Something to ponder

[squirrelciv]

Tyres.

More to the point their effect on handling. I've just kitted Dolly out with a set of Metzeler Tourances after many happy years on Avon Distenzias and the resulting change in handling has stunned me.
I was fully prepared for a possible change in grip ( I remember getting some Dunlop Trailwings and boy could I crank it over in a bend on those ), but I didn't expect the way the bike rode to alter.
Everything has gone 'twitchy' and nervous. As you start to lean you almost fall off the tread and have to correct things. In the high(ish) winds today I kept getting blown off course all the time.
The pressures are set as recommended at 1.5bar (which seems soft to me ) and the tyres were fitted professionally, so I'm left with the thought that it's just a case of me not getting on with them. I know lots of people who rave about the Metzelers and wouldn't have any other tyre, but me, I'd go back to my Avons anyday.
Is this all a bit odd or do certain tyres 'suit' certain bikes/people??
I await your conclusions

[trophydave]

I have Tourances on the Transalp.Although I have only ridden a couple of hundred miles on it,albeit in some foul weather,they seem fine.I understand that as they get worn they can do odd things to the handling,I shall have to wait and see.
1.5 bar,about 22psi if I am thinking correctly,seems a bit low to me as well.
I had Distanzias on the XT 350 and it could be chucked around all over the place,just a pity the rest of the bike was such a shed.

[mini-thumper]

I agree with TrophyDave 22psi seems a bit low. I usually put 28psi and it seems to work for me. Give it a try - if you have a foot-pump air is about the only 'free' consumable. If the handling gets worse at higher psi let it out for us all to share!

Take it easy-ish...............

Boyd

[steveD]

I agree with Boyd, pressure seems a bit low. I run at about 28psi on the DR 

[themoudie]

Aye Pat,

When are you coming up for the SixDays with pressures like that?

Pressure on a F650 for Tourance Xply front 28psi and in the rear radial 32psi. No problem to the edge and good in all weathers on all road surfaces. "Pump it up!"

22psi seems squidgy to me and if whack Dollies disc on you might even get the wheel to rotate in the tyre! Don't forget at least 100 mile scrubbing in and then adjust the pressures again.

My regards, Bill.

[squirrelciv]

Cheers guys, gone for 33psi (same as for the Avons) for the ride in and can let some out for the ride home.
Question is why do Metzeler reccommend only 22psi?? Surely they should know what pressure suits a tyre they made

[Steve Lake]

1.5 bar...phooey.......I used to use the bar gauge on my bikes.......then I started to use psi, was SO much better...don't have any truck with that foriegn cr@p now.

seriously....I would suggest 30psi as a god starting point...at 22psi my bike handles like ... like... like a bike with 22psi in the tyres.....awful!

as to why metzler say 22psi. ...gawd knows.....I don't know of any bike tyre running at that pressure (not that I know that many)

[Bill Rutter]

Admittedly for a MEZ-4 road tyre but my Metzeler recommended pressure is 28 front and rear. The knobblies on my old Honda SLR650 (Dunlops) were pumped to considerably more than 22psi too.

[guest18]

Bar is useful for figures like 232 or 300 (my cylinders!) but too clumsy for tyres. Use psi!!

[Andy M]

Pressures look iffy. If it was another manufacturer you'd suspect a PSI-Bar/KPa-PSI conversion **** up that gave the low number, but Metzler should know the right number in metric.

Are the dates OK? I once had a pair of Pirelli's on the F650 that had about as much grip as a snail in a teflon factory, but hadn't worn a single mm of tread off after 10000 miles. Why? They were 5 years old when the ****-Thick fitters put them on!

Andy

[squirrelciv]

Tried them at 33psi front and rear today and things were a lot better though I will be dropping the front down to 29psi from what I've just read.
This probably not the best time of year to be messing about with your tyres, but needs must