Let's talk tyres...

[legzr1]

3DP said:

That looks nice and pacey! We need to get you out on an early Sunday run I'll only take the piss in 2nd on hot days on the M7RRs, but DRCs when warm are amazing on the road - as I said, the 1198's party piece was wheelieing on corner exits whilst still having a load of lean on. That had TC, but I reckon you'd be in the ditch having highsided before it kicked in and cut the power

I was just talking about this last week with a couple of lads at Bells (one of them a member here) and I'm sure it's down to the huge (too much?) midrange punch of the 1198 as well as decent tyres.

I've done a few track days on various big inline 4s (ZX10's, S1000RR and a 996 Ducati) using all sorts of track tyres and the 1198 on OE tyres did that 'wheelie whilst leant over' thing on every lap - the other bikes never have.

I always found Dunlop Roadsmarts excellent for decent pace road use and occasional inters track days (not really up to fast group pace as you can't take the piss like you could on a hot set of K1s for example) - seems the M7RR has taken up the challenge.

[Bordtea]

Guys thank you for all your comments, they've been very informative. The general consensus I feel is to go for the M7RR, so that is what I shall do. They work out very slightly cheaper than the Rosso 3s but may give them a go next time!

[Biker's Nemesis]

Birky_41 said:

Careful now Mr Nemesis...that sounds fast

I can assure you it was really slow.

[Baldy881]

Guys, can I just jump in here...

I've had Metz M7RR's on a K4 GSXR1000 and thought they were really excellent tyres. I'm currently running a K4 SV650S and thinking about new rubber this year to replace the odd Maxis Supermaxx Diamonds that are currently on.

For the amount I ride i'm not that keen on putting a tyre as good as the M7RR on it, and for £100 less I could get a pair of the Metz Sportec M5's which seem a bargain and appear to have received good mag reviews when they released (granted, many years ago).

Not looking for a comparison between M7 & M5 as I appreciate it's probably night and day, but can anyone offer real world general opinion on the Sportec M5's and if they'd suffice for dry day short hoons and perhaps a couple of track days at inter pace?

Thanks!

Edited by Baldy881 on Tuesday 21st February 13:05

[Brummmie]

Nowt wrong with them M5's, i used to be Pirelli/Metzelers PR manager and have rode most of the range up to around 2010, on all the mainstream bikes. All the Sportec range were great all round tyres, My first Press launch was the M1 at Pau, even those were really good, i was actually racing back then so was on race pace and it was only when really on it you could get the back to spin up, but it was nice and gradual.

[jackh707]

I've just stuck a pair of diablo Rosso 3s on the 990 today, I have M7rrs on the RC8 so will be able to offer a bit of comparison once the weather warms up.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Brummmie said:

Nowt wrong with them M5's, i used to be Pirelli/Metzelers PR manager and have rode most of the range up to around 2010, on all the mainstream bikes. All the Sportec range were great all round tyres, My first Press launch was the M1 at Pau, even those were really good, i was actually racing back then so was on race pace and it was only when really on it you could get the back to spin up, but it was nice and gradual.

Is this you Brummie?

[bitcrusher]

EvoBarry said:

I used PR4s on my K8 at Oulton and while they grip fine, they don't have tons of grip like a sports tyre IME. They slide early too but its very informative so never a concern. M7RR is my next choice unless someone convinces me otherwise.

Thinking I might give M7RRs a go when my PR4s have had it later this year based on what I'm reading in this thread. Having said that, PR4s are better in wet/mild/cold conditions than any tyre has any right to be. They were what I ran on my old VFR which was a perfect match for the tyres and could be ridden in the wet almost exactly how it could be ridden in the dry. They weren't quite ideal for my current Aprilia on a blisteringly hot day at Silverstone:



I had some similar experiences with the back spinning up at the slightest provocation (having sent me a telegram shortly before to let me know that it was a possibility) and I kept letting air out between sessions until things came good. Ended up with ~18PSI in the rear tyre when I checked it cold before work the next day. It had been a truly hot day.

[Birky_41]

jackh707 said:

I've just stuck a pair of diablo Rosso 3s on the 990 today, I have M7rrs on the RC8 so will be able to offer a bit of comparison once the weather warms up.

I'm told by Bob from FWR he ran both that the pirelli is marginally better dry & m7rr marginally better wet but not alot in it

As for m7rr drop pressures more in dry or summer is what people seem to day. I'm not used to anything on road except dsc or drc and have always ran 33/34f and 34/36r but m7rr say 36f 40r

I agree on cold wet winter but not summer. Front was fine Sunday just gone but the back stepped out on any keen riding below 3rd. I think the lower pressure will stop that but I'm yet to find out

[3DP]

Birky_41 said:

jackh707 said:

I've just stuck a pair of diablo Rosso 3s on the 990 today, I have M7rrs on the RC8 so will be able to offer a bit of comparison once the weather warms up.

I'm told by Bob from FWR he ran both that the pirelli is marginally better dry & m7rr marginally better wet but not alot in it

As for m7rr drop pressures more in dry or summer is what people seem to day. I'm not used to anything on road except dsc or drc and have always ran 33/34f and 34/36r but m7rr say 36f 40r

I agree on cold wet winter but not summer. Front was fine Sunday just gone but the back stepped out on any keen riding below 3rd. I think the lower pressure will stop that but I'm yet to find out

In the Summer, I did Portugal and Spain with Spareparts on a 1098R on Rosso 3s, Chipchap on an MV F4RR on Rosso 3s and me on the Blade on M7RRs.

We swapped about bikes and personally I found the Rosso 3s ok, but lacking a little feel when cranked over. Chipchap and Spareparts liked them less so I believe. They seemed to wear at the same rate as the M7RRs too - maybe marginally slower. They felt more like a sports touring profile and in between sports touring and sports compound, but without a major advantage in wear rate. On wet/damp roads there seemed nothing in it between Rosso 3s and M7RRs.

Overall, Rosso 3s not a bad tyre in isolation, but the M7RR just pips it everywhere.

[jackh707]

I'm sure I read on a forum somewhere they are made in the same factory and are the same compounds, just different read patterns/profile.

Don't know if it's true,

[EvoBarry]

bitcrusher said:

EvoBarry said:

I used PR4s on my K8 at Oulton and while they grip fine, they don't have tons of grip like a sports tyre IME. They slide early too but its very informative so never a concern. M7RR is my next choice unless someone convinces me otherwise.

Thinking I might give M7RRs a go when my PR4s have had it later this year based on what I'm reading in this thread. Having said that, PR4s are better in wet/mild/cold conditions than any tyre has any right to be. They were what I ran on my old VFR which was a perfect match for the tyres and could be ridden in the wet almost exactly how it could be ridden in the dry. They weren't quite ideal for my current Aprilia on a blisteringly hot day at Silverstone:



I had some similar experiences with the back spinning up at the slightest provocation (having sent me a telegram shortly before to let me know that it was a possibility) and I kept letting air out between sessions until things came good. Ended up with ~18PSI in the rear tyre when I checked it cold before work the next day. It had been a truly hot day.

I'd concur with your findings too, I think they suit a certain weight/power machine, and are great all round road tyres ( I have PR4 on my SMT990 and they are great in all conditions ). I was shortshifting in lower gears on track though, they got warm and didn't have the grip a sports oriented tyre would have IMO. It wasn't poor or unpredictable, just not sporty levels, as it's at the upper range of its intended use I guess. I use PR3 on my daily Fazer and rate them even better in cold and wet, amazing ability to hang on in all but the greasiest conditions.

[Brummmie]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Brummmie said:

Nowt wrong with them M5's, i used to be Pirelli/Metzelers PR manager and have rode most of the range up to around 2010, on all the mainstream bikes. All the Sportec range were great all round tyres, My first Press launch was the M1 at Pau, even those were really good, i was actually racing back then so was on race pace and it was only when really on it you could get the back to spin up, but it was nice and gradual.

Is this you Brummie?

Yes, no hiding is there!

[Baldy881]

Brummmie said:

Nowt wrong with them M5's, i used to be Pirelli/Metzelers PR manager and have rode most of the range up to around 2010, on all the mainstream bikes. All the Sportec range were great all round tyres, My first Press launch was the M1 at Pau, even those were really good, i was actually racing back then so was on race pace and it was only when really on it you could get the back to spin up, but it was nice and gradual.

Brilliant for £160 a pair for the SV I think they'll be just the job!

[spareparts]

3DP said:

Birky_41 said:

jackh707 said:

I've just stuck a pair of diablo Rosso 3s on the 990 today, I have M7rrs on the RC8 so will be able to offer a bit of comparison once the weather warms up.

I'm told by Bob from FWR he ran both that the pirelli is marginally better dry & m7rr marginally better wet but not alot in it

As for m7rr drop pressures more in dry or summer is what people seem to day. I'm not used to anything on road except dsc or drc and have always ran 33/34f and 34/36r but m7rr say 36f 40r

I agree on cold wet winter but not summer. Front was fine Sunday just gone but the back stepped out on any keen riding below 3rd. I think the lower pressure will stop that but I'm yet to find out

In the Summer, I did Portugal and Spain with Spareparts on a 1098R on Rosso 3s, Chipchap on an MV F4RR on Rosso 3s and me on the Blade on M7RRs.

We swapped about bikes and personally I found the Rosso 3s ok, but lacking a little feel when cranked over. Chipchap and Spareparts liked them less so I believe. They seemed to wear at the same rate as the M7RRs too - maybe marginally slower. They felt more like a sports touring profile and in between sports touring and sports compound, but without a major advantage in wear rate. On wet/damp roads there seemed nothing in it between Rosso 3s and M7RRs.

Overall, Rosso 3s not a bad tyre in isolation, but the M7RR just pips it everywhere.

yep - as 3DP says. Rosso3 < M7RR. Feel and grip.

[StuB]

Are the K2 M7 RR's likely to be OK for a Euro trip (Mugello MotoGP) then? I've a new set and was wondering about a swap for a touring tyre just in case.

As you say, I rate them for the ride/feel.

[Biker's Nemesis]

StuB said:

Are the K2 M7 RR's likely to be OK for a Euro trip (Mugello MotoGP) then? I've a new set and was wondering about a swap for a touring tyre just in case.

As you say, I rate them for the ride/feel.

You not fancying your chances on a half worn race tech Stu baby?

[Ho Lee Kau]

I like M7RR as well. Great allround tyre and lasts quite a while. I put it on CBR600F which I ride all year round.

I have Supercorsa SP2 on my Daytona 675, they wear very fast, for me especially the front, it has such a shallow thread that after a bit over 1000 miles on the mountains it is gone.
I used to have SP2 also on K6, but now trying Metzeler Racetech K3 in hope they last a bit longer.

Obviously SP2 and K3 have much better grip than M7RR.

[3DP]

StuB said:

Are the K2 M7 RR's likely to be OK for a Euro trip (Mugello MotoGP) then? I've a new set and was wondering about a swap for a touring tyre just in case.

As you say, I rate them for the ride/feel.

I got 2200 miles on the Blade, riding like a dhead in Spain and Portugal - in fact the sides went bald before the middle which is a first for me road riding, but M7RRs have shallower tread on tread on the edges of the tyre than in the middle.

For comparison on rears, I got 1100 miles out of a Diablo Rosso Corsa, 1000 miles out of a Qualifier 2 and 3000 miles out of a PR3. All road riding only and avoiding m-ways.

If that's any help to you - I believe you are an accomplished racer, but I understand that doesn't always translate into someone who WANTS to ride fast/committed on the road!.... or you might be Joey Dunlop!

I would say riding in a mixed ability group with m-ways chucked in, it's easy to get 4000 miles on a rear M7RR. Even my Speed Triple, based on tread depth measurements is looking like it will get 3000 miles out of the rear M7RR and that spends most of its time being squirted about on quiet B roads and has done a 4 session track evening.

[moto_traxport]

Baldy881 said:

Brummmie said:

Nowt wrong with them M5's, i used to be Pirelli/Metzelers PR manager and have rode most of the range up to around 2010, on all the mainstream bikes. All the Sportec range were great all round tyres, My first Press launch was the M1 at Pau, even those were really good, i was actually racing back then so was on race pace and it was only when really on it you could get the back to spin up, but it was nice and gradual.

Brilliant for £160 a pair for the SV I think they'll be just the job!

Slight note of caution. Pirelli / Metzeler seem to re-release some of their older styles to fill in the cheaper end of the market. I think they assume that because you're not buying the current cutting edge tyre that you'll want a more durable tyre so they alter the compound.

I've been fooled twice now by buying a newly produced Sportec (M1 & M3) that were awesome tyres back in the day but completely different in everything except looks - feel / wear etc. I would almost be happier to see an old date code on a new M5 than a very recent one.

Eta. Don't even think about the Chinese produced re-release of the Diablo!

Edited by moto_traxport on Wednesday 22 February 09:21