Metzeler ME880 Tire pressure?

H

HannahTheSwearBear

New member
For my S50 I bought ME880 sizes
100/90 - 19 M/C 57H TL
140/90 B 15 M/C 70H TL

On the Metzeler website they list the recommended psi tire pressure in two different posting

First one:
36 (front) & 40 (rear)

the second for solo recommended Minimuim:
38- 40 Front
44-46 Rear

I also found a pdf document from 2008 listing each motorcycle recommended pressure, for the S50
36-42 Front
40-42 Rear
No mention of loading (solo, 2up....)


OEM Bridgestone ran 29 Front & 33 Rear

Which one should I use? :???:

Thanks
Smikail
 
Use the 36 for front and 40 for the rear. That is what I run on my M50. Run psi much lower and it will handle poorly.
 
Many, many posts on this subject in the past. As a "Former" metzeler 880 owner, and one that went through the gambit of Metzler warranty procedures, etc., the fact is, Metzeler will only warranty their product if you maintain "their" recommended pressures, not Suzukis! This is un-disputable if you ever want Metzeler to stand behind their tires.
Thats the fact!
 
I don't know where tbone57 got his info from, but this is directly from the Metzeler web page, notice that they only recommend a minimum tire pressure.

I did a quick scan of there warranty page and couldn't find a thing about them rejecting claims because of air pressure.

Metzeler : recommended tire pressures


PRODUCTS
Catalogue Technology New Products Product brochure downloads Fitment Chart Dealer Locator Tire Registration Note recommended tire pressures Important Upgrade info Tire Pressure
Always inflate tires to the correct pressure as indicated in the owner's manual. However Metzeler North America has found the air pressure suggestions listed below will improve mileage and customer satisfaction especially if a emphasis is placed on running the air pressure towards the maximum as stated on the sidewall. Check cold tire pressures frequently. Correct tire pressure is crucial for safe handling. Over inflation may impair ride comfort and reduce the contact patch between the tire and driving surface of the tires. Insufficient air pressure will result in poor handling and cause a tendency for the motorcycle to "wander". In addition, improper and insufficient tire will cause accelerated tire wear, increased fuel consumption, less control and the possibilities for tire failure to due an overload/under inflated operating situation.


Recommended Minimum Tire Pressures (PSI)
Touring/Cruiser
Alpha ME880 (MH, MT, MU tires) Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
Front 36 40 40
Rear 38 40 40





ME880 Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
Front 38-40 40-42 40-42
Rear 44-46 46-48 48-50



For bikes with the following rear tire sizes: 170/80-15, 180/70-15, 150/80-16, 160/80-16, 180/60R16, 180/70R16, 200/60R16, 240/50R16, 140/80-17, 160/70-17 D spec, 170/60R17, 210/50R17, 150/70-18, 180/55ZR18, 200/50R18, 210/40R18, 260/40R18, 280/35R18, 300/35R18, 260/35R21.




ME880 (tires as listed above) Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
Rear 40 42 42



Sport, Sport Touring (radial & bias)

Front Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
80/90-3.25 32-34 32-34 34-36
100/80-3.50 32-34 34-35 35-36
110/70-120/90 34-36 36-38 38-40
130/60-150/80 34-36 36-38 40-42

Rear Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
4.00-100/90 34-36 36-38 38-40
4.25-110/90 34-36 36-38 38-40
120/80-130/90 36-38 38-40 40-42
140/70-200/50 36-38 38-40 40-42
140/90-150/90 38-40 40-42 40-42



Dual Purpose (125cc-500cc)

Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
Front 24-34 26-34 28-38
Rear 31-36 33-38 35-40



Dual Purpose (501cc-749cc)

Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
Front 24-34 26-36 28-38
Rear 31-36 33-38 35-40



Dual Purpose (750cc & up )

Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
Front 31-33 33-35 35-42
Rear 35-37 37-39 39-42


Last Revised: 2008-07-01 Copyright
 
If the sidewalls crack, which both of mine did in 600 miles, Metzeler will claim the tires were underinflated and reject the claim. Their warranty is not worth anything. Only the distributor will honor a claim re: Metzeler problems. Do your homework, Metzeler will contend that sidewall issues were a result of underinflation, as conveniently spelled out in their own literature which is shown on the above post, and/or a ozone induced material flaw, also not covered. If you do your own research and call Metzeler, you will get the answers you seek, I wish you good luck on the tires, and hope you have no problems. I was prepared for a trip to small claims court over this in my case until parts unlimited replaced the tires for me. When you call Metzeler, ask them whether to use their "suggested psi" for their intended use, or those from Suzuki, I think the answer is obvious, and my attorney said that Metzeler has covered every angle when it comes to honoring a warranty so it really does not matter in the long run, unless you have a claim.
 
There was a lot of talk on the boards a while back about the cracks in the sidewalls, and like tbone57 I would be concerned if it was on my bike, but I have yet to see anyone report a failure of any kind due to the cracks, if someone has some info regarding any failures I would love to see it as I have a pair of ME880 sitting in my garage waiting for the tires on my Road King to wear out.
 
A couple years back, when all this Metzeler crap started ("mine"), an attorney representing a rider who's metzeler 880's apparently failed on, and caused an injury accident, posted to this site and on my thread.(You can track back to see his details). I sent him pictures, but to my knowledge, nothing else was ever posted on this. I hope nothing ever causes a tire to injure a rider, and cosmetic or not (whatever anyone wants to believe), I had to fight for a refund or exchange, as Metzeler did not want others to see pictures of my tires with 600 miles looking like mine did. I own motorcycles that are 42 years old and 40 years old, besides my 2006 C50T, that I have had and taken care of for much of my life, and as an "opinion" forum, mine will always be to level with fellow riders as to my own experience. And, in the case of these tires, I have my fair share. The best advise I can give is to read-read-read all the reviews and idea's you can, so you can make the right choice for you.
Best of Safe Riding to All!!!
 
I Finally got an answer from Metzeler to an email I sent:

RECOMMENDED MOTORCYCLE TIRE PRESSURES BASED ON LOAD
Front Harley apps Solo 2 up Riding 2 w/load
MH90-21, MT90B16 36 38 40
Rear Harley apps Solo 2 up Riding 2 w/load
MT90B16, MU85B16 38 40 40

Front Cruiser/Touring tires Solo 2 up Riding 2 w/load
36-38 38-40 40-42

Rear Cruiser/Touring tires Solo 2 up Riding 2 w/load
38-40 40-42 40-42

Rear sizes* Solo 2 up Riding 2 w/load
130/90B16, 150/80B16 77H 44-46 46-48 48-50
160/70B17 79V, 150/70B18 76H
*Tires marked with a max. psi 50 on the sidewall
 
agreed... and i put many many miles on the me880s.
better cornering, etc with higher psi, without loosing traction...

and don't buy whitewalls. ever.
 
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