Metzeler Bias Front & Radial Rear Tires
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 886
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Metzeler Bias Front & Radial Rear Tires
Is anyone running a set of Metzeler bias front tire with a radial rear tire?
I found this comment in the Metzeler V-Twin Upgrade Guide:
"IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING TIRE UPGRADES
Metzeler allows builders and owners to mix radial rear tires and bias ply front
tires when the following conditions are met:
> All Metzeler tires must be used on the proper permissible rim size, see chart
enclosed to verify correct rim size and tire fitment.
> Mixing radial rear tires and bias ply front tires is allowed only when fitting a
stock Harley-DavidsonŽ with the proper custom width wheels for the tire
application. (see application chart) OR when fitted by a custom manufacturer
(i.e. American Ironhorse). OR if listed in this fitment chart!
> FITTING RADIAL FRONT TIRES IN COMBINATION WITH BIAS PLY REAR TIRES
IS NEVER ALLOWED!
> Metzeler tubeless tires may be fitted with Metzeler tubes. Metzeler tube type
tires should NEVER be put into service without a Metzeler tube."
If you have, please comment on the handling, I thought mixing Bias with Radial tires was a bad thing.
I found this comment in the Metzeler V-Twin Upgrade Guide:
"IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING TIRE UPGRADES
Metzeler allows builders and owners to mix radial rear tires and bias ply front
tires when the following conditions are met:
> All Metzeler tires must be used on the proper permissible rim size, see chart
enclosed to verify correct rim size and tire fitment.
> Mixing radial rear tires and bias ply front tires is allowed only when fitting a
stock Harley-DavidsonŽ with the proper custom width wheels for the tire
application. (see application chart) OR when fitted by a custom manufacturer
(i.e. American Ironhorse). OR if listed in this fitment chart!
> FITTING RADIAL FRONT TIRES IN COMBINATION WITH BIAS PLY REAR TIRES
IS NEVER ALLOWED!
> Metzeler tubeless tires may be fitted with Metzeler tubes. Metzeler tube type
tires should NEVER be put into service without a Metzeler tube."
If you have, please comment on the handling, I thought mixing Bias with Radial tires was a bad thing.
Last edited by Hog Yild; Mar 11, 2009 at 05:20 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
I'am not a tire expert,but I've been riding 35yrs.and never mixed bias ply
with a radial tire,thinking it wasn't a good idea. What advantage would
there be in running a radial in the rear and a bias ply tire up front?
We need to hear from a tire pro.
with a radial tire,thinking it wasn't a good idea. What advantage would
there be in running a radial in the rear and a bias ply tire up front?
We need to hear from a tire pro.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
Jim, you know the experience I have had with tire manufacturers and what they place in print and later retract.....ahem...Dunlop, LOL.
My brother inlaws Dad has a HD Duece that has a Metz 180 radial on the rear and some china made front bias tire and he rides 10,000 miles a year that way. He keeps buying the same tires because he likes the low profile look of the front.
My brother inlaws Dad has a HD Duece that has a Metz 180 radial on the rear and some china made front bias tire and he rides 10,000 miles a year that way. He keeps buying the same tires because he likes the low profile look of the front.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 886
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Jim, you know the experience I have had with tire manufacturers and what they place in print and later retract.....ahem...Dunlop, LOL.
My brother inlaws Dad has a HD Duece that has a Metz 180 radial on the rear and some china made front bias tire and he rides 10,000 miles a year that way. He keeps buying the same tires because he likes the low profile look of the front.
My brother inlaws Dad has a HD Duece that has a Metz 180 radial on the rear and some china made front bias tire and he rides 10,000 miles a year that way. He keeps buying the same tires because he likes the low profile look of the front.
Tell me about it! Dunlop just posted the dimensions for their D407's this week. The 180/65B16 has three width's now, depending on if it's a blackwall, narrow white wall, or wide white wall. Of course the blackwall being 7.19" now. And I believe your 180/55B18 now has a smaller width. I was just under my rear of my Ultra this weekend, had it all figured out for the 6.89" width on my 4.50" rim and now the tire is another 1/8" wider, it was tight to begin with, making it even tighter. I will be getting my rim back from being offset to 3.485" this week and I'll be back under there trying to make it fit.
But on the other hand the Metzeler 880 180/60-16 is around 6.90 on a 5.00" rim, which puts it at around 6.75" wide on my 4.50" rim. Which easily fits. Next comes my question on the bias front, since Metzeler doesn't make a narrow enough front radial, unless their 150/60R16 will fit under my front fender with a 3.50" rim, maximum width of that tire is 6.02, I don't think it fits, hence the question on the bias front and reference to their catalog statement.
How's the rear fender going on your 08? It looks like paint is all you got left.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Pontotoc, MS
I've been running a Metz 120 Bias front with a 160 Radial and now a 180 Radial on the rear of my 2006 SG for over two years now. Handling is great with no ill effects. Also ran a bias front and radial rear on my Vrod briefly before I sold it and had no problems with it either.
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