Fitted New Tires on the R1200GS last evening

[DaveDragon]

Fitted New Tires on the R1200GS last evening (http://davedragon.rilysi.com/2008/07/fitted-new-tires-r1200gs-rilysi.html)


http://lh3.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SInLRvLzffI/AAAAAAAAGqk/4YZdo7H_qn8/CIMG2723_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://lh6.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SInLRnoaFeI/AAAAAAAAGqg/jvT_OYzgmi8/s1600-h/CIMG2723%5B3%5D.jpg)
Last evening as I arrived home via my afternoon commute; the farkle fairy dropped off a new set of tires for R1200GS Adventure.

4 weeks ago I fitted new Metzeler Tourance's to the R1200GS just before rolling out on Ride-About 2008 (http://davedragon.rilysi.com/2008/07/ride-about-2008-main-page.html). With 7000 miles of road trip and another 1000 miles locally since returning to FlatLand; She was ready for a new pair of shoes.

I decided to try a different type of tire this go round so I ordered Metzeler Roadtec Z6's from Southwest Moto-Tire (http://www.swmototires.com/). No shipping or Tax and a couple of days had them at the door.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SInO1GzB_ZI/AAAAAAAAGq0/Yz9nksiN31k/CIMG2731_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://lh6.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SInO0wwV_WI/AAAAAAAAGqw/aM_Kv40WAK4/s1600-h/CIMG2731%5B3%5D.jpg)
After fitting, I balanced them using the Marc Parnes (http://www.marcparnes.com/) Static Balancer, then I installed Ride-On TPS (http://www.ride-onshop.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=13) as I always do to insure the tires remain hydrostatically balanced, run cooler with no air leaching and industry leading puncture protection.

The Roadtec-Z6 (http://www.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/sport_touring/none&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=102505&uri=/metzeler/en_IT/browser/xml/catalog/moto/mv_roadtec_z6.xml&menu_item=/products/catalog/sport_touring) is a Street Sport/Touring Tire where the Tourance (http://www.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/enduro_street/none&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=87240&uri=/metzeler/en_IT/browser/xml/catalog/moto/EnduroStreet_Tourance.xml&menu_item=/products/catalog/enduro_street) is a Street/Trail tire.

Once fitting was complete, I headed out to my favorite strip of Sugar Sand along a roadside near the Casa and plowed through it several times to scrub away all of the remaining mold release thus making the tires safe for normal street riding.

First impressions of the Roadtec Z6 are all positive. The GS feels firmly planted with outstanding traction and handling.

I decided to try the Roadtec's as I'm going through Tourance Rear Tires at an expensive rate, so I'm looking for better mileage with these.

Hey, What Lady doesn't like a new pair of shoes?

LATER

[DaveDragon]

Saturday Night I rolled south the St. Pete and the Biff-Burger Bike Night where I met a new vendor last weekend.


He has a roll around Nitrogen system.

$20.00 per Bike.

He attaches a line to the valve stem and a vacuum pump draws out Ox and pushes back Nitrogen till the system detects no more Ox, then runs the pressure up to the manufacturers recommended pressure.

He said if it loses ant pressure he'll top it off for the life of the tires.

I road home the thirty or so miles and the tires were noticeably cooler to the touch.

Time will tell how it works off.

[KMC1]

Dave, how are you liking the Z6's? My new GSA came with the knobbies and I've already worn them down quite a bit in less than a thousand miles.... they grip really well in the dirt, but that's not going to be where I'm spending the bulk of my time - mostly fireroads, gravel roads, maybe a goat path here and there, but not very often. Think I should look at the Tourance instead?

Thanks,

Kevin

[KMC1]

Bueller? Bueller?......

[meese]

Watch those Z6's real close. The rear lasted ~4K on my GT (other brands are all closer to 7K). More scary was the fact that the Z6 tires have no center wear bars so you can't accurately judge wear. They will look great at one gas stop, then by the next gas stop you're on cords. :eek:

[tallshadow]

I've got Z6's on my 120oGS and I'll need new tires at the end of an upcoming 1500 mile jaunt. I could use suggestions as to which to try.

Walt