[pozo_izquierdo]

Hi guys,

just interested how many miles people get on their ME 880 (rear) tires and are the tires Brazilian or German?

The reason I´m asking is that I have noticed a dramatic change in my last 3 rear ME 880´s. I used to get 18 -22.000 km with the rear but nowadays I only get 12 - max 13.000 km. And these are German made tires.

I have thought that the German factory has changed their recipe and one my buddies has noticed that his Brazilan made rear ME 880 still lasts like the "old" German did. He rides Iron Butt rides constantly and he just returned from a Gibraltar - Nordkapp in 72 hours ride. He has now 13000 km on his Brazilian ME 880 and it looks like he can still do another SS 1000 with that.. His German ME 880´s die out like mine, at 12.000 km.

I recently ordered two Brazilian ME 880's hoping that they would last longer....

Front German ME 880 still lasts about 30.000 km as always.

Regards

 

[johnbaker15]

Ari,

Mine is from German and rigth now has about 10,000 Km on it and seems to have lots left. I'll try to post an update when it's gone.

 

[pozo_izquierdo]

Thanks John,

after posting my question I realized that perhaps you guys in the US only get the German made Metzelers and the Brazilian variety is saved for the smaller markets...

I wonder if I'm running too high pressure in my rear as I 'm having 50 - 52 psi.
Regards

 

[simoncharles]

Gibraltar to Nordkapp in 72 hours ? That must be exhausting.

 

[mreuter]

OK Ari there could be something on it. Changed now my front tire after 20k km and the rear is ready to change has a little more than 10K km on it maybe 1500 km more and thats it. This set is a German made. All other set I used before last a lot longer. Front close to 30K km and rear 15 - 18k km.
On my US LT I had almost new tires front and rear when I bought it and put 7000 km on in May. I was really wondering the still looked new when I arrived Florida. Even the rear is still quite round and not flat. But I dont know where they come from, I guess they are German made but there must be a different maybe they are a few Years older.

Manfred

 

[Bighopper]

I recently purchased a front & rear from an online dealer in Quebec, Canada & the front is made in Brazil & the rear in Germany. Haven't installed them yet, but previous 5 sets I usually only get 10k miles from the rear(usually worn in center, due to flat land in Alberta) & I usually change the front at the same time due to the cupping.

 

[kevincaron]

Took my pressure back to 42 in the front and 46 in the rear. I was at 46f and 50r. Been getting much better mileage out of the tires. Was only getting about 4k on the rear, it's up to about 10k now.

I do ride alone with just a bag or two. Lots of high speed. (80mph+)

 

[johnbaker15]

Thanks John,

after posting my question I realized that perhaps you guys in the US only get the German made Metzelers and the Brazilian variety is saved for the smaller markets...

I wonder if I'm running too high pressure in my rear as I 'm having 50 - 52 psi.
Regards

Ari,
I am careful with keeping the tire pressure at 42 front, 48 rear. Usually check it before each ride and carry tire pressure gage in side bag. It was cool here that last few days and when I checked before going out they were down to 38 front, 42 rear.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Ari, your post is timely as we just returned from a cross country trip from s fl to CA up the PCH (US-1) back to Western NC mountains and back to S Fl.
I installed the new F & R German made Metz tires just before we left. The front is like new, at least 8,000 miles left.
The rear is now completely worn in the center with a small 2"x 1/4" rough odd strip showing in center and has round bumps or bubbles near the outside edges. Total miles on the tire is 8,300.
The previous tire was made in Brazil and got 13,000 miles.
Now this may not be a fair comparison because I hauled a trailer and my wife during all of these miles at 75-95 mph average and the roads out west were very HOT, 100 degrees plus. I was running 50 psi rear, 42 psi front. Perhaps the rear air was too high for the heat, speed, & load?

 

[pozo_izquierdo]

Gibraltar to Nordkapp in 72 hours ? That must be exhausting.

You bet, Simon!
They rode 5866 km ( 3645 miles) in 70 hours 40 minutes. And that included a two hour sitting in a German "stau" where both roadwork narrowed lanes were blocked by trucks and travel trailers My biggest respect goes to his wife as on their way down to Gib they rode a 2600 km / 24 ride plus on their way home from Nordkapp they did one standard SS 1000.:bowdown: Some people seem to LOVE sitting on a motorcycle...

Regards

 

[pozo_izquierdo]

Ari, your post is timely as we just returned from a cross country trip from s fl to CA up the PCH (US-1) back to Western NC mountains and back to S Fl.
I installed the new F & R German made Metz tires just before we left. The front is like new, at least 8,000 miles left.
The rear is now completely worn in the center with a small 2"x 1/4" rough odd strip showing in center and has round bumps or bubbles near the outside edges. Total miles on the tire is 8,300.
The previous tire was made in Brazil and got 13,000 miles.
Now this may not be a fair comparison because I hauled a trailer and my wife during all of these miles at 75-95 mph average and the roads out west were very HOT, 100 degrees plus. I was running 50 psi rear, 42 psi front. Perhaps the rear air was too high for the heat, speed, & load?

Joe,
I'm also convinced that my rear pressure 50 and even over that is too much and and causes the tire to wear out in the center.
My last German Metz lasted barely 12000 km (7456 miles) and now with a new Brazilian version I will run the pressure at 3,1 to 3,3 bar (45-48 psi) and see how long that will last.

Regards

 

[SmokinJoe]

Joe,
I'm also convinced that my rear pressure 50 and even over that is too much and and causes the tire to wear out in the center.
My last German Metz lasted barely 12000 km (7456 miles) and now with a new Brazilian version I will run the pressure at 3,1 to 3,3 bar (45-48 psi) and see how long that will last.
Regards

Unfortunately I don't have the ability to choose between the Brazilian or German version. I will start running at 48 psi max as a test. Run up your miles soon and post back!

 

[johnbaker15]

Ari,

Mine is from Germany and right now has about 10,000 Km on it and seems to have lots left. I'll try to post an update when it's gone.

Just adding an update, pulled the tire off yesterday to take a close look..it's done at ( correction) 9,000 miles ( 14,484 ).

 

[MarinPhil]

I have seen both German and Brazilian. Main difference is that the Brazilian ones are shaved. (mybad)

 

[amindtat]

I have seen both German and Brazilian. Main difference is that the Brazilian ones are shaved. (mybad)

I thought the Brazilians had a skinny contact patch going down the middle?

 

[MarinPhil]

I thought the Brazilians had a skinny contact patch going down the middle?

Those are the ones with the highway tread-dual- compound. I was thinkin of the high speed design. :histerica

 

[K100Dennis]

My '05 had a German ME880 on the rear when I purchased it with 13,500 Kms (orginal tyre). That tyre went to 19,000 Kms and was badly scalloped on the sides at the end. Next tyre, another German ME880, the carcase cracked in the centre of the tyre at the bottom of some of the tread grooves after 9,000 Kms. Last tyre was a Brazillian ME880, it has now done 14,000 Kms and although scalloped (recently trimmed up with a 5" grinder) it is ok. I think the Brazillian tyre wears slightly better than the German version. I can also say that if you look closely at the tread groove profiles you will notice the Brazil tyre has slightly tapered sides whereas the German item appears to have parallel sided grooves. The carcase cracking is frustrating, I run 48 psi in the rear and do a lot of 2-up riding. My next combo will be ME880 on the front and BS Battlax 020 on the rear, seems to work well according to some.

 

[johnbaker15]

Thanks John,

after posting my question I realized that perhaps you guys in the US only get the German made Metzelers and the Brazilian variety is saved for the smaller markets...

I wonder if I'm running too high pressure in my rear as I 'm having 50 - 52 psi.
Regards

Ari
Just replaced the German one (see post above) which wore just fine(48 psi), got the new one today from Max BMW in North Hampton and this one is Brazilian. It will be interesting to see how many miles it lasts.

Price was $212.99 plus $25 to install.

 

[blueknightga6]

I have seen both German and Brazilian. Main difference is that the Brazilian ones are shaved. (mybad)

Don't pass along misinformation. The Brazilian ones are waxed. :histerica