Metzeler Tires. Did You Know?

1- Because the cruiser market is the largest market segment (50%) in North America and all about customization, Metzeler provides 83 different styles of its same ME 880 tire tread for almost all brands and models of American & Metric bikes, from Harley-Davidson to Kawasaki. 2- It is the only tire manufacturer to offer such a range of the same tire in so many different sizes. 3- It has the particularity to feature a more rounded profile helping the rider for an easier steering 4- Tread pattern design is unique with no central groove to keep the bike more stable on irregular or grooved pavement. 4- It uses a compound additive (silica saline) to help the tire grip in both wet and dry pavement while at the same time lessening rolling resistance. 5- Metzeler was founded in Munich, Germany in 1863 originally producing a variety of rubber and plastic products, then expanding to aviation in 1890 and automotive and motorcycle tires in 1892. In 1979 Metzeler focused only on motorcycle tires and was acquired by Pirelli in 1986. Metzeler Moto.

19 Responses to “Metzeler Tires. Did You Know?”


  1. 1 Steelchoppin Jun 22nd, 2012 at 10:04 am

    I have long said: “My customers BUY Dunlops….I SELL Metzeler tires”.

  2. 2 Dissatisfied Jun 22nd, 2012 at 10:28 am

    Wow. 83 different styles that have the REAL probability of tread seperation and wear problems causing extremely short tire life. And who can figure their wandering range of tire pressures from 42-50PSI depending on when/where the tire was manufactured.No wonder the first reply has to SELL Metzelers.
    They can’t sell themselves and Metzeler claims they don’t have a problem. 2 bikes, 2 seperated tires, one front and a rear. Yes, tire pressure is checked more often than necessary.

  3. 3 Jeffrey Jun 22nd, 2012 at 10:48 am

    I own 2 custom built choppers, both with Metzeler tires. Look and handle great, never had any issue.

  4. 4 Cory Hebert Jun 22nd, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Still the best tires I’ve ever come across! Love ’em.

  5. 5 steve-O Jun 22nd, 2012 at 11:56 am

    great tire… love mine!

  6. 6 Steelchoppin Jun 22nd, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    Dissatisfied: It sounds like to had a bad experience? To be honest, it sounds like your failure was caused by under inflation. Yes Metzeler tires require more inflation in some applications, but so do a number of car and truck tires too. In fact, as the rider you should be savy enough to check your pressure often (every time you ride is silly but you have an obligation to your self and to those you ride with to be safe) but you need to understand the construction differences between Metzeler tires and others (especially Dunlops). Put it this way: anything that comes stock on an OEM motorcycle or automobile is usually a decent product but if an OEM can save a dollar anywhere they will. ie: produce 2,000,000 motorcycles and save a dollar a tire you save 4,000,000 dollars and that looks good to your shareholders.
    Perhaps you should have spoken to your dealer? Or if you bought your tires online (which many do to save a buck these days) you may have bought seconds. Another value add for you as a consumer to visit a brick and motor shop. I can tell you that the relationship that I have with my distributor as well as Metzeler allows me to advocate for my customers.
    To point: I just warranted a Metzeler tire that I sold a year ago for a tread separation problem. Sounds horrible but to be honest it was handled in one phone call. The customer is happy, we look reputable and so does Metzeler.
    Maybe you should try Michelin’s new Commander II. They claim to be a higher mileage tire and there is not a more reputable name in the tire business!

  7. 7 Zipper Jun 22nd, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    Metzeler expanded into aviation in 1890? I wonder what they manufactured? The Wright Bros. first piloted a powered airplane in 1903 and it had skids not tires. ..Z

  8. 8 Brett Jun 22nd, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    Zipper. At that time they were not yet making tires, but rubber.

  9. 9 Dissatisfied Jun 22nd, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    Steelchoppin.
    If I wasn’t a little OCD about tire pressure (read: I check them so often my partner thinks I’m paranoid, but I keep explaining about the safety aspect of only two wheels) I’d believe your observation. But my failed two tires were in a 3 year period on two different bikes. They were purchased from two different stores (one on the net from Motorcycle Superstore and the other from a local shop. Both tires built in different locations. One Germany and the other Brazil. In both cases, there was more than 3/32″ tread left and the front one only had 9K miles out of a tire that should last at least twice that mileage.
    I do understand the relationship of pressure to weight displacement/cooling. I completely understand the construction of tires, motorcycle, automotive and aircraft. I did talk to my dealers and called Metzeler to which I was told to see my dealer. So after the runaround, I gave up. Probably should not have, but …I’ve not had this type of luck using Dunlops, Avon, Pirelli, and let me not forget Metzelers on my sport bike, but those were radials of different construction.
    So again, thanks for the opinions, it may just be bad luck. But bad enough luck to go to another brand for my heavy bikes.
    I didn’t even mention about a friend who also had a front seperate while we were 300 miles from home on a Saturday afternoon with all shops closed. Luckily, Reno Harley Davidson service was open on Sundays for 4 hours with one last tire in stock. Now that is good luck!
    I’m glad to hear others have had great luck and best of luck in the future. I can only share my experiences and vote with my $$.

  10. 10 barney Jun 22nd, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    My metzlers were full of cracks and splits in the sidewalls within 2 years.

  11. 11 rob Jun 22nd, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    They mention Germany,but not South America………………………………………..

  12. 12 James @ Open Road Biker Jun 23rd, 2012 at 12:19 am

    I love my Metzeler ME880s. I am on my second set, my first set I got 15k Miles out of and I am gonna try and squeeze more out of this set. What I like the most (after increased longevity over stock dunlops) is that they dont follow grooves as bad. I run mine at harleys recomended pressure for my ’04 Wide Glide. I admit, I have thought about an American made tire though, just not sure what to try that will give me the same results.

  13. 13 Rogue Jun 23rd, 2012 at 6:26 am

    I have not used Meltzer’s so I will not comment on them.
    Like many others I have not been happy with the Dunlop’s that came on my Harleys. I did use Avon’s on many motorcycles and had better results.
    In 2005 I was asked by a friend to try a set of Continental tires on my 2004 FLHT when I rode from Florida to Sturgis and back. It turned out that I like them so much I have been using them since.
    They handle great in the rain, got rid of the little wiggle from rain groves and gave me more miles per tire.
    These posts give us an opportunity to share our consumer preferences so that others may make decisions on their purchases. I hope this helps someone.

  14. 14 calif phil Jun 23rd, 2012 at 7:47 am

    I sell a lot of motorcycle tires and the only brand I seem to have problems with is Metzeler. Avon and Dunlop are my favorite tires.

  15. 15 Bigwillie Jun 23rd, 2012 at 10:10 am

    AS A bike builder with over 5000 bikes built I have always used metzler when I could get them. Now the good and bad. First the compound they use in most tires is softer than most which gives the rider the ability to have very good traction on cornering and accell and decell the down side is they wear faster. The profile is much more rounded on the side walls due to they moulding process which allows to corner better which out feeling like he is riding a square tire such as an avon. The tread design is very good in rain the only place we need it annd was tested as one of the bad water sheding designs used. I normally can get 15-20 k on a set with the rear going first due toit handling more weight. We also used a trick on them on the ridged frame bikes with the 200 sizes and up we could underinflate and get a better seat feel due the tire side wall absorbing some road hazards but they would wear faster. I have six bikes and they all run Metzler the only real gripe is the shorter life but the last time I really needed mine to work was during a head-on in Col. with it misting rain and the Metzler on my glide which had two people,all our trip gear,and 1 year on life on the tire it stopped the bike and saved me from going down the side of a mountain. I cant comment on problems Metzler has always taken care of the issues like bike setting to long and getting flat spots, and pricing a bit higher than others.

  16. 16 tattooeddmike Jun 23rd, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    If I might add my 2 cents: I think Metzeler tires are in my experence the better tires. Better handling in rain or dry conditions. Make sure they are up to pressure and they with out handle dunlaps or Pirelli in my humble opinion. The only thing I noticed was quicker wear and that a bit of a trade when you count miles. Maybe a few more $$, but well worth it.

  17. 17 Jerry Jun 25th, 2012 at 7:22 am

    I am a Metzeler guy and happy with my rubber.

  18. 18 Kevin Boyle Kustoms Jun 25th, 2012 at 8:37 am

    I ONLY sell metzies!

  19. 19 dragon Jul 15th, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    had the same problem as barney the tires started to split and look dry rotted in less than two years

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Cyril Huze