Metzeler Z6 ... and what now?

[jogo]

Hi,
I used Metzeler Z6 tires for last few years and like them a lot as they give me confidence as well as good milage.
Now I need to replace the front tire while the rear is still good for maybe another 5000km.

My intention was to get the Z8 Interact as it is (as far as I know) approved for use together with the Z6. In addition, if its better than the Z6 it should be good enough for me.

Very much to my surprise it seems that they don't make the Z8 in the dimensions for the R12GS.

If I put another brand on the front wheel, is there anything to watch out for? Are there known combinations that are recommended or should be avoided when keeping the Z6 on the back?

Could someone point me to recent and relevant test of sport touring tires which are available in the dimensions for R12GS?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts

 

[Beemerman59]

Hi,
I used Metzeler Z6 tires for last few years and like them a lot as they give me confidence as well as good milage.
Now I need to replace the front tire while the rear is still good for maybe another 5000km.

My intention was to get the Z8 Interact as it is (as far as I know) approved for use together with the Z6. In addition, if its better than the Z6 it should be good enough for me.

Very much to my surprise it seems that they don't make the Z8 in the dimensions for the R12GS.

If I put another brand on the front wheel, is there anything to watch out for? Are there known combinations that are recommended or should be avoided when keeping the Z6 on the back?

Could someone point me to recent and relevant test of sport touring tires which are available in the dimensions for R12GS?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts

Loads of threads on this if you do a search. There are a number of options with tarmac only tyres and many more opinions on which are best. I use Dunlop Roadsmarts and are very happy with these. There are Bridgestone, Continental and Michelin as well as other alternatives in the correct GS fitment.

Get ready for the variation in responses with the options as well as mixing types.

 

[EggChaser]

You insurance company might get a little bit interested if you mix makes and then have an accident. Mixing models of tyre within a single make probably boils down to if the manufacturers state they can be used together.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

You insurance company might get a little bit interested if you mix makes and then have an accident. Mixing models of tyre within a single make probably boils down to if the manufacturers state they can be used together.

Haven't thought about it in relation to bikes although I have mixed manufacturers, in fact there can be advantages as someones front might be better than the rest but their rear might not be so good. Anyway as far as insurance is concerned, mixed tyres happens all the time on cars. In fact probably the majority of cars on the road don't have the same tyres all round. I am not saying your wrong as insurance companies will try anything but unless they can prove it is an unsafe mix I don't think there is anything they can do about it. Obviously some mixes are a really bad idea like a TKC front with a pilot rear but if chosen wisely I cant see any problems.
Insurance companies could argue that BWM haven't specifically recommended tyre x so you should have informed them it has been modified but it wouldn't work in court.

 

[BBB61]

You insurance company might get a little bit interested if you mix makes and then have an accident. Mixing models of tyre within a single make probably boils down to if the manufacturers state they can be used together.

I doubt it. They would be very interested if you had a radial tyre on the front and a crossply on the rear or a bias belted front and a crossply rear or a radial front and bias belted rear.

 

[slydog]

why

if your happy with the z6 why are you changing . just stick with them or am i missing something

 

[BBB61]

if your happy with the z6 why are you changing . just stick with them or am i missing something

The Z6 has been discontinued.

 

[Wapping]

They would be very interested if you had a radial tyre on the front and a crossply on the rear or a bias belted front and a crossply rear or a radial front and bias belted rear.

I think we'd all be interested to hear that

 

[slydog]

ahaaaaaaa

The Z6 has been discontinued.

ahaaaaaaa thank you that explains it lol

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just fit some TKC's, you'll never look back

 

[jogo]

Just fit some TKC's, you'll never look back

Thanks for the replies so far. When I bought the bike new it came with Michelin Anakee's, which I never got comfortable with due to instability when swinging on bad road surface.

I do not drive off-road for two reasons:
- I am not a good enough rider to handle a beast like the 12GS off-road
- I am not wealthy enough to pay for the damage I would do to the bike due to my lack of riding skills when attempting off-road.

Therefore for my riding, sport touring tires are the right choice. If going with the TKC's I would not use their advantages but suffer from their disadvantages.

 

[sven]

Just fit some TKC's, you'll never look back

...and probably end up in a ditch if you ride quickly on the road

99% of GS's never leave the road for the reasons Jogo mentions above, so road tyres make perfect sense; mine will be getting Dunlop Roadsmarts fitted shortly as they seem to be getting consistently good reviews

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

...and probably end up in a ditch if you ride quickly on the road

99% of GS's never leave the road for the reasons Jogo mentions above, so road tyres make perfect sense; mine will be getting Dunlop Roadsmarts fitted shortly as they seem to be getting consistently good reviews

 

[RJT_Berlin]

Just put the PR3s on my GSA. Havent really had a chance since to ride them or test them BUT all the reviews have been great so am expecting a lot from them too

 

[APE]

Tried quite a few on my GS (road & trail attacks, pilots, dual purpose, etc) and have used the road smarts for the last year to two as they've proved to be the best