Metzeler Roadtec Z6 Tires

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I am fairly new to these ST1100's. I have about 7k on the bike since I bought it and am in need of some help araound tire fitment. I am in serious need of new tires on by 1991 ST1100. The forum opinions lean toward the Metzeler Z6 Roadtec. What I am finding is that there are two series of these tires, the Z6 Sport Touring and the Z6 Interact Sport Touring.

The Z6 ST comes in sizes 110/80/R18 and 160/70/R17.
The Z6 Interact ST comes in sizes 120/70/R18 and 160/60/R17.

Obviously there will be a slight tire hieght difference, but are there advantages or disadvantages to either tire? Also the front is one size wider for the Interact ST. Will this fit?

Thanks
 
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I assume you meant Z8 Interact (not Z6). I have always used the spec size tires on my bike & have had very good service out of the Roadtec Z6s. I currently have a set of Bridgestone BT-023s on the bike due to the fact that there were no Z6s available when I replaced. I get my tires from Keel Brothers Tires (formerly Two Brothers) & they have the Z8 in 110/80-18 which you could use with the Z6 160/70-17 on the rear. FWIW, I have been pleased with the performance of the BT-023s I am currently running. Good luck.

John
 
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John, Actually there is a local shop here in Denver that has the two different models of the Z6, the Sport Touring and the Interact Sport Touring. They also carry the Z8 Interact.

Thanks for the info on the rear tire. Will a 120/70/R18 fit on the front?
 
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The Z6 is being phased out and replaced by the Z8. I run them on my 1300 and love them. Mileage is about average, but grip is getter.
 
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I have run both versions and seen the same miles out of them.
Grip and feel are the same best I can tell.
Cant go wrong with either.

Sean
 
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Will a 120/70/R18 fit on the front?
I'm not sure, but I think the 120/70-18 is the spec tire for the ASB model 1100s.....I think there are people that run them on the non-abs bikes.

There are a lot of ST-owners in your area, & I'll bet you can look at the RAN list & find one with a tire changer that would be willing to help you change your own tires. Unless your dealer is a big improvement over the dealers in my are, you can save $100 on a set by ordering & installing them yourself.

John
 

Uncle Phil

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The 120 is definitely for the ABSII front (96 and up). Z6s are my favorite tire for the ST1100 and from what I have heard, Metzler is leaving the Z6s in the ST1100 size 'alone' - i.e., not improving them so you can get less mileage ... :D Use the proper size for the ST1100 ABSI & Std and you will be just fine - 110/80/18 and 160/70/17. You can run other sizes, but why bother if you can get the correct tire. You could also swap to an ABSII front rim if you can find one and run it with the correct 120 tire - just have to bolt on the Std rotors in place of the ABS rotors. Plenty of clearance - I've run Redbird, my Std that way for thousands of miles with no problem. BTW, the ABSII tire is the same size as the front tire for the ST1300, so it opens up a lot more tire choices for the front. You can run the ST1300 rear on the ST1100, but it tends to stand up straighter on the side stand and tips over easier. BTW, this information is not apocryphal - I've actually done it more than once ... ;-)
 
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Des

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There are people that run the ST1300 sizes on the non-ABS ST1100 (120/70/18-170/60/17). My bike came with the 170/60/17 rear Z6 fitted and it seems OK to me. However I will be replacing the tyres with the specified size, I have some 023's ready to fit.
 
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Well folks thanks for all of the input. According to the dealer where I am getting the tires, the Z6 Sport Tour is being phazed out and the Z8 is it's replacement. But in the same sentence he did say the the Z6 Interact Sport Tour would remain for a while.

I am trying the Z6 interacts with these sizes. 120/70/18 front and 160/60/17 back. We will see what happens, besides these were half as much in cost as the Z8's from the same dealer.
 
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Well got the new tires. What a difference from the Bridgestone BT-023s. The Metzler Z6 interacts, 120/70/18 front and 160/60/17 back. These are a much better ride the the BT23s. The overall ride on the interstate is much smother and I guess what I would call a gentler ride, while on on the mountain rides cornering is a dream. The BT23s would slide on me these metzlers do not. Plus the change in profile height allows me to have both feet flat at a stop.

So that is my eval after nearly 300 miles.
 
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The Z6's of any flavor are my tire of choice. The compounds are a good blend to provide confidence in most conditions. The compromise is a bit shorter life. The Interac series had the cords with varied spacing vs uniform spacing, to reduce heat build-up and wear. I never saw much mileage advantage to that ?mprovement" but I still like the tires. The Z8 is more or less the same tire with a new tread pattern, I ran a Z8 front with again no real mileage improvement. As the Z8 wears on the sides, that tread disappears and they get smooth, no longer will disperse water. Back to Z6 for me as I like the tread pattern better.
As for the rear Z8, I haven't tried one, but wouldn't hesitate, just prefer the Z6 up front. I usually get 9-10,000 miles out of a set on the FJR running 40-42 psi front, 42-44 psi rear, slightly higher than normal to prevent heat build-up. It increased life approx. 1200 miles with no noticeable affects on handling.
 
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Well folks thanks for all of the input. According to the dealer where I am getting the tires, the Z6 Sport Tour is being phazed out and the Z8 is it's replacement. But in the same sentence he did say the the Z6 Interact Sport Tour would remain for a while.

I am trying the Z6 interacts with these sizes. 120/70/18 front and 160/60/17 back. We will see what happens, besides these were half as much in cost as the Z8's from the same dealer.
They brought the Z6 BACK! Your dealer is wrong. They've also now made them in sizes to fit the ST1300 too.
 
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Igofar. I only repeated what the dealer said. My guess is if someone wanted to take the effort and talk with Metzler directly, that might yield a accurate story as to the Z6 and it's revival.
 
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The only thing about the Z6 is that when you get near the end of tread life they go bad pretty quick. I checked mine before a two up trip with my wife of about 300 miles pretty good tread left. When we got back I checked again still OK. Rode Sunday and they were complete gone about 220 miles. It was a little bothersome actually.100_0918.jpg
 
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The only thing about the Z6 is that when you get near the end of tread life they go bad pretty quick. I checked mine before a two up trip with my wife of about 300 miles pretty good tread left. When we got back I checked again still OK. Rode Sunday and they were complete gone about 220 miles. It was a little bothersome actually.100_0918.jpg
I got 6K out of mine. They were wearing pretty good in the begining, but as you said, they vanished within a couple hundred miles. I was down to the wear indicators on one ride, when I would have sworn by previous wear, that I would have had a thousand miles or more left.
I'm now trying the PR3's. Wasn't sure for the first 100 miles on them, but now with about 500 miles on them, I'm loving them! We'll see how long they last.
 
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