Metezeler MEZ3's

Paul Wishnafski · 05-01-2000, 03:59 AM

Just put a long weekend ride on my new MEZ3's. I did not notice much of a handling difference other than a slightly quicker turn-in (probably due to the slight tire narrowness) compared to my BT56/57 combination. One thing I did note was an increase in ride harshness. Have any of you guys with the MEZ3's noted the same degradation in ride quality? I tried varying air pressures with very little effect. I am quite surprised as the MEZ1's I have used in the past always improved ride quality on my other bikes. Appreciate any comments!

Safe riding,
Paul W.

Johnny Keppelman · 05-01-2000, 08:16 AM

The lack of compliance in the Metzler/Pirellis and the suppleness of the Bridgestones was noted in the tire test that one of the moto rags did recently and it was discussed some here as well. The steel belt in those two (Pirelli owns Metzler) may be the factor for ride harshness. This was bad enough on my GS (Tourances) that I went back to the Bridgestones (Trail Wings) and sold the Metzlers after very little use. I fond it annoying.

Johnny

bmw4me · 05-01-2000, 11:18 PM

I had the same complaint with them not to mention that I only got 3,000 miles out of them. I'm on 207's not, love the ride, don't know what kind of milage I will get out of them yet.

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Gary

Paul Wishnafski · 05-02-2000, 04:05 AM

Since I will probably go back to the BT56/57 combination that the S came with, perhaps someone out there knows why the combination of tire models is used. Why not a BT57 front to match the rear instead of the BT56? Any comments will be appreciated!

Safe riding,
Paul W.

turnerm · 05-02-2000, 07:11 AM

I just ordered the MEZ3's.
I currently have the 207's, and I like them a lot, but I want to try the Metz's.

Also, I toasted my front rim yesterday, so I might as well change the tires while I'm getting the new rim.

Johnny Keppelman · 05-02-2000, 07:44 AM

I don't have any Bridgestone literature. In fact I have always found them hard to connect with, web or otherwise. Does the 56 indicate front and 57 rear?

Johnny

markjenn · 05-02-2000, 08:41 AM

I had heard somewhere that the germans are much more meticiulous about testing with different tires than the Japanese. That is why there is a specific list of tire combos in the manual and only these combos are "recommended" to maintain the vehicles handling characteristics. And when they did the testing, they determined the 56/57 was the best BS combo.

My experience with the 56/57 combo vs. 205s is this: When I was in Europe, I rode the wheels off a R11S with 205s. They stuck well on most surfaces (except some nasty polished granite hairpins in the Alps - I don't think anything would have stuck to these road surfaces very well). But the most amazing thing was the wonderful cornering clearance. My partner said I was almost simultaneously decking the cylinder heads and bags but I never touched anything in 10-days of riding.

I get back in the states and get my new R11S and it has 56s/57s. Immediately, I start showering sparks. I've since cranked up the preload to max, but I still hit stuff. I'm wondering what could be different except the tires?

I'll probably shorten the paralever soon, but I'm hoping to get 205s on the bike before I change this so I can get some more data on this to see if the tires could possibly be affecting the clearance. It is baffling.

- Mark

turnerm · 05-02-2000, 09:18 AM

I'm not sure about the 205's, but the 207 (180) tire is 1/2' wider than other 180's.

Bob Hancock · 05-02-2000, 10:12 AM

Paul,
I suspect that since the BT-56 is softer than the BT-57, you'd want to stickier tire on the front when close to the limits.
Bob

Zarex11 · 05-02-2000, 11:15 AM

Well, I went from the stock 205s (6K miles), which I thought were exceedingly harsh to the much softer MEZ3s, and love 'em. Time will tell how long they last, but for the confidence they give me, I'd be fairly pleased with 3K miles. Yes, we all should expect more miles out of a set of $300 tires, but that's the game the tire manufacturers are playing. Might try the Pilot Sports next, now that they're available.

Cheers!

Paul Wishnafski · 05-02-2000, 06:47 PM

Bob - The BT56's that come stock on the S are the older garden variety OEM BT56, not the newer (and much better) BT56SS tire. The BT57's are actually softer than the OEM BT56.
Seems like a strange combo, but hell, it works pretty well. Maybe a set of BT56SS front and rear or the pilot sports would be the ticket. Anyway you look at it, I may have a set of MEZ3's for sale cheap! Thanks again for everyone's input!

Safe riding,
Paul W.

dfaber · 05-03-2000, 08:21 AM

I don't think the BT56SS is available in a 170/17 size. If an when it is, I would definitely give it a try, as early reports said it stuck as well as D207ZR's and lasted twice as long!

roger albert · 05-03-2000, 08:50 AM

That's my understanding too. Too bad they
don't make that size (yet?) A 180/55 is just
too wide for a 5.0 (frankly, its a lot of tire even on a 5.5 -- my duc handles better
with a 170 on 5.5 than a 180. I'm going to
keep my eyes open for a 170/17 SS to come out. Jeez, 170 17 is still the most common tire size (though that may be changing in favor of 180s)

later
roger

Paul Wishnafski · 05-03-2000, 10:40 AM

You guys are right - I spoke with some people at Bridgestone and they do not have a 170 size for the BT56SS. Seems that though the 170 is a common size overall, it isn't the size used on today's "hot" bikes. Could not get an answer on if or when. You may have to break down and get the 5.5! BTW, I just ordered the Pilot Sports (120/70 & 180/55). I'll post my impressions after a few miles.

Safe riding,
Paul W.

turnerm · 05-15-2000, 11:08 AM

I just put on 75 miles on my new MEZ3's.
The first thin I noticed is how narrow the Metz 180 is compared to the D207 180.

I love these tires so far.
They handle great. They feel smoother and easier going into turns than the Dunlops.
They feel sticky, but I dont think they are as sticky as the 207's.

Paul Wishnafski · 05-15-2000, 12:44 PM

I agree with you on the handling with the MEZ3's. I only changed to the Pilot Sports to improve the ride quality a bit. It's not that the MEZ3's are particularly rough, it's just that they are more so than the BT56/57 combination. If anyone is interested, I am selling my 120/70 and 180/55 MEZ3's with about 250 miles on them. Contact me by
e-mail if you would like to discuss.

Safe riding,
Paul W.

Chris Eastburn · 05-15-2000, 01:12 PM

Here's the 2000 mile update on my first set of MEZ3's. I really like the way they hook-up. Great traction and turn in. I really didn't notice them being any more harsh riding then the 207's or the 56/57 combo. The mileage is not going to be as good as I had hoped, I'll be looking at a new rear at about 3200 miles no better that the Bridgestones. Are they worth the extra money? I paided about $300.00 a set mounted and balanced. I my go back Bridgestone's.

Ciao

bmw4me · 05-15-2000, 09:24 PM

I'm on my 4th set of tires at the moment. The first set was pilot sports, they stuck great and I got 6,000 miles out of them. I tried the MEZ3 next, they went 3,200 miles and I did not think the grip was as good as the Sports which I went back to and got 4,000 miles out of them. I'm on 207's now they have 2,900 miles on them now and should be good for at least 4,000. I like the feel and grip of these alot. The price is right also, about $250, mounted and balanced. What kind of milage are the rest of you getting out of the 207's?

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Gary

Mike H. · 05-15-2000, 10:39 PM

All,
I've run the D207's, the MeZ3's, and am now running the D205's. I really beat up on the D207's, and yes they are the best feeling, most responsive tires I've run yet. I was dissapointed that they needed replacing after 3,000 miles. The MeZ3's were OK. Nice, soft ride on the highway, not bad in the tight stuff. Not great milage - 4,000 miles was it. So far I am enjoying the D205's - sort of like the best of both the above - mileage is already better than the MeZ3's!

Regards,

Mike H.

turnerm · 05-16-2000, 07:59 AM

The 205's are a different class. They are the sport tourers and will give you the most miles by far. Sometimes 6-12K.
The 207's are sticky as hell. Stickier than the MEZ3's and maybe even stickier than the Pilots. The 207's are also the cheapest of the sport tier. However, I think the MEZ3s' shape gives a better turn in, and I like the rounded feel better than the 207's. They offer a softer ride than the 207's. The 207's are probably the harshest. I did love the 207's though. The 207's are also wider than the MEZ3s. The difference in appearance of the rear 180 is night and day(207 vs MEZ3).
I may have to try the Pilot Sports. They seem to be the hottest tire on the market. They also scored the best in that Sport Rider magazine comparison.