Metzeler ME880 Tires

[davidsymons53]

I am going to purchase Metzeler ME880 tires for my xs1100 special. Will these tires work: 110/90-19 62 H ME 880 FRONT, 130/90B16 73H ME880 REAR, or should I be getting a different size?

David

[DGXSER]

The 110 is a little wider than the stock size of 100. Some find it tough to fit it in.

[bikerphil]

Stock size for the front is 100/90/19. I've tried a 110/90/19 Bridgestone on the front of a Special (it will fit a Standard) and it was too wide, I had to exchange it for a 100. YMMV

130/90/16 is fine for the rear.

[DeanR]

110's work fine on my Special.

[cywelchjr]

Depends on the tire brand and the individual bike in some cases. Depending on individual machining tolerances a 110 may work on one bike and not on another once things have been adjusted for proper spacing for the brake disks in the calipers which MUST be done for specials and ought to be done for standards (although apparently less critical on them) as you CAN shim the caliper brackets on a standard unlike the specials where they are pretty much fixed to the forks.

But just because a tire is a 110 doesn't mean it's the same width as another manufacturers 110, as it varies from one make and sometimes model to another.

[MaximPhil]

It might be a bit taller too which can interfere with the fender.
I have a 100(Dunlop) on my standard and it just fits
Phil

[davidsymons53]

Thanks for all the advice. I will use a 100/90 19 on the front.

David

[1981XS]

I'm not sure about tire size for them but personally Im not fond of the metzelers, Ive rode bikes with them on and the handling was not nearly as responsive as my 11 with avon tires on it, granted thats why the metzeler gets better miles, just thought id throw this out for the 5 cents worth

[WMarshy]

I just bought the Metzler ME88 for my F, putting it on tomorrow. Im using a 130/90/17... can't wait to see how it feels!

[3Phase]

The ME88 is a tall tire. It still touched the ground on my '80G even on the center stand; had to lift the bike a little and pull the spokes to turn the tire around to get to the air valve.

Make sure you check your tire pressure gauge, I cracked the tread on mine running it overinflated because of a bad gauge.

The '88 isn't a sporty tire but it grips well enough to do some mild canyon carving and it doesn't wear out on the highway like softer tires.

I only rode 1,000 miles with it in the rain and I didn't have any problems with traction. It was mostly highway riding, not hard cornering, and I did my best avoid anything stressful on wet roads at speed.

[crazy steve]

The Metzlers are a favorite on the Sportster list I'm also on, getting the nod for good 'all around' wear/performance. Not as sticky as some of the sport-bike tires, but they still give pretty decent mileage. I know several guys that those are all they'll use...

[3Phase]

I really like the Metzeler Lasertec tires. It feels like I could ride up walls and across the ceiling with a set of those on the bike.

Unfortunately a rear Lasertec tire only lasts three or four thousand miles for me and it's pretty much done; not much spare rubber between the last of the tread grooves and the cords when it starts to wear out, either.

The ME88 is not as much fun but I'm getting another one for this summer because it's a sensible tire for sensible riding. I suppose the next stage in life will eventually involve turning my XS into or buying a geezerglide, adding a sidecar, or both. <He writes whilst preparing to dodge orange spheres hurled by a certain sidecar enthusiast! >

[natemoen]

I suppose the next stage in life will eventually involve turning my XS into or buying a geezerglide, adding a sidecar, or both. <He writes whilst preparing to dodge orange spheres hurled by a certain sidecar enthusiast! >

Speaking of Fred, haven't seen him in awhile! Wonder where he is?

[Gyrogearloose]

I put ME880's on my 80SG (stock size recommended), and so far with just a coupla' thou miles on them, they're great. I would say one thing, it changed the mph as indicated on my speedo. Before it was spot on (as indicated by the WSP magic box on the side of the road), now the box registers 40 mph when my speedo reads 37. Just thought you might want to know in case you're being clocked. Check it out.