FAQ

Answers to the most frequently asked questions.

• When fitting a new tubeless tire, is it necessary to fit a new valve
  When fitting new TL (tubeless) tires, a new valve should be fitted for safety reasons. Under acceleration and braking, as well as during continuous riding at eleveted speeds, the centrifugal forces acting on the valve can bend it down up to 90°.
  Therefore, short valves should be used. At speeds above 200 KM/H, the centrifugal forces acting on the valve insert become so high, that the preload of the valve spring might not be enough to keep the valve closed.
  Short valve inserts have a higher preload than long ones. Even better are short inserts with a red Teflon-ring. These have further increased spring preload. Indifferent of which type of valve insert is used, it is very important to tighten the valve cap. Metzeler recommends to us only caps with rubber sealing.
• When fitting a new tubetype tire, is it necessary to fit a new tube?
  When fitting a new tubetype tire, is it necessary to fit a new tube?
  When fitting new TT (tubetype) tires, new tubes have to be used. Tubes become strechted in service. If a used tube is fitted in a new tire, it can crease and fail due to thinning of tube rubber.
• Rear tires can be mounted at front wheels?
  One should never run a tire backwards. The exception to this rule is if the tire is marked (at the sidewall arrow) as a dual rotation tire. Tires have a tread pattern and tread cap (compound) orientation that is important to the tire's performance.
  One should note that the construction differences between a front and rear tire are different in material, shape, and compound so this too could have a negative effect on the performance of the bike. The last thing to look at is the possibility of uneven wear when the tire is used backwards
• What means the red point on the side wall?
  One of the last steps in producing a tire is aimed at avoiding any unbalance when mounted on the rim, that could affect the driving behaviour of the bike.
  Due to this fact the lightest position is marked with one or two red dots.
  The red dot marked position has to be mounted near the valve to guarantee an impeccable run.
• Is it possible to fit a tube into a tubeless tire?
  Herewith we certificate that METZELER tubeless tires can be used with tubes on the admissible standardized rims. The allowable top speed is 130,43 mph for the "H"- tires and 142,86 mph for the "V"- and "Z"- tires You are bound to use the same product concerning the tubes and the tires on your motorcycle.
  Meaning that METZELER-tires have to be used with suitable METZELER-tubes. Existing regulations of the motorcycle manufacturers have to be observed.
• Is there a maximum allowed age for tires?
  The mere passage of time (age) does not cause tires to deteriorate. Exposure to outside forces causes tires to deteriorate. Such outside forces can include road hazards, punctures, improper repairs, misalignment, under-inflated operation, over-deflected operation, excessive heat caused by over-deflected operation, excessive exposure to ozone (such as storage near electric motors), improper storage conditions, etc. Tire companies can only have impact on a few of these exposures. Tire companies add anti-ozinants and anti-oxidants (anti-degradation compounds) to minimize degradation and carbon black is known to have excellent anti-degradant properties. Metzeler believes that since there is no way to predict what outside forces a tire will be exposed to there is no scientifically supportable age limit that can be set for tires. Some tires may be perfectly serviceable after 10 years while other tires should not be in service after only 2 years.
• Can I use different brands of tires?
  Different brands on front and rear tires can cause problems. Unfortunately METZELER is not able to test the METZELER tires in combination with all competitor tires, therefore -for safety reasons- we have to insist on METZELER tires front and rear.
• Can I regrove motorcycle tires?
  It is not permitted to regrove or cut the tread pattern of motorcycle tires, as it might affect the riding performance.
• What does "NHS" means?
  The abbreviation for "Not for Highway service". Motorcycle tires with this marking are only for racing or off road purposes cannot be used on public roads.
• Can I buy tires from this website?
  I am sorry to say no. Please use the dealer locator function of the site.
• Can you mail a brochure to my house?
  Yes we can, but, if you go and see in the website in Tire Catalog, you can download it and print your own brochure.
• May I run racing tires on the street?
  We offer Rennsport tires in street compound. This will be the best choice for grip, performance and mileage!
• Can I use different speed categories?
  The use of a tire with higher speed rating (e.g. "H" instead of "S") is permitted only if listed in the fitment chart. In any case, especially for speed ratings over 210 km/h the recommendations in the METZELER fitment have to be observed.
• How long is the run in period for motorcycle tires?
  In order for the new tires to provide optimum performance, all new tires must be ridden very cautiously for t he first 100-200 kms.
  Immediately after new tires are mounted, sudden acceleration, heavy breaking, and hard cornering must be avoided until the 100-200 kms run in period is completed.