Metzeler Sportec M5

Thanks to being at the Motott trackday at Taupo in April I found myself the owner of a new set of tyres - Metzeler Sportec M5's to be exact. I have Metzeler Marathon's on the cruiser so I knew they would be good - but with all the hype... how good?

Hi-tech Motorcycle Tyres

The Metzeler Sportec M5 is a new concept whereby the tyre has 5 radial belts that are tensioned differently, to provide better support and a better contact patch. My black Ducati 916 took 180x55 ZR17 on the rear and 120x70 ZR17 on the front.

Scrubbing In

Initial ride was to scrub in the tyres - a process that needs about 150km of running before you start to lean on the tyres in acceleration, braking and hard cornering. I chose the route from Auckland - Kaiaua via Kawakawa Bay and return through Mangatawhiri and Hunua. I did about 250km and I would say that by the end of the day I was really impressed - I was confident and relaxed and the Ducati was really working well. These are great roads to ride too. In the main the road was dry so I haven't tried them in the wet yet.