Metzeler 880 failure
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
From: Milwaukie Oregon
RE: Metzeler 880 failure
It is my understanding that this problem began when Metzeler moved their tire plant from Germany to Brazil for cost savings. It  \\;may be their vulcanizing process was not as good as Germany's plant or their rubber mixing control was not to the same tolerances. \\;As I pointed out it looked like the failure began on the outer tread blocks where the rubber is the thickest. Weather it was tire flex or the weight of the rubber and centrifugal force that caused the separation. The other possibility why this occurs on Harley's and not on BMW's is the overall machine weight and not to be overlooked the torque pulsations that are unique to Harley's. One more thought Metzeler seems to have a extreme amount of tread thickness on the edge of the tire. I supose to give a flatter contact patch than any of the other tires used on Harley's and that may be a design flaw the thicker rubber would generate more heat at the edge of tread which is where the failure seemed to begin. I was a big fan of Metzlers for the last four years this was my third rear tire and second Brazilian rear the first did not wear as well as the first German made the front wore well but beginning to lose grip especially when wet.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: 17 Miles from Manhattan
RE: Metzeler 880 failure
ORIGINAL: Mathews2
thats is ugly. \\;\\\\\\; Going with Michelin this week. \\;\\\\\\; But I had no problems with my metz for 8k miles
thats is ugly. \\;\\\\\\; Going with Michelin this week. \\;\\\\\\; But I had no problems with my metz for 8k miles
I have the Mich. Commanders. with about 3K miles on them including 2.5K miles in the last week (Nova Scotia trip). They are holding up nicely and handled much better than the stock Dunlaps.
 \\;
Cyb
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
RE: Metzeler 880 failure
ORIGINAL: kdietz
True, but make sure of your tire size and read the lower line....my 150 is 42psi max....140's are up to 50psi
ORIGINAL: chiefparry
I know what you said the side wall tire presure was indicated at 42 psi, but check out what the their website says: http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/p...s/default.page
They say you need to run at least 44-46 solo!!
Why the side walls would indicate something different I do not understand.
I know what you said the side wall tire presure was indicated at 42 psi, but check out what the their website says: http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/p...s/default.page
They say you need to run at least 44-46 solo!!
Why the side walls would indicate something different I do not understand.
Re-read that Metzler... those are listed as Recommended MINIMUM Tire Pressures... not maximums.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: michigan
RE: Metzeler 880 failure
Why \\;is it \\;that only Meltzer tires are having issues with the tread separating and chunking off, ever one is blaming under inflation, I think if that was the case all tire manufactures would be having problems.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
RE: Metzeler 880 failure
OK...I'm confused
What is the recommended min/max tire pressure for a Metz 880 150/80-16 71H?
I read it to be 40/42
What is the recommended min/max tire pressure for a Metz 880 150/80-16 71H?
I read it to be 40/42
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
RE: Metzeler 880 failure
From http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/p...s/default.page
Always inflate tires to the correct pressure as indicated in the owner's manual. However Metzeler North America has found the air pressure suggestions listed below will improve mileage and customer satisfaction especially if a emphasis is placed on running the air pressure towards the maximum as stated on the sidewall. Check cold tire pressures frequently. Correct tire pressure is crucial for safe handling. Over inflation may impair ride comfort and reduce the contact patch between the tire and driving surface of the tires. Insufficient air pressure will result in poor handling and cause a tendency for the motorcycle to "wander". In addition, improper and insufficient tire will cause accelerated tire wear, increased fuel consumption, less control and the possibilities for tire failure to due an overload/under inflated operating situation. \\; \\; \\; \\;
Rear solo, 44-46 \\; 2 up light, 46-48 \\; 2 up heavy 48-50.
For bikes with the following rear tire sizes: 170/80-15, 180/70-15, 150/80-16, 160/80-16, 180/60R16, 180/70R16, 200/60R16, 240/50R16, 140/80-17, 160/70-17 D spec, 170/60R17, 210/50R17, 150/70-18, 180/55ZR18, 200/50R18, 210/40R18, 260/40R18, 280/35R18, 300/35R18, 260/35R21.
Solo 40, \\; 2 up light 42, 2 up heavy 42
Always inflate tires to the correct pressure as indicated in the owner's manual. However Metzeler North America has found the air pressure suggestions listed below will improve mileage and customer satisfaction especially if a emphasis is placed on running the air pressure towards the maximum as stated on the sidewall. Check cold tire pressures frequently. Correct tire pressure is crucial for safe handling. Over inflation may impair ride comfort and reduce the contact patch between the tire and driving surface of the tires. Insufficient air pressure will result in poor handling and cause a tendency for the motorcycle to "wander". In addition, improper and insufficient tire will cause accelerated tire wear, increased fuel consumption, less control and the possibilities for tire failure to due an overload/under inflated operating situation. \\; \\; \\; \\;
Rear solo, 44-46 \\; 2 up light, 46-48 \\; 2 up heavy 48-50.
For bikes with the following rear tire sizes: 170/80-15, 180/70-15, 150/80-16, 160/80-16, 180/60R16, 180/70R16, 200/60R16, 240/50R16, 140/80-17, 160/70-17 D spec, 170/60R17, 210/50R17, 150/70-18, 180/55ZR18, 200/50R18, 210/40R18, 260/40R18, 280/35R18, 300/35R18, 260/35R21.
Solo 40, \\; 2 up light 42, 2 up heavy 42
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 438
Likes: 1
From: Euless, TX
RE: Metzeler 880 failure
CTS1950 is the only case I have heard on here since I started\\; so now you all are reacting to this one case. I'm not sure that I would change my entire opinion on just one case of a problem. If we did then no one would own a 07-08 bagger now would they. This needs more time to prove itself as a pattern or consistant issue. I'm "guessing" it was just a defected tire that got through the checks. How many of those tires are sold? I'm guessing way more than we can imagine and we have just heard about this one issue. Come on people!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
RE: Metzeler 880 failure
CTS1950 is the only case I have heard on here since I started\\\\\\; so now you all are reacting to this one case. I'm not sure that I would change my entire opinion on just one case of a problem. If we did then no one would own a 07-08 bagger now would they. This needs more time to prove itself as a pattern or consistant issue. I'm "guessing" it was just a defected tire that got through the checks. How many of those tires are sold? I'm guessing way more than we can imagine and we have just heard about this one issue. Come on people!
 \\;Even if it is a defect, you think Metzler is the only tire company to ever have a defect?