Metzeler Unicross - TE 310R

New year so some new rubber. I mounted both Metzeler Unicross tires this morning. They appear the same width as the Michelin Enduro Comps. I removed. More tread in back so good to have some chain length. DOT legal 90/90-120/90. Test ride tomorrow hopefully.

80 miles above Upper Oso/Los Padres Forest, to give the tires an initial test. Pressures at 16f/14r to start.



Predictable and well damped in the hard pack, rubble, loose dirt, gravel of Camuesa Road and singletrack above it. I'de almost describe them as lively. Probably due to the pliable large knobs or sidewalls. I felt more confident in all corners where the Michelin Enduro Comp III had little traction in back. More traction and because of that could begin to push more till I'de start a nice controlled drift. Good balance front to back. The dry stuff up top (Buckhorn) it got a little sqirrelly in places but I know certain corners have talcum powder like sand. Lower pressure would probably help in any regard. For comparison I never was let down by the Michelin Enduro Comp MS in front.

So far so good. Will see longer term how they hold up and if there are any glaring deficiencies for an all around TE 310 tire. Rock crawling I expect them to be "interesting" due to the tall knobs.

i have run them off and on with my vintage bikes and they are a great all around tire...pretty durable with the big knobs

Did your bike have the 140 Karoo on it from the factory? If so, how does the 120 Unicross compare in width? The Karoo is crazy wide for the 310 in my opinion. Looking for something narrower.

Michelin 140's are really 120s. 110/100 or a 120/80 would work great on the 310s.

What do you recommend for the front, an 80/100 or a 90/90?

I prefer wide front, but I suppose it depends on the rider. All of the bikes in our shop, including the permanent residents of friends, all have the same tire on the front.

I had the Michelin Enduro MS in front and the Enduro III Comp in back. 90/90 and 120/90

Another year and another 1,000+ miles of a lot of every condition, from the Black Hills to Moab to California, the Pacific NW and everything in between. A year ago was seeking anything that would have good traction in back and last a season. The Metzelers looked aggressive which might help in sloppy conditions but still clear well. Reviews were scarce but most positive, so thought what the hell. After a year was time to refresh tires again and what are my options. A great front tire from GT and a mix of assorted others. Kind of a mix and match program. I like tires that work well together, especially leaned over. Predicatable and confidence inspiring. On slickrock or mud or sand I never felt the front get hijacked with the Metzelers, even hitting scattered rocks.

Wore the rear down half of it's knobs in a season and both tires just starting to decompose with the rear center knobs beginning to crack at the bases and both tires side knobs crumbling a bit. Used them on pavement for only a handful of miles mostly to gas up between rides. As with any knobby pavement is not where they may shine and not the type of tire you want to let it all hang out in the corners but that said they rode much better than the Michelin Enduro Comps on pavement.

In any regard was interested in trying some new treads this year but the new Kenda Equillibriums are not out yet and unsure if they will have appropriate sizes on release. The Goldens are getting raves but not being a racer and needing a good matched pair at a reasonable price, I can always try one down the road. Lot's of tires looked good but seems every tire has one who likes them and others that despise them. So Screw the reviews. I'll buy, try for myself and then decide. I have used Metzeler tires for years road racing and read these tires are an old design that has been proven. No reason they should not work today and I've noted Golden Tire has this tread pattern in their catalog now and others coming out with general purpose treads as well. Suits the type of riding I do on the Husky TE310R and comes at a fair price. DOT rated, if that matters, and 90/90f-120/90r sizes. Chaparral Motorsports can get them to you in a day

Didn't know they were still available. Great tires I always thought and had hem on many bikes in the past. Always said " would rather have a half worn out Metzler than a new anything else"

i run them on the front and they are a great compromise tire, i say this because all tires a the review states are a compromise
my brother runs them on both ends, i prefer the IRC M5B in the rear, that being said it is not a DOT tire and it is a bit slippery in the hard stuff. but mostly i ride in loam sand and rock and thy work well there
the Husqvarna's and KTM's had these as stock tires for years, my guess is the stupid magazine writers had opinions, they were created for endure competition to be acceptable in any condition that could or might come up, but acceptable in all conditions means the conditions that the magazines tested them in were not the perfect tire for the situation and as such no good and should be replaced as soon as possible with whatever cheap tire Honda had on their PERFECT motorcycle that the rest of the world should bow down before, until, and they did not inform you, Honda preferred a new tire
back on the subject, actually i have had good results with the front

i will be giving both my unis the tapcon stud treatment this weekend on the 360..they seem like a great tire to stud

I just put a new Uni on the back and the 6 days extreme hard on the front of my WR. Loved the six days on the front and will try the uni on the back in the snow tomorrow. Looks like a great tire and I hope it works as well as front has and I will pull it off after the spring melt and try a trails tire for the dry season.

Also, the MC5 front works well for me and the MC4/5 rear are very good tires. I got a set on sale from Chaparel last summer and they wear very well so far.

cheers

I'm just diggin' the ole metal milk crate

That I picked up for center/work stand for my GPz 550 in '83. The 4/2 collector fit and the bike balanced perfectly on it. It's the most stable and versatile item as a step and carry-all. I have slipped off too many tool boxes, etc...

I live in the Mid Atlantic region and do single track . Has anybody tried a Dunlop AT 81 90/90-21 ???

The review at enduro360 was not positive for the AT81 front or rear. Although a lot of folks do like them. Tire choice is such a subjective issue...
My recent experience with Dunlop MX series is not positive overall, so not in a hurry to buy any others.
I've always been partial to Metzeler, they were THE tire back in my MX days (daze).

cheers

I like the Kenda K270's front and rear: they're longer lasting it seems than the Michelin T63 or the OEM supplied Michelin AC10 tires. just as knobby, and I'm getting 2,000 miles on the rear before changing, so, about a season. almost 1 and 1/2 seasons by the front tire.