FAQ

Answers to the most frequently asked questions.

• When fitting a new tubeless tyre, is it necessary to fit a new valve
  When fitting new TL (tubeless) tyres, 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 tyre, is it necessary to fit a new tube?
  When fitting a new tubetype tyre, is it necessary to fit a new tube?
  When fitting new TT (tubetype) tyres, new tubes have to be used. Tubes become strechted in service. If a used tube is fitted in a new tyre, it can crease and fail due to thinning of tube rubber.
• Rear tyres can be mounted at front wheels?
  When producing tires, the top cap is heated with an angle bump on the carcass. To prevent the detachment of the assembled edges the tire has to be mounted (concerning the main stress: acceleration force at the rear wheel or brake force at the front wheel) corresponding to the respective declaration.
  Therefore the declaration of the driving direction at the tires� sidewall is a very important safety regard and has to be noticed absolute. It is not allowed to mount front tires at rear wheels.
  In case you intend to mount a rear tire on a front wheel it has to be assembled contrary to the driving direction declaration (direction of the arrow at the tires� sidewall). Please observe the standards in your country. In any doubts we kindly ask you to consult your dealer.
• 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 tyre?
  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 tyres?
  The WdK (trade association of the caoutchouc industry) gives the additional note that tires more than 10 (!) years old should only be used whether they had been in practical operation under normal conditions before. The stored tires are inspected in regular intervals during the course of five years. The age of a tire can be matched out with the DOT number.
  This marking stands for Department of Transport and the code following DOT indicates that the tire meets all the requirements set out by the US Dept. of Transport.
  The last three or four numbers indicate the production date of the tire.
  Examples: 509 = produced in the 50th week of 1999; 4201 = produced in the 42th week of 2001.
• Can I use different brands of tyres?
  Different brands on front and rear tyres can cause problems. Unfortunately METZELER is not able to test the METZELER tyres in combination with all competitor tyres, therefore -for safety reasons- we have to insist on METZELER tyres front and rear.
• Can I regrove motorcycle tyres?
  It is not permitted to regrove or cut the tread pattern of motorcycle tyres, as it might affect the riding performance.
• What does "NHS" means?
  The abbreviation for "Not for Highway service". Motorcycle tyres 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 tyre 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 tyres?
  In order for the new tyres to provide optimum performance, all new tyres must be ridden very cautiously for t he first 100-200 kms.
  Immediately after new tyres are mounted, sudden acceleration, heavy breaking, and hard cornering must be avoided until the 100-200 kms run in period is completed.