Suzuki Boulevard C50T Tyres

**P38** · 12th March 2008, 16:29

My Boulevard C50T will shortly need some new rubber.

Currently still running the original tyres which are

IRC
Front 130/90-16 67H White Wall
Rear 170/80-15 77H White Wall

These tyres have done me well in all sorts of weather and conditions and have travelled almost 18,000kms.

I'd like to replace them with the same tyres unfortunately Suzuki NZ says they are unavalible in NZ, despite the fact that they are on every new Boulevard I looked at on the weekend.

The Suzuki Dealership has suggested Metzler ME 880 White Walls.
Front $290
Rear $395
(Rear tyres are unavalible through Suzuki until April)

Does anyone know anyone else in NZ who stock IRC tyres?

Has anyone run Metzler ME 880 White Wall tyres on their bike?
How did they go?
What mileage did you get out of them?
What did they look like on the bike?

Any other (sensible) suggestions for Tyres for the Boulevard would be much appreciated.

Cheers
P38

**magicfairy** · 12th March 2008, 16:51

I run Metzler 880s on my Suzuki S50. Not white wall. Pricey but a very good tyre, especially in the wet.

**P38** · 12th March 2008, 16:56

Originally Posted by magicfairy

I run Metzler 880s on my Suzuki S50. Not white wall. Pricey but a very good tyre, especially in the wet.

Thanks for your reply Magicfairy

How many kms do you expect to get from these tyres?

Do you think they look better, the same or worse than the originals?

**duckonin** · 12th March 2008, 17:51

Hi p38, yes had the same problem a while back I get around the 20,000k's for rear and 24000 for the front,replaced mine last time with the same WWW (wide white walls) but at a cost as they were flown out from japan..

Ordered another set 4 months back from my suzuki dealer in Tauranga (motogb) they ordered a pair from Japan and had them sent out by boat cost for both about $550 I think..please do not quote me

Contact Glen Bayly at 07-9271340, great to deal with

I also had been intouch with Suzuki NZ real bad to deal with as they seem unwilling to respond, yet they sell the bikes with the tyres on,typical buy the product with no back up, as for dealing with the importers of metzlers www wow the cost was to great..

Have been intouch with tyre distributers in the states and you could order your own, have them landed here cheaper...cheers

**Edbear** · 12th March 2008, 19:19

Interesting posts, although I've only done just over 6k so far and they're still pretty much as new, I will eventually have to replace them, so this info is handy to know.

**magicfairy** · 12th March 2008, 19:48

Originally Posted by P38

Thanks for your reply Magicfairy

How many kms do you expect to get from these tyres?

Do you think they look better, the same or worse than the originals?

I've only done 6k on them, no wear at all. I kept the stock ones on for first 8k, but switched to Metzler as they handle better. Look about the same, for me looks aren't as important as handling.

**P38** · 12th March 2008, 19:51

Originally Posted by duckonin

Hi p38, yes had the same problem a while back I get around the 20,000k's for rear and 24000 for the front,replaced mine last time with the same WWW (wide white walls) but at a cost as they were flown out from japan..

Ordered another set 4 months back from my suzuki dealer in Tauranga (motogb) they ordered a pair from Japan and had them sent out by boat cost for both about $550 I think..please do not quote me

Contact Glen Bayly at 07-9271340, great to deal with

I also had been intouch with Suzuki NZ real bad to deal with as they seem unwilling to respond, yet they sell the bikes with the tyres on,typical buy the product with no back up, as for dealing with the importers of metzlers www wow the cost was to great..

Have been intouch with tyre distributers in the states and you could order your own, have them landed here cheaper...cheers

Thanks for the info Duckonin.

I'm going up to Hamilton for Easter so might swing on over to Tauraunga an have a look.

Cheers
P38

**P38** · 12th March 2008, 19:56

Originally Posted by magicfairy

I've only done 6k on them, no wear at all. I kept the stock ones on for first 8k, but switched to Metzler as they handle better. Look about the same, for me looks aren't as important as handling.

Nice to know you think the Metzlers handle better.

For me I think

Handeling 1st

Mileage 2nd

Looks 3rd

Cost 4th so long as the first three are up to it.

**Big Dave** · 12th March 2008, 23:14

50 might be too light - but these are available now

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcyc...showtyre&id=26

**Tank** · 13th March 2008, 05:50

Originally Posted by P38

I'd like to replace them with the same tyres unfortunately Suzuki NZ says they are unavalible in NZ, despite the fact that they are on every new Boulevard I looked at on the weekend.

Given that people buy the T over the standard C50 because of the looks (and the tyres being a large part of that 'look') I am disappointed to hear that Suzuki don't ensure that they tyres are available here.

I'm starting to learn when it comes to bits like this that Suzuki are far from fantastic to deal with.

It would be interesting to hear what a dealer would say if you were looking to buy a new C50T when asked if you could get the tyres...I wonder if they all know that its an issue?

**duckonin** · 13th March 2008, 10:37

Originally Posted by Tank

Given that people buy the T over the standard C50 because of the looks (and the tyres being a large part of that 'look') I am disappointed to hear that Suzuki don't ensure that they tyres are available here.

I'm starting to learn when it comes to bits like this that Suzuki are far from fantastic to deal with.

It would be interesting to hear what a dealer would say if you were looking to buy a new C50T when asked if you could get the tyres...I wonder if they all know that its an issue?

Suzuki NZ do not care the tyres are to small apart of their programme to consider being worthwhile so they leave the importing of tyres to the importers..

In most towns I have been in recentley I have made a point of going to the Suzuki shops and I ask the same Q's, one of those being can you get these same (www) in NZ their answer every time has been yeah you can get them but we don't know where from ...I emailed five suzuki dealers around the country and none of them could supply..

not good enough..

Quite simply you have to order these from over the water, boat being the cheapest transport so for those wanting to retain the look of their bike you would need to order your tyres at least six weeks to two months in advance

**P38** · 13th March 2008, 16:39

Originally Posted by duckonin

Suzuki NZ do not care the tyres are to small apart of their programme to consider being worthwhile so they leave the importing of tyres to the importers..

In most towns I have been in recentley I have made a point of going to the Suzuki shops and I ask the same Q's, one of those being can you get these same (www) in NZ their answer every time has been yeah you can get them but we don't know where from ...I emailed five suzuki dealers around the country and none of them could supply..

not good enough..

Quite simply you have to order these from over the water, boat being the cheapest transport so for those wanting to retain the look of their bike you would need to order your tyres at least six weeks to two months in advance

Getting your own imported tyres fitted could become tricky too.

**duckonin** · 13th March 2008, 16:45

Originally Posted by P38

Getting your own imported tyres fitted could become tricky too.

Hmmmmmm..Iget my Suzuki dealer to order mine and the price includes fitting, if I import my own then he has told me they will just charge me for the fitting which would be right..!! cost to fit around the $30 mark