R.I.P. Metzeler Tourance?

[Smythson]

My tyre man tells me that Metzeler have moved some operations to China and this includes the Tourance (Mk1 ie not Next or Exp) that is now returning two thirds or sometimes half the mileage of the original German ones. So my questions are -

1. If you were a Tourance fan what have you moved onto?

2. Have you tried the Heidenau K76's (tread looks similar) or the new (allegedly all singing all dancing) Continental TKC 70's? If so, thoughts on them?

Best,

S

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Chinese Tourances seem fine to me ~ despite initial concerns

 

[timeandtide]

Chinese Tourances seem fine to me ~ despite initial concerns

Current front on mine will only manage half of my normal 6 thou or so.
Replacing it with the Annakee 2 (offer on here)

 

[Blackal]

I fitted a Chinese Tourance (ser 1) on the rear of my 1200Adv last year, and on similar mileages/types of road and riding - is showing the same wear as the German one taken off (and retained) at 3,000 miles.

No difference in grip or handling that I could discern.

Of course - it may behave differently as it approaches fully-worn?

Al

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I've used the K76's and found them a very good tyre and the equal of Tourances, at least on a 1200.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

i think its scaremongering.

Metzeler quality control would be exactly the same - they wouldn't let the compounds vary, they have a global brand to uphold.

 

[Old Codger]

Gone for a Chinese

Have a chinese Tourance on the rear of the 1100. A couple of thousand miles so far and no discernable difference.
It was put to the test with a blat down through France and 2 weeks bend swinging around the Picos Northern Spain and Portugal.
Surefooted as ever good in the occasional rain and damp no worries Appears to be wearing as normal

 

[Smythson]

Thank you all for the replies, I think i'll try the Chinese front in a month or two and see how it goes before the summer jaunt which will require a whole new pair of shoes.

Best,

S

 

[SuperTed]

I have never understood why it matters where something is made as long as the parent company keeps up with the quality control. My wife's Honda 500 was built in Thailand and is really good with all the usual Honda quality.
My niece had a YBR125 that everyone says are great, they're made in China.
As has been said Metzeler is a global brand with a reputation to uphold. Tourance's, no matter where they are made, should behave and wear in the same way.
I would have no problem with putting a set on my 800 and setting off for Cape Town.
...actually...that gives me an idea........

 

[Smythson]

Ted,

That's a good point but does not always hold true. Paintwork in the car industry is a good example - the same car sold in the UK can be built in any plant in Europe (sometimes further, i know) however the paintwork facilities in one factory as compared to another can vary in cost by tens of millions. The result is that both have perfect paint through the warranty period but past that the lesser factories paintwork will fail earlier. There are countless examples of similar niches in the industry. I'm not saying all things made in China are bad - i've all sorts of things from there that have served me so well I would've happily bought them ten times over - but I do believe it a genuine consideration. In specific terms I think Metzeler would be mad not to change the compound or process as China has far less in the way of pollution regulations so why would they keep producing something at the environmental premium to meet European regulation when they can go for a cheaper option, surely the purpose of them moving operations out there would be to save money? I sincerely hope the move is not detrimental to quality but I guess only time will tell.

Have a good one,

S

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Ted,

That's a good point but does not always hold true. Paintwork in the car industry is a good example - the same car sold in the UK can be built in any plant in Europe (sometimes further, i know) however the paintwork facilities in one factory as compared to another can vary in cost by tens of millions. The result is that both have perfect paint through the warranty period but past that the lesser factories paintwork will fail earlier. There are countless examples of similar niches in the industry. I'm not saying all things made in China are bad - i've all sorts of things from there that have served me so well I would've happily bought them ten times over - but I do believe it a genuine consideration. In specific terms I think Metzeler would be mad not to change the compound or process as China has far less in the way of pollution regulations so why would they keep producing something at the environmental premium to meet European regulation when they can go for a cheaper option, surely the purpose of them moving operations out there would be to save money? I sincerely hope the move is not detrimental to quality but I guess only time will tell.

Have a good one,

S

Obviously, Labour costs, rental costs, raw materials etc are far cheaper in China - that is the main motive for producing there.
Why would they change the compund from a tried and tested formula of a well selling item ? - madness.

PS all this rumour comes from a tyre dealer who probably has more margin in other brands.........everyones a salesman.

 

[ahutcheon]

Obviously, Labour costs, rental costs, raw materials etc are far cheaper in China - that is the main motive for producing there.
Why would they change the compund from a tried and tested formula of a well selling item ? - madness.

PS all this rumour comes from a tyre dealer who probably has more margin in other brands.........everyones a salesman.

+1. At a stretch you might move production to China because the process no longer met tightening European environmental standards. But it's almost certainly cost. And Thailand is even cheaper than China, unless you want to sell into China and there's an import levy.

 

[Smythson]

To those looking for an alternative i've just done a 4k tour and went to TKC70's having come from Tourances and i think they are as good if not better. Did some minor gravel and mud tracks (which i'm prone to for wrong turns more than anything) and handle very much the same as Tourances. In terms of wear looking very good thus far.

Best,

S

 

[ymfb]

It's entirely a cost driven decision, even employing the best Chinese semi skilled workers cost a fraction of the European equivalents. It's also possible some of the raw materials will cost less as of course land etc. even after paying the various people along the way to smooth progress the savings will likely be huge.

Quality should be the same, but the number of rejects will be higher.

The cost to you, the same.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

They wear out far quicker though

 

[Packer]

...............Why would they change the compund (sic) from a tried and tested formula of a well selling item ? - madness......................

They wear out far quicker though

Hmmm! Madness setting in or Chinese management selling off good quality materials and substituting cheaper alternatives behind the backs of the Metzler QA staff?

 

[theoneandonly]

They wear out far quicker though

i just got barely 5k miles from a chinese set , the old version always did at least 8k miles .

the innerskin is so thin when i tried to do a repair , i went straight into the steel inner , so repairs are hard to do . ended up putting in a tube .