[tcampbell_nc]

imported post

I was all set to purchase a pair of Elite 3 tires for my 83 Aspy. The mechanic said E3's would be good. I have seen about 90% of folks posting here recommend the E3's. Good to go....



Then the mechanic said I might want to consider a pair of Metzeler ME880 Marathon tires.



I've never hear of them......



Anyone know anything about them?

 

[dj norm]

imported post

I do have a pair of them on my 1500 8k so far in 2012 very good performance E3 is also very good. What ever you chose keep on cheking the tire PSI regularly.

 

[fgh]

imported post

The E3s run and wear very well on my 83. They are a touring tire so theyhave harder rubber that wears longer but will lose traction sooner. I've had mine fish tail once when I gave it too much gas coming out of a curve on a wet road. I recovered it and since have been a little more reserved in my cornering.



The Metzeler is as I understand a softer rubber and will corner and maybe stop better. It will not last as long.



The dilemma. Better wear or better performance and how much better is either.



IMHO if you ride aggressively get the Metzelers if you don't get the E3s.

 

[ARKnapp]

imported post

Metzeler, front is 2003, rear is 2000, I have had the bike about 8 years and the front's are showing weather cracking, the rear are new looking.

Front 40 PSIG
Rear 42 PSIG

Keep checking pressures

I am very pleased with them, I so far have had then for 45,000 km x .625 for miles.

 

[82gl1100iWingman]

imported post

On my 1100 I try to get E-2s. I normally get 20k out of a set.

 

[bcassel]

imported post

I've got E-3s on my 82 1100I. Regularly ride 2 up, pull trailer, etc. I'm a conservative rider, not into hard twisties.

I've got over 21,000 miles on my E-3s and they still have lots of tread left, I estimate another 5,000 miles. I've had them on for right at two years and am an everyday rider.

Can't go wrong with the E-3s in normal use, but if you want more traction, wet surface adhesion, the Metzlers are very good.

 

[tcampbell_nc]

imported post

fgh wrote:

The E3s run and wear very well on my 83. They are a touring tire so theyhave harder rubber that wears longer but will lose traction sooner. I've had mine fish tail once when I gave it too much gas coming out of a curve on a wet road. I recovered it and since have been a little more reserved in my cornering.



The Metzeler is as I understand a softer rubber and will corner and maybe stop better. It will not last as long.



The dilemma. Better wear or better performance and how much better is either.



IMHO if you ride aggressively get the Metzelers if you don't get the E3s.

FGH,



Again I appreciate your attention to detail. You have helped me make a decision.



I don't ride agressively, but I live at the base of the North Carolina mountains... In the shadow of Blowing Rock and Boone. Unless I am on a 4-lane road, there are not many straight stretches of asphault. We also get a lot of snow and freezing conditions in the winter. Now I dont ride in those conditions, but the freeze/thaw cycle is very rough on asphault. Thus there are a lot of curves, that have been patched due to potholes from the harsh (for the south) winters.



For those reasons, I think it is worth a shorter tire life to have the additional traction, even as a non-agressive, almost 50 year old rider.



Thanks for the fine explanation of the differences in the tires.