Can you have fun on a touring tyre? 2000-mile Metzeler Roadtec 02 review

The Metzeler Roadtec 02 launched in 2024 but I've not seen many real-world reviews of them - so I've put 2,000 miles on a pair on my Yamaha MT-10 SP to tell you what I think. I've toured on them, I've ridden in biblical rain and I've enjoyed some fast country roads - here are my thoughts.
------
📸 Follow me on Instagram: / timrodie
🚗 Check out my car channel: / timrodiedrivesstuff

[@MarcusPollard-iq9do]

Good review. Helpful to covered lots of the questions i have. I better get them ordered now then as my bridgestones are a flat as a weasel

[@MR-vt3np]

Fitted the 02 to my R1250RS. Done 2000 miles. Lost about 4mm. According to the Metzler tech in Garmisch at the BMW Event the depth new is 7mm in the middle . I now have 6mm after the trip. Done around 800 miles on motorway the rest on D road. What impressed me was the wet weather capability. 550 miles in a mixture of torrential rain, wet/dry/wet roads. Going over overbanding in the wet the bike never twitched. It’s an RS so didn’t stress the tires massively in the dry. Personally I don’t care how long they will last. I change tyres before they square off. Going by the wear I guess 4000/4500 miles are the limit for me, but I reckon 6/7miles is possible depending how you ride. The 01 lasted 5000 before changing. For the UK the 02 is perfect. Cost was £380 fitted.

[@jonathanprior6025]

Recently had some put on my 900GT Tracer and went touring two up in Scotland. They made such a big difference to the handling of the bike and gave me so much confidence in both dry and wet conditions. I did about 1700 miles and they are showing negligible wear. Seem to be well worth the money so far.

[@JoeSmith-st3hl]

Good review, no snake oil sales pitch bo*lucks, just rider feedback across different riding conditions 👍

[@FourIntoOne]

Very useful, thanks.. I don't actually currently possess anything that these would be suitable for, (Africa Twin and POS forty year old Harley ) but will store for future info. For a few years now Avon Trailriders (and maybe others in the Avon stable) use a closey up sipe strategy to warm up the tyre and I have to say it works very well. And yeah, you did OK for your first official tyre review 👌

[@DontPanicDear]

2000miles! That is alarmingly shortgevity 😮 I’m glad the new ones have greater gevity! I’ve now said ‘Longevity’ too many times and it no longer sounds like a word 😂

[@flexywing]

Good review, I have Metz 01se's and they were great on my Hornet, I think these will be my replacement for Mich Roadtec 5 on my R1250R

[@treedogg]

I need these in the United States!

[@alanssnackbardailyrelaxati8155]

Mr roadie is no mug. Therefore im inclined to accept his advice and consider these tyres. Thank you tim and i very much enjoyed the latest Germany trip.

[@timrodierides]

Thank you!

[@welshboyonabike]

Got the 01, they are superb will put 02 on next thanks for a great review

[@davidnunnerley9084]

I have Metz M9 RR on my Triple which are great. These 02s might be a replacement when I eventually have to swap, which won’t be for a while as I ride like my granny. But tyres have come on so much in the last few years it would seem. I doubt if you are old enough to have experienced the like of Avon Road Runners (ditch finders) which I used in the 70/80s and did many miles on my Honda 750 four. Happy days. Thanks enjoyed the videos.

[@keithkeller6509]

Very helpful. Considering these tires for my KTM 690 Duke. Looking for a sporty, sport touring tire that warms up fast, even in chilly conditions as I live in Wisconsin, USA.

[@mickef5298]

Thank you so much for this review. Was really curious what your thoughts are on these tyres.

[@Dan-56]

The advancements in tire technology over my nearly 50 years of riding is mind boggling ! But I must say, the sound of that MT10 is intoxicating 🏍️🤪👍!!!

[@davidbadham3712]

Great review, Tim, thanks. I'm tempted to put these on my Multistrada V4s.

[@FanOWater]

I ran the Roadtec 01's for years. Just awesome tires. Amazing grip in the cold and wet. Hope they come out with sizes that fit my V2S. cheers

[@daveking1782]

Thanks for this. Currently run the 01 SE on my K1300s and love them so the 02 shouldn't disappoint and GTC is my go to tyre centre.

[@JD2ndcity]

Thanks for the video. I've just today done the same swap on my Ninja SX. My S22s lasted 4k and still had a bit left. Unfortunately it was raining today so they're still not scrubbed in 😢

[@EVILSPAWN1003]

Sometimes i really miss my ‘22 MT-10 SP… That crossplane engine is a feast and the Øhlins suspension is sublime. But then i remembered that the suspension on my new ‘24 S1000XR is just as sublime, the engine is more feisty AND it has a screen that is not from a decade ago

[@pgaribay8487]

Glad to hear you’re happy. I pick up my XR I two weeks and can’t wait to wear down the tires

[@EJK1965]

Avon Square masters all day long. Dig that sharp edge into soft asphalt. Last set I had was good for 14k miles. Such feel, such joy. Remoulds available upon request.

[@Sasquatch_by_Day-nv3yh]

You got 14k miles on a rear tire?? I've never gotten more than 10k miles on a rear tire and usually much less than that. What bike are you riding and how much do you weigh?

[@tomey44]

Love the channel! Fancy some company on the next tour let me know. Also, set my mt10 up for touring!!

[@timrodierides]

Thank you! I'm super picky about who I ride with (sorry!), I had some bad experiences riding in groups years ago...

[@daveo9844]

Always looking for that balance between grip and longevity 🍻

[@martinhughes9769]

Michelin Road 6s apparently , I run Road 5s kawasaki sx 1000 use it sensibly don't hang around where possible , last set 9300 miles needed changing,

[@richardsanders3567]

What is the steering like is it light and not heavy that requires a bit more effort to tun into a corner

[@njohnson3331]

Yes, but what do they taste like?

[@1991julez]

Interesting. I have the Michelin Road 6 on a standard MT10. Can say the same about the wet performance, absolutely incredible. But the dry they are a little slow to turn in and would like something a little sportier but without loosing the longevity so perhaps I’ll try these next time 👍

[@timrodierides]

I've only tried Road 6 as an OEM tyre on some new bikes and I really like them. Owners rave about them too - I'd be interested to back-to-back them with these Metzelers at some point

[@1991julez]

@@timrodierides I’d love to see that actually. Especially when Im not in a position to “test” as I just have to buy based on reviews

[@roadwarrior8560]

They feel the same as squared of S20's though?

[@xenonozhid3383]

Great review - thanks. How would these compare to Michelin Road 6's?

[@timrodierides]

I've not ridden Road 6s for long enough on the same bike to really compare, sorry - I've only ridden them as OEM fitment on various different bikes. I'll let someone more informed chime in...

[@morganmartin9286]

Flattened weasel 🤣🤣 amazing description

[@BrendanBaxter-md4vk]

Any idea on the cost of a pair Tim? My Road 5's will get me through the rest of this year, but think i'll need a new set of something for '25. £360 fitted for Road 5s about 12 months ago... ETA - found them for about £340 supplied (120/70 + 180/55) so approx £400ish fitted, not too different from Road 6's.

[@timrodierides]

Yeah, about £370 around my way. I remember when all tyres were £250 fitted a pair... sigh

[@BrendanBaxter-md4vk]

@@timrodierides I'm old enough to remember paying about £65 for a rear on my ZZR600, can barely get a tyre for my mountain bike for that now!!

[@MessyJ]

As a rider, I've only ever had two "offs" and both were relatively low speed front end loses. One in the dry and one in the wet. This has forever damaged my front end confidence. When you say tyres give you confidence in the wet and they warm up fast, how do you feel that? For me, I can really only feel that they're getting me around corners. The first sign of a lack of grip at the front generally means you're on your arse. Please, someone, explain. Is there something I'm missing here? It really holds back my riding and enjoying corners.

[@GripEngineering]

If you have adjustable suspension, increasing your front preload can provide added feedback. Increasing compression damping a bit for same. The construction of the tire carcass will also play a big role, so Tim's comment about confidence in the 02 tells me a bit in relation to the S22 he just removed (bike didn't go vague with the 02 fitted). When adjusting suspension settings, use 20 percent of range as a MAXIMUM step or adjustment for ONE setting, then road test it. Don't make huge changes to several settings at one. Work with the front preload first. Hope that helps.

[@agrisbatna1797]

wanted to put these tyres on my GSX 1000 but the size of 190/50 is nowhere can't find, took Road 6 🤔