The Metz 880 15" tire is designed to fit the 15 inch motorcycle rim which is a narrow rim and is about 1/8" bigger in diameter than is the mounting diameter of the automobile tire such as the Peerless 165/15 which you say you are planning to fit. This has mismatch has been warned about on numerous times. The tire can burst during fitment as the belts in the bead area do not stretch when excessive internal pressures are used to try and seat the bead. Air pressure over the maximum stated on the cover will peranently damage the carcass even if no external damage is seen. Do you want to see the photos of the 165/15 tires that have exploded during fitment? Refer to Sidecarist archives for articles and photos.
Can be done safely by fitting a rim that is designed to fit a 15 inch car tire. All legitimate sidecar manufacturers who offer this option use a 15 inch auto rim for the 15 inch auto tire, not a 15 inch MC rim.
16 tires do not have this problem.
Only 15 inch tires have this problem.
If done with extreme caution, very small tires like 125SR15 or 135SR15 have been fitted onto MC rims using lots of time and lots if tire lubricant and allowing tire to gradually adjust. A few have risked big tires on 15 inch MC rims. No one recommends this practice.
Hope I don't have to try a replacement - I've never been happy with any tire warranty.
My truck tires are also from Discount Tire, so I have 5 chances to see how much the warranty is worth - got to be better than a pro rata warranty.
Three of the guys installing the tires had nice sport bikes parked outside, so at least they should be sympathetic.
Thanks
From my experience over many years w/ Discount Tires you canna go wrong. They have gone outa their way and beyond the warranty - even when the problem has been my fault and not theirs. Their prices are competitive with Sam's & Walmarts but their service and after service is vastly superior. Especially true when you puncture a sidewall and instantly junk the tire. Full replacement. Twice. Always go fpr their lifetime warranty and full coverage.
That's good to hear, Hal. I got the replacement warranty for all 5 tires, and hope to never use them.
Got my first rig last November... A GL1800 and Hannigan GT. LOVE IT! The GT has a BIG trunk and lots of room inside. Kind'a like the pickup truck w/camper of motorcycles. Have ridden it 13k + miles so far, and plan a 5k mile trip from Texas Gulf Coast to Mass. this fall. Been riding 2 wheelers for 42 years and wanting the 3rd wheel for 20 years or more. Should have done it long ago.
Hey, Rocket, glad to hear your thoughts on the GL1800/GT. I'm looking forward to feeling the same way.
One more week and counting.
I put 2300 miles on the car tire in the first month, and then stayed off bikes for a week - it's been hot in Georgia.
Bill
I put a metzler 880 on the back of my new hack (VStrom 1000/Ural).
I am in process of riding home from Seattle to Los Angeles. Have about 1500 miles on it now, seems to be wearing fine.
The only comparo i have is my Ural Retro which I also rode home from seattle (Ural NW ). The rear was worn out when i arrived home, about 1800 miles (3,000km).
I will post again as I get more miles. If this doesn't work (i.e. high mileage), I plan to get a car tire. From everything I could research, the 880 is the highest (or one of them) motorcycle tire available.
greg
Greg, the VStrom 1000/Ural sure seems like a nice rig, hope the ME880 gives you good mileage.
I worked in Glendale about 30 years ago, but didn't recognize Wrightwood - looks like it's up in the mountains. That SoCal map sure brought back some great memories.
Enjoy your trip south and I hope you are finding some cool weather.
Bill
Originally written by GeorgiaBill on 7/24/2006 1:28 PM
Greg, the VStrom 1000/Ural sure seems like a nice rig, hope the ME880 gives you good mileage.
I worked in Glendale about 30 years ago, but didn't recognize Wrightwood - looks like it's up in the mountains. That SoCal map sure brought back some great memories.
Enjoy your trip south and I hope you are finding some cool weather.
Bill
Thanks Bill. I think we inadvertently totally missed (so far) the heat wave. Although sunny and beatiful along the coast, it has actually been rather cool. High 60s to mid 70s. Am in Carmel now, heading doen Big Sur tomorrow.
greg
Greg,
Kiss the Elephant seals for me.
Tell e'm I'll see them on the way to Griffith Park 35th in October.
Lonnie
Would anyone by any chanceknow (or know how/where to get ) the tread depth on a new Metzler 880? I plan to meaure mine in a couple dyas when i get home, but did not get the depth new?
How about a tire shop or a customer service call?
Lonnie
Go to:
http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/media/metzeler_2006.pdf
Tread depth for the Metzler 880 could be anything from 5 to 9 mm depending on the specific tire size and application you have. There are one hell of a lot of them.. How long is a piece of string?
Betcha most tire shops wouls not know. The pdf is extremely complicated. Better have the exact style at hand,
Another source:
http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/product_info/brochure/index.htm;jsessionid=GPWBVSXWQYUBJFYKJO4SFEY
Hal
Originally written by gregbenner on 7/27/2006 1:08 AM
Would anyone by any chanceknow (or know how/where to get ) the tread depth on a new Metzler 880? I plan to meaure mine in a couple dyas when i get home, but did not get the depth new?
