ME880 80 Series

[MikeERideWNC]

Has anyone tried the ME880 120/80-17?

When shopping I saw this size and almost purchased one.
This would give the LT at least one half inch of added height on the front.
There looks to be plenty of clearance on my fender, as the bike is sitting.
I wonder if it would still fit at speed?

If anyone has tried one of these please post up.
We want to know how it feels.
The added height would sure help the lean angle.

[Dick]

Has anyone tried the ME880 120/80-17?

When shopping I saw this size and almost purchased one.
This would give the LT at least one half inch of added height on the front.
There looks to be plenty of clearance on my fender, as the bike is sitting.
I wonder if it would still fit at speed?

If anyone has tried one of these please post up.
We want to know how it feels.
The added height would sure help the lean angle.
I don't think those are weight rated sufficiently for the LT, Mike. Check out their fitment chart to be sure tho.

[motorhead]

Taller tire is going too SLOW down the steering due to greater rake angle.

[gbob]

I would be concerned about ABS problems , just shooting from the hip I would think it would make the computer think that the front tire is about to skid or worse yet it has .
If you are going to spin the wheel of chance please post the results as I am not much into dinking with complex/computer controlled brakes

Bob G
99LT

[MikeERideWNC]

Weight rating would be my only main concern.

ABS runs off of the rotor.

As for slowing down the steering?
I beleive a 60 series would actually slow the steering.
And 80 series would be more twitchy in the front.

I have been looking for weight ratings... Metzlers site sucks.

[Dick]

Weight rating would be my only main concern.

ABS runs off of the rotor.

As for slowing down the steering?
I beleive a 60 series would actually slow the steering.
And 80 series would be more twitchy in the front.

I have been looking for weight ratings... Metzlers site sucks.
Found this weight rating chart, Mike. It 'looks' like the ME 880 120/80 series tire might in fact be weight rated according to the following chart.

120/80 - 17 M/C 61V TL

TIRE LOAD-RATING CHART

53 454 lbs / 206 Kg
54 467 lbs / 212 Kg
55 481 lbs / 218 Kg
56 494 lbs / 224 Kg
57 507 lbs / 230 Kg
58 520 lbs / 236 Kg
59 536 lbs / 243 Kg
60 551 lbs / 250 Kg
61 567 lbs / 257 Kg
62 583 lbs / 264.5 Kg
63 600 lbs / 272 Kg
64 617 lbs / 280 Kg
65 639 lbs / 290 Kg
66 661 lbs / 300 Kg
67 677 lbs / 307 Kg
68 694 lbs / 315 Kg
69 716 lbs / 325 Kg
70 736 lbs / 334 Kg
71 761 lbs / 345 Kg
72 783 lbs / 355 Kg
73 805 lbs / 365 Kg
74 827 lbs / 375 Kg
75 853 lbs / 387 Kg
76 882 lbs / 400 Kg
77 908 lbs / 412 Kg
78 937 lbs / 425 Kg
79 963 lbs / 437 Kg

I guess now I would wanna know if the difference in aspect ratio will work with the BMW rim bead. And also, the other items folks have mentioned. BTW - did you do a price comparison 'tween the two? Curious how much difference.

[JATownsend]

I have been looking for weight ratings... Metzlers site sucks.
Mike, you can download their entire brochure, with ALL ratings HERE! (http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/search.page?index-query=120%2F80%20-%2017%20M%2FC%2061V%20TL) :D

[motorhead]

As for slowing down the steering?
I beleive a 60 series would actually slow the steering.
And 80 series would be more twitchy in the front.

Adding HEIGHT to the front end by use of a TALLER tire causes the same effect as the rear shock OAL being less (Sagged spring or low preload)
The RAKE angle gets shallower like a CHOPPER causing SLOWER steering.

* If using a SMALLER diameter tire up front, which would be like a firm heavy preloaded rear shock, makes the rake angle steeper causing quicker steering.

FYI. take it or leave it .... Thats the facts.

[MikeERideWNC]

I already have the rear shock up as high as I can get it and as stiff as it will go.
Even with two up the rear doesn't have much sag... Thanks to the adding oil to the adjuster, tip.

So, the 80 may just level out the front.

There is a four dollar difference, the 80 is more.
Unfortunately, I already have a set sitting on the shelf.
I'll have to wait another 4000 miles to try this.

[gbob]

If you change the front tire diameter to a larger one and not change the back the same % ,the computer will be getting a slower pulse rate from the front encoder than from the rear one and think the front tire is skidding or about to this will cause the computer to start to soften up the pressure to the front brakes .
If you try this, test it well somewhere with a lot of space to stop !
Some time ago some one posted a under inflated rear tire causing stoping /ABS problems in the front brakes ,he stopped at a dealer and they just aired the tire up problem gone .

Just something to think about

It is said that education is never cheep ,try not to over pay if you can !

Bob G

99LT with rear brake hose leak just today