Not many people know that Metzeler started out in 1863 producing weatherproof clothing and sports equipment, not tyres at all. They made their first tyre in 1892, and somewhat ironically, over 150 years on, their modern motorcycle range is best known for being brilliant in the wet.
Metzeler has focused purely on motorcycle tyres since 1979, and over the last decade or so they’ve climbed hard up the rankings in terms of following, product range and outright quality. They’re owned by Pirelli, which gives them access to some serious racing know-how, but Metzeler tyres have always had their own identity — pitched at real-world riders rather than pure track heroics.
They also back that up on the road racing scene. Metzeler took the win at the Isle of Man Senior TT in 2019, the hardest road race on the planet, and their Racetec RR range of treaded trackday tyres and slicks is well regarded in racing and trackday circles, regularly topping magazine group tests.
One final bit of Metzeler trivia: their logo has long been an elephant. The story goes that at the 1906 Automotive Exhibition in Berlin, Metzeler had a circus elephant on their stand and got it to stand on one of their tyres to prove how strong it was. So now you know.
Our Metzeler Motorcycle Tyre Range
We have a motorcycle tyre fitting workshop in London and stock a wide range of Metzeler’s motorcycle tyres, from adventure and sport touring through to trackday slicks and cruiser fitments. We stock all the popular sizes ready to fit, and if we don’t have what you need on the shelf, we can order it in for next day fitting or have it delivered anywhere in the UK. Just give us a call on 0207 205 2205 to discuss what you need.
Metzeler motorcycle tyres by type
We’ve listed Metzeler’s motorcycle tyre range by common application and picked the most popular tyre for each category. We’ve also listed the other tyres worth considering in that sector.
Adventure
Metzeler Karoo 4, Karoo Street & Tourance Next 2
Metzeler’s adventure range runs from proper off-road capability through to a tyre that’s really a road tyre in adventure-bike clothing, so it’s worth thinking about where you actually ride before picking one.
The Karoo 4 is the hardcore option, a genuine off-road-biased tyre for riders who spend serious time on green lanes, gravel and trails, and are happy to trade off some outright road manners to get it. The Karoo 4 isn’t an awful tyre on the road but if you’re rarely venturing off-road, we’d fit the Street or Tourance Next 2 instead.
Sitting in the middle is the Karoo Street, which keeps a lot of the Karoo’s rugged looks but is tuned more for mixed use, a good shout if you want that adventure-bike look with more everyday road capability. Then there’s the Tourance Next 2, which is best thought of as a road tyre built in adventure bike sizes. It’s the pick for GS, Multistrada and Tiger owners who cover the vast majority of their miles on tarmac and just want the best possible grip and mileage doing it.
Other tyres in this category: For riders who want even more off-road bias than the Karoo 4, there’s the more extreme Karoo Extreme. The older Tourance Next and original Tourance are also still around and still decent value if you don’t need the very latest compound.
Sport Touring
Metzeler Roadtec 02
The Roadtec 02 is Metzeler’s current sport touring flagship, replacing the previous Roadtec 01 SE. It offers excellent mileage without giving up much in the way of dry or wet grip, and it’s a genuinely sporty-feeling tyre for something built to rack up serious miles. A great fit for bikes like the Kawasaki Versys, Yamaha Tracer or BMW R1250RS.
Other tyres in this category: The Metzeler Z8 Interact is another strong sport touring option, offering a slightly different balance of grip and mileage worth considering alongside the Roadtec 02. If budget is more of a priority, the Roadtec Z6 is Metzeler’s value option in this category, giving up a bit of ultimate performance for a lower price. For bigger, heavier touring bikes there’s also the Roadtec 01 HWM, a heavy-weight fitment, and the Roadtec 01 x-ply, a cross-ply version for older or smaller-capacity machines that don’t take a radial fitment.
Fast Road / Sport
Metzeler Sportec 01 RS
The new Sportec 01 RS is Metzeler’s sportiest road tyre which supercedes the M9RR. The 01 RS offers excellent edge grip and a confidence-inspiring feel when leant right over. It’s fast-road focused first and foremost, though it’s more than capable of a trackday too. We tested these for two days on track and they are an absolutely superb tyre, more than capable of setting proper lap times.
Other tyres in this category: The Sportec 01 is the 01 RS’s slightly more relaxed sibling, a great all-round fast road tyre with a touch more give in changeable conditions. The Sportec M9RR is still available too, and it’s also made in adventure-bike sizes. The 120/70-19 front and 170/60-17 rear suit road-focused Adventure bikes, so if you ride a big adventure bike BMW’s GS, this is about the stickiest tyre you can fit. You’ll be bothering sportsbike riders down twisty lanes, for sure! The older Sportec M7RR and Sportec M5 Interact both remain available and are worth a look if you don’t need the latest compound.
Road Legal Trackday
Metzeler Racetec RR K3 (road)
The Racetec RR K3 (road) is still billed as Metzeler’s most track-focused treaded tyre that’s still road legal. However the 01 RS is arguably a sportier tyre built for riders doing trackday miles who want something closer to a race tyre. Like any track-focused tyre, the RR K3 it likes to be up to temperature, so tyre warmers are recommended but not essential.
Other tyres in this category: The Sportec 01 RS belongs here as much as it does in the Fast Road section above, it’s genuinely capable of a fast trackday sessions while still being a great everyday road tyre, so it’s worth considering whichever way you lean.
Racing Slick
Metzeler Racetec RR Slick
The Racetec RR Slick is Metzeler’s full race slick, built for club racing and dedicated trackday riders who want maximum grip and consistent performance lap after lap. Available across a range of compounds for front and rear to suit conditions and riding style.
Other tyres in this category: For trackday riders on a tighter budget, the Racetec TD Slick is a popular and slightly more affordable choice. If you want a treaded option with race-level performance while staying road legal, the Racetec RR K1 + K2 bridges that gap.
Supermoto
Metzeler Racetec SM
The Racetec SM is Metzeler’s dedicated supermoto tyre, built to cope with the unique demands of supermoto riding: hard braking, big lean angles and plenty of slides. A firm favourite in supermoto racing and trackday circles.
Other tyres in this category: If you’re heading out in changeable conditions, the Racetec SM Rain is the wet weather equivalent, giving you the confidence to keep pushing on when the track goes greasy.
Cruiser / Custom
Metzeler Cruisetec
The Cruisetec is Metzeler’s modern cruiser tyre, offering a genuinely sporty feel for a cruiser fitment along with strong mileage. A popular OE and replacement fitment across a wide range of Harley-Davidson and metric cruisers.
Other tyres in this category: For classic looks on a modern Harley or custom build, the ME 888 Marathon Ultra Whitewall delivers that traditional whitewall style without sacrificing too much modern performance. The ME 22 is a solid, more budget-friendly option for smaller cruisers and custom bikes that don’t need the outright performance of the Cruisetec.
Classic / Retro
Metzeler Lasertec
The Lasertec is Metzeler’s modern classic tyre, giving retro and modern-retro bikes like the Triumph Bonneville or Kawasaki Z900RS a period-correct look with genuinely modern grip and wet weather performance underneath.
Other tyres in this category: The ME 11 is a longer-standing classic-look option, popular on older Japanese and European machines where a period-correct tread pattern matters as much as outright performance. There’s also the Block c and ME77.
Common Questions
What pressures should I run my Metzeler motorcycle tyres at? Always check your bike’s handbook first, as pressures vary by model and load. As a general guide for road riding, we recommend around 36psi front and 42psi rear, adjusting slightly for a pillion or luggage.
What is the longest lasting Metzeler motorcycle tyre? If you want a Metzeler tyre that racks up serious miles in all weathers, the Roadtec 02 is a great shout, and adventure riders doing high mileage tend to get excellent life from the Tourance Next 2 too.
Where are Metzeler’s motorcycle tyres made? Metzeler is part of the Pirelli group and produces tyres across several European facilities, alongside other Pirelli group plants worldwide.
Can I run two different tyres on a motorcycle? We don’t recommend mixing brands front and rear, as tyres are designed and tested as a pair. If you’re in a tight spot and only one tyre is available, it’s sensible to fit it and get moving, but replace the other tyre with a matching set as soon as you can.
How much does it cost to fit motorcycle tyres? Here at Two Tyres we have a London motorcycle workshop, you can see our workshop pricing here. That includes removal and fitting, balancing, new valves and environmental tyre disposal.
If you’re outside London, your local fitter will likely charge a similar or slightly lower amount.
What’s the average life of a Metzeler motorcycle tyre? This depends heavily on the tyre’s compound and how it’s ridden. As a rough guide, sport tyres like the Sportec M9RR might get 4,000-5,000 miles on the road, while a touring tyre like the Roadtec 02 can comfortably see 6,000-10,000 miles depending on riding style and conditions. Trackday and slick tyres will wear far faster, especially the rear.
Any other questions? If you have a question about motorcycle or scooter tyres, give us a call on 0207 205 2205. We’ll be happy to help.
