Metzeler Tourance Long Term Review

[wheeliebin]

I fitted a pair in October 2003 after all the rave reviews I'd read on net. People spoke of very high mileage, the best grip, blah de-blah.

The 90/90-S21 & 120/90-S17 (the standard fitment) seem to be very cool running which was a surpise when running the standard pressures of 29 psi. Maybe it was just the time of year.

Wet weather performance was a great improvement over the Bridgestone Trailwings but they still break away if your too keen going down the gearbox (caused by the torque of the bike).

By the time the good weather came, some 4000 miles later, the rear was also shot and badly squared off. Still seemed to be running cool.
Always stable and sure-footed, never had a drama with them, but at the same time never had the confidence to push them to the limits.

The rear was changed with only 4600 miles clocked up, a little disapointing, but the front's still going strong managing 13000 miles.

Over-all, a good tyre. Just don't believe everything you've read.
Maybe other sizes or speed ratings work better ? I was slightly disapointed with the standard fitment.

[Unmutual]

I'm surprised you only got 4K out of a rear.
I did over 3K on my XT with them and there was virtually no wear at all.
But...I never go with the rec pressures of 29/33...IMO that's too low.
I run 32/36 all the time.

[Lord Stig]

I have these fitted to my AT and have been quite pleased with them to date. Recently they seem to have become a little unstable, following overbanding and being strongly affected by cat's eyes etc. I normally work with the Honda-recommended pressures of 29/29 psi, but I decided to have a look at the pressures recommended by Metzler - 2.0 and 2.5 bar (29/36 psi). These seemed rather high, but I have to say the handling has improved, with far less susceptibility to overbanding etc. They feel a little less grippy on damp roads though, and generally I don't like the feel that much. I'll try 33 psi on the back and see how that goes. Theoretically, lower pressures should warm the tyre faster thanks to the lower degree of flexing, but I can't help feeling that with less tendency to flex the tyre will square off sooner. All of my tyres square off eventually, so I'll have to wait and see how soon these do......

Stig

[jackafrica]

Tyre threads are tough to analyse, re mileage and wear seeing as we're all different.
I am surprised though at the low mileage on the rear with the Tourance.
Whilst somewhat related, the rear Trailwing on mine has travelled only 3,500ks and is 2/3rds worn. A tad disappointing. Roads here in Tasmania are hard on tyres, but 4,500ks will see the Trailwing out.
Some owners in Oz are using Kenda K761 with good prive v mileage results.
Tourances are now off the shopping list too.
So Wheeliebin what's next ??

[wheeliebin]

Front Metz is ready for replacement (at last) and so is the Avon Gripster currently running on the back.
Been so impressed with the Gripster, picked up cheap as it was very old stock and an odd size (5.10x17). It is now very squared off after 8000 miles (shame they don't do them anymore).
Getting a of pair of Michelin Sirac's at the begining of December (had a rear Sirac last year, runs hot, feels sticky, out lasts the Tourance), how they work as a pair we'll have to see.

[Lord Stig]

Well, I returned the rear Tourance to 29 psi (2.0 bar) and it feels a lot better solo - I think Metzeler's pressures are for rider and passenger, though they don't state this. On a more negative note, I found the cause of the handling problems: notched steering head bearings. I have a job to do, it seems.....

Stig

[Recycler]

Lord Stig,
See my post on steering beerings elsewhere - maybe it'll save you some time, or at least prepare you. It's not a fun job that's for sure.....the bearings are not heavy duty.

[Lord Stig]

Recycler - thanks for that! When I realised I needed to do the job I remembered having read your thread about what a sod the job is, but couldn't find it yesterday. On reflection I wish I had because I decided to go for OE bearings from David Silver. I figured they would be better than pattern parts (assuming there is enough grease ), and the same price as gear4bikes and M&P pattern ones. But maybe not. Machined off-centre, eh? I wonder why? Oh well. I probably won't get round to it until just before Yule (but which year.....?).

Stig

[YEN_POWELL]

Honestly it's a doddle. A long orange punch, an old chisel, a length of hoover tube, a pot of grease, an oven and a big hammer and you're away. If all goes well you'll be wobbling along , thinking you've overtightened the new bearings a couple of hours later.

As you're a fellow high mileager, Stiggy old boy,would you like me to post you my specially butchered, torque wrench friendly, headbearing adjuster socket?

[Lord Stig]

Yen, that's a mighty kind offer! I might have to do it the hard trial and error way nevertheless; I seem to have lost my torque wrench, and its calibration was a little suspect anyway....... However, I do have a large hammer (as I often say, little in this world cannot be achieved with a large hammer and a big knife!), though I'm a little perturbed about the orange punch - I've always used my number 5 Big Knife for peeling oranges (unless I want 'squash, whereupon I use the 5/16th Whitworth Large Hammer). What grease to you recommend, by the way? I have a large bucket of ex-MOD grease, but I don't know what grade (likely Paul or Iain would know) other than that it's dark purple. I don't know what it does, but it certainly is satisfying when you take apart a component that was greased with the stuff a few months ago to be confronted by a near-black mess. Everytime I catch myself thinking "good grief, it's just as well I did this: this stuff is FILTHY!".

I probably won't get on with it until after the Great Mid-Winter Stuff-Fest. I received the new bearings (I'm constantly amazed at how good David Silver's service is - next day!), and they are lovely and shiny. Not for much longer.........