Hitcher
24th July 2005, 21:53
With a couple of hundred km now on the STeed's new Metzeler Roadtec Z6s, they are well and truly scrubbed in.
1. I must have a word with Motorad's workshop, as they consistently under-inflate the tyres on the ST -- usually about 33psi front and 36 psi rear, when these should both be 42psi. Reinflated at home prior to excurting yesterday, therefore no harm done.
2. However a big ups to the same workshop crew for taking the time to clean rims and zorsts.
And what about the ride? It's hard to believe there can be so much difference between makes of tyres. I know that the old Battlax 020s were getting a bit tired and shabby, but they were still legal. The Battlax 020 is widely regarded as the "gold standard" for sports touring tyres. But as I discovered on my ZRX1200R and again now, the Metzelers are a significantly better ride.
They ride smoother and the front feel is noticeably less harsh than the 020. They feel a bit like the rebound settings have been eased a bit, which they can't have been, as Mr Honda has seen fit to provide no front suspension adjustments whatsoever on an ST1300.
Nice and grippy when cornering. The bike feels very planted and predictable. There were a few damp corners up and over the Takas yesterday. The bike drops into the corners better and doesn't want to stand up quite the same if you need to brake in the corner. No front wheel hum while cornering is nice too (the 020s are good at this, given the front tread pattern, and get worse/louder as the tyre wears).
The Z6s are nice under hard braking. No stoppies yet though and, being a shaft drive, the ST can't wheelie anyway...
So, on the whole, a very impressive package. I am well pleased with my purchase.
1. I must have a word with Motorad's workshop, as they consistently under-inflate the tyres on the ST -- usually about 33psi front and 36 psi rear, when these should both be 42psi. Reinflated at home prior to excurting yesterday, therefore no harm done.
2. However a big ups to the same workshop crew for taking the time to clean rims and zorsts.
And what about the ride? It's hard to believe there can be so much difference between makes of tyres. I know that the old Battlax 020s were getting a bit tired and shabby, but they were still legal. The Battlax 020 is widely regarded as the "gold standard" for sports touring tyres. But as I discovered on my ZRX1200R and again now, the Metzelers are a significantly better ride.
They ride smoother and the front feel is noticeably less harsh than the 020. They feel a bit like the rebound settings have been eased a bit, which they can't have been, as Mr Honda has seen fit to provide no front suspension adjustments whatsoever on an ST1300.
Nice and grippy when cornering. The bike feels very planted and predictable. There were a few damp corners up and over the Takas yesterday. The bike drops into the corners better and doesn't want to stand up quite the same if you need to brake in the corner. No front wheel hum while cornering is nice too (the 020s are good at this, given the front tread pattern, and get worse/louder as the tyre wears).
The Z6s are nice under hard braking. No stoppies yet though and, being a shaft drive, the ST can't wheelie anyway...
So, on the whole, a very impressive package. I am well pleased with my purchase.