Another Tyre Dilemma....

[2002sportevo]

I'm heading to the IoM for TT race week on June 3rd and my original fit Supercorsas are both nearly on the wear limits at 2900 miles so I need to change them before I go. I bought the bikes with 1200 miles on it and the tyres were like new, I basically done one track day and the rest on day trips so the mileage is pretty fair I think for that tyre.

I am undecided whether to go with Supercorsas again or Metzeler M7RR's or Metzeler RR K3's - I don't generally ride the bike in the rain unless I get caught out but I reckon there is a fair chance of some rain when I am in the IoM for race week !!

I appreciate that the M7RR is aimed at a different market to the Supercorsa or Metzeler RR - I don't want the bike to feel too different during a 'spirited ride' on the road or on the occasional trackdays that I have planned, hence my dilemma.

I know there have been a few tyre threads recently so I'm sorry for posting this but hoping for some informed views to help my decision (which I need to make pretty quickly !!)

Thanks
Colin

 

[MacRR]

+1

 

[bananaman]

RR K3's all day every day. Great grip and really good wear rate although have only had them in the dry....

 

[alex]

I've ridden home from 2 trackdays on K3 RR's in the rain now. it was motorway plus inner city. I was fine, being caught in the rain just means back it of, be smooth and plan well ahead/leave big gaps.

The K3's should suit your needs but the 7RR's will give added weather security.

 

[fast_ryan]

Metzeler Racetec RR K3

From experience I certainly wouldn't recommend using Racetec RRs in wet weather.

 

[blitz]

If your doing a lot more road than track riding, I wouldn't get the RR k3. I had them and only got a 1000 miles out of back and front and a friend got 800 out of his back tyre. The M7 have got loads of grip for the road

 

[alex]

Re: Metzeler Racetec RR K3

From experience I certainly wouldn't recommend using Racetec RRs in wet weather.

It wasn't a recommendation - just a fact. Been caught by the weather twice and I don't just mean damp conditions, I mean properly wet. Worst thing you can do in a situation where it gets wet is to panic about it. Maybe knowing that others have been fine will help calm some nerves.

The silica compound is not 'rubber' it does work in the wet but you need faith and to relax. I'm not advocating use of K3's or SC's in the wet just saying that should a fair weather biker get caught in a down pour then they shouldn't need to stop, just apply some common sense.

 

[2002sportevo]

Thanks for the replies guys, I was away on the bike on the weekend and the journey back on Saturday was pretty wet - about 170 mile trip on pretty worn Supercorsas wasn't that great - as Alex says, just had to apply some common sense !

 

[stuartb]

Glad your weekend went well Colin. Looks like you got some dry mileage in after all...

 

[MacRR]

Thanks for the replies guys, I was away on the bike on the weekend and the journey back on Saturday was pretty wet - about 170 mile trip on pretty worn Supercorsas wasn't that great - as Alex says, just had to apply some common sense !

M7RR's will comfortably do track days and allow you to 'get your knee down', for want of a better phrase, in safety. They'll work well in all weather conditions and temperatures (surely an important consideration in Scotland - less so down here in dry, sunny Lincolnshire ), so the question you have to ask yourself is will you actually be able to exploit the additional dry grip SC's / K3's offer over and above M7RR's that makes the compromise on mileage and all round weather capability worth it?

 

[2002sportevo]

M7RR's will comfortably do track days and allow you to 'get your knee down', for want of a better phrase, in safety. They'll work well in all weather conditions and temperatures (surely an important consideration in Scotland - less so down here in dry, sunny Lincolnshire ), so the question you have to ask yourself is will you actually be able to exploit the additional dry grip SC's / K3's offer over and above M7RR's that makes the compromise on mileage and all round weather capability worth it?

Well said.......I've just ordered M7RR's - will drop my wheels off on Thursday to have them fitted ?220.00 - (that's with the 200 rear) They'll get a decent test over to the IoM and back, I'll report back on my thoughts

 

[MacRR]

Good decision!

 

[RickS1K]

fyi Metzler appear to have a deal on at the moment with certain tyre dealers. I got M7RRs put on my other bike last week (RR already has them), and got a ?30 cash back voucher. Runs until end of June I think. The invoice needs to have a fitting charge item on it - not sure if that was just to rims or to the bike (which is what I did).

re K3s in the wet. I was doing a track day on the RR at Brands 2 yrs ago when it started raining lightly. Two of the instructors asked/told me not to go onto a wet track with K3s! I politely ignored them, selected wet mode, and had a great time (ok, one slightly scary moment at Clearways.....).

 

[soofsayer]

Yes, there is a cash back deal on Metzeler tyres at the moment .

 

[btcc2000]

Where did you order them from?

 

[2002sportevo]

I ordered mine from my local bike dealer, Jim Allan in Falkirk.....

 

[stuartb]

I ordered mine from my local bike dealer, Jim Allan in Falkirk.....

Colin: im a convert.. I was dead wary of moving manufacturers..Michelin to Whoever.. My HP came with SCs but I done them in rapid style and was heading down the Michelin Supersport route as Ive ran 2CTs for at least 9 years (No Pilot Power 2CT in 200 section) . But on the advice of others I fired on a pair of M7RRs, they are outstanding mate. Ive done easy 2000 miles and theres bags of meat left on them.. I find them faultless, heat up quickly and retain heat whilst stationary. Feel and grip on corners is as good as youll get. There is a definite band of harder compound on the crown which helps with longevity and wear rate is amazingly good..Metz have the compound bang on I feel. I paid 234 supplied AND fitted from Strathearn.. you will not be disappointed. S

 

[stuartb]

I meant a visually definitive band of harder compound on the crown..you can see it when the tyres wet

 

[fast_ryan]

Metzeler

?220 including fitting is very competitive for a set of Metzeler M7RRs. Just make sure that you ask about the cashback offer Metzeler have running at the moment.

http://www.metzeler.com/msite/promo/cashback30

 

[Loupe]

That's a great price for the tyres, I'll be looking at them next time.