To answer the original question here: YES, I would and did buy my Metzler 880 WW's from the internet.(http://stores.ebay.com/THE-MOTORCYCLE-PARTS-STORE) My mechanic turned me on to the type of tires and they do not disappoint. Actually, only a few items were not bought on e-bay. RoadKill was my very first e-bay purchase.

SobaCracka wrote:
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,

EarlAre you saying that the OEM's had a higher (by that you mean more of the tire) had more surface contact than the Metz?

I have been purchasing Dunlop 404's for my 2001 RS on line since I bought it. So far no problems. As long as you purchase them from a reputable dealer.

Charliez,

I don't know for a fact, but I can tell you that the bike took more work to turn, like the OEM tires were wider or something.

The aspect ratios (height to width) on the replacements I put on are identical to the OEM, so I have no empirical evidence that they make less contact.

Maybe one of the more technically savvy clinicians will share their wisdom and boundless knowledge.

ROADGRABBER wrote:
[quote]Hi fellas,

Went to the dealer for prices on some ME880 and here’s the result: 127$ for the 130mm and 190$ for the 160mm and 60$ for inst. for a total of 426$ taxes inc. I know it’s not the best price around but I won’t be worried about installation and their condition cause they have a tremendous turnover. Another dealer charged me less for the rubbers but more for the inst. so things came even. The only thing that bugs me is they maintain the 160mm doesn’t come with whitewall, is that a fact, and is there different whitewall width?

RG

Exactly the same story for me... costs were almost identical and the mounting was around $50. And others charged differently for the tires and more for the install so the price always seemed to be in the mid-$400 range. And if I took them tires that I bought they charged way more for mounting.

Anyway I have some new 880 www's on and they are fabulous looking and performing! This is my first experience with Metzlers and boy do I like them... I can tell a huge performance difference with them on.