ME55 or BT45

I am getting new rubber on the Zeph today, and have the option of
Metzeler ME33/55 or Bridgestone BT45 (and whatever the corresponding
front is). I've read all the reviews that I can find, and the argument
seems to be about 50/50. Many reviews are also (unfortunately) written
from a european standpoint, where they have colder weather and
different road surfaces.

Does anyone here have any meaningful comments about either model? At
this stage, I'm leaning towards the Metzeler, only because I like the
look of the tread pattern.

 

I prefer the Metzeler as a long-haul commuter. Good traction in the wet
(unlike the Macadams I have on now), no cupping, and a very long-lasting
compound.
- sanbar

 

X-No-archive: yes
Rod Bacon wrote in message

I'm a biiig fan of the BT45s and I heartily recommend them. (Both front and
rear are "BT45")
The only bike I had with the ME33/55 Metzelers was my VX800 Little Red
Throbber and it handled funny. I put a Dunlop K700/ Arrowmax 200
combination on it and I think it got worse!
Clem

 

For those remotely interested, I ended up with Metzeler me330/550 (note
the 0's). These are a new(ish) model (replaced the 33/55).

The bike now handles nicely. Before, it had a tendancy to want to tip
in to slow speed corners mid-turn, and also loved to track along
longitudinal defects in the road (grooves, tram tracks, etc.)

Can't comment on the wear (well, they seem OK after 50km), but the
handling seems good. We'll see how they go once fully scrubbed in, and
after a few '000 Ks.

 

I find any worn tyres behave that way on my bike, and new tyres cure the
problem regardless of the brand (for a while)

Moike

 

I find thats a pretty common characteristic of worn-flat rear tires.Any
new tire with a rounded centre section will make that problem go away.

big

 

Whats wrong with the macadams? Cupping isoften due to poor shocks,
pressure, balance. Check it.
Magoo

 

And sometimes shitty tyres.
*plonk*
- sanbar

 

Macadams work pretty well on bikes without too much power and well on
bikes with narrow rims. They work much less well on bikes with lots of
rear wheel grunt that tend to spin up the tyres on exiting corners
(something that macadams don't like much).


G-S

 

Is the cupping on the front or the rear?
I'd be worried if your tyres aren't spinning on a exit, or any part of the
trip, they'd be like dragging.
Lots of pople speak poorly of tyres or brakes or bikes they have little
experience with. It is often due to a more recent product claiming to be
better. Unless yiou mean x-ply 50s.

Magoo

 

Why does my left side tyre wear quicker than the right?

 

As I said... many bikes _cannot_ spin the rear on an exit.

I've noticed you doing that yes

yiou... really....


G-S

 

*Which way is it hanging Pete?*


G-S

 

This is a trick question as you have many references to a trike.
Perhaps you should lean more to the right or rotate your tyres more often or
get the differential examined.

Ride on
Magoo

 

Really? You are referring to traction being beaten by power or inadequate
tyre construction? It is possible that you are changing this argument to
suit your ends.

I have riden with Macadmams, 90, the newer 100, (as well as aforementioned x
plys) Brdigestones, Pirellis, Chin Shen, Yokahams, Dunlops. Thoughh I don't
see how listing the different tyres shows any better what I know and what I
have riden. That is really a poor mans game of one up man ship.

Ohm a mistake in my typing. That happens and I do not blame my computer for
being shitty either.
Magoo

 

I am changing nothing I said earlier, it is possible you are now
interpreting what I have said twice in different ways though

Well... this is ausmoto LOL

I would have expected smee to pick up on that, but he was busy in
another thread


G-S

 

Cause Bobby sits in the left side of the ute box.

Al
-ducks and runs

 

snip loads...

Don't resist then.

Johno

Beer?

 

English, motherfucker! Do you speak it?!?

Two weeks ago, I rode a VTR1000 with a Macadam 90 on the back.
Attempting a mildly-enthusiastic takeoff got the rear tyre to spin. On
tarmac. On my planet, that qualifies Macadams for the status of
dangerous rubbish, fit only to be laid in the middle of an inner-city
street, doused in petrol and set alight to form part of a barricade
during an episode of civil unrest.

 

Macadams spin easily unless you warm them up first, they will not warm
up very well commuting in city traffic either


G-S