Metzeler tire's

[sneakypete]

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a Metzeler ME 880 140/90 B 16 and a 140/90 HB 16?
Is it the load capacity/rating? pete

[DBC]

The "B" is bias belted and the "H" is the speed rating (130) if I remember correctly

[calif phil]

DB is correct  H = 130 mph   That 140 Metzeler should have a 77H rating, meaning it can go 130 mph and is rated at 908 lbs

[sneakypete]

Thanks you guy's, I appreciate it. pete

[coastie56]

Go on their website. They are announcing an improved ME880. The me 888. Up to 50% better mileage. 

[sneakypete]

    I will...

[truck]

Be cautious of the Brazilian made Metzeler tires, (if they even still make them there) there were problems with them.

[sneakypete]

There must be a code on the tire to indicate where it was made... yes

[ThumperDeuce]

Tire sidewall says where it was made.  I've been running 880xxl's with no problems for about 5 years now.  Front is made in Brazil the rear is German.

[sneakypete]

I too have been running the Metzelers for a good long while, although can't remember ever seeing Brazil on there. Maybe it's worth a look see just for the heck of it. pete

[Molly]

You can easily tell the Brazilian ones. They only have tread down the centre...

[Deye76]

I'd bet a steak dinner that metz still makes 'em in Brazil, but if some of the raw material comes from Germany, they can say it's made there, like what happens here in the USA. And, I'm betting they came out with the 888 to try and repair their image. Screw metzler, their customer service is still non-existant.

[Wicked]

I think you'll find that the country of origin stamp is where it is made (moulded). It's a legal requirement, same as the DOT (date code) stamp.

[Deye76]

Your probably right, just don't understand why metz went from Germany to Brazil, then back. Takes a lot of $$ to gear a plant for production.

[sneakypete]

It seems the big problem is how do you know what your getting if your buying on line.
That being said, I've been running Metzelers for over 20 years and have been happy with them.
However I'm not beyond trying something difference. I'm sure there are more then one or two opinions
on a good brand of tire. Any suggestions...    pete

[dogger]

Avon Cobras.

[Molly]

You can easily tell the Brazilian ones. They only have tread down the centre...

C'mon... My jokes are wasted on you lot. 

[splitting_lanes]

You can easily tell the Brazilian ones. They only have tread down the centre...

C'mon... My jokes are wasted on you lot. 

I don't get it...   

Seriously, I'm running an Avon Azuro on the front with an 880 on the rear, both radials.  They are night and day better than stock bias ply.

[ThumperDeuce]

You can easily tell the Brazilian ones. They only have tread down the centre...

C'mon... My jokes are wasted on you lot. 

I don't get it...   

Wax on, Wax off

[88b]

Be cautious of the Brazilian made Metzeler tires, (if they even still make them there) there were problems with them.

Tell me about it, when I got my RG it had new Metzlers on it, I thought it had a bent frame, new HD Dunlops and it was like its on rails.

[Molly]

Funny how we experience the same tyres differently. I thought the stock HD tyres were 'numb'. No real feeeling or sense of what they were doing. Fitted Avon Venoms (this is going back a few years) and thought they were much better.

[88b]

I put Venoms on my Heritage, can't say I noticed a lot of difference to the original Dunlops except they were a lot cheaper. A new rear HD Dunlop for my glide is now about £180 or $270, I'll never risk Metzlers again, next set may be the new Avons or Mitchelins . That will probably be late summer after the 3500 plus mile trip to Rome.

[wingie]

I have had 3 bad metzlers in a row. My mistake for buying the third. I thought two was bad luck. I now will never by a metzler again. One had a bump in the side wall after 2000 miles, one had a rim that wouldn't stay in place. I tried to make it work but after a 100 or so miles it started to bounce. Looked and it wasn't on the rim right.  Hooked it upm again, rim was fine, and after 100 mor so miles was not on the rim right.  tried four times, and replaced it. The third one wore out after 4000 miles. About half of what I usually get.  So for now dunlaps for me. Wingie

[klammer76]

I have run 3 Metzlers (two 130-16, one 150-16) 2 were made in germany, one 130-16 was Brazil. The brazilian 130 looked slightly narrower than the previous. The 150's were ok but didn't were great but were decent tires. I switched to Avon 150-80-16 Venoms to try them. The Avon is a really good tire. I just bought two Venoms to have as they don't make it anymore and the Cobra doesn't come in a 150-80-16. Local indy told me the 150-16 tires are kind of a bastard size anymore and they will be getting harder to find down the road, don't know if that is true or not. I never had a problem w/Metzler & would use them again but I have read of others that have had issues.

Klammer

[sneakypete]

Hey Molly, I get it!
But seriously, If the quality on the Metzelers has gone down then maybe it's time to try something different.
I did find an 888 Metzeler 16 for the back but apparently  they don't make an 888 for the front "21 inch".
Thats OK I don't think it will matter if there were an 880 on the front anyway.

Sounds like those Avons might be the way to go. Is a 140 Avon the same as a Metzeler? I hate to order it and find it's too wide.
Pete