changing from BT020 to etzler 880?

[zimbazi]

I have read too much at this site to remember it all....
I own the 2006 LT..Yes the fastest Ocean BLue !
Asking for some advice on changing from the stock tires to metlzer 880.
Remember something about a spacer?
My bike only has 7,400 miles and the front tire is past the wear limits.
Today the back tire went flat..Big nail ! Pluged it to get home.
The back tire is about 80% gone but do not want to drive the pluged tire.
I have a big trip plan in two weeks planning on about 4k miles.
Most of you except for DaveDragon are getting long milage on the metlzers.
I have experienced the Metlzers on my Ultra Classic Harley (crap of a bike).
They are loud tires from my experince.


So, do I need a spacer to change BT020 to Metlzer 880?
OR is there a spacer I need to remove for clearance?
Plan on mounting Metlzer this weekend ......
Also plan on getting those MC945 angle valve stems?

Please HELP?

[lenny]

keep the tire pressure at 42 f 48 r they should keep quiet,,you really dont need the angle valve stems...i never have a prob.adding or checking air,,i got 17,350 miles on the last set of metz,s

[Dick]

I have read too much at this site to remember it all....
I own the 2006 LT..Yes the fastest Ocean BLue !
Asking for some advice on changing from the stock tires to metlzer 880.
Remember something about a spacer?
My bike only has 7,400 miles and the front tire is past the wear limits.
Today the back tire went flat..Big nail ! Pluged it to get home.
The back tire is about 80% gone but do not want to drive the pluged tire.
I have a big trip plan in two weeks planning on about 4k miles.
Most of you except for DaveDragon are getting long milage on the metlzers.
I have experienced the Metlzers on my Ultra Classic Harley (crap of a bike).
They are loud tires from my experince.


So, do I need a spacer to change BT020 to Metlzer 880?
OR is there a spacer I need to remove for clearance?
Plan on mounting Metlzer this weekend ......
Also plan on getting those MC945 angle valve stems?

Please HELP?
Jeff, you won't need an extra spacer for the ME 880s (the old Dunlop D205? tires did in order to keep from rubbing on the swing-arm). When you remove the rear tire, you will find an already installed spacer collar - be sure to put it back on the FD when you install the new tire. And remember that the rear tire has a torque procedure to follow that is VERY important (ping me if you don't have the mini-book containing the tire changing procedure in detail).

With regard to the angled valve stem - my personal opinion is I wouldn't install one. Most will print right on the package that they are NOT intended for riding with, but rather for the brief time you're adding air or checking air pressures. YMMV.

And as Lenny sez - 42 psi front and 48 psi rear. Although I've been thinking about Tom Gallo's procedure of running 44/50 in an effort to minimize tire roar when leaned over. Again, YMMV.

And remember, after you've put on the new tires, don't take a run down Lime Creek Road until you've scrubbed the mold oil off the treads - takes about 100 miles if you use IH-35; leetle less if you run Bee Cave and 12!!

Good luck on the new tires, and have a great trip later; ride safe.

[zimbazi]

Dick,
My salesman told me to run 52 front/56 rear...is that too high for the 880s...
I did purchase the screw on angels valve stems ..I was thinking that the Trucker Rocky MC945 was attached to the rim just like the stock?? I will know more after visiting the dealer....Most of the threads are recommending lower air pressures?? Huuuummmmm......thinking too much,,,,should get back to WORK...YUK

[Dick]

Dick,
My salesman told me to run 52 front/56 rear...is that too high for the 880s...
Sure won't see me runnin' 'em that high. Wonder where he got his facts? That's the first I've heard, expecially from a dealership. Were I you, Jeff, I'd run what the majority of the folks do who inhabit this list. They've been at it a long time and have real world experience.

I did purchase the screw on angels valve stems ..I was thinking that the Trucker Rocky MC945 was attached to the rim just like the stock?? I will know more after visiting the dealer....Most of the threads are recommending lower air pressures?? Huuuummmmm......thinking too much,,,,should get back to WORK...YUK

Check the disclaimer on the angle stem package, Jeff. If there isn't one, then yours may work fine. Mine sez don't use it while riding, or sumpthin' to that effect. Suggestion; if you do use it on your trip, take along a straight stem, just in case. That'll usually keep the gremlins at bay anyway!! ;) :D

Take care.

[davek100rt]

I did this change on a R1150RT. The feel of the 880s was slick and slimy. The 020s was stuck to the road and confident even with almost no tread and on wet roads at night. On the K1200LT it may be different. I had 8K on the 880s when I traded the R for the K. I never felt confident enough to push the curves with the 880s, the 020s I felt I could lean til the heads dragged. Some may not feel the difference. I did. But in the 880 defense, they only slide when very cold. They never caused any major problems but I did not push them as I did the 020s. Your choice, you may like them. Good luck.

[mneblett]

The feel of the 880s was slick and slimy. The 020s was stuck to the road and confident even with almost no tread and on wet roads at night. On the K1200LT it may be different. Nope -- this is exactly my experience on K12LTs, too. My '05 came with 880's. I tolerated them because I couldn't bring myself to remove perfectly good tires before their time. That said, their time's up, and there's a new set of 020 radials in the garage waiting for the Smartire package to arrive later this week. :)

[kip]

I was a pretty big fan of the metzlers BUT while at STC up at Ironhorse the other day I suddenly realized my back tire was totally worn out. So, at 5:30 pm in Robbinsville choices are a little limited. So, I got new Bridgestone's at Wheelers and was dang proud to get em.

Here is what I noted immediately: the Bridgestones seem to me to roll better (easier). It is noticeable in moving the bike around. the Bridgestones seem to me to let the bike move laterally on the road more....NOT that they arent sticking but there is noticeable movement on the road at high speed (80 mph +) that wasnt there with the metzlers (maybe they will get better once worn in a little). the Bridgestones are quieter by far.

Since I only have a couple of hundred miles on them I can't speak to wear but everything on this site says Metzlers significantly outlast Bridgestones.

At STC some people said they would NEVER run Metzlers because they are hard and dont grip as good in the rain. I never felt my LT sliding in the rain but I dont ride hard in the rain.

Give me a few months and I can let you know how many thousand miles you can get out of a set of Bridgestones :)

[dshealey]

---------------------------Give me a few months and I can let you know how many thousand miles you can get out of a set of Bridgestones :)

Should re-phrase that to say: "how many thousand miles I can get out of a set of Bridgestones" :D

What you, or I, or anyone else gets is not likely to be the same, depending on how one rides, and even more importantly, what types of roads are ridden on mostly. I do know from considerable experience that the rain grooved SoCAl freeways are hell on tires, and I only got 11,000 miles from the rear 880, but got 12-14,000 from the many rear 020s I wore out. The front 880 would have gone probably 14,000, where the front 020s only went 8-9,000. On my 10/10ths ride, the front 020 lasted the full 10,000 miles and had life left in it when I got home, due to the smoother roads encountered riding in all the other states I was in during that 10 days.

[meese]

I found the ME880s made the LT feel sluggish and heavy at all speeds. Some folks like that, as it feels more "stable". I prefer the quicker-steering BT020s, or really Avon front / BT020 rear. Sure they are less tolerant of sloppy or loose riding styles, but they respond quickly and predictably in all conditions, and especially when pushed hard. I'd rather have that than slightly better straight line stability. After all, what fun is going straight? :)

[kip]

previously i mentioned how it seemed the bridgestones were letting the bike move around alot more on the road....

once i realized that my steering dampener had been loosened.....apparantly by the guy at the tire shop (not sure)......and once i tightened it back a little......

now the bridgestones are as good or better on the road than the metzlers were.....

didnt want to be putting out bogus info :)