Metzler 880 vs. BT020 debate on 2005 and up

[Crestwood330]

I have read countless posts on the Metzlers vs. Bridgestone tires on the LT.

What I have to ask is this: I have a 2005 LT which has an updated rake angle on the front suspension where it requires the bias type of tire on the front. What are the experiences with 2005 > owners only with the Bias Metzlers vs the Bias Bridgestone tires.

The reason I ask this is because there is a difference in the suspension geometry on the 05 and newer LT compared to the 04 and earlier.

I get my LT back today after nailing some crap on the road bending my front rim and finishing off my worn BT020 bias tire.

The dealer in some miscommunication has installed a Metzler 880 bias front tire instead of the BT020 I had sitting on the shelf with my name on it. My LT came with the BT020s as original equipment.

Frustrated with the screwup, I decided to have them install a new Metzler 880 rear tire to make a matching set and to get some additional mileage for and upcoming 2500 mile trip planned in May.

At 7700 miles my front BT020 is roasted and the rear still has some life left in it.

I have always ridden heavy touring bikes and tire wear is a sore subject that comes with the territory. I loved the BT020, but they wore a little faster than I'm used to on a heavy bike. I have run the ME880s on my 1990 Pacific Coast replacing the original Dunlops which made a dramatic improvement in handling, wet weather traction and braking. The wear on the ME880 were about 4K less on the front and about 2K less on the rear compared to the Dunlops. Metzlers were expected to be louder running and they were. My experience with Metzlers in the past have been good on other bikes.

With all of the posts back and forth, what I have noticed putting a radial on the front of an 05 and newer LT has a negative effect on the handling and wear of the front tire, where as the bias vs. radial are interchangeable on the older LTs without upsetting the feel of the bike or tire wear as much.

I will post how I feel about the Metzlers on the 2005 LT. I ride somewhat aggresively and a majority of the twisties here in the B'ham area are rough asphalt. I'm told the Metzlers are better in the twisties on rougher asphalt found in this area. I adjust my riding accordingly in the rain. After all I did buy the LT for the ABS which will help on the (rain) wet paint stripes and tar snakes at intersections.

David Allen
2005 K1200LT, Graphite, XMXT, Motolights

[Crestwood330]

Picked up the LT today and promptly took of to the twisties to scuff up the new 880's. About 200 miles into running around solo, no cargo, the grip increased and the sluggishness when flinging it into the corners went away. It falls in nicely.

The roads were in crappy condition today after the severe storms that rolled through 1:30 this morning. The LT on the 880 handled the wet corners and paint lines, leaves, dirt, sand without any unusual squirming. As for the rain, got nailed in a frog strangler at the 250 mile mark. Nothing out of the ordinary at this time.

I'm not sure what the fuss is on the 05 and newer LT, so far I'm happy with the Metzlers at 300 miles including the 50 miles of torrential rain. I rode it like I normally do, all the way up to the shoulders of the tires and somewhat aggressive, adjusted in the rain of course. Time on these tires may change my mind, but initially, they are just fine. BTW 42 front 48 rear, I'm 185lbs. The 2006 LTs are coming in with Metzlers.

[Serebigal]

My 06 came with the BT020s. 2K no problems. I'm running them at 42 & 48 psi. Best of luck with Metzlers.

AL

[tmgs]

Picked up the LT today and promptly took of to the twisties to scuff up the new 880's. About 200 miles into running around solo, no cargo, the grip increased and the sluggishness when flinging it into the corners went away. It falls in nicely.

The roads were in crappy condition today after the severe storms that rolled through 1:30 this morning. The LT on the 880 handled the wet corners and paint lines, leaves, dirt, sand without any unusual squirming. As for the rain, got nailed in a frog strangler at the 250 mile mark. Nothing out of the ordinary at this time.

I'm not sure what the fuss is on the 05 and newer LT, so far I'm happy with the Metzlers at 300 miles including the 50 miles of torrential rain. I rode it like I normally do, all the way up to the shoulders of the tires and somewhat aggressive, adjusted in the rain of course. Time on these tires may change my mind, but initially, they are just fine. BTW 42 front 48 rear, I'm 185lbs. The 2006 LTs are coming in with Metzlers.


I've got about 100k on the me 880s on the lt, I have used other brands when I absolutely had to
Dumpalots and the bridgestoned, didn't like either of them

run the me 880 at mas psi or a tad more, ( run about 2 lbs over front and rear they work great, BTW I live in Dahlonega many twisties here and I ride fairly hard as well

I also do 600 mile runs to Melbourne and back for work and have no problem with these tires making that horrible noise when they wear

[N3xuS]

I have a 2005LT and it came with Bridgestone's. I was a newbie, it had been several years since I have rode so I probably took it really easy, mostly interstate miles and not alot of curves, anyways I put 13,500 miles on them before I had them replaced, mostly because the front tire was getting cupped really bad which caused more and more noise (roar) as time went on, the rear tire seemed to still have alot of tread left but I replaced both at the same time. At first I thought maybe a bearing or something was going out, the Bridgestone's got pretty damn loud. I read alot of posts also about the 2 brands and was confused but it seemed most people liked the Metzlers better so that is what I have now. They seem to have a better ride than the Bridgestone's. I only have 5000 miles on this set so far. I think they are quieter too on the straight roads although they do seem to make alot of roaring in the turns and I kind of like that, especially since I'm getting more confident of my riding skills and love the curves more and more as time goes on. Unless I don't get as many miles out of these as the Bridgestone's I think I would have to prefer the Metzlers.

[Rockdoc]

My bike came with ME880s and I've never tried Bridgestones but, after 20k miles, I'm happy enough with their performance not to think about swapping brands. I've ridden in a couple of frog-stranglers (what an apt euphemism!) and the bike's never so much as twitched. Once the tyres are warm - a matter of a few hundred yards, I can get the bike right over with complete confidence.

Keith

[PATTERSON]

TMGS

I've got about 100k on the me 880s on the lt, I have used other brands when I absolutely had to

100k?? tha's a typo yes??

[tmgs]

TMGS

I've got about 100k on the me 880s on the lt, I have used other brands when I absolutely had to

100k?? tha's a typo yes??


ok how about I have over 100k running the me 880's on the K1200LT , not the same set <grin>

I'd have to guess but between all the bikes and the 880 marathons We probably have somewhere around 300k runnin on the me880 tires, heck probably more than that but not much more, i wish I had switched to them long ago though

Tom

[Big_E]

Mine came with Bridgestone's, switched to ME880s at 10,000 miles. My '04 GL 1800 came with Dunlops (Dunslips), got rid of them at 5,000 before they killed me & put on ME880s. My '01 Venture came with Bridgestone, got about 8,000 out of them & switched to ME880s, thats when I got hooked on them.

[yaklt]

my '05 came w/ 880's; keep BMW spec pressure in them (don't MAKE me point you to my blog that talks about pressures - you run what you like, and leave me to what I like!! *grin*) and have crossed 12,000 miles on them; they look about 60% thru their life both front and rear (yeah, that's right - the Chicago interstate twisty's are _really_ hard on the tread LOL!).

Concur w/ wet experience, though I'm not such an agressive lean-over rider. However, at STC-II did follow (ok, try to follow) Susan Galpin thru the Dragon in (at least one direction) a torrential downpoar...

[bmwusmc]

Switched to BT020's after 14,000 miles..Had Metzler's as oem..liked the metzler's but thought I'd try the BT's..
Question: does anyone notice a slight harmonic resonance with the BT's at cruise spds?(65-80mph)..Not loud but it's there.. I was thinking maybe the rear drive when I first noticed the noise but the rear wheel is steady and no oil leaks and it runs great at cruise..This is riding on straightaways and isn't noticeable in curves like the metzler's..
Just curious..

[Serebigal]

Picked up the LT today and promptly took of to the twisties to scuff up the new 880's. About 200 miles into running around solo, no cargo, the grip increased and the sluggishness when flinging it into the corners went away. It falls in nicely.

The roads were in crappy condition today after the severe storms that rolled through 1:30 this morning. The LT on the 880 handled the wet corners and paint lines, leaves, dirt, sand without any unusual squirming. As for the rain, got nailed in a frog strangler at the 250 mile mark. Nothing out of the ordinary at this time.

I'm not sure what the fuss is on the 05 and newer LT, so far I'm happy with the Metzlers at 300 miles including the 50 miles of torrential rain. I rode it like I normally do, all the way up to the shoulders of the tires and somewhat aggressive, adjusted in the rain of course. Time on these tires may change my mind, but initially, they are just fine. BTW 42 front 48 rear, I'm 185lbs. The 2006 LTs are coming in with Metzlers.

Actually, my 06 LT came with Bridgestones!

[kellenbenz]

Question: does anyone notice a slight harmonic resonance with the BT's at cruise spds?(65-80mph)..Not loud but it's there.. I was thinking maybe the rear drive when I first noticed the noise but the rear wheel is steady and no oil leaks and it runs great at cruise..This is riding on straightaways and isn't noticeable in curves like the metzler's..
Just curious..


I noticed that harmonic also with the BT020's. Both of my LT's came with Bridgestones, but I replaced them with Me880's.

Ron

[bmwusmc]

Thanks, Ron..Guess I'm not losing it after all!! LOL!
Having experienced the humming in turns with my old metzlers, I thought the BT's would be quieter..Not so, eh what?
I like the BT's in the twisties tho'..they seem a lot more stable than the metz's.
Going on a long trip this month(about 3000 mi) so I'll see how long they last..
Already have 3000 mi on them now..Ride safe..
Oh yeah, one more question - what pressures you running 'em on?
I'm using 42/48 psi

[Waz]

Hi,
Have just traded in my 1999 basalt grey LT for a 2005 Yellow one. The old bike always had Metzlers and were brilliant for wear, roadholding and here in the UK, in the wet.
The new bike has BT-020's, and am told that BMW fit in the factory whatever best deal they get from the tyre manufacturers.
Friends tell me that the 020's don't last as long and I have found this on my K1200 RS.
In a nutshell - not much to choose between them and as wear rate is better, go for Metzlers.
Waz

[mrwad]

What is missing from the replies is radials vice bias. I am interested in how many have the radials on the 05 and newer as that seems to be the biting bit of consternation amongst rider's.

[javandyke]

My understanding is that radials are not recommended for the LT. My '06 came with bias-ply 880's and at 7,000 miles the rear is looking pretty worn. I almost always ride two up and am moderately aggressive. No complaints on handling but I'm not impressed with the wear so far.