Metzeler Z8 Interacts for a Suzuki GSX1250FA

[Hitcher]

A first tyre change today. Off with the scruffy old Bridgestone Battlax 021s. On with the brand spanking Metzeler Z8 Interacts.

"So what happened to those Dunlop Roadsmarts you had your heart set on a mere few days ago, Hitcher?"

Well... They're a bit pricey, actually. I should have remembered that from Flagstaff Arizona three years ago. They were pricey there too. Also I've been talking with Bandit riders, and even some Suzuki riders who ride other models, like Hyabusas for example. And, thanks to the power of the Internet, there are many interesting and even informative forums that discuss tyres. The best of those are even beautifully punctuated and spelt.

"Have you taken them for a ride yet, Hitcher?"

Well... Yes I have.

"And..."

I've run about 80km onto them. First impressions on largely dry roads are positive.

I have previously run a couple of sets of Metzeler Z6s. One thing that always impressed me about those was how they didn't clump harshly over catseyes or similar surface projections. The Z8s are the same.

They're also an otherwise quiet tyre. Some tyres like to sing on grooved surfaces, some quite loudly. Not so the Z8s.

Braking? No skitterishness. Mind you, most sports touring tyres I've used have been predictable under hard braking.

Cornering? Well there's the biggest difference with their Battlax predecessors. They're just lovely, particularly their willingness to offer more when asked in tightening curves, or if a rider decides to change line or increase pace in a corner. They don't want to stand up if brakes are applied during cornering. All of those attributes are different to the 021s, very different.

I also like the way a cornering bike rolls around them, smoothly and predictably.

My next tests will be on wet surfaces. Mr MetVUW says I may not have to wait too long for that.

No points out of 10 at this time, but I am well encouraged by what lies ahead.

[riffer]

Gah!

Spelt (Triticum spelta) is a hexaploid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexaploid) species of wheat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheat).

[riffer]

I am, however, interested to hear how the Z8s fare. I currently have my favourites - the Conti RoadAttacks on my Bandit, and shall be looking for replacements soon enough...

[SPman]

Sounds good...I'm close to a new set for the XJR...currently looking at PR3's, but will await your next report with interest. I've always had a good opinion of the Z6, so the Z8 could be a contender.

[Hitcher]

Gah!

Spelt (Triticum spelta) is a hexaploid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexaploid) species of wheat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheat).

And spelled is a wee lie down.

[Hitcher]

currently looking at PR3s

These are pretty sharply priced at the moment. But I guess my thinking was coloured by my PR2 experience and the fact that PR3s look like they've got way too many grooves cut into them. But I will be swayed by science, particularly when the Ashhurst Mob wear theirs out.

[banditrider]

These are pretty sharply priced at the moment. But I guess my thinking was coloured by my PR2 experience and the fact that PR3s look like they've got way too many grooves cut into them. But I will be swayed by science, particularly when the Ashhurst Mob wear theirs out.

When I was a Bandit rider I almost always rode on whatever was the latest Metzler (I think I had one set of pirellis somewhere along the way) and always liked them for their wet weather performance and reasonable wear.

After experimenting a bit on the Connie I am very happy with PR2's but now trying the 3's.

My mate on his 1200 Bandit is currently on his second set of PR2's (after wearing Metzlers for a fair chunk of the 75k his done on the bike) and after initially not liking the wet weather performance is now sold on them as he got around 14k from his first set and the pricing is normally pretty good.

Incidentally I've not had any issues on the Connie in the wet with PR2's - that extra weight probably assisting there. I'm getting 11-12k out of them and hoping for good things on the 3's...

[yod]

These are pretty sharply priced at the moment. But I guess my thinking was coloured by my PR2 experience and the fact that PR3s look like they've got way too many grooves cut into them. But I will be swayed by science, particularly when the Ashhurst Mob wear theirs out.

How did the PR3s compare with the Z8s pricewise?

I'm a PR2 convert currently but don't have long to go until a new set is necessary.

[Hitcher]

How did the PR3s compare with the Z8s pricewise?

You shouldn't spot much difference. Also Michelin's offering a free digital pressure gauge with every set of PR3s sold. While stocks last.

[riffer]

It will be interesting to see how they wear.

On my GSF1250S the rear tyre has worn to about 2mm from the edge (i'm only commuting but), while the front has worn right to the edge (Conti RoadAttacks).

Totally different to the RF900R which just can't use the last 10mm or so on the front.

Did you get right to the edges of both tyres with the Battlaxes?

[Hitcher]

Did you get right to the edges of both tyres with the Battlaxes?

I wouldn't have pushed the front to that extent, largely because I didn't trust it. The rear was worn to about 3mm from the edge.

[ynot slow]

All good info,I did 18000km on PR2 and interesting is almost every bandit has tyres other than oem replaced,found the michelin perfect but at last change the budget deemed a cheaper replacement set,so had pirelli diablo in mind to get by for a good price,but thought to try the cheaper full bore and aren't bad,in wet all good,have done 4000km or so and showing good wear,having traded bike in be interested in total mileage they will do on a heavy bike.

[MSTRS]

All good info,I did 18000km on PR2 and interesting is almost every bandit has tyres other than oem replaced,found the michelin perfect but at last change the budget deemed a cheaper replacement set,so had pirelli diablo in mind to get by for a good price,but thought to try the cheaper full bore and aren't bad,in wet all good,have done 4000km or so and showing good wear,having traded bike in be interested in total mileage they will do on a heavy bike.

You do know that straight-line riding doesn't count?
<_<

[nzmikey]

I am running the Metzeler Z6 180/55/17 Interacts on the Hornet , Lovely tyre does everything that it was promised :yes:

[Stylo]

Z8's ...10 points , had a set on Busa from late last year, awesome tyre .

[nallac]

Having run Diablos, PR2's,Conti Road attacks and now on ME6's I eagerly await hitchers 10k report...should only be a couple of months.

[Hitcher]

Today the new Z8s managed to get some more km wound onto them, taking their total distance ridden to about 500km.

Now I've managed to show them dry, wet and ambiguous roads (including road works and surface water), all in coolish to cold conditions.

Rimutakas, both ways, Alfredton via Route 52, exiting to Pahiatua via Pa Valley Road. Pahiatua track to Palmerston North; home via the Manawatu Gorge and Nireaha. It was a great day for a ride!

After the dour and wooden Battlax 021s, the Z8s are just lovely. They didn't put a foot wrong nor did they hint at that all day. The TNAB has been transformed into a nimble steed that likes being pushed firmly through corners. I like being able to do that and was never rewarded in that regard by the 021s.

Not much more to say, really. The next test will be to observe how the Z8s perform as they wear.

They're worth at least 8.5 out of 10 on the Hitcher Scale. That puts them into the same class as the Conti Road Attack IIs and the Dunlop Roadsmarts. I like them. A lot.

[blackdog]

I didn't actually click at the time, but 'twas a battlax that spat me out the other day.

I didn't ask it to do anything I hadn't asked of contis, michelins or pirellis in the past.

It still has 75% tread left, however it's future only involves being cut up and used as firestarters.

[Stylo]

I didn't actually click at the time, but 'twas a battlax that spat me out the other day.

I didn't ask it to do anything I hadn't asked of contis, michelins or pirellis in the past.

It still has 75% tread left, however it's future only involves being cut up and used as firestarters.

Had a set of Z8's on the old Bike and, awesome ..(that's the white one) , new Bike dressed in black has around 3k to go on the BT-015's then, I'll probably go for another set but, ...might shop around a little first

[Cloggy]

Also got a set of Z8 Interacts fitted today. The reason I went for the Z8's is that they have a heavy duty version in the line-up. About half of the kilometres I travel are done two-up invariable with loaded top and side boxes and tank bag.
Prior to the Z8's I had Pilot Road 2's on the bike. Initially I was torn between fitting PR3's or these Z8's. Both these tyres are available in a heavy duty version. For the PR3's (and PR2's) this is the "B" version and for the Z8's you ask for a "C" version. These different versions are specifically designed for heavy tourers ridden two-up and/or carrying luggage. Two things swung me the Z8 way. Firstly, I needed tyres now and the PR3 B isn't available until about mid October and secondly, especially in the latter stages of wear, the softer sides of the dual compound PR2's really started wear quite rapidly and looked like I had been on a trackday when really just commuting to and from work. The edges were worn right down and the centre still had plenty of thread. The Z8's aren't dual compound so I am interested to see how they will wear compared to the PR2's.
First impressions?
When I picked up the wheels this afternoon after the tyres were fitted the first thing I noticed was the weight. These tyres feel a lot heavier than the PR2's. Maybe it is just the extra rubber on a new tyre compared to a worn old one. After fitting, the immediate difference noted while riding is that these tyres feel hard compared to the old worn PR2's. I am running them at the same pressures, 36 front, 42 rear. Could be because they are new and need some kilometres to break in the belts and soften things up. I can certainly just about feel every little bump and ripple in the road surface at the moment. A short blat down the road and the bike feels more nimble, but that is of course because you are comparing worn old tyres to new. Any new tyre will feel nimble.
I am not a fast rider and will probably never explore the limits of adhesion of these tyres carving up corners over the Rimutaka's. For me, a good tyre is one that balances longevity with feeling secure, both in the wet and dry. How well they stand up to a full load, two-up and packed to the max, we will find out in November when we are heading down South to tour around and take in the Burt Munro. I'll take some measurement of thread depth across the width of the tyres and repeat these measurements every 1000km or so to see if we can get an early indication of how many kilometres these tyres might last.
The PR2's were on the bike when I bought it and while not new, where in very good condition. I have covered 6500km on them, the previous owner might have done 1500km so in total possibly 8000km before they were shot. If always ridden solo, I am sure they would have lasted much longer.
I am expecting at least the same distance from these Z8's and am hopeful they will exceed my expectation.
Time will tell.

[Cloggy]

Today we covered about 350km out on the open road for the first time. The last couple of days have just been commuting to work in 50km/hr areas.
All I can say is that I am quite happy with the way these tyres ride now.
Lets put it this way, today, two-up, I was scraping the pegs on the Rimutaka and Wainuiomata Hill roads. That is not something I used to do on the PR2's. These tyres feel really good and give me lots of confidence. Biggest difference between these "C" version Z8's and the standard PR2's I used to have is how they handle sudden mid corner bumps when riding two up. You could feel the PR2's struggle with this, felt like something in the bike was twisting. Not so with these Z8's. They make the bike feel rock solid. Thumbs up so far.