you a decent used bike!!!

Great questions........ I'll waiting to hear a response from someone who has an answer!

[finky]

As long as the radial is on the rear it's cool to mix,I myself would rather run Radial on both ends.
Love the Metzler ME880 since changing from the Bridgestone to the Metzler the bike is much better to ride.
I am a big guy and have stacks of accessories on the bike so it weighs in at 520kilo with me on board I run 40psi front and 42psi in the rear.

Does anyone make Radials for both front and back for a '99 Nomad?

[davepa]

I just went with the metzler me 880 on my 05' Nomad and thus far are superior to the factory Brigestones (IMO).
I bought them through www.americanmototire.com (http://www.americanmototire.com) there website showed it as a stage 1 upgrade for the Nomad.
There is a more nuetral feel to the ride, the tires no longer try to follow the tar strips on the road. And yes, the rear is a radial the front bias.
Dave

[frenchbiker]

After 25K miles with 3 sets of Metzelers (150 front and 160 rear), I recently switched to Dunlop. Elite II K491 (bias) on the front and Elite III (radial) on the rear. I hope to get better mileage than with the Metz. Never been able to get more than 7,500 miles with them. We'll see. Handling is very comparable to the Metz, so so far so good.

[madman]

I'm on my 2nd Metzler rear... Running 160/80-16 in the rear seeings as how I'm vertically challanged... Got 12K out of the stock Flintstone, 19K out of the Metz so I replaced it with another Metz... Running stock size up front and the stocker was replaced with a Metz at 17K... I have 18K on the front tire now and I don't feel that I'm getting that much better life out of it compared to the stock stone... Looks like it will go another 2K... I keep the both tires at 42 psi... I like Metz on the rear but I'm not too impressed with the front, mileage wise... Otherwise they grip really well even in the rain...
YMMV ;)

[dano]

MY QUESTION IS IF THE REAR IS RADIAL IS THE FRONT BIAS PLY?
The answer is "YES". If you go the the Metzeler site:
http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/tyres/fitment_chart/fitment.action?manifacturerID=124&modelID=05+++Vulcan+1600+Nomad%2C+Classic&confirm=true&IMAGE1.x=35&IMAGE1.y=5
You'll find that this is the set up Metzeler recomends for the 1600 Nomad.
Ride safe,
Dano

[dogdoc]

Anybody find out why we couldn't run the 150 up front that somebody asked earlier? This is on a '05 1600?

Doc

Ok I need some tires so here is what I see. I know that the ME880 180/70R 16 Radial is the direct replacement for the stock 06 rear tire and that it will fit even though mine now are the stock bridgstones 170/70/16 bias belted and front is 150/80-16. I see that Metzler has a 150/80R16M/CTL 71V ME880F radial tire to match the back and one that is the same but in bias?? I dont want to go to the smaller taller 130/90-16 bias when they have a tire the exact size and in a radial for my 06 NAD that I'm replacing.. That way my front and back will match radial to radial. I keep hearing the same thing dont mix and match but some say it's ok while others dont. Very odd.

The following is law. (in England)
and a good general rule to follow anywhere!


..........Legal................................... ............... Illegal.................
Crossply front, crossply rear.............. Radial front, crossply rear
Radial front, radial rear..................... Bias belt front, crossply rear
Bias belt front, bias belt rear............. Radial front, bias belt rear
Crossply front, radial rear .
Bias belt front, radial rear .

From this webpage:


http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Bikesafe/ATS/selecting.html


CrossPly (X) (-) = Bias
Bias Belted (B)
Radial (R)

[dank]

I have the ME 880's on mine. I have 7,000 miles on them and much prefer them to the OEM tires. They hold a line in corners better and are wearing very well. I'm guessing I'll get another 7,000 or more out of them. The only negative I have noticed is that they whine a bit when I weave or go around corners. Good feel of the road with them. I have the bias on front and radial on the rear. I will buy another set unless they come out with Pilot GT's in Nomad sizes. I'm running 42 psi rear and 36 psi front. My speedo is still off by about 3 mph at 60.

[Todd]

I can live with 3mph off....I can live with 7 I guess but 3 makes me feel better.