Metzeler released a set of tires for the Valkyrie a few years ago (ME880 series 150/80R17 Front (radial) -- ME880 series 180/70R16 Rear (radial)) and I purchased a set. I will not go into great detail on those tires, but they exhibited some severe handling problems at high speeds and some significant tracking problems at posted highway speed limits. I had a meeting with the Metz tire rep in Daytona. He handed me such a line of BS about it that I felt I needed a shower after the meeting. Many other members of the VRCC were likewise disappointed with these tires and some also met with this same tire rep and were likewise bufflaloed. The accuracy of the handling was so poor with these tires (these tires were discontinued by Metzeler so see note below) and I was so vociferous in my complaints about them and their danger to Valkyrie riders, that the tires were replaced with a set of Avon Venoms by the dealer from whom they were purchased (more info at this link). I was still out over $100 in shipping & mounting charges. Needless to say, I am no fan of Metz tires. I have never had a good set on any bike I have owned and each time I tried a set (four times on four bikes, shame on me) I removed them long before they ever wore out because they were such a rotten handling tire. I have sworn that another Metz tire would never stain my rims. However, on the word of rob of the VTXOA, I got this Metz 200 rear for my VTX 1800c last May because I was simply tired of the stock Dunny spinning out on me on both straights and especially turns (highsides can HURT!). At the time, there were no other alternatives except the D206 Dunlop (yuck!) and the Avon Venom180 rear (which should NEVER be mixed with another brand up front).

I have found the Metz ME880 200/60 -VR-16 to be an excellent tire and superior to the OEM Dunlop 180 tire in many ways for use on the rear of my 1800 VTXc model. It exhibits excellent grip, stability and wear (so far). I am a very aggressive rider and this tire has treated me very well indeed in conjunction with the OEM Dunlop up front (and rarely will I recommend mixing tire brands). I make the comparison of the Metz 200 to only the OEM Dunlop 180 and will likely not try the Metz 180 on the rear for the reasons stated above.

... I do have some additional info about this issue, since I have 2 uncles that work for Metzeler USA the subsidory for Metzeler Germany. (FACT 1) Both of the Metzeler '60' series in the 130 & 200 size ME880-R tires were made for other bikes, these tires have a V (Very High Speed rating over 130mph) they were not designed for the 1800 VTX even though many riders did use them and are still using them on their bikes. Note, even the 200 size was 'NOT DESIGNED' to fit the standard 1800 VTX-C Rim size [ 5 inches ]... I know that a lot of people use this larger tire and like it but their are liability issues when using it with our standard wheel on our C Model.

Here is some additional info copied directly from Metzeler's FAQ page about using oversized tire on standard rim size:
Question: Can I run oversize tires on my standard rims?
Answer: For standard motorcycles with radial and bias tires the anwer is no! Running bigger tires in this istance will narrrow the contact patch. The only examption is stage 1 oversize fitment for Harley Davidson. Just go and see the Tire Catalog Area and open up the Vtwin brochure.

[ Non OEM sizes ]
(Rear 1800 VTX r & c) 200/60R16 M/C 79V TL ME880 Marathon Radial
(Front VTX c) 130/60 R18 M/C 60V TL ME880 Marathon Front Steel Radial

(FACT 2) Okay, Metzeler finally did come out [ see note below ] with 2 new specific ME880-R (radials) that were designed to directly replace the OEM size VTX tires.... :
(Rear 1800 VTX r & c) 180/70R16 M/C 77H TL ME880 Marathon Steel Radial [ see note below ]
(Front 1800 VTX c) 130/70 R18 M/C 63H TL ME880 Marathon Front Radial
[ (Front 1800 VTX r) 150/80 R17 M/C 72H TL ME880 Marathon Front Radial see note below ]

[H rated tires are rated for under 130 mph while V rated tires are rated for over 130mph]

You'll note that these [ OEM sized ] tires are both the 70 series profile [ except the 150/80 VTX r front ] and that they have the H rating (High Speed up to 130mph) these tires 'ARE NOT' rated VH or V even though many of the dealers who sell them 'misprint' those designations on their adds and tire descriptions.

Also the 200 size tread depth is only 6.5 mm in depth whereas the 180 OEM size has a 9 mm tread depth and is contacting the road surface with the proper cross-sectional profile since its the correct size for the stock rim. There has been a lot of debate about the Metz 880 in both sizes, I don't think you can go wrong using either one. But I do think the OEM size 180x70 will get much longer tread life and overall lower tire wear over the 200 size. Both sizes though should get better mileage than the stock OEM Dunlap 'Crap' regardless!!

I personally chose to use the ME880 in OEM size 180x70 rear and 130x70 front instead of the 200x60 rear for the reasons stated ... . The 35% increase in tread depth giving you longer tread life and overall better handling (especially on wet roads), larger contact patch and using a non-pinched rear tire on a rim that is not designed for the 200 series, and the more reactive handling characterists of the 180 rear size made my decision for me!! But everyone should read the [information provided here, elsewhere and on the Metz web site] and decide for themselves!!

Enough Said ... I hope to clear up some of the misconceptions here, I hope.
Thanks,
BlueElf

Additional comments:
CHET: ...do you have any "tread weave" with both the Metz on front and back? How fast have you gone with these tires?? Do you get the, in my experience, "hinge" effect with these tires in a turn..??

BLUE ELF: I've only had my 1800 VTX up to about 110mph with the new Metz 180 on it and the bike seemed very stable. When you first put 2 new Metz's in OEM size on the front and back ... the bike does seem really sensitive and reactive for the first 50 or so miles. I just took off from the dealer right out into 4 lane traffic and got really surprised!! But I quickly got used to the new tires and how reactive they were ... I did put a full 100 miles on them before I got really aggressive with them and they now feel perfect. I don't get any weaving, hinging or instability on them at all up to the 110mph that I've ridden.