Metzeler Z6

[Professor]

I tried a search with no luck so I apologize if this is already out there. My dealer has recommended the Z6 for good longevity. I used Dunlop K-491 Elite II on my Guzzi and got around 16,000 miles out of them.

Does anyone have experience with the Z6?

I'm also curious about the Michilin Pilot Road.

Thanks.

[BobMielke]

14,000 miles with the Z6
9,000 miles with the Street Pilots
15,000 miles with Bridgestone B20 on front B21 on rear

2005 R1200RT now with 52,000 miles on the bike

[leadfoot]

I tried a search with no luck so I apologize if this is already out there. My dealer has recommended the Z6 for good longevity. I used Dunlop K-491 Elite II on my Guzzi and got around 16,000 miles out of them.

Does anyone have experience with the Z6?

I'm also curious about the Michilin Pilot Road.

Thanks.

I cannot comment on longevity. Mine came with Z6's and is an 08 RT, with 3500 miles. I noticed at about 1K the tires started to hum a bit when laying into a turn. I ride about 85/15 with regards to highway/twisties. Now at 3500 the front tire is cupped pretty well, the rear shows pretty good signs also, but not as bad as the front. I maintain the suggested pressures. It does not seem to hinder the performance, cornering is fantastic, and the tires track real well in the rain. I have gotten used to the hum, it usually fades away at highway speeds. Not sure if I will replace them with the same brand, guess that depends on how they wear from here, and how far they go. Someone else will have to comment with regards to longevity.

[jimfastcar]

My wrench just installed Z6's on my bike and advised to maintain tire pressure at 42 psi for both the front and rear to maximize life. I am not an aggresive rider, so I plan to take his advice. Only 200 km on new tires so no long term report

[tomm51]

My 08RT came stock with the Z6 tires. Just changed them out with 12000 miles and could have gotten another 2000 miles.The rear tire is C rated.It weighs 14 pounds and the same size K rated tire weighs only12.79 pounds.More belts? I check tire pressure often and run at 38 psi front and 42 rear.I put the same ones back on again.

[swilson143]

While some people do get good mileage out of them, the Z6 isn't know for having a long life. I typically get 6-7k out of a Z6. I keep using them because traction is great and they're quiet.

Currently I am trying a Dunlop Road Smart on the front, but based on the increasing road noise I'm getting from the front tire, I suspect I'll be going back to the Z6.

[JK]

FWIW -

Been getting an average of 7,500 high speed miles using M-3s on my R-1200s (50% two-up riding). Will be getting my third set next week (24K miles).

J.K. :wow

[glurkus]

I have my original Z 6's on my 07 RT and just over 9000 miles. Looks like I could get over 14,000 miles on these, maybe a lot more. They do hum when leaning over in turns.
I started getting cupping on the front tire at 5000 miles, but increased air pressure to 38 psi and it seems to have stopped the cupping. Currently run 38 in the front and 44 in the rear. Most of my riding is commuting on the xway. I had Bridgestone Battle Axes on my 971000RT and barely made 10,000 Miles.

[hlothery]

I have always used Michelin Pilot Roads. Got 11,000 on my first two rears. I now have a Pilot Road II on the front......like it a lot because the loud wine is no longer present. I will go with that when my current Pilot Road rear wears out. :thumb

[MrGrocer]

I had Z-6s (two sets) on my 2004 BMW Rockster. Contrary to some others, I only got 8000 miles out of a set (went to the wear bars on fronts and backs.) I certainly give the tires a glowing endorsement, though. They totally stick in the rain and I loved them long time.

[Professor]

I'm a little slow - or maybe a lot slow. I just went out to see what the original tires are on my RT and they are Z6's. At 6,000 miles, they look darn good. A friend told me though, that since there is no tread on the center part of the rear tire, it is difficult to tell when it needs replacing. My front looks great and probably has another 6K to go. But he says his rear tire looked fine when he headed out on a trip and before he got back, the rear was worn to the cord.

I kind of like that hum when you lean over. I think it means the bike and the tires are happy so they are singing.

They are quite sticky so I'll be very happy if I can get 12K. I haven't noticed any cupping yet.

[cjack]

I'm a little slow - or maybe a lot slow. I just went out to see what the original tires are on my RT and they are Z6's. At 6,000 miles, they look darn good. A friend told me though, that since there is no tread on the center part of the rear tire, it is difficult to tell when it needs replacing. My front looks great and probably has another 6K to go. But he says his rear tire looked fine when he headed out on a trip and before he got back, the rear was worn to the cord.

I kind of like that hum when you lean over. I think it means the bike and the tires are happy so they are singing.

They are quite sticky so I'll be very happy if I can get 12K. I haven't noticed any cupping yet.

They have wear indicators on the tread. If you follow the groove from the side wall marking, TWI, there will be three bumps on the bottom surface of the groove as you follow the groove along toward the center of the tire. The one nearest the center of the tire is the telling one. When it gets about even with the tire surface, the tire is worn out. And it is true that looking at the center part of the tire tells nothing about the thickness of the rubber left. When the inside most wear indicator is about level with the surface of the tire, there is less than thin skin covering over the center of the tire cords.

[Professor]

Thank you, Jack. I missed that somehow and appreciate the information. :clap

[maxscycle]

But he says his rear tire looked fine when he headed out on a trip and before he got back, the rear was worn to the cord.



But was his trip 100 miles or 4,000 miles?
max

[deilenberger]

One comment on Z6's.

According to a source I trust - the cloth belt that shows in the center of a Z6 when it's worn is another stage of "warning".. he said he cut a Z6 apart, and found there is several MM of rubber under the cloth belt before the actual steel belts would be reached.

I didn't like that one feature of the Z6 - other than that I enjoyed and liked the traction in all conditions that the tire provides - and the planted feel.

[Lisa_ST]

I ride them exclusively on my R1200ST and I sell them all the time! The Z6 is a great tire to put on. The Michelin Pilot is also good but you probably want to go with the Pilot Road 2 if you do as it is a dual compound tire that maximizes both the highway and twisties with the right rubber for each. If you get the Z6s, or with any tire, inflation at the correct level is KEY for longevity!!!

Lisa,
Parts manager at Tri-Valley Moto
www.trivalleymoto.com
lisa@trivalleymoto.com

[jasonTDI]

I've got 800 miles on them on my GS and since it really never gets off road they were a great choice. QUIET and no vibration from the tread in the bars.

[Professor]

Very interesting. If your source is correct, that is a pretty good warning system.

[kgadley01]

I've run Z-6s and had good luck with them. 13,000 on the rear and 15,000 on the front. I now have 880,s on the bike, so we'll see how that goes. :dance

[airoilheadbeemerguy]

I've run Z-6s and had good luck with them. 13,000 on the rear and 15,000 on the front. I now have 880,s on the bike, so we'll see how that goes. :dance

I wanted to buy 880's for my RT and my dealer told me they are not available in the sizes specified by BMW and so went with the Z6. What tire size did you get? :scratch

[kgadley01]

I wanted to buy 880's for my RT and my dealer told me they are not available in the sizes specified by BMW and so went with the Z6. What tire size did you get? :scratch

I got the stock sizes for My R1100RT. go online to the Motorcycle Pro Shop or call 916-641-7800. these 880's are also steel belted radials just like the Z-6's. its a bunch cheaper than your dealer and shipping is fast. they carry just about every tire you can buy for a motorcycle. :dance

[BobsST]

Worst set of tires I have ever had. Poor handling, tread wear indicators are worthless, extream cupping on the rear and they were gonners after 5000 miles. Always ran 36/42.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Tires2asm.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Tire2sm.jpg

[108625]

I ride them exclusively on my R1200ST and I sell them all the time! The Z6 is a great tire to put on. The Michelin Pilot is also good but you probably want to go with the Pilot Road 2 if you do as it is a dual compound tire that maximizes both the highway and twisties with the right rubber for each. If you get the Z6s, or with any tire, inflation at the correct level is KEY for longevity!!!

Lisa,
Parts manager at Tri-Valley Moto
www.trivalleymoto.com
lisa@trivalleymoto.com

Lisa,

What kind of riding do you do, and how long do they last you? I bought a new, unsold '05 ST last year, and am on my third set of tires in 13,000 miles.
(Third meaning the Bridgestone BT 020s delivered new, a set of BT 021s at around 6k, and another set at 12k). They do grip great, all the way across. Granted, I do ride "enthusiastically", but don't load the bike with a passenger ever, and bags only rarely.

Thanks,
Bob

[SilverRT]

I agree on the tire pressure. I got 12,000 on the stock Pilot Roads and then 10,000 on the Pilot Road II's. The PR2's don't appear to have any wear indicators so I was down to the center cords before I changed. I'm back to the Pilot Roads on my R12RT.

[cjack]

I ride the K1200S now for 3 years. When I first got it, I read reports of only getting 2K miles on the rear tire...at that time the Metzeler M1 sport sticky. I got about 8K. It depends on the rider as much or more than the tire. Probably acceleration, highway speed, shock settings, and tire pressure are all very different from all the greatly differing tire wear experiences, and they are all chosen by the rider.

[njnear]

Got about 9k out of the first 2 sets of Pilot Roads.

Tried the Dunlop Roadsmart, 6500! Won't do that any more.

Working on Pilot Road 2 (rear only), have 7k on them and holding up good.

[Fireant]

I've run two sets of Z6s on my '98 RT: first set 10K on the rear, 13K on the front (although badly cupped, down to the wear bars, poor handling). Second set both tires replaced at barely 10K. Rear was down to cords in the center, front again badly cupped and down to the wear bars. Road surfaces here in this part of Texas tend to be a bit coarse. I run 40 - 42 psig.

I like these tires when new, but not satisfied with the life. Just levered on a set of Metzeler ME880 Marathons F & R. So far, so good. The way I ride I really can't tell the difference (my aggressive lean angle days are pretty much over). If I can get 15K out of these I'll be happy.

[chfite]

I run Z6s on my ST. I usually get 12,000 on the rear and 17,000 on the front. The last set was 12,500 on the rear and 19,000 on the front. I ride a lot of highway miles with bags. The tires perform well, on the highway or in the twisties, rain or shine. I use 36 front, 42 rear per the manual. I change them when the tread wear indicator comes up; and have not seen any cord.

[Rich]

I change them when the tread wear indicator comes up; and have not seen any cord.


Like BobsST, my rear Z6 lasted right at 7000 miles when I had my 04 RT. The cords were showing through, and it came on abruptly with hardly any warning.

I'm curious though, where are the tread wear indicators on this tire you mention? I don't recall the Z6 having any.

[kgadley01]

Like BobsST, my rear Z6 lasted right at 7000 miles when I had my 04 RT. The cords were showing through, and it came on abruptly with hardly any warning.

I'm curious though, where are the tread wear indicators on this tire you mention? I don't recall the Z6 having any.

I've never seen any, thats one of the reasons i switched. its hard to tell when a rear Z-6 is wore out. :scratch :dunno

[cjack]

Like BobsST, my rear Z6 lasted right at 7000 miles when I had my 04 RT. The cords were showing through, and it came on abruptly with hardly any warning.

I'm curious though, where are the tread wear indicators on this tire you mention? I don't recall the Z6 having any.

Look on the side wall for the tiny letters TWI. The tire groove starting at that point will hve three small bumps on the bottom of the groove evenly spaced as you follow the groove toward the center of the tire. When the bump on the most toward the center part of the tire is even with the surface of the tire, the tire is worn out.

[BobsST]

+1 on cjack except I was about 1/16" above the bar when the cords were showing.

[Kinchy]

I'm shocked
I get 6000-7000 miles at best and we are 30-70 slab to twisties. I'm not doing wheelies but we average 130 miles a ride most saturdays and sundays. Thats 95% one up with pre-ride tire pressure checks. Running 36/40. How the hell you getting all them miles?

[Bob1100RTC]

I have 5000 miles on my Z6's the front looks great, the back might have another 1000 to 1500 in it. I've never gotten good milage from them but they do handle good. I run 40-42 in the front and 42-44 in the rear.

[aaaaaa]

I've had 3 oilhead RT's. I put 40K on each before selling them. Always ran z6's. Great performance. Wet or dry. Never got more thn 6-7K out of a set. Always changed um before going on a cross country. Always kept a spare set in CA or KS. That being said I haven't a clue as to how people are gettting 12-18K out of a set. I gotta believe they do, but I've tried the tires a little harder and softer. It changes the wear pattern but not the life by 50%. There's another post where someone got great life out of 020's. I've tried them and gotten the same 6-8k.
robert

[skidgillen]

I just replaced my Z6's with Dunlop Roadsmarts. The performance of the Z6 was great, but I only got about 6K with them. So far the Roadsmarts feel even better than the Z6, and hopefully with the dual compound rear tire I can get more life out of them. The Z6 has been upgraded to the Z6 Roadtec Interact, so if you are going to Metzler wait for the new version.

[kantuckid]

I have 7k on my Z6's and have read prior to this thread of the rear showing cords in the center early on.It is apparent that Metzeler has a quality control problem! I worked in a tire plant for many years and thats just not in the design of a tire for the cords to show up at an extreme variation of mileage.There are precision layers of materials in a tires carcass and it is a no- brainer to say that this is indicative of a problem .My concern is, that this happens when you are not expecting it, based on the overall appearance of this model tire! The tires ride great, rain or shine and my front is good for many more miles. I will be heading to Mexico again this winter and you just cannot head out with one of these on the rear!!! I also have not seen many sources for tires there without venturing into the largest cities. I have little interest in carrying tires around on my bike either. I am ready to put on a set of cheap Shinkos . Lets hear about them?
Cords as a wear indicator? I think not...
This situation is an example of the need for our club to have a consumer advocate that acts on our behalf with the manufacturer, as this is a situation that has been mentioned plenty of times and these are not a cheap product.

[glurkus]

Well, I posted previously on this thread about my Z6's. At 9000 miles the rear looked like it could go several K more. At a little over 10,000 the steal band is showning through the center of the tire, like in BobST's previous post. No warning at all. The little bumps by the TWI are still showing.
I did put some new Z6's on, ($400 set installed) mainly because that's all the dealer had in stock to fit my bike, and had a trip planned last weekend.
I've tried different brands of tires on my old 1100RT, and never got more than 10,000 miles on a rear.

[mistercindy]

I don't use Z6's on my 12GS, but I did on my old R1150R. I'd get around 6,000 miles on the rear and 9,000 on the front.