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METZELERCruiserTouring

ME 888 Marathon™ Ultra Reinforced

Metzeler's marathon-grade cruiser tire built for heavy iron, long hauls, and riders who refuse to choose between mileage and real-world grip.

MTC8.3/10★★★★☆Cruiser · Long-Haul Touring
METZELER ME 888 Marathon™ Ultra Reinforced motorcycle tiremotorcycletireco.com
BrandMETZELER
TypeCruiser / Touring
FitmentFront & Rear
Sizes14
Heavy-duty reinforced carcass handles the weight and geometry of loaded cruisers, baggers, and custom touring rigs without compromise
Dual-compound rear tire pairs a long-wearing center strip with softer shoulder zones — more miles on the highway, more confidence in the corners
Performance holds steady from break-in to final mile — no late-life handling fade or edge-wear surprises
Engineered for loaded riding: stable tracking at freeway speeds under passenger, luggage, or both
Confident wet-road manners with tread geometry that clears water effectively for unpredictable touring weather
Available in 14 sizes across whitewall and blackwall configurations — fits the classic look or the blacked-out build
Select Size

Prices use MTC dealer formula · Load/speed index explained in the FAQ below

Fulfillment

Live pricing · Walk-in mount & balance available

Save below MSRPIn-stock · ships fastWalk-in install
MTC Rating
MTC Score
8.3/10
★★★★☆
The ME 888 Marathon Ultra is built for high-mileage cruiser and bagger riders who demand durability and load stability without giving up street-worthy grip.
Performance
Dry Grip7.8
Wet Grip7.5
Street Manners8.7
Track Capability4.5
Mileage9.2
Value8.4
Best For
Long-Haul Tourer
You're putting 15,000+ miles a year on a heavyweight bagger or dresser — often two-up with a loaded trunk and saddlebags. You need a tire that lasts, tracks predictably in rain, and doesn't go soft on its handling character halfway through its life. The ME 888 was built for exactly this mission.
Perfect Match
Weekend Sport-Tourer
Your cruiser or sport-tourer sees weekend canyon runs mixed with solid highway miles. You've burned through sport tires faster than you'd like and want something that goes the distance — but still leans into a corner with intention. The ME 888's dual-compound rear gives you that balance.
Great Match
Aggressive Canyon Rider
If you're chasing maximum lean angles and want sport-tier feedback at the limit, the ME 888's priorities are durability and stability — not outright corner grip. A performance-focused sport compound will serve your riding style better. We carry options; give us a call at (714) 516-9059.
Consider Metzeler Sportec M9 RR or similar sport-focused compound
Full Size Chart & Part Numbers
Pos.SizeLoad/SpeedP/NMFR Part #UPC-AOur Price / MSRP
Front120/70B210305-051941948008019227419481$291.80$353.73Save $62
FrontOOS130/90B160306-05434298500$220.10$266.84Save $47
Front140/70B180305-064241961008019227419610$389.85$472.60Save $83
Front180/55B180305-094942483008019227424836$397.14$481.42Save $84
Rear140/90B160306-042024089008019227240894$373.99$453.39Save $79
Rear150/80B160306-041424080008019227240801$317.51$384.93Save $67
Rear150/90B150306-054426165008019227261653$311.66$377.83Save $66
Rear160/60R180302-123831349008019227313499$354.74$430.01Save $75
Rear160/70B170306-042124090008019227240900$347.69$421.51Save $74
Rear170/60R170302-123631347008019227313475$369.08$447.44Save $78
Rear180/55B180306-053326347008019227263473$391.01$474.03Save $83
RearOOS180/60160306-053126349008019227263497$360.91$437.51Save $77
Rear180/65B160306-041824084008019227240849$411.15$498.43Save $87
Rear200/50R180306-055127034008019227270341$365.01$442.49Save $77
Frequently Asked
Real-world mileage depends on bike weight, load, and how hard you ride, but heavyweight touring riders typically see 12,000–18,000 miles on the rear and up to 25,000 on the front. Highway-focused riders running light loads have pushed rear life beyond 20,000 miles. Aggressive riders or lighter platforms will land on the lower end of that range.
Not noticeably. The ME 888 runs slightly firmer than a standard touring tire, but most riders find it well within comfortable range — especially on a loaded cruiser where that added structure feels like planted stability rather than stiffness. It absorbs pavement imperfections competently for a reinforced-carcass design.
It's mechanically possible, but Metzeler develops the ME 888 front and rear as a matched set with complementary handling profiles. Mixing brands can introduce inconsistencies in braking transitions and cornering feel — particularly at highway speeds under load. For touring confidence, we recommend running matched front and rear.
None at all — compound, tread pattern, and construction are identical across both finishes. The choice is purely cosmetic. Pick the one that suits your bike's look; the tire underneath behaves exactly the same.
It's one of the better choices in the cruiser segment for that exact use case. The reinforced carcass and load-rated construction keep the bike tracking confidently when you're carrying a passenger plus gear, and the dual-compound rear distributes wear more evenly under added weight. It's built for this kind of loading.
For a cruiser touring tire, the ME 888's wet-road manners are solid — it earns a 7.5 in our wet grip rating, which is competitive for the segment. It won't out-grip a dedicated sport-touring compound in heavy rain, but it provides predictable, confidence-inspiring traction across the kind of mixed conditions you'll encounter on a long trip. Touring riders consistently report comfortable wet-weather behavior.

Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra Tires in Orange County — MTC

Motorcycle Tire Center in Orange, CA stocks the Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra for cruiser and touring riders throughout Orange County — from Anaheim and Fullerton to Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, and Huntington Beach. If you're riding a heavyweight bagger, dresser, or custom touring platform and you're tired of replacing tires before they've earned their keep, the ME 888 delivers the mileage and load stability that makes it one of the most practical choices in the cruiser segment. We carry it below MSRP, and our team can walk you through fitment the same day you come in.

Walk-in mount and balance is available at MTC — no appointment needed. We mount each tire for $69, balance for $9.95, and disposal runs $3.50 per tire. Straightforward pricing, no surprises. Whether you're running whitewall for the classic look or blackwall for a blacked-out build, we'll get the right fitment on your bike and have you back on the road fast.

Questions about whether the ME 888 is the right fit for your specific touring setup? Call us at (714) 516-9059. Our staff rides and knows these tires — we'll give you a straight answer based on your bike, your load, and how you ride, not just what's on the shelf.

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