my Metzeler Roadtec Z6 review

[Bryabusa]

I thought I'd share my report with you all in case you were thinking of getting this tire. I've got a set of them on my busa and they are wearing very well (stock sizes). I'm not an aggressive rider, and I don't weigh too much, so that's a big help when trying to get tires to last. Most of my riding is solo as well. These tires have 15,000km on them and still going! Yes, you read correct. Even the rear still has life left. I don't take it far from home now, but I can't complain about them at all.
If you're easy on your tires, and you want them to last as long as possible, try a set of these. I don't even know if they make em anymore, but I'd sure ask for them again.

 

[bradsbusa]

that will be next set

 

[Gunnybusa]

How are they in the twisties?

 

[Vic_E55_2001]

How long they would last if you twist a little bit more? I`d rather buy a tourer and take it easy. can not do it on Busa.

 

[Bryabusa]

Well, I've had the bike leaning pretty good in some twisties and haven't had any slipping, but I'm not the kind of rider to scrape the pegs, if that's what you mean. My budget dictates how often I buy tires, so I need them to last. I can't really say how long they'd last if you cranked on them more, maybe 10k, or less. they'd certainly work for you at a place like deals gap or something, that I'm sure. Maybe someone else who's tried 'em can report here as well. If I didn't find a deal on some BT014's I'd buy some Z6's again.

 

[bigoltool]

I have a Z6 Rear on mine now (in combo with an M3 front) and I like it alot! I have about 2800 miles on it now and it still has .21-.22" of tread left on it(as measured as close as possible to center of tire. This tire is narrower by 5mm than the M3 it replaced, which was in turn 5mm narrower than the BT56. I am able to scrub this tire right to the edges on a regular basis, which try as I might I couldn't do (without grinding something) on either of the other two tires mentioned, though I installed raising links in that time frame as well which may or may not have some effect. I want to try another M3 for the summer (now with the raising links) when this tire is gone. I bought this one mainly for the northwest winter/fall riding conditions. But I would not hesitate to buy another one. I am expecting something on the order of 6000 miles out of this one.

As a side note I just put a new M3 front on this weekend and at almost 7000 miles (with tread still showing in the center!) is far and away the stickiest and longest lasting front tire I have ever used! My new favorite tire!

 

[Mr Bogus]

Ok is this the correct tire:
ROADTEC Z6 180/55ZR17 ($133 cheap)

and if yes, has anyone run it with the Bridgestone front? Or should I go ahead and replace the front tire to keep the brands the same..

Thanks

 

[Lamb busa]

Different brands front and rear won't hurt a thing.

 

[Bryabusa]

(bogusLogon @ Jun. 03 2007,23:20) Ok is this the correct tire:
ROADTEC Z6 180/55ZR17 ($133 cheap)

and if yes, has anyone run it with the Bridgestone front? Or should I go ahead and replace the front tire to keep the brands the same..

Thanks

The rear tire is a 190 on my bike:: , so make sure that 180 is wide enough to fit the rim.

And for the record, the Z6 is one of the reccommended tires for our bike on the metzeler website.

 

[slime]

(Bryabusa @ Jun. 04 2007,04:48)

(bogusLogon @ Jun. 03 2007,23:20) Ok is this the correct tire:
ROADTEC Z6 180/55ZR17 ($133 cheap)

and if yes, has anyone run it with the Bridgestone front? Or should I go ahead and replace the front tire to keep the brands the same..

Thanks

The rear tire is a 190 on my bike:: , so make sure that 180 is wide enough to fit the rim.

And for the record, the Z6 is one of the reccommended tires for our bike on the metzeler website.

When I talked to metzler last year they told me this tire was NOT for the hayabusa. I kept telling the guy that they showed one in a 190, but all he would say was that tire is not for a 'busa. Maybe they changed specs on them, but my understanding from them is they do not recomend the z6 for the hayabusa. I'm sure it is the weight/horsepower thing. Most of the tires I looked at show about 1 pound heavier than a standard 190. That's why I started running the M1's, cause metzler kept saying not to use it. I know people who have gotten over 10k on a set of z6's on a VFR. I think if you really pushed a 'busa with a non P spec tire, you could run into some issues with heat at elevated speeds.
YMMV

 

[slime]

One more thing, if you do the "what fits my bike" on the metzler site, it only gives you the M1 Sportec as fitting a hayabusa.

 

[Mr Bogus]

(bogusLogon @ Jun. 03 2007,20:20) Ok is this the correct tire:
ROADTEC Z6 180/55ZR17  ($133 cheap)

and if yes, has anyone run it with the Bridgestone front? Or should I go ahead and replace the front tire to keep the brands the same..

Thanks

Ok 2000 miles on this tire and it is pretty decent. (not bad in 3 weeks)

I have this sick habit of wanting to stand my bike on the rear tire while powering out of corners.

This tire gets a little slick on the chicken strip when doing this and the back of the bike starts to wash out.  It is not a radical move (you can pull it back pretty quickly) but the compound is a bit hard on the sides.  The center strip is just fine and this tire works much better in the wet than the Bridgestone did.  

I think if you are a die-hard twisty type, this tire may be a bit too hard. (and you should go by a Gixxer anyway). As a "Sport Touring" tire with the ability to get around the corners, I think it suits me just fine.

No idea on what the tire mileage is going to be on this one yet but looks pretty new yet with 2K on the clock.  (OE tire went 3200 miles when wear bars poked out)

 

[JQBusa]

Mine Z6 on the rear has 9000 miles on it, It is just about done and will be repalcing it anyday, but I have had no problems and I ride it pretty hard. It is less sticky then some other tires and I can feel it at its limit at times but no problems. I would say if you are serious about twisties it is probably not the tire for you. I live i south MS and there are just not that many great twisty roads so it is perfect for me. I will be putting on another! Oh and just for the doubters I do have a speedoheeler and it is GPS calibrated. I ride with my GPS most of the time.