I am well pleased to have tested the Metzeler Roadtec 02 tires out on just about every kind of California road, as that’s where the Ultimate Motorcycling BMW R 1250 RS project bike spent the last few months and 4,128 miles so equipped.
Metzeler calls the Roadtec 02 a Super-Sport-Touring tire, and I cannot argue with that description. The Roadtec genealogy extends back over two decades with the Roadtec Z6, followed by the Z8, Roadtec 01, and 01 SE before adding the Roadtec 02. Metzeler still offers the Roadtec Z8 Interact, Roadtec 01, and Roadtec 01 SE alongside the 02.
Metzeler’s slogan, “2 tires in one, Super-Sport or Sport-Touring according to your riding style,” sounds like ad-speak hooey. However, the tire really does accomplish its design objectives. It offers great handling, good wet riding characteristics, and long life. Deliver these, and you’ve got a popular tire.
What Metzeler Built Into the Roadtec 02
Metzeler uses a dual-compound rear design to improve cornering performance, high-speed stability, and wet-weather safety, while extending tread life when the bike is upright. There’s a full silica compound on the front, along with the shoulders of the rear. The rear center and base exceed 80% silica.
Dynatread: Metzeler’s Adaptive Tread Design
The tread pattern also deserves special attention. Called Dynatread by the brand and introduced on this tire, it’s an adaptive tread design that self-modifies for riding style and conditions. According to Metzeler, when riding hard, the groove gap narrows for increased stability. In the wet and during normal tour riding, the grooves remain open. While I can’t independently verify this technology, the Roadtec 02 grips strongly in the dry and displaces water admirably on wet days.
The dual-compound configuration has a soft shoulder section to increase grip when leaning, and Metzeler claims approximately 80% of the tire width is the soft compound, equally distributed on both sides.
Metzeler uses the same tread pattern front and rear, including smooth stripes at the center and the extreme shoulders. That uninterrupted surface steadies the bike upright and puts the most rubber on the road at full lean. On our RS, the front is a 120/70 ZR 17 rated 58W, and the rear a 180/55 ZR 17 rated 73W. The tires can handle two-up riding with luggage, as well as speeds that will get you arrested.
How the Roadtec 02 Rides
Under nearly all conditions, these tires delivered a confidence-inspiring ride. On straight and open roads, the ride was smooth and supple. The Roadtec 02s held the desired line easily with no wandering. They seemed relatively quiet when I paused the music I often enjoy through my helmet communications devices. The best part of the experience was that they stood up to all the abuse I could throw at them.
I never had to work around any weaknesses in the tires. Whether I pushed them to the limit under hard braking or acceleration, they held up, with no squirming or other distractions.
The same applies to their performance in the twisty bits. They responded to all my inputs with agile precision. Cornering performance was stable and predictable all the way to the edge of the tire. Simply put, the 02s made riding hard and fast a pleasure, with no limitations I could find.
Metzeler Roadtec 02 Tire Test: Mileage and Wear
I mostly rode fast two-lane highways and twisting canyon roads up and down the SoCal coast, rather than embarking on noteworthy long-distance tours and extended weekends.
Additionally, I put on about 800 miles of two-up riding, which may have shortened tire life a bit. I replaced the Roadtec 02 tires when the wear markers were about 1 mm shy of flush with the tread. While I might have squeezed another 200 miles or so out of them in a pinch, it was time to move on.
Even when well-used, the Roadtec 02s didn’t fall into turns, resist fast direction changes, or get vague or greasy. The tires retained their reassuring stickiness to the end, unlike some other rubber I’ve run.
For 4,128 miles, under every condition imaginable other than pouring rain, the Metzeler Roadtec 02 delivered surefooted handling with smooth, predictable behavior. It lived up to the “super” part of its sport-touring billing.
In our first segment this episode Don Williams takes us for a ride on arguably the most comfortable British take on the American cruiser: the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. It’s a superbly relaxed motorcycle in an equally relaxed state of tune, so while you shouldn’t be swayed by the “Speed” in its name, there’s a lot more to the Speedmaster than you might imagine.
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Now here’s a really cool event you absolutely cannot miss—yes, we’re rapidly approaching the 34th Annual Biketoberfest Rally in Daytona Beach, sunny Florida.Biketoberfest this year runs October 15th through the 18th. Biketoberfest is all about the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, and motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. And don’t forget, there are miles of spectacular rides along the famous A1A, the historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. There really is something for everyone here, and almost every event and attraction is free to attend. So, if you want a fun few days out in the Florida sunshine, Biketoberfest really is the place to be. Make sure you download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.orgfor more details.
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In our second segment this episode Teejay Adams catches up with World Cup Bagger racer, Archie McDonald who first came on this podcast last December. Whether you’ve watched any of the World Bagger Cup racing or not, you’ve likely heard of it. Despite a lot of initial skepticism, the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup really seems to have captured the racing public’s imagination. The Championship is now being led by Archie, and despite never having seen most of the tracks before, that he’s beating several very experienced and highly talented competitors, shows what an amazing talent he is. Archie is also extremely mature for his just 19-years of age, and sadly, in the last few months he’s had to grow up even faster after his older brother Toby took his own life in April. Archie brings us up to date with his racing for the Joe Rascal team, and he speaks candidly with Teejay about his brother and how Toby’s passing has affected him.
Fair warning: if you’re sensitive to this topic please be careful listening to this segment, and if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, know that support is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.
Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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