Metzeler Me888 Marathon Ultra Introduced At V-Twin Expo

At V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati this past weekend, Metzeler released the ME888 Marathon Ultra, a high-mileage tire with increased wet and dry performance intended of complement the top-selling ME880 Marathon. Also known as the Triple 8, the ME888 Marathon Ultra features newly processed compounds, updated structure and an innovative tread pattern, resulting in increased mileage while maintaining stability, handling, traction and safety in wet conditions.

“We fine-tuned all the features that made the ME880 such a success, and then focused on significant mileage improvement,” Chris Wall, Metzeler Director of Marketing and Key Accounts, said. “As opposed to rushing the market with a tire that called for compromise, we took the time to engineer a high mileage tire while maintaining all of the characteristics that make a Metzeler tire.”

The Triple 8’s contact patch is 15 percent wider than the ME880, making the Triple 8 better suited to distribute force necessary to transfer engine torque on the ground, resulting in reduced overheating of the tire’s surface often experienced with slippage under hard acceleration.

With an emphasis on mileage improvement through reduced structural fatigue and better wear uniformity, the Triple 8 employs a ply line with a more distributed and wider geometry than conventional tires, dissipating stress towards the sidewall without fatiguing the contact patch. Additionally, an improved tread pattern design with compound bridges increases stiffness underfoot, preventing stress transmission from the tread to the belts and carcass.

The tread also features a variable width tread groove which maximizes the channeling of water in extreme weather conditions.

Metzeler’s new ME888 Marathon Ultra will be available beginning Q1 2013 to fit Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, including the new FL Touring, Softail and Sportster models.

By Jon Langston