....i'm undecided between tires for the upcoming season...i've read stacks of reviews on everyone's tire choice and the reasons for them...

i haven't hit the track (yet)...mostly aggressive street/highway riding...i just read up on the Metzler M7...

anyone have any info about this tire or the Metzeler brand?

I am consideing this tire as well. It's still very new to market, not even widely available at this point.

I really wouldn't mind putting M5s back on it, but wouldn't mind something that would get a few more miles. But then I'd like to try something else just to try something else. Who knows maybe I'd like something else a lot better as much as I like the M5s.

..i can dig it...i'm kinda in the same boat--trying something different, but looking for better!...my boy rides an 07 busa and is trying to convince me to grab a set of michelin power 2ct's...i like a 200 rear tho, so i'm limited...i bought the bike with a set of Shinko Verge's...it was my first x14, so as far as the ride, i had nothing to compare it to...(other than my old 2001 cbr929rr, which isn't even a comparison at all!)...i got used to the ride, but i KNOW i need a better tire, something less 'sport tourer' and more 'street'...

* Last updated by: sharp609 on 1/30/2015 @ 4:58 PM *

About Metzeler, their M5 Interact E spec is OEM on zx-14R for the past couple years, ABS models come with Bridgestone Hypersport S20s. E spec supposedly is slightly customized for 14s or similar weight bikes.

Pirelli is Metzeler's parent company, so their tires often share some similarities in terms of performance and profiles. Reviews (Sportrider and such) of M5s wasn't excellent, but good, said to get a bit out of sorts at the upper edge of the performance spectrum. I'm no one to disagree with them, and these findings seem fairly consistent with professional reviews. But I ride pretty hard and haven't experienced what they report, I'm sure I don't ride nearly as hard as they do on a track or curvy mountain roads (as I have neither near me).

My "track" is a rather rough place to ride, with large cracks and loose concrete chips. Although I've been scared a couple times cornering hard the M5s have kept me upright. A couple of the corners can be pretty thrilling cause their tight and doing 40-50 through them hitting quarter sized chips and the occasional crack (I try to avoid them, but not always possible)... could downright rattle some folk.

Another place I like to ride is asphalt and has a lot of the tar line patches. Those can be a little slippy and scary especially this one turn it's 90 at about 40 mph...hitting those things makes hte front feel like it could slide out. But again the M5s have did their job in keep the bike plastic side up.

Now with all that said, I'm not sure how much better off or worse I'd be with different tires. For example maybe Michelin Pilot 4s, or Metz Z8s, or Dunlop Q3s. I've read riders claiming 14s and Q3s aren't a really good fit, lot of people talk 14s tend to over power them exiting corners...but who knows? I know Dunlop makes a helluva tire and aren't extremely expensive.

I'm never buying anothe f'n french tire again.

Put'em on my Suzuki V-Strom, they were defective. Spent hours *proving* they were defective, they were. Submitted for reimbursement to metezler for refund. refund never granted.

F them, F'ers.

C'mon Meb, what do you really think? I guess no more Freedom Fries for you!

Mad

Funny how that happens and I agree with Meb 100%.
I will never ever buy another Bridgestone product after the way they treated me.
For me, principal will over ride any great new tyre they may release.
And instead of doing the right thing they now get negative posts like this.
In Meb's words, fuck em...

* Last updated by: yannih on 2/3/2015 @ 1:46 PM *

Well then you should be all set for Metzelers because they're a German tire. M5's on my bike say "Made in Germany" Pirelli own's Metzeler, and their Italian.

No Frogs around here!

Guess I got kinda worked up, huh? Yeah, guess I did! F 'em!

I dont care where they make their F'n tire, never buying another one.

I will reconsider my position when the current management changes. Hopefully, soo when the bad press drives'em...

Out Of Business.

Dammit, I really dislike getting myself worked up like this. It takes alot to get me there, and then it takes forever to get me off the ceiling when I hit it.

But, uh, thanks for the education, I guess. OK, No Frogs. Got it...

* Last updated by: mebgardner on 2/3/2015 @ 6:47 PM *

Well then you should be all set for Metzelers because they're a German tire. M5's on my bike say "Made in Germany" Pirelli own's Metzeler, and their Italian.

funny shit!...

@meb:...i know the weather out where you are is totally different from jersey, where i am...but, what tire DO you ride with?/why?...

@rook:...do you like the diablo super corsas to the point where you will buy them again when you grab a new set?

..thanks!

sharp, here is something you might consider. I'm only describing the front which might handle funny. Not funny, different. I bought another set of rims so I could swap both tires at the same time. I did not run the new OEM front, just the rear. The front was new and had its pattern, and kept the same aspect ratios.

When it was time to swap out rims with new tires mounted, I installed the OEM front. The rear was the same aftmkt brand as the funny front I removed. When I ran that OE front and felt the change, I'm running mismatched profiles, but that front profile sure makes the bike handle like it should.

So when this burns out, back to the funny profile up front and not that it won't take the corners and hard braking, I just expect it to steer with a, I can't put a handle on that funny feel. Maybe when I run it and can sense what it does. Right now that profile or was it the carcass being harder?
Either way, learning that feedback showed me I do not need to match tire profiles like it matters? That front input was plenty for me to know the difference a matching rear won't help.

You've been warned. I do not hunt for profiles. I take a manpill and steer it as comes.

@rook:...do you like the diablo super corsas to the point where you will buy them again when you grab a new set?

The short answer is: Michelin Pilot Road 3 (PR3).

The longer answer is, it's complicated. Most of my riding is freeway commuting in rush hour traffic. 75-80 MPH is typical, for over an hour each day. Straight line stuff. So, I need a tire with dual compound, and hard center tread.

My skills are fair, not good. My body condition is fair, not good, not poor, and I'm not overweight (I dont excersize enough). Hand / eye coord is still good. The guy who stares back in the mirror has alot of white beard now (the icon picture is recent, but a couple years old now).

I'm attempting to put you in the picture of a guy who's capabilities are not sufficient to be "fast". I'm not "fast", and I dont track, so that is not critical to my tire selection.

I dont play with this cycle much. (Tho I did couple weeks ago, and watched a Ducati veteran rider friend *embed* himself and his 2 week old crotch rocket into the mountain side. Literally. (He's busted up, but alive. He was never in my rearview, he could not catch me, I think he tried to and now I got guilt).

So, sidewall grip is not chosen for %95+ plus of this cycle's capability, I dont need it.

You get the picture why the PR3's? They're *perfect* for me, I *love* them, very confidence inspiring, very long wearing in straight line applications.

@HUB: thanks for that info bro-a good teacher remembers that he will always be a student!...definitely one to grow on...i bought the bike with the Shinko Verge already on it, basically brand new...what you said makes me wonder how i will take to a different front...only one way to find out!

@ROOK: as always bro, i appreciate the info!...one of my bros has an 07 busa and runs power 2ct's...think he had super corsas before that...i think he liked them, but his road capt swears by the Power 2ct's, so now he does too!

@MEB: thanks a lot bro!..funny thing is that i was looking into the Michelin PR4's...they have good reviews...i just wasn't sure because a few said it was more geared towards actual sport tourers...one thing tho, like you, i don't hit the track regularly and much of my 'local' riding is on straight highways, averaging 80/100 mph for long stretches...so sidewall isn't TOO important...but i do want to know that if i want to hit the twisties, i won't have to worry much about grip....i'm definitely gonna look into the michelin pr3/4!

* Last updated by: sharp609 on 2/4/2015 @ 9:42 PM *

I'll just second the Michelin PR3's. I mounted a set on my 2008 ZX-14 and they are excellent. I know there are stickier tires but I don't ride at the edge. If I did, I would probably not be riding a Zx-14 as it's too heavy for that kind of riding. These things have excellent traction, great handling, and great treadwear.

If you really want those super-sticky cornering tires, the Michelin Power Pilot are the way to go.

I've never been a fan of Metzeler tires. I bought a set years ago and they handled terribly and wore out way faster than I thought was normal. While they may be better now, I'm not the sort to give a 2nd chance.

...thanks again for the info...i like the michelin pr3/4 too...but i'm looking for a 200 rear, and i don't think they make one...

Wait a minute, aren't Michilins French???? I've had a Metzler on the front for a bit now and I liked it>

Mad

Michelin - confirming french...however where are these gems manufactured?
W