New Tyres for the Jindabyne Rally.

[oldktmdude]

   Finally got around to fitting my new tyres yesterday. After using Michelin Pilot Road 3's, I decided to try some Metzeler Roadtec Z8's. I had a good run out of the Michelin's but I'm always on the lookout for something different. After the initial run-in, the grip of these Roadtec's is outstanding. I got very good feedback during cornering and they seem to inspire you to go harder. Not sure if that's such a good thing when you are already way above the legal limit. Unfortunately we are in the middle of a drought here at present, so I haven't had a chance to test them in the wet. The tyre reviews I have read about them have been generally good in wet conditions.   Regards, Pete.
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         

                                                         

[Bones]

Looks good Pete, I can see by your chicken strips on the back tyre you've been hooking into it.


                                                                 Tony.

[Pat Conlon]

Pete, I'm curious, how many KM's did you get out of your PR-3's?

I'm impressed at the mileage on mine 6.5k rear, 8.5k+ front. I hear the new PR-4's are even better.

I sure don't miss the days of getting 3.5k out of my back tires

Pat

[oldktmdude]

Looks good Pete, I can see by your chicken strips on the back tyre you've been hooking into it.


                                                                 Tony.

Tony, first impression about these tyres is one of confidence and great feedback. I was actually following a mate of mine on a Kawa Zrx1200 and he was slowing me up a bit.This was a good thing as the cops are having a blitz down here at the moment. You'll get to meet Alf at the Rally as he is coming along. Not long to go now. See you there.  Regards, Pete.   

[oldktmdude]

Pete, I'm curious, how many KM's did you get out of your PR-3's?

I'm impressed at the mileage on mine 6.5k rear, 8.5k+ front. I hear the new PR-4's are even better.

I sure don't miss the days of getting 3.5k out of my back tires

Pat

G'day Pat, just went and checked the milage in my log book and I had done 7,950km's on them. (approx 5,000 miles) I reckon they have about another 1,500 km's (900 miles) left in them. I only changed them because they may have been marginal to complete the up coming Rally. Grip in both wet and dry conditions was very impressive but just lately I did notice that the front end pushed a bit more into sharp low speed corners. The back never gave an inch unless pushing really hard. This may have been the cause of the front end push as the rear had so much traction that it over-powered the front end? My mate on the ZRX1200 experienced a similar problem once his tyres were about 3/4 worn. This slight push is not that severe that I wouldn't buy another set as the overall performance and exceptional milage far out-weighs any short falls. The new PR4's will also get a trial when the Metzelers are finished.  Regards, Pete.

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Pete, report back after the rally on your impressions of the Rtec Z8's.
Ride well amigo!

Have fun.

[ribbert]

   Finally got around to fitting my new tyres yesterday. After using Michelin Pilot Road 3's, I decided to try some Metzeler Roadtec Z8's.

I will be keen to see how they go. I have been tempted to try these the last few tyre changes. Last time I had decided to give them a run and the RA2 GT's had just become available and I couldn't resist giving them a try.

Maybe next time.
Make sure you give us a first impression and mid life report on them.

Noel

[oldktmdude]

   Finally got around to fitting my new tyres yesterday. After using Michelin Pilot Road 3's, I decided to try some Metzeler Roadtec Z8's.

I will be keen to see how they go. I have been tempted to try these the last few tyre changes. Last time I had decided to give them a run and the RA2 GT's had just become available and I couldn't resist giving them a try.

Maybe next time.
Make sure you give us a first impression and mid life report on them.

Noel

Noel, I used a set of the RA2 GT's just before the set of PR3's. I liked them very much. Got just over 8,000 km's out of them. The price was one of the reasons that I didn't opt for a second set. These Roadtec 8's remind me of the feel that I had from the RA2's. Very similar smooth transition from upright to lean over position. If I can get anything over 7,000km's out of any tyre set, I'm reasonably happy. Looking forward to seeing how they last.  Regards, Pete.

[giantkiller]

My road tecs I think z6 can't remember stuck well ( wore the trunks off the elephants). But they went away fast and were not confidence inspiring in the wet. Love the pr3s though

[oldktmdude]

My road tecs I think z6 can't remember stuck well ( wore the trunks off the elephants). But they went away fast and were not confidence inspiring in the wet. Love the pr3s though

One of the fella's I ride with also had the same experience with the Z6's. He said they stuck well but didn't last very long. I don't remember what his comments were about the wet handling ability. I also like the PR3's, great in the wet.  Pete.

[oldktmdude]

Thanks Pete, report back after the rally on your impressions of the Rtec Z8's.
Ride well amigo!

Have fun.

I have to say that these Roadtec Z8's are probably the best tyres that I've tried so far. Done over 2,000kms (1600miles) and can not fault them. Had a couple of slides on gravel during the Rally but unless you run knobbies it would have happened on any tyres. Also had a major pucker moment on wet tar snakes but again not the tyre's fault. Fantastic grip in the wet and very confidence inspiring. Turn-in is very easy and consistent due to the very even shaped profile of the tyre. Tyre life is difficult to guess at this stage but looks to be at least 7 to 8,000 klms. I'm relatively hard on tyres, so this life seems good to me.   Pete.   

[Harvy]

Also had a major pucker moment on wet tar snakes.

The tar snakes as you go over Dead Horse Gap by any chance mate?....... gave me a bit of a moment too, and they were not wet at all! That was on the Saturday ride heading back to Jindabyne. On SUnday when Mr Bean and I were heading down to Victoria, I stopped at DH Gap and scuffed them with my boot - boy were they soft, no wonder tyres didn't want to grip.

Harvy

[oldktmdude]

Also had a major pucker moment on wet tar snakes.

The tar snakes as you go over Dead Horse Gap by any chance mate?....... gave me a bit of a moment too, and they were not wet at all! That was on the Saturday ride heading back to Jindabyne. On SUnday when Mr Bean and I were heading down to Victoria, I stopped at DH Gap and scuffed them with my boot - boy were they soft, no wonder tyres didn't want to grip.

Harvy

Yeah, that was them. When I did the Recon ride in January it was 29*C in Thredbo at 9.30am and the snakes gave both Alf and myself a big moment. Thought they were only a problem when they were hot, BIG mistake! Live and learn. I know for a fact that, during the Rally Ride, the Dead Horse Snakes gave quite a few of us a scare. Maybe that's what killed the horse?        Pete.