I've just bought a V4 Pikes Peak which has fresh Metzeler Sportec M9 RR tyres already fitted. I'm used to Michelin Road 6 and Pirelli Angels, on a non-Ducati with the same power and weight as a PP. Does anyone have real-world experience of the M9 RRs (and hopefully Road 6/Angels too to compare with)? What can I expect in terms of: - wet grip - tyre life (think Alps roundtrip, so less than 2.5-3k is pointless) Thanks.
I wasn’t impressed by the M9RR in comparison to the tyre it superseded, the M7RR, which was my all time favourite sports tyre. I hated the OE Pirelli Rosso 4, no feel, absolute no confidence to push the front. I was disappointed in the Metzeler Roadtec 02 in comparison to the Roadtec 01SE, which was my all time favourite touring tyre. Last year I tried the Dunlop Roadsmart 4 for a tour of the Pyrenees after being blown away by the tyre fitted to a Scrambler Icon. It works really well for me, quick to warm up, great feedback and excellent grip wet and dry. I have no experience of the Michelin but it certainly is a favourite, just not for me. Andy
Neevesy talking about the M9RR and says he got goo mileage - 3-4K on the rear with two up. I've got the M9RR as well and works well for me. Although can't comment on durability as still done less than 2k on them. Jump to 32m.00s for discussion on M9RR (link with timestamp didn't work)
Yes, you need to say that the reference to the M9RR is only about 3 seconds of a 48 minute video that is him responding to a wide variety of questions he’s been asked by joe public. If I ever suffer from insomnia, I’ll remember to watch this video again. Andy
This is with respect to a 1299, so a lighter bike but I will say this: I too really liked the M7RR. The first set of M9RRs that I tried were horrible (Metzler has just released it). Other sets since then (on a Tuono) have been solid. Good in the cold or wet, pretty hard wearing (not to Pilot Road 6 levels though). I’d take the Metzlers over Pirelli Diabolo Rossos or Rosso Corsas any day.
Good link, thanks. 3-4k miles isn't enough unfortunately - I'll be at least halfway through them by the time I go to the Alps. And poor value when you can typically get 6-7k out of a Michelin Road 6 (on 175BHP bike, admittedly not being hooned everywhere) and they still grip really well.
I don't think the M9 RR tyres are really in the same market as the Road 6 from Michelin. The Metzeler M9 are a sports tyre and the Michelin Road 6 as a sports touring tyre capable of higher mileages. I put M9 on the Ducati Monster 821, replacing the OE Pirellis, which was a like for like swap really. Also the Monster 821 is not a particularly heavy upright kind of bike, so the M9 suited it very well just like the Pirellis that came with it new. Another set on the Suzuki GSX-S1000. They replaced a shocking set of OE Dunlops that came on the bike. The difference was immediately noticeable. But again the GSX-S was a relatively light weight super naked ( rather than heavy upright adventure bike) so the Metzeler M9 suited it very well. I did not really do much motorway mileage on either the Ducati or the Suzi so never explored the longevity of the Meteler M9. I doubt that they are in the same league as the top scoring Michelin Road 6 for mileage.
Agreed. As Michael Neeves suggests, if you're not going on track, sports touring tyres are perfectly capable even for hard use (which they'll barely get off me ).
Never tried the Road 6 as did use a set of the road 5 , they did not last at all . 1500 miles max , that was on my 1250 gs . Good grip but to wet focused for hard riding on grippy roads , got 2500 out of the M9rr similar situation .
My 6-7k was on also on BMW - but a K1300S. One pair of Road 5s and three pairs of Road 6s, and it was quite consistent. It may be down to riding style.
With the weight of the PP, I think I'd be mode tempted to go for the Road 6 GT's over the normal Road 6's.
I had the same thought about the Dunlop Roadsmart 4 GT version and ended up having to run lower pressures because the carcass is much stiffer. When the time comes, I'll buy the Roadsmart 4 again (it works well for me) but the standard version. Andy
I really liked the Metzeler’s on light sports bikes. M7’s and M9’s. I’ve had many sets and recommend them to various family and friends. However on heavier more sit up bikes such as Multi’s the slightly triangular shape of the Metzeler’s produced a slight steering head waggle. As they age the front wears on the sides and becomes more triangular shaped, resulting in a bloody awful riding experience. The front feels like it’s going to washout at any time. After much research and garnering opinions from others I decided to try Dunlops. The front has a much more rounded profile. I put Sportsmart TT’s on my Monster and they were fantastic. Rolling from side to side was a joy. I genuinely laughed out loud as I went through flip flops. Downside was I mullered a set in 2000 miles going to and around the Pyrenees. It was fun though. I therefore put a set of Dunlop Roadsmart IV’s (not the GT’s) on my 1200 Multi and transformed it. Headshake gone. As yet I can’t tell you how long they’ll last but I went around Morocco with them in November and they’re still good. They were fine in torrential rain and fantastic going over the Central Atlas Mountains in spirited fashion. I’ll probably be putting a set on my new Multi V4 Pikes Peak. In my honest opinion my favourite rear is a Metzeler M7, possibly an M9 but my current favourite front is the Dunlop Roadsmart IV. However I haven’t tried that as a combination. A lot of people swear by the Michelin 6’s. You’ll get great mileage out of them but I don’t do a lot of wet weather riding and for me they have massive chunks of rubber missing from the rear. I prefer maximum contact and love a tyre that’s as close as possible to slick and definitely slick on the side. After all if it’s that wet I’m not going to lean over that far. Having said all this, I was reminded by the above post, I rode Conti Road Attacks on a track day once and they were superb. Also one of my brothers had a set on his BMW K1300 and they just flowed around the bends in Spain. Very confidence inspiring. As I’m sure you know, tyres are the biggest single difference you can make on a bike. Everyone has a different opinion and favourite. It’s a very personal thing. When and if you change, or not, let us know the outcome. I’d like to know especially as it’s a Pikes Peak.
The Dunlops have way stiffer carcasses compared to the Metzeler’s. Even the standard non GT Dunlops need to run at lower pressures.
^^ had an earlier version of the Dunlop Sportsmart on a GS. Very good. Though they did need a bit more time to warm up. This was a late Spain trip.. Conti Road Attack (version 4) now have slick edges. Previous version had sipes, and they did lift a bit when well used, as seen in this photo. They had though been abused on a 1200gs. Have used them on KTM gt, 1200 and 1250 gs. They tend to not fall off in performance as badly as others when worn. Sorry if this is not a help with M9rr. Though I have run the M7rr…very good and predictable tyre, lasts about half the miles of the Conti..
Another vote for the Dunlop Roadsmart IV. I had them on the KTM 1290 SAS. Took them on a trip to Spain. Really liked them, they stayed on the bike until it was eventually sold. Tried lots of different tyres on that bike - it had a tall narrow rear 170/60/17 that was not great for road tyres. I would put them on a big bike again.
