Metzeler Sportec M3

You can rest assured it's not rider error.

I've had 5 models of tires on the 2 VFR's I own. None of the other 4 models are this bad. I actually prefer the Duncrap D204K to the M3. I know the D204K is a POS of epic proportions. The M3 is supposed to be a great tire. It's not.

I say again, pay the extra cash for BT-016's or Diablo Corsa III's.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Just ordered another set of them, could not be happier.

 

I fully realize this is a necroscopic thread, but never one to let information be presented unfairly I decided to throw my opinion as a professional test rider out there.

I was recently informed that the M3 Metzeler tires have been retired, but as of last week they could still be purchased with manufacturing dates as recent as mid 2015 and the set cost me less than $175 (as a dealer) which is a price I could not refuse.

I ran these tires about 12 years ago on a Honda 919 for a duration of about 2 years and they were superb for street tires. The very round profile greatly aiding the lazy geometry of the big naked Honda so I wasn't too worried about spooning them on the F4i I use for commuting and occasionally a long weekend of touring. Funny enough the same profile that made the M3 tires so desirable on the 919 made for an overtly quick turn-in on the F4i. This could be disconcerting to some riders who are not confident with something different happening to the known handling of their bike. In truth it is not much to worry about at all as the tires are VERY grippy in even cold and wet conditions, but they do lack feedback of say Pilot Powers. You just have to kinda trust they are going to stick and they do as long as you are smooth and predictable with your inputs. The rounder profile did cause a little grief with the way the bike was entering the turn and holding the line at various lean angles, but this was very easy to fix with a very quick and small ride height adjustment to the rear of the bike. The quicker turn-in is still there and a characteristic of the tire, but any ill handling out of the bike and the way it holds a line due to the round profile of the tire should be easy enough to adjust out. In fact because the tire is so round and retains that shape rather than flattening out at higher lean angles when you get to the edge of the tire it is actually easier to adjust the geometry because the radius of the tire is more consistent from upright to lean.

At any rate just wanted to throw this out there in case anyone stumbles upon a really good price for these M3 tires and wants to do some review checking as this site is one of the first that pops up on the search.