Recently I had the opportunity to try Metzlers new Z6's on my Yamaha FZ-1. These tires are a far cry from the Bridgestone 020's that originally came on the bike. The stock OEM 020's were nice and they got really good mileage, around 9000. They also had a slightly stiffer ride they were more on the touring end of a sport/touring tire. They did little to inspire confidence at steeper lean angles, and in wet conditions my nerves were totally shot.

After my 020's I put on a set of Metzler Z4's. I thought I found it all when I put these tires on. The Z4's had much better all round grip than the 020's and no matter how far I leaned my bike over, they gave great feedback. I got around 6500 miles out of them, but my bike at that time did a lot of commuting duty so 6500 miles is more than I expected. The wet grip on the Z4's was much better than the 020's and the overall ride quality was a major improvement. Still something was missing and I felt that they are still leaning towards the touring end of the sport/touring tire range.

Then along came these Z6's. I have finally found the set of tires that my bike will wear from now on. During the first 20-30 miles on them I was a bit cautious, not knowing exactly what to expect. As with any new change you do to your bike you want to gradually ease into it. Mile by mile I got more and more confidence in them and thus leaned the bike further and further over. Not once in all my Sunday miles since I put them on have I had the front or rear break loose. This is a big change from the original 020's.

These tires have wonderful dry grip. On my FZ-1 they feel stickier than my Pilot Sports do on my F4i. I use my FZ-1 on the Sunday rides as well as for commuting duty, I also ride it to work, rain or shine. I have ridden on the Z6's in the rain twice so far and they are incredible. They give you so much more confidence than the 020's did in the rain and they even out performed the Z4's by a good margin. It's funny, the middle of the front tire doesn't have any tread on it and just looking at that would make you think that riding in the rain would be a big problem. Quite the opposite, these tires were the best rain tires I have ever ridden on. Period.

While cruising down the interstate with these tires, they are wonderful when it comes to soaking up those annoying little imperfections in the road. With the 020's on you knew every time you hit a pebble in the road, with the Z4's things got much better and with the Z6's they have improved yet again.

For me having fun while I ride is all about being confident on my bike. The Z6's are one tire that can do it all. You get excellent dry grip, great wet grip and if they do as well mileage wise as Metzler claims then it's going to be hard for Metzler, or anyone else for that matter, to out do this all around Sport/touring tire that is firmly planted at both ends of the spectrum.