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V7 Classic tyre (tire) problems

H

horatiopugwash

Just got it firing!
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
6
Location
South UK
Hi All,

I have recently bought a 2nd hand V7 Classic and loving it!

I have however noticed that it will climb all over white lines and other road repairs. The tyres on the bike are OE Metezler Lasertec and still have a reasonable tread depth. I have never used Lasertecs before and am a newcomer to MotoGuzzi, so a bit in the dark.

My other bike (completely different) is a BMW R1200GS on Bridgestone Battlewings......no problem at all.

My query is: is it the bike or the tyres?

I would be grateful for any advice.

All the best

Paul ( as you can tell from the spelling, in the UK. :) )
 
It could be a bit of both. Tire design can contribute to what you are experiencing. Also you are riding a lighter bike which is more easily influenced by road abnormalities. Also you are experiencing a difference between bias and radial tires. So my recommendation is to change the tires.
 
Paul,
What problem is it, I don't quite get your jargon?

I found the Metzlers to give an unsettled feeling on dirt roads or streets that aren't smooth. I've got new Bridgestone Battlax tires now, but haven't really ridden enough to give a report.
 
Generalising here but - Many (including myself) have found that you have to get the Metzlers really hot to get them to act like normal tyres. They feel a bit like bricks when cold. I moved to Michelin and no further worries - cold or hot
 
Thank you all for your quick and helpful replies!

Excuse my jargon. To elaborate: when changing road position laterally and crossing either white lines or repairs, the front wheel followed by the rear tend to 'grab' the white line causing the bike to weave. Further positive input is then needed to complete the lane change and bring the bike away from the white line. Thus a steady smooth manoeuvre is not easy.

Most of my riding is between 50 and 100 miles on tarmac, so the tyres have time to warm up.

I have had a number of bikes in the past of similar weight and steering geometry to the V7, with no problems, but am new to Moto Guzzi and Metezlers, so good to get some advice.

Consensus of opinion is, " it's the tyres", which is reassuring.

Thanks again and best wishes.

Paul
 
I would also recommend Bridgestone Battlax tires. I switched from Metzeler to Bridgestone on my Kbike. I makes a big difference.
 
You didn't mention how old the bike (and hence OE tires) are - as I understand it, six years is considered to be about max. tire life regardless of how much tread remains -apparently the rubber hardens as it ages and this can cause handling problems. I am running Bridgestone Battleaxe on my 2007 Nevada Classic and am quite happy with them.

Lofty
 
The Metzelers are noted for feeling a bit unstable. The other tires V7s come with are Pirelli Sport Demons. Quite stable, very sticky, great tires. I love mine.
Bare
 
Thanks again for the further replies!

The bike and thus OE tyres are 2 years old, so not technically 'past it'.

Bridgestone Battleaxes seem to the popular choice, so.....

Best wishes

Paul :)
 
As the Devil's advocate, for me, the Bridgestones tires promote very slow steering. the shape of the tire controls that. I prefer Dunlops, Pirellis, Michelins, and Avons over the Bridgestones. I like very responsive handling personally.
Bare
 
You didn't mention your weight or how much weight you are carrying.
If our bike is undersprung, as most bikes are, you will have handling problems as well.
Also no mention of what tyre pressures your running.
 
Thanks for the interesting comment re suspension etc.

I only ride solo, without luggage and my 'all up weight' is 90kgs. The rear shocks are set at a 'half way' setting and the tyre pressures are, as the book suggests 2.2 bar, front and rear.

The handling problems are limited to my description in the opening thread, otherwise......no complaints.

Thanks again all!

Paul
 
horatiopugwash said:
Thanks for the interesting comment re suspension etc.

I only ride solo, without luggage and my 'all up weight' is 90kgs. The rear shocks are set at a 'half way' setting and the tyre pressures are, as the book suggests 2.2 bar, front and rear.

The handling problems are limited to my description in the opening thread, otherwise......no complaints.

Thanks again all!

Paul
Click to expand...

I'd recommend 2.5 bar in the rear. I don't know of any bike that should run the same pressure front and rear. Looks like another error in a Guzzi manual.
 
The tendency of the Metzlers to follow road lines and other defects that run near parallel to the direction of travel is, in my opinion and experience, a long time known issue. Replacing the tires with better tires of newer design would resolve it. Adjusting suspension and/or tire air pressure may reduce it to acceptable levels for you.
As to running 2.5 bar in the rear tire, that is going from 32 psi to 36 psi. You may like that but you may not. I would not make that big of a jump in one go. I have seen/had bikes that ran the same pressure front and rear as well as bikes that actually ran lower pressure in the rear than in the front. I would use the factory numbers as a starting point and adjust from there to find what works best for you. How far you are willing to stray from the factory numbers is up to you. I generally would not go more than three or four psi (around 0.3 Bar) away from the factory numbers. But I would make any changes in 1 or 2 PSI (0.1 Bar or so) increments.
 
Take a look at a 750 Breva manual, the pressure I recommended is what is in that manual. These are similar bikes so they should have similar pressures.
 
Thanks again all for the useful info!!

As the tyres don't look in need of replacement, I will have a go at changing pressures, a little at a time.......see where that leads.

All the best

Paul
 
Hi again folks,

Just to round this one off and say thanks for the helpful suggestions......

I have changed the tyres for Avon Roadriders. Great, wet or dry! I've tried to reproduce the weave deliberately, but with no response.

I'm really enjoying the little bike:)

All the best

Paul
 
good the lazertech is world famous for the white lining and weaving, triumph bonnies fitted them for a short while, The sport demons are the bomb for tires this size. Track or street for bikes like this
 
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