Another Z6 bites it

[twowheelnut]

It wasn't FJRandy...it was plain old, purple head, Randy. iow - me

I've seen enough. I was fooled by the hype that it was a very limited run that experienced the problems and they fixed it since we haven't heard anything in quite some time. Now this. I may be stubborn, but, I'm also man enough to say enough is enough. The Z6s will be replaced shortly.

happy now?????

Welcome back from the dark side, Randy.

Oh, lest I forget: Neener, neener, neener! Tollja so!

:grin:

that's right...you did....just for that, I'm keepin em on.

I was at the dealer's open house yesterday and spoke to a number of sport bike guys who run the Z6's and they all love 'em and none have seen or heard of the separation problem. I'm wondering if the FJR is just too heavy for this tire and it's just being over taxed...

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I still run 'em. I'll let you know if the sky falls.

Or -- your "heirs" will.....I believe that the whole *specific tire for specific bike* issue has a lot of merit. Years ago I talked with a Michelin tire guy about the problems Concours were having with the front tire and he said (something like): "We don't really make a tire for the Concours. Kawasaki puts a lot of pressure on the front tire to get the handling they want. It might be best to stick to what they recommend." I know this doesn't directly reflect on the Z-6 issue -- but, does tend to illuminate the seriousness of the task at hand.

Groucho also said, "You bet your life..."

 

[NYPete]

Just as an FYI. The new Metzeler catalog;

https://www.us.metzelermoto.com/media/metzeler_2006.pdf

now lists a new rear tire for the FJR as a "C" Spec, no longer a "B" Spec. The dimensions are all exactly the same except that the "NEW"C Spec weighs 1.2 pounds more than the old B Spec. They also call for A "G" Spec front tire for the 2006 model, but not for the 03-05's, but they don't list any weights for these front tires.

Obviously, there's been some sort of change in these tires.

NYPete

 

[twowheelnut]

Obviously, there's been some sort of change in these tires.

Again, I'm right. Feej was too heavy for the old tire. One to go!

 

[Mike-H]

Obviously, there's been some sort of change in these tires.

Again, I'm right. Feej was too heavy for the old tire. One to go!

The questin is are you ever wrong.....& when that happens....can you admit it..... :glare:

 

[twowheelnut]

The questin is are you ever wrong.....& when that happens....can you admit it..... :glare:

Am I ever wrong? Ich? Not very often, but when I am, I'm the first to admit it (do a search for "D'oh!" and see how many are associated with my posts - that will tell you how many times I've been wrong). I'm also the first to admit that most of my forum antics are just that.

 

[Scab]

Am I ever wrong? Ich? Not very often, but when I am, I'm the first to admit it

I thought I was the first to admit when you were wrong.

 

[twowheelnut]

I thought I was the first to admit when you were wrong.

No, that was just gas. Isn't that what the doctor told you?

 

[Mike-H]

I thought I was the first to admit when you were wrong.

No, that was just gas. Isn't that what the doctor told you?

Top or bottom.....front or rear?....

 

[Scab]

Alright, both of you. Just pass the gas-x and shut the hell up.

 

[Mike-H]

Alright, both of you. Just pass the gas-x and shut the hell up.

Yes Sir,... right away Sir,....in your dreams Sir.....

 

[FJRandy]

Oh, Randy??? Where for art thou, Randy?! :haha:

You rang? I just found this. Just got back from a 1600 mile trip in 100 degree weather. potholes, hard riding, excessive speed, etc etc. THIRD Z6 on the front so far......not even a hint of a problem.

This is what you wanted to hear from me, isn't it??

In all honesty, I'll replace this one with the Pirelli Strada front as soon as my rear Strada shows more wear. I'll throw a matching set of Stradas on next time. Sorry folks, for ME nothing beats the performance. And now that I find out that the Strada is a better performing version of the Z6? Well........deal me in! :yahoo:

Maybe some of you lemmings should hang out on the ST.N site to see the numerous complaints about the Avons.

42 PSI in a FRONT tire?? No wonder it **** the bed. I'd like to hear what the Metz rep says when he finds out that minor detail.

However, there may be a link between over inflating to max psi (42psi) cold pressure and the weight of the FJR. None of the Dutch riders run 42psi that I know of and most problems I have read here (all?) are with people that do run 42psi front pressure. That still don't make it right, but it may be an indication.

Not "may be" an indication....that IS the indication!

 

[S76]

Sorry, just couldn't stay out of this one.

$.02

All I know is I had 6 Perelli car tires that all failed with ply seperation at about 2/3 worn. I only had 6. Not 12 or 15. Just 6, on two differnt cars, at two different times, with different sizes and types and all failed. The last one resulting in a minor crash.

No more Perelli's and no more of anything that resembles or is produced similar to.

Angry at Perelli Bob.

 

[Dwavey]

Sorry, just couldn't stay out of this one.
$.02

All I know is I had 6 Perelli car tires that all failed with ply seperation at about 2/3 worn. I only had 6. Not 12 or 15. Just 6, on two differnt cars, at two different times, with different sizes and types and all failed. The last one resulting in a minor crash.

No more Perelli's and no more of anything that resembles or is produced similar to.

Angry at Perelli Bob.

Ply separation? Does Firestone make Pirellis? Or did Pirelli design them after the Firestone 500's? Reason I won't own anything made by Bridgestone Firestone... :thumbsdownsmileyanim:

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

This should be filed in the never ending debate thread. All I ever hear is the tire I run is the best. No test data just opinion. Look at the ST site and hear all the bad press on the Avons, not so by most of the FJR owner who run the Avons. The Conti road attacts are the sh#t, oh no they are failing. Now the Metzler are the sh#t but wait they are splitting. Which one will be next? Keep us informed.

 

[tripletango]

Suggestions for a new 06 owner? Alreay have 1500 miles on these tires so I doubt the dealer will change them unless Yamaha tells them to.

The 06 torz (Z6s) are identical to the pirelli stradas I put on my 05. Now watch out lads there be a game a foot here!

I wonder if the stradas will react the same way! Metz and pirelli are now the same co.

Must say i like the neutral but sharp handling I get on the 06 with these tires just like the 05 with the stradas.

Like em a whole lot more than the avons! Let the thread continue to the oblivion of those pointless!

 

[hoham]

:angry: Sorry to hear about all the problems with the Metzlar tires on '06 models. I just got my '06 last month. I wonder if switching to Avon's at this point wolld be an worthwile? I have run nothing but Avon's on my other bikes. But, of course I hate to give up on brand new tires. 550 miles.

 

[tel]

I put Z6's on at least a year ago, may be more, I think when they first came out. Horrible!! The bike handling was so bad I thought something had gone wrong with the suspension. Changed them eventually to Dunlops and ahhh! happy days again.

No more Metz for me and yet I'd had 4 sets of Z4's on a BMW and was fine with them.

tel

 

[KeithB]

Just to let everyone know that I have a Metzler Z4 fron tire that appears to have separated internally. Since I have 9k on it, I'm just going to replace both front & rear with Avons.

This really does squirrelly things to the handling, even though I managed to have fun at Deals Gap anyway in spite of the vibration. I only had 900 miles to get home after that. Probably a stupid thing, but they made it.

 

[In10city]

OK so now I don't know if I should worry or consider this an isolated case that could happen to any given tire.

I tried the Z6's on my ZZR and considered them a major improvement over the factory chosen Dunlop D220's. I've gone through 4 rear Z6's with no problem and my front Z6 made it 12K miles and still rolling.

My FJR came used with Z4's front and rear but the front is worn below the wear bars and slightly cupped so I ordered 2 new Z6 front's...which just showed up this morning. :blink: One for each bike. I'm having them installed tomorrow and leaving on a big ride through the mountains on the FJR. I hope I don't experiance any of the nightmare's I've just read about on this thread.

It's funny how tire opinions seem to vary from forum to forum. On the ZZRBikes forum the Z6 is one of the most respected and well liked tire choices. We've had NO reports of any problems or failures and typically run the front PSI at 40-42. The ZZR is only a few pounds lighter than the Z6 so I consider them close enough to use the same PSI.

I've had good experiances with the Z6's thus far so I hope it won't let me down on the FJR. The rear is a Z4 and looks to have only a thousand or so miles on it so it will be on there for a while.

I guess I'll 'stay tuned' here for more news about the tire saga and in the mean time, have to live with the choice I just made and hope it works as well on the FJR as it does on the ZZR.