| Author | Message | ||
     Paint_shaker |
First, my local shop was able to get me a deal on some tires. I have to say Metzler Sport-Tec M3 tires SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We arrived in the "new" race hauler without incident and set up camp at the pit nearest to the pit exit. Went to bed late. My air matress decided it did not want to hold air. Woke up to a cool, cloudy, misty morning. When I came out of the shower it had changed to a rainy morning!! Bummer.... By the time the rider's meeting rolled around the rain had stopped. The first two sessions, the track was wet with some puddling on the race line. Not a problem I think to myself. I have ridden the track in the rain before and found there was traction.... but that was on Conti Road Attacks. Metzler Sport-Tec M3 tires suck!! It felt like I was riding on marbles. This was further re-enforced by the third session in turn 13-14. There was a wet spot right in the middle, right where I was laid over. As soon as I hit the wet spot, I felt the bike waggle. I mananged to keep the bike up and continue on, but all I could think was Metzler Sport-Tec M3 tires suck!!!! The rest of the day, under dry track conditions I just wasn't confident with the tires... Every now and then I could feel a waggle. I nearly highsided in turn 13. After a clean inside pass, I rolled on the throttle and the ass end decided it wanted to go for a walk, so I eased off of it and it came back, so I stood it up and off the track I went! I kept it up, came around to the start/finish and was directed back on the track. Did I mention Metzler Sport-Tec M3 tires suck? At first the rear never seemed to warm up. When it did, it never seemed really sticky. It didn't produce many gum balls and what few it did were barely sticking (nothing like the Conti tires). Of note, Marty's boy was running Conti Roads and they were gumming up real good, so it was not because the track was cold. The weekend wasn't a total bummer. Despite the tires, I was running in the low 1:30s. I was still doing a lot of passing, and I am getting pretty good at saving the bike! Also, Marty's boy was running high 1:30s and is ready to step up to the intermediate class (GOOD JOB!!!!). Next track day is mid-November. Metzler Sport-Tec M3 tires suck!!!!!!! (Message edited by Paint shaker on October 19, 2008) | ||
| Glitch |
I just wasn't confident with the tires... Says it all! | ||
| M1combat |
As I replied to the other place you posted this... My M3's have always worked great... Maybe you were having an "off" day? Spot on Glitch. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Bikes are like people... they prefer different styles of tennis shoe. My R1200S was absolutely rock-solid with the M3's at Jennings- I had 100% confidence in both ends and they never once stepped out of line. It's good to know the XB may not prefer Metzler- keeps us from wasting $$ on the wrong tire. Thanks Laird. | ||
| Sd26 |
I'm a Michelin guy, but I'd have to say one might want to check your tire pressure gauge against another known good one in addition to checking what the proper Metzler/Pirelli hot tire pressure is. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
PSI was 30-31 hot on 2 different tire gauges. I played with the PSI a little bit with no success. It seemed every time I tried to get on the throttle while leaned over, it wanted to walk. On the other hand, when I was running the Road Attacks, I was running the max load PSI on the tire with better results than the Metzlers.... M1, I don't believe I was having a bad day. The M3s just didn't feel as good as the Roads in nearly identical application of power and cornering. Also, I was turning my lowest times yet. No more Metzlers for me! | ||
| Rubberdown |
PS, You're going racing. Use a good DOT race tire. You won't regret it. I am very confident on Pirelli's. Talk to the tire guys at the track and get their recommendations for warmer use and cold and hot pressures. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Rubber, Thanks for the info. I have heard nothing but good about the Bridgestone 002s, may look at them as well. I still need to get tire warmers. FYI, the bike is running flawless!! I am still on target for race school in Dec and then hopefully the WERA North Florida Series next year. | ||
| Sheepaholic |
hi Paint_shaker I ran Bridgestone 002's all last year (fr 28psi cold rear 28psi hot was always within 1 psi of perfect)and loved them, but they have been superseded by the 003's. Tyre warmers are pretty cheap these days and save the tyre and track time, Very different profile still turn in well but a lasting a lot longer, most are running even lower pressures depending on the rider. Will be running Bridgestone 003's and slicks on the 1125r this year |
