Metzeler Z6 Air Pressure question

jdpfms

JD Power
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
144
Location
New Bern, NC
Bike
ST1300A&FJR1300
The ST1300 is fairly new to me. I bought an 04 ABS. It has Metzeler Z6 tires front and rear. The manual calls for 42 psi front and rear for dunlops and bridgestones but no mention of other tire brands. Should I run the same 42 front and rear in the Z6s or what? I couldn't find this answer through a search. :confused:

JDP
 
I have no idea what Metz recommends but I run 38 psi in my front Z6 and am very pleased with that the performace/longevity. This is my 2nd Z6 front.
Can't help you with the rear tire.
 
I also have z6 front and 880 rear after 10k on B020's metzlers feel loose compared to stones 42# front and rear . Are metzler sidewalls stiffer than oem. The feel is different but I can't quite describe it. Any suggestions?
 
That's very odd Charlie. I've never had a front truely cup. Rear yes. A bit of feathering sometimes. Maybe it's the same thing with different words.
My ST has a Superbrace and the fronts wear very evenly (don't know if that's why). I have a pic of my front in the tire section w/10K on it.
Very little more left side wear before and w/the SB there's really none.
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6770&d=1139177367


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I have used 2 sets of Z6's (after the original BT020;s) now having covered almost 42,000 miles total. I find that 42psi front and rear is crucial to good handling. This avoids high speed weave, feels great and solid when 2-up, and give accurate tracking through tight fast bends. :03biker:
 
nisbeam said:
I find that 42psi front and rear is crucial to good handling.
Click to expand...
+1

I paid very close attention to the tire pressure on my first 5K miles with this bike. I found the 42 psi mark was good for me, front and rear. Anything less now feels soft at any lean angle, particularly on the front.
 
I ride 1 up all the time and carry 42lbs front and rear, prefer the Z6's over the OEM Bridgestones that came with the bike, get about 15000km out of a set.
Peter
 
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metzler site recomends 34 front and 36 for rear 03-05 ST1300 so I quess anything between these and 42 should be ok ?
 
I've put about 10K miles on mine and have consistently kept both at 42 psi. No signs of cupping (which was severe on the OEM Dunlops at the same mileage), and I suspect I'll get 16,000 out of the set (basically all super slab...).

Bob
 
Gene - I have let my pressures down to those you suggested and the change was dramatic :eek: It was terrible, didnt want to corner, felt sluggish even when pushing it around. I would definitely recommend 42psi front and rear !
Try it - I think this is a real safety issue. :03biker:
 
FWIW, all tire manufacturers will recommend the same tire pressure for the tire sizes that fit on the ST, which is 36 front and 42 rear. That's just the standard pressure for tires of those sizes. As already mentioned, Honda says to make it 42 front and back. I tend to go with Honda's recommendation on this one 'cause I figure the tire manufacturers are quoting pressures that are independent of the bike the tires are put on. Honda, on the other hand, has obviously chosen pressures that are specific to this bike. In the end, though, I consider everything A-OK as long as my front is somewhere between 36-42 psi, but I think 42 feels better.

-SR-
 
Thanks everyone. I put mine at 42 front and rear. I haven't ridden with it yet since I've got it kinda stripped down some in the garage doing some farkles. It will be about a week before I ride it. I've got to run down to Daytona to meet some Iron Butt Assoc. friends so will take one of my V-Stroms, probably the 1000.

JDP :04biker:
 
I've used several sets of Metzeler Z6s on my bikes and I have run 42 lb front and rear with good results. However, I just replaced the rear with a ME880 and will also be running 42 lbs in it. I bought this bike used and the previous owner said the rear Z6 had 2000 miles on it..........well, it was worn out with only 5700 miles (been riding a lot of backroads this winter). I had longer wear with previous Z6 tires, but I will give the ME880 a try this time. I used a Z4/ME880 combo on the first '03 ST with good results. Any bike sure looks tasty with a new tire!!

Dennis
 
Like Uncle Don I run less than 42 up front. Around 40. Never had much problem with scalloping once my riding technique improved (many/most people call this cupping). Except of course the rear which I normally scallop due to accel off corners. My rear Avons did this significantly. Nil for the 880 and remains to been seen for the Z6.

I am on my second Z6 front and first Z6 rear. Had an 880 with the previous Z6 front.
 
On an ST1100 I ran 40 psi front, 42 rear (cold) and no cupping problem on the front. The rear tyre (a 170) did the equivalent of cupping as the side tread blocks wore unevenly. Someone else also had the same wear pattern, so may be normal.
 
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