So what's the census on these stock tires, Mets are a first for me
I thought I liked em but it keeps breaking loose (F)(1)
I mean they feel nice, turns in nice, holds a line really well, pretty responsive
Wiggled on me a couple of times today coming out of sweepers,, attempted a couple of 2nd gear
Clutch-ups with nothing but wheel spin both times (kinda looked like a dufus out there today)
maybe tires still too new??, Or is this thing just that insane that no tire can hold its grip under accel??
Re: the clutch-ups, thinking a little more speed might help overcome the weight, what do you think?
I forget this thing is close to 600#

Metzler has always been one of my favorite tires. The tires seem to hold a good line in turns, give good feedback in the twisties. But, I've had the same issue with the rear just lighting up under hard acceleration. Since these are single compound tires and they are holding really well in turns, I'm thinking it's just putting alot of power down very quickly. I know Metzler is using cord tension (5 different tensions if I remember correctly) to control wear, the center might be hard enough that the tire is lighting up rather than squatting down. For me, I'm hoping it'll hold up to some highway, I do take some long rides and am on the highway.

Any other thought by anyone else on the tires?

Kevin

Dang....who let one of the occupy mobsters into the zxforums??? mark43 you are wayyy out of line and proving you are more like what you spew out and really immature!

* Last updated by: KFORCE1 on 4/1/2012 @ 7:12 PM *

* Last updated by: mark43 on 4/1/2012 @ 8:04 PM *

The M5's on my 2012 have 4290 on them and the center of the tread shows 3/32 left. The last time that I ran Metzlers I got over 6200 on the M3. They hold well and I feel comfortable using them.

Hey Leo
Almost 1000 miles on them so far and no problems!

Snuffy

Just analyzing....
on the clutch up I think more speed will be the cure, i was going at it at 25-30
guess that's like standing still for this bike,, but I hate higher speed wheelies, gives me the willies.. i like to start touching down at like 70 (I'm by no means any kind of a stunter but can't help an occasional little wheelie or 2)

as for coming out of any turn, I forget this has a slipper, so I might be thinking I'm a gear higher than where I am (I know there's an indicator) but at that point I dare not take my eyes off as to where i want to be,, in other words
I might be thinking 3rd while really in 2nd... eh who knows.. honestly like the tires, they give a good impression
going to make some adjustments and see how it goes

I'm edge to edge on these from the first day so I don't think the "newness" of them is the cause, believe me I would of been on my ass if that was the case

Smitty any signs of squaring yet?
That's a big problem for me, I'm miles away from the good roads...

Snuffy....good to hear.. had dunlops that flopped at 1K
guess it's me..guess I like coming out of turns sideways... ask Henry about my grand entrance into the lot
with my trade the day I came to pick up the bike

No squaring yet but I only have about 1000 miles on the bike. I just picked it up a week and a half ago, the weather has been crappy and keeping me from getting it out. For the first 1000 I keep off the highways as much as possible to break the motor in. I'll let you know as soon as I take a good ride or two.

Kevin

I swapped mine out for a set of Michelins but I would hope there better then though's Battleaxx's...

I got the front up from about 25-35 mph yesterday. No clutch. I've noticed TC kicking in other times to stop wheelspin. Maybe they just need to be warm?

Logged about 160 miles yesterday.. figured let me try again I'm sure at this point tires sre plenty warm
same crap lifts for a few inches and drops right down and takes off like a cheetah on roids..it's at default settings
F and 1 does the ktrc work that quick?? most likely it's the fear factor, afraid might grab too much throttle initially and slam her down..... not an expert at it, so just a matter of finding the spot

Why trying to wheelie?

Checa and Sykes do little tiny wheelies coming out of some corners, but they are trying not to because wheelie equals no steering.

One thing to wheelie during a stunt show, another on the street.

Someone asked what kind of bike could take his ZX14R, in this case, anyone keeping the rubber in contact with the road with anything bigger than a 500.

@ privateer
Comes from my early days of BMX, which i guess never vacated my system As i mentioned im not a stunter, more focused on holding a line, keeping both tires on the ground, and enjoying the bikes capabilities, for me it's just icing on the cake
I'm sure everyone will not agree

Turn off the TC.

Speaking with limited experience; "Yeah, the ktrc is that fast"; in F 1, that's exactly what its sposed to do.

My gen 1 ZX 14 would pull wheelies accelerating out of a curve or over a rise and upset my plans. I'd drop off and start over, so to speak, and I found it most annoying; not to mention, I am sure it had a negative effect on my time through that section of the road. I'm also sure an expert rider would not have "choked up" like I did in these circumstances but I am not going to become that skilled at my age and without going to track days, etc. etc.

I love the new ZX for this feature. Now, driving off the same curves, I simply keep the power on and the bike continues to provide huge acceleration while bringing down the front end without "drama". It was spooky at first but certainly not as unsettling as the front end continuing to rise and then after my reactive correction, "bouncing" down hard and skipping a bit side ways! Now, I (Walter Mitty, I admit) can blast out of the curve into the straight like a "second rate" pro; or so I imagine. For sure, I am able to take the same sections of road faster than before and with full control and immense pleasure.

With 1200 miles on the R and regularly visiting the 10,000 + rpm range, I begin to believe that I will never need to or want to turn the ktrc off! If I did stoplight drags for a secondary income, then maybe I would want to master the non-ktrc quarter mile; otherwise, WTF!

BTW, I used the low power/ ktrc 3 setting combo early last month when going on melting snow and icy patch conditions and it definitely made the trip home safer and inspired confidence in the sure footing available for those conditions.
Kinda felt like a tractor and never felt any slip till I applied the brakes a bit too hard for conditions.

Cheers

The Metzlers lasted 3030 miles. The center of the rear was gone with just a little tread on the sides. I replaced them with 2CTs because my dealer was out of PR2s. I really like the 2CTs. The profile is perfect and the grip is outstanding. No more rear tire wiggle in high speed sweepers. Light front end feel. My confidence is sky high with the 2CTs. I hope I can get 5K out of the rear. If so, I'll stick with them.

My post of 4/1 indicated at 4290 miles my tires were showing 3/32nds towards the center. Well at 4950 they are history. Really disappointed with the mileage. Just ordered a set of pilot road 3. They will be here tomorrow.

+1 on the 2 CT's. Was launching hard yesterday with the M5's and could feel the tire spinning, going back to 2CT's when these are worn out...

I wont be buying M5 for sure. No durability. My vtwin was hard on rear tires... Avon Venom addressed it well.
I have Avon 3D ultra sport front and rear getting installed this thursday.

* Last updated by: hagrid on 4/16/2012 @ 10:33 PM *

I like the M5's...so far.Ya...I'm getting some spin also...but it's been kinda cooler here anyway...I expect a tad bit with this bike.But in the fast stuff...she's holdin like a champ.So far.I'll say...I've hit certain corners here now at several several higher increments of speed...over 30 mph more than on my 07...and I've still got some unused tire at the edges.So IDK what's going on...but she's holding very well.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 4/17/2012 @ 12:08 AM *

I took a 360 degree off ramp at 90 mph when I rode the ZX-14R at the Kawasaki demo days and the tires were a bit greasy but was controllable but did not feel safe I like my road pilot 3’s with the 2CT compound on the outside they grip like crazy even cold or wet!!! Don’t go cheap on your tires and ride safe!!

Yeah not digging these tires at all, looks sounds good on paper, just not for me yes as someone mentioned somewhat controllable, i mean my rear end never came whipping around,,, But happens unexpectedly, and I'm edge to edge, so there is no virgin rubber that I can blame
And it squirrels at points where it shouldn't of, so far no problems with high speed sweepers, but it is in the back of your mind and just kills your confidence when leaned over and gassing it,, could it be I'm confusing the symptoms
As TC intervention

heard good stuff about the qualifier 2's anyone try them yet?

* Last updated by: leo167 on 4/17/2012 @ 11:23 AM *

" could it be I'm confusing the symptoms
As TC intervention"...maybe.

No it's not TC, need to ease up on the slow tight stuff, these tires leaned over just does not hook up
Twice today it broke loose, and witnessed,, again it wasnt wild but enough to etch the vision in your mind to kill your confidence, guy behind me in our group Who witnessed it was impressed (didnt tell him i was not doing it on purpose)
can't afford new rubber right now, so guess will explore 2 and 3 for now, but not even sure if different
brand of rubber will cure it....... My guess is Just need to learn this bike more, and re-train the throttle hand..just so impressed with this thing right now and been riding around like noob,, not realizing just how much there is on tap
Oh and yeah it wheelies (again no expert) but found the sweet spot..(where I'm comfy with) Also front comes up coming out of these slower corners (on its own) after the little slide