The Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme Enduro Tire: A Personal Review
Hello to all motorbike enthusiasts! Today, I’m eager to discuss my experiences with the Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme Enduro tire. Having been an integral part of Metzeler’s trophy cabinet, this tire is the epitome of excellence, particularly in the enduro cross segment. It owes much of its design and performance to feedback from professional enduro cross riders. My personal journey with this tire spans over several years, having mounted almost a dozen sets on my bikes. A close friend introduced me to this tire, and since then, it’s been an unparalleled riding experience for me, with no desire to switch.
An Unbiased Perspective
I’d like to clarify upfront that this review isn’t sponsored or paid for by any brand or entity. It’s purely the result of my genuine appreciation for the tire.
After running countless sets over the years, I’ve grown convinced of its superior quality. If you haven’t yet tried the Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme Enduro tire, I’d urge you to give it a go.
Investment vs. Value
Let’s delve into the financial aspect for a moment. This tire will set you back around $90-$100 for the front and about $100-$110 for the rear. While they might not qualify as the most budget-friendly option, their performance justifies every penny, in my view.
Riding Terrains: The Ultimate Test
Now, before delving deeper, let’s set the context regarding my typical riding terrains. Residing in Southern California, I’m blessed with a diverse array of landscapes. From the arid, rocky deserts to the sandy expanses, from snow-capped mountain trails to dry, dust-laden tracks, and not to forget the challenging silty and steep terrains of the surrounding foothills – each terrain poses its unique set of challenges. Thus, I always sought a tire versatile enough to perform seamlessly across all these terrains. The Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme Enduro tire has fit the bill impeccably.
The Tubliss Factor
An essential aspect of my experience with this tire involves the Tubliss system. I’ve fitted both the front and rear tires with Tubliss. While the tire still performs admirably without it, integrating the Tubliss system elevates the tire’s performance to another level. If you’re considering this tire, I’d recommend giving the Tubliss system a thought too.
Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme Tires: A Deep Dive into Traction and Stability
As an enthusiast exploring the realm of motorcycle tires, the question of traction is often paramount. Specifically, I’ve often been asked about the Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme tire. Today, I aim to shed light on this tire’s performance in varied terrains and conditions.
Tubliss System & Pressure Settings
The tire’s performance can differ based on the tube system in use. With regular tubes, it performs admirably.
However, when paired with the Tubliss system, the difference in performance is like night and day. For optimal traction, I prefer to set the pressure at six pounds for the front and four pounds for the rear. This setup not only ensures rim protection but also ensures the tire remains soft and pliable, optimizing traction on varied terrains.
Choosing the Right Size
Metzeler offers a commendable range in tire sizes. For the front, you have the option of a 90/90-21 or a 90/100-21. The rear, meanwhile, offers sizes like 120/90-18, 130/90-18, and 140/80-18. Notably, there isn’t a 19-inch rim size for the rear, echoing the tire’s enduro-centric design. My personal preference leans towards the 140/80-18 for the rear, given its superior performance in softer terrains, and the 90/90-21 for the front.
Noteworthy Features & Benefits
The Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme tire boasts several impressive features. For one, it’s DOT approved, allowing riders to legally use it on roads in states where regulations might be stringent. The smooth contour design of this tire ensures a larger knob footprint, optimizing traction. Furthermore, this design ensures even wear and resilience over time. The wide spacing between the knobs ensures that the tire doesn’t clog up in muddy terrains, a common issue with other tire brands. The mid-cornering traction and turn stability, courtesy of the set of three knobs, truly sets this tire apart, making it one of the best in its category.
Resilience in Challenging Terrains
A significant concern for many riders is the risk of the tire washing out, especially in challenging terrains. The Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme tire holds its ground effectively, irrespective of the surface. Be it during sharp cornering, rutted double tracks, or demanding hill climbs, this tire ensures stability and traction. Its design and build minimize the risk of washouts, making rides smoother and more controlled.
Compound Choices and Terrain Suitability
One notable feature of this tire is the availability of different compounds tailored to diverse terrains. The options include a hard compound (as seen in this tire), a soft, and a super soft variant. The knobs on this hard version are quite firm, making it apt for the arid conditions of California. Given the state’s rugged landscape, dotted with rocks, I favor a tire that can withstand such abrasive terrains. Particularly when venturing into the desert, the challenging, rock-filled landscape can rapidly wear down any tire. Utilizing a tire softer than this one in such conditions can significantly reduce its lifespan. However, for riders frequenting areas with softer terrains or smoother rocks that pose less of a threat to the knobs, a softer compound might be more apt.
Knob Durability and Puncture Resistance
The perennial question is: how long will these knobs last? If you’re considering a softer compound, be prepared for a diminished puncture resistance in the carcass, and a relatively shorter knob lifespan. In my experience, using these tires in the rough desert terrains can lead to punctures in the tire carcass. Interestingly, the front tire carcass seems softer than its rear counterpart. While I’ve never encountered issues with the rear, the front has occasionally been pierced by stray sticks or similar obstacles. Despite these challenges, running the Tubliss system and having tire slime has been a lifesaver. The slime effectively seals 99% of minor holes in the tire carcass. As a precautionary measure, I also carry car tire plugs, which enable me to promptly seal any significant holes, with the slime catering to smaller punctures.
Tire Construction and Design
Running on the Tubliss system means the tire’s sidewall carcass undergoes significant strain due to the lower air pressure. Each tire rotation results in considerable compression, testing the elasticity of the sidewall. Fortunately, this tire has held up remarkably well under these conditions. There’s been no separation or other issues on the sidewall during its tenure. The knob design on this tire is especially noteworthy. To clarify, this is a directional tire, with a rotation pattern featuring alternating wide and narrow bars. The side knobs consist of three sets on either side, a design that remains consistent throughout the tire’s circumference.
Understanding Traction with Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme
The Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme offers consistent and reliable traction, with its distinct staggered knob pattern standing out as a notable feature. These three knobs not only provide excellent straight driving traction but also offer unique benefits when combined with the Tubliss system and reduced air pressure. The flattened knob pattern, which broadens the tire’s footprint, acts like a scoop. These knobs effectively shovel dirt, maximizing traction. Additionally, during cornering, the three knobs operate as wings, scooping the dirt and stabilizing the bike, preventing washouts and enhancing the overall driving experience.
Front Tire Configuration & Cornering Efficiency
The front tire showcases a well-defined, consistent pattern — alternating between narrow and wide knobs, complemented by a staggered knob pattern on the side. This unique design ensures that the tire doesn’t easily wash out, making it particularly efficient in corners. The wide knob spacing combined with end caps optimally captures dirt, ensuring the bike remains stable and doesn’t skid sideways. A major highlight that many riders, including myself, appreciate in motorcycle tires is mid-cornering traction and turning stability. Tires with straight knobs can often lead to undesirable experiences, such as getting stuck in ruts or failing to maneuver out of holes. The Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme, however, excels in offering impeccable mid-cornering traction and turn acceleration, assuring riders of consistent performance.
Acceleration and Turn Handling
Previous experiences with straight-knobbed tires often resulted in challenges during hill climbs, with the rear tire consistently hitting the lowest point. Such tires restricted movement and hindered overall ride quality.
In contrast, the Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme shines with its capability for mid-cornering traction, efficient traversal, confident acceleration out of turns, and ensuring stability during lean-ins without the fear of front or rear tires washing out. An essential aspect of tire assessment is understanding its wear pattern. As visible on my bike, these tires exhibit remarkable wear resistance. Despite being on the pricier side, they offer significant value by lasting longer. Interestingly, while one might anticipate faster wear on the narrow-bar knobs, the difference is minimal, likely due to the support from side knobs. It’s evident that the inner side of the side knobs wears out more than the outer side due to the predominance of straight drives over turns.
Assessing Wear Across Various Terrains
The wear pattern on these tires provides insights into their resilience. After extensive usage across diverse terrains — from dry deserts and rain-soaked areas to challenging mountainous regions, the knobs show expected wear but no alarming damages. This resilience is indicative of the tire’s robust construction. Analyzing the front tire wear, it’s evident that wear is evenly distributed across all knobs. Typically, split knobs on many tires tend to wear out faster on the inside due to the pressure during rotations. However, the Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme’s knobs seem immune to this issue, showcasing negligible chunking and asserting their durability.
The Significance of Wider Edge Knobs
One of the unique features of this tire is the wider edge knobs, designed to withstand a substantial amount of abuse. These knobs are more resilient and durable, primarily because they don’t just protrude directly from the tire’s surface. Instead, they have a supporting build-up structure that enhances their stability. This feature is evident not just in the mid-cornering knobs but also in the outer knobs. It’s essential to note that while wear and tear is inevitable, it’s rare for an entire knob to rip off, highlighting the tire’s robustness.
Unexpected Issues: Addressing Tire Plugs
However, no tire is without its challenges. One of the issues I faced involved using tire plugs. In one instance, despite inserting three tire plugs, the hole in the tire kept enlarging, rendering it unable to hold air. It’s worth noting that this occurrence was exceptional and not a recurring problem. The incident was attributed to a rather large stick piercing the tire’s carcass, and it’s essential to understand that such incidents don’t reflect the overall quality of the tire.
Wear Ratio and Durability
Analyzing the wear ratio, I’ve noticed that the rear tire typically needs replacing two or three times more frequently than the front tire. Despite this, the tire boasts impressive longevity, with a considerable amount of functional knobs remaining even after extensive usage. This resilience further solidifies its reputation as a reliable tire. From my experience and assessment, this tire stands out as one of the finest enduro tires ever manufactured. Given its performance and durability, it offers great value for its price.
Conclusion: A Tire Worth The Investment
In conclusion, for those seeking a robust and durable tire, this particular model is an excellent choice. Not only does it offer top-notch performance and longevity, but its price point is also competitive, ensuring riders get value for their money. If you’re considering purchasing these tires, do check out the affiliate link provided in the description. Purchasing through this link supports our channel, allowing us to continue providing quality content. If you’ve found this review helpful, please like this video and subscribe to our channel. Your support is greatly appreciated!
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