Metzeler Roadtec 01.

[Our Gee]

I will be changing tyres soon on our TwinCam RT and having run on the good old Dunlop Roadsmarts for the last three sets I was now thinking of giving the Metzeler Roadtec 01 a go. I would be interested to hear comments from any one who is on the Metzelers and if they are the standard tyre or the HWM version. The reason I ask is that one of my personal requirements is a compliant and comfy ride. The HWM version (for heavy weight motorcycles) has stiffer sidewall construction which I would think will equate to a harder ride ?. Unless the RT is fully loaded and two up I wouldn't regard it as a "Heavy Weight Motorcycle". Nowadays 70% of my riding is solo with only occasional lightly loaded panniers. Any advice from Roadtec 01 users appreciated. Thanks.

[David.]

Stick with the Dunlop Roadsmarts, they are advertised at £155 for a pair in the BikeWise catalogue from yesterday, available from National Bike Tyres, Newton Aycliffe.

A pair of Metzeler 01's (HWM Rear) would cost £254.

[MacJ]

I understood that there is a new version of the Roadsmarts out. Are the advertised one the new version? Addison Tyres were selling the Roadsmart II's off cheap last month.

[pbsrides]

Have a Roadtec 01 HWM on rear of 14 RT. Like it a lot. Too soon to know longevity.


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[David.]

I understood that there is a new version of the Roadsmarts out. Are the advertised one the new version? Addison Tyres were selling the Roadsmart II's off cheap last month.

The Roadsmarts at £155 are the original version, Roadsmart 2's are £176, NBT are offering the Roadsmart III (latest version) at £195 for a pair.

[guest2360]

I have had 01s on for about 2000 miles and they are great and at this early stage show absolutely no sign of use age.  Had the builders in a couple of weeks ago and unbeknown to me they managed to leave enough screws on my drive that one got in the back tyre.  It was a HWM one.  As I Was about to leave that morning for a tour to Orkney the only replacement I could get was a standard rear.  The side walls on both feel about the same and it has now done 600 miles of Scittick granite covered back roads without any trouble.  I haven't noticed any difference in comfort levels between the two types.

[Our Gee]

Thank's for the replies chaps and the comfort info (RTman10). However, the current price for the Roadsmarts as flagged up by David is very tempting. I rang National Bike Tyres at Ayecliff and that price plus £8 per wheel for fitting is a good buy so that looks like the way I'll be going. Incidently David I forgot to ask them if they can balance the BMW Rear wheel so can you confirm if they can. Thanks.

[David.]

Incidently David I forgot to ask them if they can balance the BMW Rear wheel so can you confirm if they can.

Yes, NBT can dynamically balance both wheels.

After seeing Roadsmarts on your RT, I'm now on my second pair, wouldn't hesitate to get them again.

[Casbar]

So what makes them better than the PR4GT. Better grip, longevity, or is it just preferred feel. I have never had any grip issues with the PR4GT and I ride all year round

[Our Gee]

So what makes them better than the PR4GT. Better grip, longevity, or is it just preferred feel. I have never had any grip issues with the PR4GT and I ride all year round

Not an easy question to answer Casbar. I suppose that if the Roadsmarts where tested to the extreme, back to back against the very latest, "this months" rubber then the newer product would come out on top. But in real life riding the differences are minimal. We all know that "new" tyres always feel fantastic when first fitted. Bike steers great, magic carpet ride etc etc. I originally tried Roadsmarts about 4 years ago when my Conti Road Attacks need replacing before a long trip down to Provence and my dealer had a very good price deal on the Roadsmarts, and although I did love the Conti's it was difficult to be certain just how much rubber was remaining at the rear centre section due to the tread grooves not being continued across the centre. I found that the Roadsmarts are a very good tyre and do suit the weird BMW suspension very well. Ride comfort, although not as good as the Conti's is fine, mileage is better, wear characteristics is much better. (no tread groove cupping like all the Michelin tyres I tried in the past). All in all a very good "all rounder", and at the price they can be obtained for it's a no brainer for me. Incidently one does wonder why Dunlop are still making the original Roadsmart when that tyre has been superceded twice ?. Also I have never had any grip issues on any bike tyre other than diesel and loose gravel although I have never done any track days or riden a high performance sports bike to it's limit.

[David.]

Although I did love the Conti's it was difficult to be certain just how much rubber was remaining at the rear centre section due to the tread grooves not being continued across the centre.

For the same reason, I switched from Metzeler Z6's which are slick in the centre to Dunlop Roadsmarts.

Incidently one does wonder why Dunlop are still making the original Roadsmart when that tyre has been superceded twice?

Likewise with Michelin, they are still producing PR2's, 3's & 4's, not very long ago, I had an original PR(1) fitted after getting caught out in Scotland with the Metzeler Z6.

[Our Gee]

Had a new Roadsmart fitted to the rear this morning. I have left the front until later as there is about 2000 miles left in it. Bit disapointed at the 60 grams of scrap metal it required to balance though, doesn't look very pretty especially being stuck on skew wiff !!. Incidently, Pete at Dunlop Technical tells me that they have no plans to dis-continue the Road Smart 1. Still a big seller.

[David.]

Bit disapointed at the 60 grams of scrap metal it required to balance though.

Has your bike got TPS fitted.

My 2012 RT has the same rear tyre with 40g of balance weights fitted.

[Our Gee]

Has your bike got TPS fitted.
.

Yes David, TPS (Tyre Pressure Sensors) are fitted. I'd rather I didn't have them though, more trouble than they are worth. In the time Iv'e had this bike I think Iv'e only looked the display a couple of times, the first time to see if they where working and another time when scrolling through the "info" function to check fuel consumption. BMW should have fitted a "permanent" counter balance weight internally, opposite the TPS.

[David.]

TPS (Tyre Pressure Sensors) are fitted. I'd rather I didn't have them though, more trouble than they are worth. BMW should have fitted a "permanent" counter balance weight internally, opposite the TPS.

Could the TPS be ditched in favour of conventional tyre valves.

(A friend has a Yamaha DT400 which has tyre security bolts fitted, he is having awful trouble balancing the wheels with the amount of weights required.)