Topic: Metzeler ME33

[ofreen]

Over the years, I have run 5 ME33 Lazer front tires on my '75 750F.  A few years back, Metzeler moved production of their bias ply tires to Brazil.  The consensus on the internet boards at the time was that the quality suffered with the move, that the Brazilian tires were inferior to the German and Italian made tires.  I wondered at the time how anyone could know that so soon, so I doubted it.  I went ahead and bought and installed the tire pictured below in July, 2004.  It now has 18,000 miles on it.  I changed it out this weekend, replacing it with a Lazertec that looks identical.

I run 38 PSI in the tire, and most miles are commuting miles.  The tire has worn evenly, with no cupping/scalloping.  I found no difference in performance between this tires and the previous four, so I think the noise about the Brazilian Metzelers being inferior is baseless. 

I have a Brazilian made ME88 on the back that currently has 15,000 on it that looks like it will go another couple of thousand at least.  If so, it will beat the other ME88s I've run before.

[heffay]

do you think you might be trying to get more mileage from these newer ones?
also, how do you verify where they were made? 

[ofreen]

do you think you might be trying to get more mileage from these newer ones?
also, how do you verify where they were made? 

No, I run the tires down to the wear bars, then change them.  According to my records, the least mileage I got from an ME33 was 15,000 miles (the first one), this last one was the most at 18,000. 

Metzeler molds the name of the country of manufacture on the sidewall of the tire.

[heffay]

thanks, just checkin' the controls on your speriment! 

[ofreen]

Good idea.

[andy750]

Ofreen I really like your posts - great info and tried and tested. Cant ask for more than that.

One question though...how fast do you usually ride and how much do you corner? Could this be a factor in your high mileage tire wear? Just curious...I got 16,000 miles out of a set of Dunlops (K491s - no longer available) and this was riding fast and hard on all kinds of roads (Mexico trip) so curious to know if you have similar experience.

cheers
Andy

[upperlake04]

Ofreen I really like your posts - great info and tried and tested. Cant ask for more than that.

 Yup, I've thought that before too. Many opinions are presented here but those formed from experience are especially valuable.  Maybe the extra mileage is a reflection of a maturing rider

[78CB750CAFE]

I love my rear ME550 so far, time will tell how they wear.

[ofreen]

Ofreen I really like your posts - great info and tried and tested. Cant ask for more than that.
One question though...how fast do you usually ride and how much do you corner? Could this be a factor in your high mileage tire wear? Just curious...I got 16,000 miles out of a set of Dunlops (K491s - no longer available) and this was riding fast and hard on all kinds of roads (Mexico trip) so curious to know if you have similar experience.
cheers
Andy

Thanks, Andy.  The bike is still my daily rider, so it gets a combination of commuting and other miscellaneous riding, with commuting probably 90% of the miles.  The commute has been a 25 mile round trip for the last few years.  18 of those miles is on the freeway at 65-75 mph.  When I do get on a curvy road, I do my best to equalize the wear on the tires.  

I ride to work year around as long as the roads are ice free.  Here in southern Idaho, the temperatures range from the 100s in the summer and I'll ride down into the teens in the winter if the roads are dry. (A Windjammer makes that bearable.)  So the tires see a wide range of temperatures.

I took a new job 3 weeks ago.  The commute is now a 62 mile round trip, 4 days a week.  It will be interesting to see how the old bike holds up.  It is going to roll over 110,000 miles pretty quick.

Ofreen I really like your posts - great info and tried and tested. Cant ask for more than that.

 Yup, I've thought that before too. Many opinions are presented here but those formed from experience are especially valuable.  Maybe the extra mileage is a reflection of a maturing rider

Thanks, upperlake.  And you are right, the mirror tells me I am getting more "mature."     But truthfully, I think the conditions the different tires have been subjected to over the years has been pretty consistant, so the comparison is valid.

[andy750]

Hey Grey,
You are the guy that I reference for these kind of things - oil, tires etc....because I know you put the miles on to know!

Thanks for sharing!

Hey did you ever post a photo of your bike? Now Im curious to see this machine! Im still kicking myself for not knowing you when I rode through southern Idaho in 2001!

cheers
Andy

[hymodyne]

ofreen, the small insect in your avatar is quite realistic.

hym

[ofreen]

Hey Grey,
You are the guy that I reference for these kind of things - oil, tires etc....because I know you put the miles on to know!
Thanks for sharing!
Hey did you ever post a photo of your bike? Now Im curious to see this machine! Im still kicking myself for not knowing you when I rode through southern Idaho in 2001!
cheers
Andy

Thanks again, Andy.  Back at ya, your posts are always interesting.  I particularly like hearing about your travels.  I guess I've never posted a pic of the bike, other than bits and pieces to illustrate something, so one is posted below.  Too bad about the 2001 trip, but maybe that Rocky Mountain ride will happen someday.  Lots of great riding out here as you know, so if you get out this way, look me up.

 

[ofreen]

ofreen, the small insect in your avatar is quite realistic.
hym

It looks like I'm infested.

The first time I saw it on another forum, I tried to squash it with my thumb.

[DarkRider]

i tried that earlier actually..took me a moment to realise it was in your sig lol

[andy750]

Greg! Nice bike!! I like it! Reminds me of my old F2 I had in Scotland (mine had no fairing).

You can be sure Ill come and see you when I get back to your area and it looks like you have a back yard big enough for camping in :-D

Thanks for posting the bike,
cheers
Andy

[ofreen]

You can be sure Ill come and see you when I get back to your area and it looks like you have a back yard big enough for camping in :-D

We've got lots of room.

[ofreen]

Here's an update on the tire mounted back in 2008.  It has also gone 18,000 miles, just like its predecessor.  Conditions were as described for the last tire.  As the pic shows, wear is even, and down to the wear bars.  I have a new one waiting to go on.