Replacing Metzeler Z4's.

[TheStudent]

Never had to do this before with a bike so this is all a bit new to me.

Currently have Metzeler Z4's, front is fine so only replacing the rear. In my experience with cars it is cheaper to get the tyres i use from the internet then pay a garage to fit them? Do you folks find the same with bikes?

I have found a site that will deliver a new rear Z4 for £85, does this sound good? It was the cheapest i could find in the time i spent looking. Any oppinions on Z4's?

Thanks.

[dirtydog]

Any oppinions on Z4's?


I don't think anyone on here rates them at all. In my experience they were the worst tyres i'd ever used!

If you can afford it get a set of Z6's

as for getting them online, find out how much a garage/tyre place will charge for fitting tyres they've not supplied and also find out what they would charge to supply and fit the same tyres.
Last time i bought tyres and got them fitted at a garage it was only marginally cheaper than getting them from the garage and that was cos i took in loose wheels.

[TheStudent]

My instructor told me never to mix tyre types between front and back so that would mean replacing both right?

If i'm gonna replace both then are there any brands/types that are held in high regard on this forum?

[Tim in Belgium]

There are a fair few tyres people on here like, have a look here:

http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=138

[northwind]

The Z4s aren't as bad as people say, I think, but that's still no reason to fit them in favour of a modern tyre that will be massively better, and often cheaper. As for mismatches... It's not considered good practice, but I mix tyres all the time.

However, most people will say never to put a stickier tyre on the back than the front- the logic is that if you're going to lose traction, you want it to be the rear that goes and not the front, easier to save a rear slide. Generally I disagree- there's an assumption there that the 2 are connected, but using a less grippy tyre on the rear increases the risk of the rear sliding, it doesn't reduce the risk of the front sliding at all- just that if you're pushing hard, you'll push past the point where the rear would have gone. Unless you decide your speed by riding till it slides then slowing down, that's not such a big deal IMO. It's pretty difficult to run out of grip on a modern tyre unless it's through a bad surface or rider error. But then, the Z4 is not a modern tyre, and it's not nearly so hard to get one to slide.

That was meandering, eh? :) To finish, I have a Roadtec Z6 in the shed, never fitted, for £40 if you want it :mrgreen: (edit- it's a front not a rear. Also, it's a 120/70 not a 120/60, just realised this, it'll still fit perfectly and though it'll raise the front end marginally you can compensate by lowering the front through the yokes slightly, which is a 10 minute job. Sorry for the confusion...)

[Razor]

I haven't had the Z4s fitted for years and years but they were pretty bad when I first got the bike. I'd buy that rear Z6 off Northy and get a front Z6 with the cash you'll save.

[northwind]

It's a front that I've got btw.

[DoodleBug]

No experience of Z6 but I will never have another set of Z4, they only thing I found them good for was sliding the rear, they also go well on a bonfire ;)

[wheelnut]

Those Z4 Metzelers are ideal for hanging on Gatso cameras with a drop of petrol:-D

Try a pair of Z6 or Conti Road Attacks and the bike will be transformed. I promise you

[dirtydog]

are there any brands/types that are held in high regard on this forum?

Bridgestone BT021 are meant to be pretty good although i haven't tried them yet. Conti Road Attacks are a good buy fairly cheap and a good tyre, also as i said above Z6's ive only tried these on a vfr750 and they felt pretty good.


The Z4s aren't as bad as people say, I think,

When I had a set on the Sv it slid around all over the place and was a pig to handle, needed to muscle it round corners it just didnt want to tip in or turn

[philbut]

My curvy had the original (knackered) Z4's on it when I bought it. I replaced the rear with a Z6 about 2000 miles ago. The front is still the Z4 and it's been ok. I don't ride it in the rain if i can help it, but it's been fine in the dry. Metzler do recommend you fir a set of Z6's but the guy at the tyre place said as the Z4 was also Metzler, it should be OK.

If you can't afford to change both, I'd go for the Z6 as you can leave the front for a while - there are probably better tyres out there though

[krhall]

To finish, I have a Roadtec Z6 in teh shed, never fitted, for £40 if you want it :mrgreen:

I have just got a nail stuck in my Z6 rear this morning, is this one still for sale? or what else can I do with it, it has loads of wear on it and is not leaking air (yet)?

By the way the Z6's I have are still a bit slippy in the damp under engine breaking???

[krhall]

Ignore last post - just spoken to Watling's and they quoted me £12 for repair or £22 if they have to remove the wheel.

[Dan]

Ignore last post - just spoken to Watling's and they quoted me £12 for repair or £22 if they have to remove the wheel.

They WILL have to remove the wheel to repair it properly with an internal vulcanized plug.

If they don't remove the wheel that £12 will buy you a string/plug type puncture repair kit and you may as well do it yourself.

[TheStudent]

Cheers everyone, from what you've all said, i'm leaning towards replacing both with Metzeler Z6's unless there is a particular brand out there that are much better in the same kind of price range?

[fizzwheel]

Have a read through the tyre section

http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=138

Theres loads of threads on tyre choice etc. Personally for the money I dont think you can go wrong with Z6's

[TheStudent]

Have a read through the tyre section

http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=138

Theres loads of threads on tyre choice etc. Personally for the money I dont think you can go wrong with Z6's

Was just reading then. Z6's for me i think, what profile do you folks recommend, can't remember what is on at the moment of the top of my head, i'm at work. Should i just keep it at what it is now. Thanks.

[Sid Squid]

The Z4s aren't as bad as people say, I think, but that's still no reason to fit them in favour of a modern tyre that will be massively better, and often cheaper.

Agreed, neither Z4s or D220s are that bad, but as Andy says there are better tyres that aren't dearer.

Fit the standard sizes, 120/60-17 front, 160/60-17 rear, and don't believe the b******s you hear spoken about tyres - they're all good nowadays.

[TheStudent]

Best/most appropriate quote i've had so far... £220 ride in ride out, that's Z6's fitted to the bike, not loose wheels. Oppinions?