Metzler 880 combination and pressure

[hd2bmw]

First replacement for a set of tires on my 05LT. I am coming off BS 020 and did like them but dealer did not have them in stock and was in a pinch for a new tire. So I went with the Metzlers.
After having the tire installed I look at the tires numbers and try to compare them to the Metzler grouping for front and rear combo and did not see this combination.
This is what I have
F 120/70 58V (dealer stated 32psi)
R 160/70 REINF 79V (dealer stated 36psi)
I am concern with these pressure and question the dealer knowledge with the tire themselves and thus the combination.
I am thinking the dealer put on whatever he had in stock and was not concern with matching.
Any feedback would be nice
Jim

[Malki]

The combination is correct, as are the pressures. There are many here who will argue about the pressure, but that's what BMW recommend for solo riding.
This is the combination I have on my bike, and what came with it. It is also what my tyre dealer recommended when I was due for replacement.

[dshealey]

Looks like the right tires, just be sure the front one does not have an "R" in the number, as they also have a radial in that size, with the same 58V rating.

Those pressures are awfully low though. Most of us run considerably higher pressures, 34-38 front and 38-42 rear probably the range most are running.

[hd2bmw]

As for load what would you recommend?

[astuber]

Lonestar in Austin recommends 42 Front and 48 Rear for the Metzlers. I have been running that combination since new and typically get about 12k miles out of set. YMMV

[Malki]

I think the following is correct:-

Weight = Dry 779 lbs.
Weight = Wet 853 lbs.
Maximum Load = 1,322 lbs. Gross vehicle weight.
Maximum Carrying Capacity = 470 lbs

and

Just to clarify on the tyres
Front for ME880's should read 120/70 B MC 58V
Rear 160/70 B MC 79V

[hd2bmw]

Checking the tire pressure when the tire is cold ie first thing in the morning is what is recommended.
So let say I am down 5psi and I have to ride to the nearest gas station where I can add air, lets say about 20 miles.
The tires are now warm and the pressure has changed. Do I still add the missing 5psi or do I need to compensate?
I know there is a tempter chart for compensation for warm conditions

Thanks for all the feedback

Jim

[yaklt]

I just got a $10 electric tire pump at Target (or somewhere like that).

You could just add the number of lbs your shy on cold tires to whatever the pressure winds up being when you get to the filling station - that works pretty well.

I looked up what Metzler says on Metzler 880 Tire Pressures (http://yarkos.blogspot.com/2006/04/note-on-metzler-880-tire-pressures.html) once.

[messenger13]

Checking the tire pressure when the tire is cold ie first thing in the morning is what is recommended.
So let say I am down 5psi and I have to ride to the nearest gas station where I can add air, lets say about 20 miles.
The tires are now warm and the pressure has changed. Do I still add the missing 5psi or do I need to compensate?If you have to ride 20 miles to get air, I would add 3psi to the equation. In other words, if you want 42psi cold (in the front), I would fill them to 45psi warm. For the rear, instead of 48psi cold, I would go to 51psi warm.

FWIW, I am getting great wear (FINALLY!) out of a set of Metzelers...and I am running 45psi front, 51 psi rear. (checked when cold) Sounds high? Oh well...I can't argue with success, or experience. Keep in mind that I am a 250 to 280-pound rider that usually carries extra stuff at all times. So my load may be more than your typical load.

HTH

[RealWing]

I just got a $10 electric tire pump at Target (or somewhere like that).

You could just add the number of lbs your shy on cold tires to whatever the pressure winds up being when you get to the filling station - that works pretty well.

I looked up what Metzler says on Metzler 880 Tire Pressures (http://yarkos.blogspot.com/2006/04/note-on-metzler-880-tire-pressures.html) once.

Metzler also has some relevent footnotes in its brochure.

"NOTE: ALL PRESSURES SHOWN ARE MINIMUM PRESSURES, USING HIGHER PRESSURES (UP TO THE MAXIMUM) LISTED ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL WILL IMPROVE MILEAGE. CHECK TIRE PRESSURES OFTEN!"

It also seems to suggest that the ratings are based on a 170 lb rider. This would mean a heavier rider would use higher pressures.
"THESE AIR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BASED ON A 170-LB SOLO RIDER."

[ibbones]

I just replaces my 880's with 15xxx miles on'em. I bought the bike with 9xxx and the first owner kept them with 42/48 also. My rear tire showed 3mm of center tread and the front was still good but you know with free shipping for two and all, plus I had to go +100 miles to swap them out and I have a big ride planed in about three weeks and did not want to wait for the last minute. Keep the pressure up and ride'em!

[PATTERSON]

MALKI

I know/recognize all the other letters/numbers in your post, as far as the tire sizes go.......but I've not seen the "58" or the "79" in any of the listings on the Metzeler site.............what do they indicate?? Metric width?

[dshealey]

MALKI

I know/recognize all the other letters/numbers in your post, as far as the tire sizes go.......but I've not seen the "58" or the "79" in any of the listings on the Metzeler site.............what do they indicate?? Metric width?

Those are the load ratings. If you look in the technical section on the Metzeler web site, there is a speed rating table, and a load rating table. The "V" is the speed rating, the 58 or 79 is the load rating.

[yaklt]

Metzler also has some relevent footnotes in its brochure.

"NOTE: ALL PRESSURES SHOWN ARE MINIMUM PRESSURES, USING HIGHER PRESSURES (UP TO THE MAXIMUM) LISTED ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL WILL IMPROVE MILEAGE. CHECK TIRE PRESSURES OFTEN!"

It also seems to suggest that the ratings are based on a 170 lb rider. This would mean a heavier rider would use higher pressures.
"THESE AIR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BASED ON A 170-LB SOLO RIDER."

A quick look at max load on an LT says about 300LB over this mythical 170LB rider. BMW, at max load, doesn't increase recommended front, and only increases rear pressure reccommentation by - what? - 4 lbs? A smidgen over 1lb pressure / 100 lb load... less than what people on the forums report running.

[2wheeler]

I currently have the Bridgestones in the front and Mets in the rear. I complained to the dealer about the original Bridgestones tire's low mileage and was transitioning to Mets (rear only at first, since they didn't have a Met available for the front at the time). They recommended that I try 52psi if I really wanted good mileage. I tried it and found that it rode rather "squirrely", never feeling that I could keep a straight line without excess work and just didn't give me a secure feeling. I lowered both to 47psi and found that it felt very good. I hope that the mileage is better, but I can see how it could be worse. The front Bridgestone - rear Met combo feel great so far.