I'm going to call this one, "Internet Metzlers, the first hundred miles." The net purchase was pretty painless, and I always like beating up state government by dodging the taxes... (We pay 6.5% tax.) My dealer was pretty cool about receiving them and checking them out on delivery. The day they were promised too! I relied on the Metzler reputation for quality and good faith on the supplier for delivering good product. And, now I'm thankful, because both came through! That was Wednesday!

Thursday was the day for the installation, so it was over to the dealer and two and a half hours later, I was riding the bike home on my new Metz's... and then the sky opened up... what a test! But, Friday, 7:30 in the morning, it was clear, sunny and 72 degrees (sorry Musky... and everyone else in the great white north... ) But, the day was burning and I had to see if the Metzler myth was true...

Well, I gotta tell ya... It's no myth! My bike didn't handle this well when it was new! With these tires, all I have to do now is think about making a turn or a lane change and it's like magic... I'm there! One of the first and biggest changes I noticed was that my community has brick pavers streets and now it feels like someone has paved over all the bricks! Smooth!

When I was making up my mind, a lot of people told me "rubber is rubber"... But, after running a hundred miles yesterday... I'm sold! Metzler 880s Baby! Yeah!!!

I love the V&H Classics. I had them on my Honda Shadow ACE 1100 for about 9 years. No blueing, no rust.

I almost went with V&H LongShots on the R*, but the few bikes I heard with them seemed a little louder than I wanted. The Classics have a nice rumble at speed and a strong bark when you want it. 2 into 1 is not my personal taste.

I stuck with the factory sizes on the ME880's. I rode a few more miles on some of my usual roads since the last post, and I am now more impressed than before. They do not track in grooves at all. I have a few spots that used to feel like I had to fight the front end to get through. This afternoon, didn't even notice it. I am totally psyched with the new shoes!

I totally agree with you. Cornering and switching lanes is almost effortlest with the Metz. Can't wait to ride tomorrow!

Ride on! and Ride safe... And, watch out for them dang Snow Birds!

You do the same. They are everywhere this time of year. By the way, I totally dig your white R*. My last bike was white with gray insets. I had hoped to find a white one used when I finally bought mine, but I found a black one that was cared for meticulously, so I jumped.

God, you Florida guys are lucky, it’s almost indecent for the rest of us! Cherish every second of it!

Ride safe.

RG

Sorry. I am so used to riding year-round that I sometimes forget. For what it's worth, there are plenty of a**holes and issues down here to contend with. We just have tolerable weather during the winter months. Hang in there. Riding time will return to you before you know it!

I posted earlier about buying my rear tire online. Just bought a front tire through eBay motors. Some dealership in California was apparently clearing stock. Bid low on a new Dunlop 404D wide white wall. On its way now for $41 total. I was shopping around anyway (got over 20K miles on the OEM front and she's darn near nekkid in the middle). I figure at that price, I can toss the Dunlop if I don't like it.

robertphoenix wrote:
Ride on! and Ride safe... And, watch out for them dang Snow Birds!

Here I come ....

Most folks seem to have a good experience with the 880's. I guess it's time for Metz to introduce a new model.

Doc

Just an update: Got the Dunlop in yesterday. Mounted and balanced today. Feels good to have tread again and, just like the Metzler on the rear, this Dunlop really improves steering response. I love the distance I got on the OEM, but the higher surface contact with the road definitely made steering a little tougher. If I can get 20K miles out of this new front tire and 15K miles out of the rear, I'll be in great shape.

Dreaming on,

Earl