Metzler Z6's vs Pilot Road 2's

Well, I've now done just over 800 miles in all weathers & road types pretty much on the PR2s. Previous to this I've done approx 16k miles on Z6's.

Before I go any further, I have to stress that the handling of each bike is down to suspension just as much as it is tyres. I've tweaked my suspension a little, but I'm still running on stock hardware (except fork oil). Other peoples findings may vary.

Another cautionary note, I'm running the PR2s slightly above recommended pressures. The recommendation is 34/36, I'm running at 36/42. Why? That's the pressure I was running the Z6's at. This week I'll be dropping pressure down to the recommended ones to see how it fairs there too.

Right, the comparisons I've noticed....

From a cold start, the Z6's have a much better grip when going hard into corners. Most people let tyres warm up properly though, and as a general rule I do too, but there's times when I don't. I've found that it's pretty easy to slide the rear going hot into a corner & using engine braking on PR2s. Nothing heart stopping, but if you're not expecting it or used to the rear end sliding, could put some people off.

After allowing time to warm up (so far the PR2s have only had "cold start" issues within the first few minutes of riding, 5mins tops - but they also seem to cool quicker than the Z6s but maybe this is just that the Z6's were better when cold), the PR2s are quite keen to turn in, but more importantly are very "flickable."

The PR2s will turn into a corner with a small flick of the front wheel, most of the time you don't even need that (passive countersteering). They'll also flick back up in a heart beat, which has proven useful for random objects in the middle of the line. The Z6's didn't react as much, and more just went with the flow. Becuase of this, I reckon the PR2s would make better tyres in a city situation (though I haven't ridden many times where I've had to filter in heavy traffic). My riding style suits a tyre that does exactly what it's told, straight away, so the PR2s are better for me here.

Mid-corner, both the PR2s & the Z6's deal with changes of line perfectly well, but then, they're both modern tyres, so they should. The Z6's insipre confidence in the bends, but the PR2s blow them away for stability. The number of times I've come around corners looking in the inside mirror (to see traffic behind me) and I'm only able to see floor!! I've had KD on the Z6's, and this was visible from tyre wear. I've had the pegs down on the PR2s (on the A5 no less!) and still not gone anywhere near the edge of the tyre!! I still feel like I can always go over further on the PR2s, the Z6s felt on the limit.

On exit to the bend, the PR2s feel a lot more planted (possibly because of the dual compound setup) and I personally feel happier getting on the throttle sooner on the PR2s than the Z6s. Again, suits my riding.

On the brakes, both tyres give great feedback (the Z6s are better at higher pressures for feedback) and let you know in plenty of time before they let go of the tarmac. Again, modern tyres, you just have to know what the signs are. I recently tested the PR2s from silly speeds to almost complete stop (on the MIGTs ride). Stamping down the gearbox using engine braking as well as both front & rear, it felt like they were about to let go, but didn't, and stopped me in plenty of time.

Longevity? The Z6s are the best I've had yet, I've no idea yet about the PR2s, but they're still looking fairly new.

Anything I've missed out??

[Rich]

Nice one Baph, im getting my Z6's tommorow and your write up sounds like the Z6's will suit my style of riding.

I managed 7500miles from my D220's, what should i expect from the Z6's? I do ride on the motorway but only once every few months, apart from that it's A and B roads, how do they manage hope they don't flatten off easily?

Cheers Rich!!

During winter I was on the A55 (technically a motorway) twice a day every day, doing 50 miles each way. The Z6's stood up to this for around 8000miles at the rear end. They were well and truly square (as you'd expect) but I didn't see much point in changing them when all I was going to do was ride in a straight line again. I just adapted my riding to suit the tyre profile (expecting it to wriggle around etc).

HTH

Cheers Baph - Interesting read.

I'll be putting my first set of new tyres on in my ownership of the SV and will be going from Diablo's to PR2s I think. Not sure I'll be able to usefully review them as I tend to stay rather upright.

I was advised by the spannerman to go with the PR2's and after reading your review mate i think i should, all i know about the D220's is that i hate them, they are crap and i have no confidence in them what so ever . . .
will i see a massive difference from the stock tyres?

Originally Posted by lylej

will i see a massive difference from the stock tyres?

That depends more on your riding style & suspension setup TBH. If SpannerMan is fitting PR2s, get him to put upgrade/uprated oil in your forks (takes all of 30mins tops and will cost sod all). Also ask him to setup the suspension for your weight (unless you're happy doing this yourself). Once that's done...

I found the difference from the D220's to the Z6's amazing. By the end of the life on the 220's, I was pushing the bike a bit too hard to be honest for the rubber it had. The 220's aren't that crap, but they are once you start pushing things.

Then I took a gamble & went for the PR2s, and was amazed how much more stable they are mid bend. I'm not sure yet if that's come at the price of longevity (and I won't know for a couple of months).

However, I think you need to look closely at your riding style. Please bare in mind that my bike spends a long time in twisties, and that cold starting on the PR2s aren't that great. If you get PR2s, definitely take it easy for a couple of miles (5mins from leaving home is probably 4mins 30secs at 50mph+ for me).

If you ride quite hard pretty much all the time, PR2s. If you don't, especially with winter fast approaching, at least give the Z6's some more consideration. Will you be done with a set of tyres before November?

My longevity test for PR2s will have to be put on hold unfortunately.

The reason for this is that the rear is now full of TyreWeld, and will be changed to a Z6 in a couple of hours.

I'll get the PR2 sent off for repairs, and get it re-fitted to continue the testing later.

OK, so now I have a little more info on the comparisons of these tyres.

I rode from work to the tyre place with all of 8psi... wohoo! The rear end was all over the place, but that's been sent off for repairs now, and it'll be fitted again soon.

I set off homeward from the tyre shop, in the slight rain, with the floor being throughly wet! Please note, I was riding pretty hard for the conditions, so making the tyres work hard!

The Z6's when you turn on the tap, like to stand up. You can make them stay down and lay the power on, but they don't appreciate it, and it's a good way to get little wiggles of complaint.

The PR2s also aren't as fussed about manhole covers/paint whilst cranked over - I put this down to the tread pattern. The Z6's are more lateral (perpendicular to motion), whereas the PR2s are more at a 45degree angle.

This morning, no rain, and I'm still not happy with the Z6 rear PR2 front combination. The PR2 feels like it has more grip than a gecko's foot, the rear is comparatively on ice (and it's only a couple of weeks old!!). Don't get me wrong, the Z6 is still a very apt tyre, but give me the PR2s any day.

I think I'm finally converted fully!!

EDIT: Oh yea, I also ran the PR2s at the recommended pressures for a while (34/36). All I'll say about that experience is that I seriously thought that I was going to kill myself. The rubber on the tyres moved around SOOOO much it was stupid. Perhaps that's because I was running higher pressures to start with? I don't know, but I know I won't be following manufacturers recommendations for tyre pressures on PR2s!!

So there's me wanting to save a few quid on my next set of tyres and just stick some mile munchers on and now you're effectively telling me that if I do I'll just be wasting the rest of the bike.

*2mths starts counting pennies*

Originally Posted by 2mths

So there's me wanting to save a few quid on my next set of tyres and just stick some mile munchers on and now you're effectively telling me that if I do I'll just be wasting the rest of the bike.

*2mths starts counting pennies*

Not at all Andy.

The Z6's are great tyres. Very predictable, very stable. Wet or dry, excellent grip. The Z6's are also a LOT better during the first few miles of use, as they seem to warm up quicker.

However, ramp up the speed a little (ok, a fair whack), and PR2s can carry much higher corner speed and allow you to open the throttle sooner.

Horses for corses, and I suspect many many people wouldn't even notice the difference. Please note, that when the Z6 started to give, I reckon I was probably riding a tad too fast for the conditions anyway.

I'm still to see what the PR2s do in the winter as well, and I have no idea about their longevity (other than what I have heard).