Had to get new rear tire - after just shy of 6,000 miles and went with Metzler 880. Man am I glad I did! The bike just handles so much better makes me think i might be worth changing front - if I had the extra coin.

With stock bridgestone I always felt a little unsure leaning and holding a line in turns. With the Metzler, I pick a line and plant it and it will stay rock steady. Just feel so much more confident in turns - but I know I need to keep from getting cocky and overdo it. Don't want to hit the floorboard hard and wipe out.

Makes this cruiser handle more like a canyon carver - yeah I know it isn't but it's more like one than it was with the stock tire.

G'day shacky... I'm hearing you mate. After switching from Bridgestone to Metzler (front and rear) it felt like riding a different bike. Just wait til you fit a Metzler to the front (steer) wheel.

I was glad to see my new Rocket III has Metzler as standard. and I see Triumph have fitted Metzlers to the new T'bird as well.

I just put a set of Metzlers on my Midnight and I'm loving life. Cornering is awesome and I don't feel those little tar snakes as bad either.

A lot of what you feel with a new tire is just because the old tire was worn so flat in the middle. The new tire handles better because it's now MC tire round again, Any new tire will do that for ya when compared to a worn tire. A new front will really make it lean good.

Dealer put Brigestones on front and back when I always used Dulop. The problem I see here is the bike does not want to hold a good line. It is just plane squirely in the straits or corner. I am not sure if reason would be a harder compound tire in Bridgestone or if I have some other problem. My riding mate also has noriced it. I have considered Metzlers and think that will be my next choice. Have about 3,000 miles on tires. Anyone else have this problem. Thanks Bofish

I have a bridgestone excedra on the back and dunlop on the front, lot of folks seem dis the stones but I honestly can say it has served me well..I would first check alignment of rear wheel..sounds like it could be out, A lot of times the dealers don't take the time to properly align..

I had Bridges on mine when it came new....best thing I ever did was take them off. Went to the Metz's, I'll never go back. Its a whole different beast. I keep forgettin' I'm not on a Busa'.

I've had Avon venoms, Dunlops,and Bridgestones. Metzler's are the only tire for me....unless I go dark.hmmmm.I put Metzler's on the front and rear and it was like I had a completely different bike! Love them.

bofish wrote:
Dealer put Brigestones on front and back when I always used Dulop. The problem I see here is the bike does not want to hold a good line. It is just plane squirely in the straits or corner. I am not sure if reason would be a harder compound tire in Bridgestone or if I have some other problem. My riding mate also has noriced it. I have considered Metzlers and think that will be my next choice. Have about 3,000 miles on tires. Anyone else have this problem. Thanks Bofish

I bought my Road Star new in July 08. From new, with Bridgestones, I experienced similar problems to the ones you mentioned, i.e. 'won't hold a good line', this was in almost all riding conditions and particularly noticeable in slow traffic. I honestly thought it was the bike and had alignments checked, etc.

I had the Metzlers fitted in Sydney this March and immediately noticed the difference in busy city traffic. I towed my trailer home from Sydney (around 3,000klm) and just loved riding again.

I had Bridgestone tyres on my 4WD from new. Only got 40,000 klms out of these tyres and they were totally worn out when I replaced them with Coopers tyres which I got 115,000 out of and when I replaced the vehicle at 115k they still had plenty of tread on them. Exactly the same driving and same servicing, i.e. regularly checked tyre pressures and rotated every 5,000klm.

I don't want to be seen to be but I'll never own a Bridgestone tyre again.

Just my $.02 -- don't forget that most NEW tires installed are certainly gonna feel a lot better than your old one you've been riding the past 7000 miles.

:-DD.