Funny you say that, I had that same damn thing happen to me today! Stock Metzler. Had ~5,000 miles on my bike(give me a break, only have had it for two months two weeks) and on Friday I left for Iowa to visit family and go on a ride hosted by my Dad for his Star Touring group. So anyways, after riding to IA, going on two different rides, and riding a couple hundred miles more with my Dad, in the rain, just cause we wanted to ride, I checked the tire last night and it definitely had a flat spot in the middle, but seemed like it had more meat on it. So this morning, I leave the Des Moines area, take some back roads and tag Missouri and check out some of the Loess Hills area and continue my way West to Crete, NE to get gas, and low and behold with 6,200 miles on the clock belts are now showing. Had 500 miles to go, so I didn't think riding on the belts the whole way would be a good idea so I back tracked to Lincoln to find an open shop and all they had was sport bike tires, so I ended up with the cheapest, hardest compound one they had to get me home and ordered a set of PR2's as the front is now shot as well. Will keep the cheapy for an emergency spare and put the PR2's on, but it really bothered me that there were no wear indicators or anything on the Metz. Had a flat spot after all that straight road riding, but didn't look too bad 250 miles prior, then all of a sudden, belts were showing! Last Metz that will be on my bike! The no tread in the center is definitely deceiving!
BTDT. That's why it's been years since I have had a Metz or Pirelli Strada on my FJR.
I agree. BTDT with prior bikes out of my own stupidity and willingness to push on, but when today hit, so pronounced, with that damn shiny stuff just coming with no warning, I'm done with Metz. BTDT with past bikes, on cruisers I have had good luck with Dunlops, but on this bike I'm going to run a set of PR2's, form an opinion and adjust from there. All I know is the stock Metz suck and I don't want to have to repeat paying a decent price for a crappy tire and an abundance to get it mounted on the road! (disclaimer: Lincoln Cycles treated me well, did the best with what they had, and got me on the road. Would definitely recommend if you are in the area, and need some parts, give them a ring.)
PR2's are Michelins. Manufacturers usually put the cheapest tire on they can to hold down prices.
+1
There are three or four sets of them around the tire. Look for the little 'Michelin Man' (he's small) on the edge of the tire, and then go in from there. You should see 3 or 4 across the tread.
If you need the "B" version, when most don't, then you can still get the "B" version of the PR2's for less cost.
Most here use the non-'B' spec. If I regulary rode two-up, I would get the 'B'. I don't. For me, even loaded sport touring the non-'B' is fine. YMMV.
