Have any of you that bought the green bike noticed the sidewalls of the rear tire? They have numbers running from 1-5 starting with 1 in the center and going 5 at the edge. Along with that they little symbols of a motorcycle that is upright at the center and number 1 and progressively leans more as it goes to the edge of 5. They also have little elephants that run along the edge of both the front and rear tires. I think Metzler was having some fun with the tires. Now who of you have worn down the number 5 Yet?
Oh, a dealer that I went to for my first service didn't even know about it.

* Last updated by: bobk on 2/8/2012 @ 7:10 AM *

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Do a google search for the Metzler TL Sportec M5 and you'll see what the numbers and lean angles represent. If you look closely you'll see a picture of a little guy with his knee sticking out too.

The days of the basic steel belted radial are long gone. I believe Metzler has a google video explaining the design of their Sportec models in detail. Interesting to say the least. Pesonally I doubt the average street rider will know the difference but it allows them to command $200 for a tire.

try this for a explanation: link didn't work.. sorry

* Last updated by: bgordon on 2/8/2012 @ 9:40 AM *

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I was surprised and pleased to discover my new 2012 come shod with the M5. When I checked back on my tire history from my 08, that I ran 4 different brands over 49000 miles, by far the Michelin Pilot Road (no longer available) was the highest mileage tire with the Metzler M3 coming in second at 6295 miles for the set. The Pilot Road averaged close to 12,000. The video is worth viewing. We will see how well the M5 wears, I have 2753 on them now and you can just feel a slight flat center. I think these will wear well. They respond better than any other tire I have run.

Pilot Road 2s are excellant, will run mine another season before switching to Pilot Road 3s.

I love the rain performance, the cornering performance, and the way they last F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

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I only got 5381 miles out of a set of Pilot Road 2. My next set was the Metzler M3 @ 6295 miles. Both great tires. My next tire would have been Road 3 or Pirelli Angel Sport but I picked up the new 2012 With the M5 on it and didn't get to use up the thousand left on the old Pilot Roads.

* Last updated by: 21744 on 2/8/2012 @ 4:30 PM *

I have some pilot 3 tires on the yamaha they stick like glue in dry or rain...best tires i have ever owned..but i have only driven on dunlop and bridestones.

About 4,500 miles and the center is about half worn if that.. i did notice they cupped little funny on both sides.. the bikes only a 600 not sure how they would work on the 14.

With the extra and wider sipes on the tires not sure how that would work on a bike that weights 100 lbs more.... but should go 10,000 miles no problem the way i ride.

They are not exclusive to the green, my black one has em too. They seem to stick vey well. I have taken the back tire to the edge with no nervous moments so far. They heat up quick too.

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I have some pilot 3 tires on the yamaha they stick like glue in dry or rain...best tires i have ever owned..but i have only driven on dunlop and bridestones.

About 4,500 miles and the center is about half worn if that.. i did notice they cupped little funny on both sides.. the bikes only a 600 not sure how they would work on the 14.

I run the road pilot 3’s on my ZX-14 and it has been my favorite duel compound tire EVER!!!!! It’s amazing in the rain, dry, corner and wear I got a little over 8,000 miles on my last rear and have never had any cuping issues but I live in south FL so more striate riding than cornering.

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