I recently got a new 130/80-17 MEZ2 rear tire from a guy at work and I was wondering if I could use this with the Roadtec Z6 110/70-17 front.

I don't know if they are compatible grip/wear wise.

Any help would be great!

THANKS, BigTwin

This guy had MEZ2 and Z4:
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21245

Mixing tires is always iffy.  Even if they're both radials, they have different traction characteristics.  This is especially true if one is new and one is worn. Sometimes it's OK, sometimes it's not.  If you got a really good deal on the rear, treat yourself to a matching front, IMO.

The problem I'm running in to is they don't make a mez2 front tire anymore, and the mez4 doesn't come in the stock size, only in a 110/80-17. And I really want to get the stock front tire size because of the speedo.

Details...  :mrgreen:

Shouldn't be a problem, Metzeler sez:

"METZELER motorcycle tires are designed to fit the different front street patterns on front wheels with all rear street patterns on rear wheels. But it is not permitted to fit a combination of a street pattern with an on/off pattern."

I ran the 110/70 Z4 front with the 130/80 Z2 rear, used two sets of them.  I wouldn't hesitate to run their Z6 with the Z2 rear, but if I had that Z2 rear looking for a front now I'd try a 110/80 Lasertec front with it.

My post from the thread refered to by RG above:

I've always liked the Metz ME33 Laser front tire and had one on my 97 GS that was the most even wearing tire I've had on the GSs so far. Metzeler recommends use of their ME33 front bias ply tire on some Triumph models with their MEZ2 radial rear in the 130/80/17 size which I had on with a Z4 front as my first radials on the GSs.

I've been toying with the idea of using a Lasertec front with a Z2 rear next year and just ran across their updated street tire guide comparing the new Lasertecs with their other sport touring tires.

http://www.metzelermoto.com/media/06_2_me_flyer_street_e_2005.pdf;jsessionid=5AIDEULHTFS3PFYKJOPCFFA

Of particular interest is their ranking the Lasertecs tops along with their Z6 radials and a couple notches better than the Z4 and Z2 radials in Wet Performance between their Sport Touring tires. They rate the Lasertec a notch or two above all the radials in Mileage(tire life). They rank the Lasertecs just a notch behind their best Z6 radials and a notch or two above their Z4 and Z2 radials in Handling, Very, very impressive for a bias ply tire against radial tires.

Right now I'm inclined towards trying a set of Lasertecs in OEM sizes next year, if Avon doesn't come out with AV45/46 tires in our OEM sizes before then(not likely).  

I'm running the 110/80 and 150/70 Lasertecs now.  As far as the 110/80 front goes, the speedo is more accurate with the 110/80 than with the OEM 110/70 size.

Quote from: Roadstergal
Mixing tires is always iffy.

Ya, but I'd miss out on a lot of fun and excitement iffy I didn't keep trying it.   :lol:

I was wondering if it was bad to run a little wider tire on the front, because the 110/80-17 is wider than the 110/7--17 front.

-BigTwin-

Quote from: BigTwinI was wondering if it was bad to run a little wider tire on the front, because the 110/80-17 is wider than the 110/7--17 front.

-BigTwin-

A 110/70 and 110/80 are the same 110 mm nominal width.  The 110/80 will be taller by approx 11 mm (.44").  Exact dimensions vary for different makes and models by a few mm.  However, the 110/80 is measured on a 2.5" rim and will be about 5 mm wider than specs on our 3.0" rim.

So far in the 110/80 size front I've run ME33, BT45, GT501, AV45, and Lasertec tires.  In 110/70 size I've run G547, BT45, Z4, BT010, and AM51 tires.

I haven't had any problems with any of them as far as size goes, I consider them interchangeable sizewise for my useage.  I've made choices between the two sizes based on price, availability, ride heigth, steering response, and speedo error.

Well, I believe the Z6 is probably a better tire and one that will last longer. And it is also cheaper then than the MEZ4 so I'll probably end up getting the Z6.

My other question is in one of the pamphlets we have at work it says that the MEZ2 is a radial tire, but another section of the description calls it a bias-belted tire. Which one is it? And is it OK to really be putting the Z6 with the MEZ2?

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I want to get the best tire combo that will perform well and last a while.

THANKS AGAIN, BigTwin

The Z2 is a steel belted sport touring radial tire.

http://www.metzelermoto.com/en_86/tires/template_categorie.jhtml?catid=86SPORT