METZELER Cruisetec - Never Again!

[Protonhound]

Back in the early 2000's I tried Metzeler a couple of times but stopped due to not only quick but irregular wear. Then about 4000 miles ago I decided to give a Cruisetec a chance on the front hoping that things may have changed over many years. I was wrong. My original front Cobra Chrome lasted me 10k miles and perfomed great so now that I need to replace the front again I'm back to searching since the Cobras don't seem to be available anywhere. I've heard of running a rear tire backwards on the front so that what I may have to do but cannot find a rear Chrome in the front size anywhere.
Btw, the Bridgestone ExedraMax is awesome on the rear.

 

[technoguppy]

So more insight is necessary here. Metzeler originally produced a tire for the original Rocket IIIs called the Marathon ME 880. Then they upped their offering to the Marathon ME 888 Ultra. In my opinion, the ME 888 Ultra was substantially better than the ME 880. Better handle, road feel, longer lasting, more forgiving, etc.. I liked it more than the Avon Cobra (but I know that is subjective so I should just STFU), I get it.).

It seems that the one thing a tire company wants to do is SELL tires. So if you sell a tire that wears out quicker, you SELL more tires. From their website, it seems the Metzeler has discontinued the Marathon ME 888 Ultra and replaced it with (as @Protonhound suggests) an inferior tire that requires replacing more often, the CruiseTec.

Two things, I would return to wherever it is you bought it from and have a deep discussion about the wear and the cost of the tire you are showing us above. This may be a bad batch? It happens. How your dealer or Metzeler handle it, I have no idea but it might be worth a shot.

On Fortnine.ca, you can still get ME 888 Ultra in every size BUT the front and rear for a Rocket 3. Go figure. I can get the CruiseTec but I'll likely pass on this and jump on another set of ME 888 Ultra (if I can find it) or back to the Avon Cobra (if I can find it too).

@Protonhound I would ask you consider updating the title of your post to Metzeler CRUISETEC - To be avoided (or something like that). If I can find a ME 888 Ultra in a front or rear, I'm grabbing it with both hands. So to steer all Captains away from all Metzeler's woud be a disservice. My two cents...

I do appreciate the insight so I don't repeat the mistake. Thanks.

For reference. The ME 888 Ultra at Fortnine.ca WAS selling for $599 CAD. The CruiseTec in the same size is $390 CAD. Tells you all you need to know (IMDO).

 

[Protonhound]

I can get tje Dunlop Elite 4 in the correct size for the front but don't know anything about those.

 

[Protonhound]

So I decided to take one for the team and ordered the 150/80R-17 (72H) Dunlop Elite 4 from Amazon which I'll have Friday and then I can take my wheel to the shop for mounting.
It'll have a harder compounds overall but so obviously do the chromes.
https://a.co/d/4U6iAIH

 

[Protonhound]

@1olbull J just read the thread from a while back where you talked about the Michelin Road 5/6, do you have any experience with the Dunlops?

 

[zenbiker]

So more insight is necessary here. Metzeler originally produced a tire for the original Rocket IIIs called the Marathon ME 880. Then they upped their offering to the Marathon ME 888 Ultra. In my opinion, the ME 888 Ultra was substantially better than the ME 880. Better handle, road feel, longer lasting, more forgiving, etc.. I liked it more than the Avon Cobra (but I know that is subjective so I should just STFU), I get it.).

It seems that the one thing a tire company wants to do is SELL tires. So if you sell a tire that wears out quicker, you SELL more tires. From their website, it seems the Metzeler has discontinued the Marathon ME 888 Ultra and replaced it with (as @Protonhound suggests) an inferior tire that requires replacing more often, the CruiseTec.

Two things, I would return to wherever it is you bought it from and have a deep discussion about the wear and the cost of the tire you are showing us above. This may be a bad batch? It happens. How your dealer or Metzeler handle it, I have no idea but it might be worth a shot.

On Fortnine.ca, you can still get ME 888 Ultra in every size BUT the front and rear for a Rocket 3. Go figure. I can get the CruiseTec but I'll likely pass on this and jump on another set of ME 888 Ultra (if I can find it) or back to the Avon Cobra (if I can find it too).

@Protonhound I would ask you consider updating the title of your post to Metzeler CRUISETEC - To be avoided (or something like that). If I can find a ME 888 Ultra in a front or rear, I'm grabbing it with both hands. So to steer all Captains away from all Metzeler's woud be a disservice. My two cents...

I do appreciate the insight so I don't repeat the mistake. Thanks.

For reference. The ME 888 Ultra at Fortnine.ca WAS selling for $599 CAD. The CruiseTec in the same size is $390 CAD. Tells you all you need to know (IMDO).

So just which tires are Triumph installing on its current R3s?

 

[zenbiker]

What tires are Triumph installing from the factory on their new R3s?

 

[technoguppy]

So just which tires are Triumph installing on its current R3s?

Sorry I don't know.

For me, just about every tire I look for is "out of stock". Now that could be because as of now, the tires are being shipped to the southern hemisphere as it's riding season there and not so much where I am. But what I can say, is that at this point in time, when I am getting near needing tires, I have absolutely no idea. I am seriously (okay half-hearted) thinking about going dark side on the rear. I know, controversial but I'd rather run dark than not at all or on bald tires.

 

[Protonhound]

What tires are Triumph installing from the factory on their new R3s?

They are now installing Cruisetecs on all new Rockets probably got a Metzeler sweetheart deal.

 

[zenbiker]

Sorry I don't know.

For me, just about every tire I look for is "out of stock". Now that could be because as of now, the tires are being shipped to the southern hemisphere as it's riding season there and not so much where I am. But what I can say, is that at this point in time, when I am getting near needing tires, I have absolutely no idea. I am seriously (okay half-hearted) thinking about going dark side on the rear. I know, controversial but I'd rather run dark than not at all or on bald tires.