Metzeler Tourance Next

[Dallara]

...hence sometimes very different results in tyre tests, for example the Tourance Next may wipe the floor with the Pirrelli Scorpion when tested in a controlled environment (track) proving they are not the same tyre with a different tread pattern...

And you think tire (tyre) tests in magazines aren't as biased and affected by ad purchasing and revenue as you think motorcycle tests are?

i.e. - the tire company with all the ads in the magazine always seems to win, or the same testers always seem to pick the same brands in comparisons over and over again... ::025::

Dallara





p.s. - up this time of morning watching the Sepang MotoGP race... ???
~

 

[Rasher]

And you think tire (tyre) tests in magazines aren't as biased and affected by ad purchasing and revenue as you think motorcycle tests are?

Sometimes, but with Sports Touring tyres all reviews rated the Pilot Road 2's, then the Roadsmart stole it, then along came the PR3 and RS2, reviews were quite similar across many magazines, track tests tended to give the same results from multiple tests.

Of course magazines are loathed to really slate anyone who provides them with revenue, but I think some tyre tests are pretty honest.

The real issue (IMO) is that what a tyre feels like on a track and / or with a top rider riding the bike does not always translate into how a tyre will feel to you, I have disliked some well rated tyres, and quite liked some not so well rated ones, possibly because the ones I like work well at the pace I can travel at, but for the most part well rated tyres tend to suit me.

Just swapped a BT-021 on my ER6F for a PR2 and instantly noticed the difference, I really hate the 021's, when I had my GS it came with Deathwings and I hated them too, Tourance EXP's were a revelation, I am not saying the Deathwings would not go much faster than I could with the right rider, but I had no faith in them, they felt horrible and ruined every ride - Both of these tyres I dislike generally are rated in reviews below their peers, although I would not describe any of the tyres I dislike as dangerous - and anything on the market today is probably ahead of the best tyre of 20 years ago.

 

[creggur]

Well I just spent a couple of hours on some of the best twisty mountain roads in the southeast, and I still love 'em - rode them right out to the edge and never felt even slightly out of control.

I will say this after seven hours on the road yesterday getting up here:
1) they aren't as smooth on the highway as the Trail Attacks they replaced. Maybe it's the harder compound in the center of the tire, but the ride is slightly rougher - nothing bothersome - but I could tell the difference.
2) They don't like tar snakes at all - the bike moves around pretty good on them. Tread pattern maybe? Compound difference? Combination of the two? Again, nothing major, just different from my previous tires.

Best tire yet on the Tenere for me when leaned over hard in a fast curve.

 

[creggur]

Update on the Tourance NEXT for anyone considering them. Just returned from a week in the N. Georgia mountains playing on some great twisty roads.

Highway Miles: about 700 ridden solo with a loaded top box, 100 or so in the rain with temps ranging from 48 - 85 degrees. The tires are quiet and smooth on the highway - not interstate - mostly main US highways running interstate speeds. On my trip up I noticed that tar snakes would move the bike around quite a bit more than the Trail Attacks they replaced - this was all-but-gone by the time of my return trip - guess the tires just needed some miles on them. Zero issues with wet handling - never felt a loss of confidence in the grip during sweepers, braking, or just cruising along.

Mountain Roads: around 750 miles, 300 or so two-up with loaded top box, with temps ranging from 45 -75 degrees.
Two-up: tires performed flawlessly, but my wife did note that the ride felt rougher. I keep the tires at 42/33 all of the time, and her comments came after crossing some rippled areas of asphalt on a chilly morning so I believe it was the roads more than the tires. Zero performance issues, the tires stuck well leaned over and never felt like they were "giving" at all. Turn-in was predictable and quick going up or down. One road, 60, from Blue Ridge to Dahlonega is a lot of steep grades with tight switchbacks, and the bike and tires were confidence-inspiring, even fully loaded (310 pounds of wife and me plus about 15 pounds in the top box). The last time I rode that road two-up was on my VFR, and the Tenere definitely out-performed - more bike than tire - but it was an absolute blast with zero slippin'-n-slidin'...

Solo - about 450 miles of fun! The tires performed well leaned hard, under hard acceleration and braking, even with my sometimes ham-fisted inputs. One thing I noticed: after one hard (for me) ride where the pegs were dragging quite a bit, and I thought I was really something, upon return to the cabin I looked at the rear tire, and I hadn't spent much (if any) time on the edge of the tire. I don't care one iota about chicken strips, but was surprised to find them still prevalent on the rear tire. ??? I had the bike leaned farther than I ever have, with things dragging more than I'm usually comfortable with, and I still wasn't using the entire tread area? Just thought it was odd, and can only surmise it has something to do with the profile of said tread area of the tire. I'm sure someone out there will use the whole tire, but I wouldn't be comfortable leaning farther than I was that day...

All-in-all I still couldn't be happier with the tires, and after a full week of daily rides, I'm completely satisfied with this tire for on-road use in any weather condition I might ride in...

Rear 100 or so miles after install:

Front and rear with a total of about 1700 miles on them now...

 

[mhoy]

You all maybe interested in that I put 9000 miles on a metzler EXP Tourance rear tire and am very happy with overall performance a great product, I could have put another 1000 miles on it. I plan to stay with these after another 10,000 miles for the front and rear and change them out.

 

[Rasher]

Wear tends to be so varied from rider to rider, and even day to day.

I got 3800 out of my first Tourance EXP which did a lot of faster road work, the Roadsmart 2's I have now are also well worn at about 4.5k, with the rear almost dead, but this did include a 3500 mile two-up tour. I tended to get the same 4.5k - 5k life out of most tyres on the GS.

I know if I stayed on mainly back lanes I would get an extra 1k+ out of my tyres, and if I did not swing on the throttle quite so enthusiastically maybe eek out another thousand miles.

I cannot even tell which tyres last better than others due to the varied riding I do, in the past with sportsbikes I had found some tyres with very short life spans, but in my 20k miles on the GS and S10 I would say the road based tyres (Roadsmart 1's and 2's) have maybe lasted 10% longer than the "Dual Purpose" tyres I have used (Mainly Tourance Exp's)

They have all gripped very well, again I feel the pure road tyres were a shade better, especially in the wet, but I am happy on Tourances and Roadsmarts, would also happily fit TR91's or the new Next - probably whatever I can get the best deal on next time around.

 

[tc339]

You all maybe interested in that I put 9000 miles on a metzler EXP Tourance rear tire and am very happy with overall performance a great product, I could have put another 1000 miles on it. I plan to stay with these after another 10,000 miles for the front and rear and change them out.

I wish I got close to that on my rear EXP. I'm at 6700 on my rear and should have changed it 500 miles ago. Going for the NEXT and hoping its better.

 

[Tremor38]

Wear tends to be so varied from rider to rider, and even day to day.

I got 3800 out of my first Tourance EXP which did a lot of faster road work, the Roadsmart 2's I have now are also well worn at about 4.5k, with the rear almost dead, but this did include a 3500 mile two-up tour. I tended to get the same 4.5k - 5k life out of most tyres on the GS.

I know if I stayed on mainly back lanes I would get an extra 1k+ out of my tyres, and if I did not swing on the throttle quite so enthusiastically maybe eek out another thousand miles.

I cannot even tell which tyres last better than others due to the varied riding I do, in the past with sportsbikes I had found some tyres with very short life spans, but in my 20k miles on the GS and S10 I would say the road based tyres (Roadsmart 1's and 2's) have maybe lasted 10% longer than the "Dual Purpose" tyres I have used (Mainly Tourance Exp's)

They have all gripped very well, again I feel the pure road tyres were a shade better, especially in the wet, but I am happy on Tourances and Roadsmarts, would also happily fit TR91's or the new Next - probably whatever I can get the best deal on next time around.

Looks like you and I are about the same with the throttle input, haha! I never get more than about 4 - 5k out of any tire. Might have squeezed 6k out of my K60s LOL!

I have a set of Tourance Next on order; they should arrive on Friday. From reading this thread, I figured I'd give them a shot. Also have a set of BW02's coming from stateside via Parcel Post, but I fear the riding season will be over by the time they arrive (anywhere from 5 to 10 weeks!). That's OK, because I'll buzz through the Tourances before mid season of next year. ::013::

 

[trasbeck]

After 1000 miles, I really like mine. They don't like nails, however.Does get along with plugs just fine.

 

[OldRider]

While were talking tires, I'll throw my current set into the mix. I was going to go with a set of PR3's when the OEM Stones wore out, but I got lucky when I signed up for a Tucker/Rocky dealer ride and won my choice of a new set of Continental tires. I went with the Road Attack 2's and so far they're working out great. Of all the different bikes and types of tires I've rode over the years, so far these RT2's are the quietest, smoothest tire I've ever rode on. I've got 1400 miles on them now and I'll report back when they're wore out with full report. BTW, I'm going to be riding 95% on the street and that's the reason I went with the Road Attacks instead of the Trail Attacks.

 

[creggur]

While were talking tires, I'll throw my current set into the mix. I was going to go with a set of PR3's when the OEM Stones wore out, but I got lucky when I signed up for a Tucker/Rocky dealer ride and won my choice of a new set of Continental tires. I went with the Road Attack 2's and so far they're working out great. Of all the different bikes and types of tires I've rode over the years, so far these RT2's are the quietest, smoothest tire I've ever rode on. I've got 1400 miles on them now and I'll report back when they're wore out with full report. BTW, I'm going to be riding 95% on the street and that's the reason I went with the Road Attacks instead of the Trail Attacks.

Looked seriously at these because I was pretty happy with my Trail Attacks, and have had a good experience with Conti in the past - what swayed me was the hope for higher mileage with the dual compound rear on the NEXT.

Will be interested in what kind of life you get from the Roads.

 

[tc339]

So I just ordered a rear NEXT but am holding off on the front because I still have some tread left. I'm still running the EXP on the front and being that I am a poor college student, I cant really afford to buy the front at the moment.

Does anyone foresee any issues with an EXP front and NEXT rear?

I ran two different tires on my VFR800 when I had that. Ran a PR3 rear and PP 2CT front which is a setup I loved. I dont know if there is a difference on the S10 though because the adventure scene is still pretty new to me.

 

[BravoBravo]

So I just ordered a rear NEXT but am holding off on the front because I still have some tread left. I'm still running the EXP on the front and being that I am a poor college student, I cant really afford to buy the front at the moment.

Does anyone foresee any issues with an EXP front and NEXT rear?

I ran two different tires on my VFR800 when I had that. Ran a PR3 rear and PP 2CT front which is a setup I loved. I dont know if there is a difference on the S10 though because the adventure scene is still pretty new to me.

Personally, I would not worry about it.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Hoges1974]

I put tourance next on my bike below is what I found with them.


II purchased my bike second hand from qld. It had the original tourance exp on it but they were just about shagged. I rode the bike back with my son and really could fault these tyres. We done some off road (gravel road only)

We done the Oxley Hwy buckets and thunderbolts all at a good pace.

When I returned home I decided to replace the tyres as they only had a couple of thousand ks
Left and I was about to head off on a 3000k trip so I decided I would put the same tyres on.. The EXP were not available and have been replaced with the tourance Next.

I took the bike for a run with some mates on their sports bikes with not boxes ect just me and these tyres performed unbelievably. I had no problems chasing my mates on their sports bikes and found myself further up the pack then I would normally be when riding my GSXR1000. The Tenere is a machine all my mates still talk about how fast I can ride it. I was running the tyres at 38rear 34front

Anyway

So last week me and my son head off on our trip fully loaded. Once we got to the first lot of twisters after about 3 or 4 corners I pulled over thinking I had a flat tyre the bike was all over the place. Checked teh tyres they seemed fine. I set them at 42 rear 36front before we left.

I rode until lunch where I could not stand riding the bike anymore at speed it was scaring me (yes a tad over the speed limit was where the main problems where)

I can't remember what the tyres where set at hot but I just added 4 psi to each. This made a huge difference.

The next day I checked the tyres cold and they were at 48r 44f I thought shit that high but it worked

This is pretty much how I left them the whole ride until the last couple of days where I returned them to 42 36. I had the same issues the bike felt unsafe at speed a lot like I had a flat rear tyre.

I have also noticed there is a considerable flat spot in the centre of the rear tyre and they have only done app 3300ks

 

[yamadad]

Any further follow up?

I'm seriously considering spooning a set on my bike and was wondering about some longer term feedback. ::022::

 

[20valves]

I'm having a set mounted up and will be taking them on a trip with a little jeep roading and some serious sport touring too. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks if someone else doesn't post up sooner.

 

[yz454]

I am on my second set ,7000 out of the first. Mostly in the rain on the first ,I ride rain or shine year around. The psi needs to be run on high side , they will flatten in the middle a bit. You should be happy with the way they stick rain or shine,just like my z6 and z8s.

 

[Brick]

Thanks for the input... sounds good. You said psi needs to be run on the high side. ?? Ok, what psi did you run?

I am on my second set ,7000 out of the first. Mostly in the rain on the first ,I ride rain or shine year around. The psi needs to be run on high side , they will flatten in the middle a bit. You should be happy with the way they stick rain or shine,just like my z6 and z8s.