I hate Ill!

CARTEEUSMC · Post by **CARTEEUSMC** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:50 pm

You know when I lived in South Carolina, a set of Metzelers would last me 8000 miles. I put a new set on in March and I was at the dealer today and put a fresh Z6 on the back. This state not having twisties has got to go, or I have to go.

So being it that this is my first Z6 and I am running a Z4 on the front, can anyone tell me their riding impressions on the Z6. The Z4 on the front has no wear and tear and I kept it on there because Charlie (the best in the business, Twin City BMW, Savoy IL) told me to get my money out of it.

My concerns are that it does not have any grooves really in the center of the tire, like the z4. How is it in the rain is my big concern. And the other concern is, how will I know when it is scuffed in?

By the way I ripped through the back one in 4,031 miles. I hope the Z6 does better.

I paid a premium for the tire and mounting (232.00) in my opinion, but Twin City is the only ones that I trust.

Thank you in advance.

Post by **Boxer** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:52 pm

Get ME880s. They're for flatland.

Post by **iowabeakster** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:13 pm

I have my first Z6 on the back, I have 3700 miles on it now. I am not expecting a whole lot more. I believe I must be entertaining myself with the throttle in-between the elusive midwestern twistys.

I also think I might have better wear, once I get past this breaking-in stage. WOTATT (Wide Open Throttle All The Time)

Mad1150 (Mark, also in Illinois) just put 880's on his bike. He should give you some good feeback on the 880's. Jim the parts guy at the local dealership says he gets over 10K on his 880's.

Post by **bransan** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:58 pm

I have the z6 in the rear and it's got around 5k mi so far. wet traction has not been a problem. It seems to be wearing at roughly the same rate as my me880 I had on last.I'm guessing another 3k mi left on tread.

Post by **baltm604** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:06 pm

Forget the flat roads, how is the thriving civilization of Decatur. Could be worse, live in the city and pull nails and drywall screws every 2k

Look on the bright side, your riding enough to wear out the tires!

Bill

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:37 pm

Hi Clint,

Well, we get 10 to 12 K out of Charlies Z6s on the rear, at least that on the front, but our KRS bikes destroy any front tire with that odd wear pattern on the left center, so they get changed at the same time as the rear. If you wear out Metzlers that fast you MUST watch the wear indicators on the rear. Although many claim to be shocked at the cords showing in the center, the signs are there in plenty of time to change them before it happens.

Rain is not a problem for us with ours. Scuffing in is also not a problem with normal riding for us.

Hope you like them. I would not use the MEs on your bike unless mileage is absolutely the most important thing to you. I have them on a K75 and think they are just great (also from Charlie) but the K75 is just a big happy puppy of a bike and I doubt I will need the capabilities of a Z6 on it.

geo

CARTEEUSMC · Post by **CARTEEUSMC** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:48 pm

thanks GEO, will have to get over to Jacksonville here shortly, what are you doing Sunday? I have a group that loves to go to Fast Freddies in Alton, and I thought I would do the trip Sunday, if not with them, by myself (and my lady).

Just a little bit weary of the z6 bc of wet traction, hell even the black snakes that adorn the entire 72 and 74 interstate are rough sometimes when your not paying attention.

let me know if your game for it, I love fast freddies

and Charlie as you are well aware, is the best

I bought him and Jack lunch today because I am always popping in on him and not giving him notice.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Post by **iowabeakster** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:59 pm

Sorry if this is a Hijack. Can somebody (get it through my thick skull!) try to help me read TWI on my Z6's.

I see the "TWI"s on the chicken strip, now what? How do I guage? I have tried to find some kind of wear bar, but cannot.

I did notice a big 3M in the center of the tire. maybe it was a W3.

Tripton · Post by **Tripton** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:01 pm

Iowa Beakster....they are towards the middle of the tread, but just off the center strip of rubber, in the groove. They are hard to see, but work just like normal TWIs.

Jim at Gina's (and the rest of them) thought that I was either crazy or doing burnouts when I told them that I tear through the z6 rears at under 4000 miles. I am now running the one that is made for the k1200GT....and it seems to be wearing better, with no loss in handling. (I am, however, quite heavy)

mad1150 · Post by **mad1150** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:14 pm

First of all CARTEEUSMC, sorry I missed you at the MOA Rally, I think you said you were going.

Note to all r1150r.org members: Next rally of any kind, post a meeting time so we can all get together and meet!

On to the Metz 880s, I put them on at 24K in early May, and now have almost 6K on them and they look like I may get 10-12K out of them. To me they handle well in curves, but I don't have much to compare them to as the prior Z6s were completely shot and I only put about 1500 miles on them and was still getting used to the R as well.

They definitely have a harder and louder ride, but they are awesome in the rain!

Post by **iowabeakster** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:20 pm

Tripton,

Thanks, I will try to locate the wear bars...again, for the tenth time. Maybe they are gone already

You have the best roads in Iowa up there. That's why I almost always head North and East! I am glad to hear that I am not the only Prairie Bandit shredding these tires so fast.

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:30 pm

iowabeakster wrote:Tripton,

Thanks, I will try to locate the wear bars...again, for the tenth time. Maybe they are gone already

You have the best roads in Iowa up there. That's why I almost always head North and East! I am glad to hear that I am not the only Prairie Bandit shredding these tires so fast.

Yo Beakster, I just grabbed a new Z6 that I have in the basement and you are right about the TWI being hard to find. The tread wear indicator does follow the TWI marking but it is just a slightly raised bump in the groove about half way down the groove. Hard to see, but its there. In figuring out how much tread is left you are going to have to carefully examine the end of the groove. It also helps to have a new one on hand to compare to.

geo

Post by **OU812** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:57 am

Going from stock Dunlop's to Pirreli Diablo Stradas Saturday. Will let you know how they feel. Got 7k out of the Dunlops. The rear looks like a car tire. Front has the typical cupping.

Post by **challey** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:52 pm

I will try to locate the wear bars...again

The wear bars on the rear Z6 are very difficult to locate. They are in the innermost part of the sipe directly across from the "TWI" imprint near the sidewall of the tire, close, but not directly adjacent to, where the sipe ends at the centerline.

Charlie

chris · Post by **chris** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:23 pm

Z6's are great in the wet. It's rained here without a break for 8 weeks...they grip just fine!