Metzeler’s ME 880 Marathon – A Legendary Tire
On Metzeler’s Facebook page, a reader wanted to know if our ME 880 Marathon custom tire could top the ten thousand miles he got out of the original IRC rear tire that came on his bike. We reckon it can; we’ve been reading real-world reports on forums of riders enjoying 12,000+ miles on rear Marathons and getting 25,000 miles out of the fronts. The secret to this long life isn’t a harder compound, rather, it’s an offset central groove, which puts more rubber on the ground. The offset groove increases life, but not at the expense of good grip. A side-effect is that the tire doesn’t follow grooves in the pavement, so bridge-crossings and rain grooves are not a hair-raising experience on the ME 880. There are even two whitewall versions: a full whitewall version and one with a narrow white stripe.
Metzeler even makes a wide version called the ME 880 Marathon XXL, in widths from 240-300mm–it’s a real monster. The XXL (the rear tire shown above) uses special steel belt technology to maintain a predictable shape, allowing the rear fender to be mounted extremely close to the rear tire.
The ME 880 is praised on riding forums for both its durability and ride characteristics. Read some reviews and consider them for your next cruiser or custom tire–we think you will be pleased with their performance.
3 Comments
Mike C Hey! That was me! Getting a set put on the M50 tomorrow :)
Maurici Dears, I have been exclusively buying Metzeler tyres for my bikes in past and wouldn't change that, however I have a rather different problem now of getting the right size! The size I'm looking for is nicely in Metzeler main catalog, yet no-one of the main dealers here either seems to have it or don't even bother to answer my inquiries about this. I tried to contact at least seven Metzeler dealers in NI and UK but so far hasn't got any response to my e-mails. I also popped in to few places and been offered other makers tyres but I'd like to buy Metzeler only! I hope anyone can help me with this! I live in Ireland and since there is no official Metzeler dealers I was looking from UK and NI! Item, what I'm looking for is Metzeler rear tyre Marathon ME 880 in size 160/60 R 18 M/C 76V REINFTL, which is nicely in catalog and at least over in US is not a beag deal to get your hands onto! I'd appreciate your reply highly! With best regards! Maurici
Frank-G DITTO, having exactly the same response with tyres for my 2009 'FATBOY' albeit different sizes. Dealers with 2011 catalogues and my size not listed,but on this site there they are. Sorry no help to you,but i thought i'd have my tw0 penarth and let you know you are not alone in this dilema.