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i just LUV my new Metzler M-1's

3K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  Marcos Peguero 
#1 ·
Just got them a few weeks back but weather, work and a kitchen renovation has been keeping the bike in the garage.

But I've managed to use the bike for a couple of errand runs (funny how going out for a 5 minute errand can take so long :D ) and hit a few freeway on ramps at a good clip along with a favourite little bit of local twisty.

These are the best tires I've ridden on in years. They make my 9R feel like a 250. Seriously. The turn in is so much lighter and quicker than the 207's I had before. And once into the turn it is totally neutral. As an experiment I lifted my hands slightly off the bars while in a 20 to 25 degree lean turn and the bike kept on tracking around the turn with no input. Neither trying to drop into the turn nor stand up and run wide. I've never had a bike that did that. They usually want to straighten up and go wide. I haven't had a chance to test the grip but others report that these stick as well as any of the top tires these days.

And as a bonus I always found that the 9R felt a little clumsy when doing the usual parking lot turns (I do 4 tight 180's going up the parkade ramps at work) or a curb to curb right hander. Not any more. The same high speed neutral handling of the M-1's is there right down to zero speed.

It really is like owning a new super light handling bike. Every time I went into a corner today I came out with a big grin.
 
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#3 ·
Oops, I forgot to mention that I went with the 180 rear. This is certainly part of the equation of sucess.

If you get a set I can guarantee that you won't be dissapointed. If you are then take them off right away and sell them to me. I'll give you half what you paid for them.......... :D
 
#6 ·
BCRider said:
Sorry, can't say I've had a chance to try the BT012's. Just Dunlop 207's, the old BT56, a new Dunlop D220 rear and now these M-1's.
BCRider, how did you like the D220? Beleive it or not I run D205's on my 998 kitted 9R and the 220's are the new replacment. I like the way the 205's work and their rain capabilities, the 220's are suppose to be better.

I had recently bought a set of Pilot Sports, took them out for a 300 mile ride a promptly removed them, worst tires I ever had, they felt unsafe and don't even think about breaking in a corner!! Couldn't keep the bike planted and I felt like I was riding a jackhammer. The 205's don't steer quickly but the bike keeps a nice line through corners.

I have fun with all my riding pals who get all the race take-offs or race compounds and I still have to wait for them, of course it probably helps that I was a racer and they wern't :)
 
#7 ·
I had a D220 rear with the old 207 on the front. Useless tire IMO. It wore very quickly. In only 5000 kms it had worn more than the 207 did in almost 8000. Dunlop made a big boo boo with this model. I was going on the basis of the D205 which from all accounts was a great tire with a good balance of grip to wear. I don't know if it was just a bad batch or what but I won't be giving the 220's a second chance. And I'm not the only one. My wife's bike got a full set and her's wore just a badly during our single tour with them. And the shop reported that many others had the same problem too. Funny thing was that it was only those that did long distance riding that noticed the problem. Too much carcase heating? Who knows......
 
#8 ·
I've been hesitant to even consider dropping to a 180, always thinking the 190's were on there for a reason. Any more info on why you went with it? Has anybody tried a 190 M-1 (or do they even come in 190?)?.

Its something I'd consider if it isn't going to sacrifice stability in favor of twisty cornering or something like that.
 
#9 ·
BCRider said:
I had a D220 rear with the old 207 on the front. Useless tire IMO. It wore very quickly. In only 5000 kms it had worn more than the 207 did in almost 8000. Dunlop made a big boo boo with this model. I was going on the basis of the D205 which from all accounts was a great tire with a good balance of grip to wear. I don't know if it was just a bad batch or what but I won't be giving the 220's a second chance. And I'm not the only one. My wife's bike got a full set and her's wore just a badly during our single tour with them. And the shop reported that many others had the same problem too. Funny thing was that it was only those that did long distance riding that noticed the problem. Too much carcase heating? Who knows......
Thanks BC, this is what I needed to know. That sux they looked like they would be a great performer in wet conditions, maybe that tread pattern is the reason they don't last as long. I do a combination of long rides and heavy sporting and have found the 205's the best for comfort and handling, I hope they keep making them.
 
#10 ·
Moto, I believe you're out of luck. The D220 is the REPLACEMENT for the discontinued 205. And yes it sucks. I was looking for something that would last a while and being realistic in how aggresively I ride on the street.

FWIW, my wife's beemer had a set of BT010's on it. These are fine tires and they last longer than most pure sport rubber. The story as I see it was the 010's were originally meant as a sport TOURING tire to go against the 205's et al. But the soft rubber they used on the side works so well when cornering that it became known for it's sportiness. My wife isn't a slow rider by any means (probably learned it trying to keep up with me.... :D ) and when she got almost 15000 kms on the 010's my eyebrows went up a notch or two. Fine tires. But you won't have the light feel of the M-1's.

Dont' know why I went for the M-1's but it sorta happened. Now I'm passing on my good fortune......

Mr Murph, Lotsa people before me went with the 180 on this bike. And my 98 with the same rim came stock with a 180 so it's not a big risk factor. In fact I'm sure the 190 came along just for the style points. Go for the 180 next time 'round. You won't regret it. No stability problems here at all. I've even floated my hands off the bars while leaned about 45 degrees in a on ramp with no ill effects.
 
#11 ·
Yeah I knew the 220's were meant as a replacment for the 205, but I was able to order 205's a couple months ago so I thought maybe they were still making them and there still on Dunlops site, probably just cleaning out their stock.

I've been leary of Bridgestones from past experiences so I just never felt comfortable trying any of their newer stuff.

I had thought about the M-1's also but I was wondering about their rain capabilites, I've heard they're not so good in the wet. Enlighten me please :)
 
#12 ·
Couldn't tell you about the rain performance yet. But I CAN tell you that there's very little grooving on these. And yes, I also heard that they aren't the best in the wet stuff. I also gather it's not much less than the others, just not best in it's class. Or so I hope anyway..... :D

I turn into a wuss when it rains anyway so the tires will probably be fine for my self imposed limits.
 
#13 ·
I began to use 205 on my CBR600F2 (almost 100Rwhp) when I saw a friend leaving everybody behind with a set of those on a RF900.

Those are very fine tyres, very fine.
Im using in my ZX9 180 BT020 on the rear. Fine tyre, I will say Ok grip, I will buy a 010 for the front. Im using a 207Gp these are very gripy but slow turning.
 
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