Replace both tires at the same time?

[SamuraiMark]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new back tire. Over 12Kkm on the bike (9Kkms when I bought it), stock tires front and rear. I'm a newb so I really have no idea whether the rear needs to be replaced, but there's one spot that looks "worn through" to me. A thin and short strip down the centre of the tire that shows some discolouration. I'd post a pic, but my blackberry is dead.

Anyway, looking at Metzeler Z8s and, newb question, should I replace the front at the same time? Is it standard practice to replace them both once one needs replacing?

- Mark

 

[chimneydoc]

If it was me, I'd replace them both at the same time, so the tires will wear evenly. Someone here on this site who is much more fluent in explaining things could give you a better detialed reason why. The opinion on which tire to use is as vaired as what oil to use. I have Pilot Power 2, they stick real good for what I need them for.

Good Luck

Doc

 

[ChevyFazer]

If you want to switch brands like what you are talking about then yes it's better to change both front and rear at the same time. If you plan on sticking with the same brand that's on there now then you only need to replace the one that's worn

 

[oldfast007]

Yup id replace both, to get even wear,weight,grip. A new tire will have different traits tham a Worn one...just my 2...

 

[Def]

If the tires are the originals from new, I'd replace them both.Tires not only wear out, they also die of old age, so to speak. (they harden up as they get older). You'll find new rubber on both ends much, much nicer.

 

[Marthy]

If you change brand, it's a yes in my book. Since tires have different shape and construction property. If you tires are old, I would say it's a yes also. Old tire have a lot of heat cycles. That make the rubber get harder over time. Since there's only 2 tires... better put all the chance on your side and be safe. You might be ok to change only one... but it's not your best option I believe.

 

[SamuraiMark]

Thanks all! Given the rubber is 5+ years old with 12+Kkms, and I suspect the switch to new rubber to be pretty 'significant', I'll replace them both. Not completely decided on what to get, but I suspect this is one of those "you can't go wrong with any of these ..." scenarios. Road Attack 2, Z8, Angels or Rosso Corsa II, Pilots ... how could you go wrong with any of these!

 

[Lefty]

The set I have on now, Pilot Powers, I changed the rear at 4800 miles since it was done in the middle. The front however looked almost new so I just put a new Pilot Power on the rear. Looks like the PP's will go 2 to 1 rear/front. Just IMO, YMMV, etc.
In your case however since they're the original tires I'd replace them both with some fresh skins.

 

[ChevyFazer]

I know tires are a personal choice kind of like oil but I've been running shinko 009 ravens on my bike and IMHO you can beat them for the price. The 009's are a dual compound and so you can get a lot of miles out of them. I just replaced my rear that I got roughly 8,000 miles out of I know that might not seem to terribly good but mind you that includes about 6 good burnouts at the drag strip and about 1500miles of pushing it just as hard as I could in the mountains. And as far as traction goes they have plenty, I'm sure some diablo's would stick better but your average rider on a fz6 would do just fine with the shinkos IMHO

 

[dxh24]

Tires are like batteries... hear me out...
As long as they're the same type and one isn't dead, they work, but for god's sake don't cross types!!! I made this mistake on my V.... put a pirelli angel on the back and left the front the crappy dun-flop....result? "Understeer" on a motorcycle, not a fun thing, the rear has ounds of grip so the front lets go first.... if you switch brands, replace both... and with those Kms i'd swap both anyhow :thumbup:
That being said, in my experience, the Angel ST's are great tires as are the pr2's and 3's!

 

[SweaterDude]

over time replacing both will cost you a lot for not too much gain. usually you will go through 2 rears in the amount of time you'll go through a front. if the front has tread and you dont ride like a bat outta hell all the time id say just replace the rear.

 

[SamuraiMark]

PICTURES!: Re: Replace both tires at the same time?

Pictures being worth a few words, here's a couple pictures of the current tire state. There's no doubt they need to be replaced. Just looking (closely) at them, you can see and feel that the rubber is dry-ish/hardened. My question is, based on what you see in the pics, does this constitute a dangerous driving condition?

It's late November here in Eastern Ontario and I am not sure how much more riding I will be doing. Is the tire state so dire that I should replace them immediately, or, assuming I put the bike to bed in the next few weeks, might I be Ok until the spring? I guess I don't want to buy new rubber and then leave it sitting in the garage all winter. On the other hand, I found a relatively good deal on the Metzeler Z8s and I have the cash on hand to buy them.

Thoughts?

- Mark

 

[Hellgate]

You're at/past the wear bars and have threads showing, its time. If these are OEM tires replace both for sure.

Replacing tires is far cheaper than replacing parts or Dr bills.

"When in doubt, trade 'em out!"

Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk

 

[Red Wazp]

Yep their toast and do present a hazard in handling just when you may need them most. You will feel how crappy those old tires are when you get new ones.

Michlein Pilot Road 2 is a great long lasting tire.

 

[SamuraiMark]

Thanks everyone. I bit the bullet and ordered the Z8s. Did a lot of comparison shopping, was digging all the tires I was looking at, all of which have great reviews online. In the end, the Z8s won on price for me. Got a K&N air filter and some Techspec Snakskin tank grips too.

I'll post some pics when I get them installed!

- Mark

 

[ChevyFazer]

Thanks everyone. I bit the bullet and ordered the Z8s. Did a lot of comparison shopping, was digging all the tires I was looking at, all of which have great reviews online. In the end, the Z8s won on price for me. Got a K&N air filter and some Techspec Snakskin tank grips too.

I'll post some pics when I get them installed!

- Mark

No offense but IMO your throwing your money away buying tires like that being a new rider but its your money, but to look at it on the bright side having a new set of tires like that you shouldn't be able to blame any handleing problems on your tires lol

 

[FB400]

no wasted money.

You will have a very high quality set of tires that should provide enough mileage to really grow into them.

As a newbie I went with Pilot Road 2's, another high mileage good performing tire. Worth every penny spent.

I still have 1" chicken strips so there is still so much more these tires could do that I will probably never ask them to. but who cares anyway

 

[SamuraiMark]

No offense but IMO your throwing your money away buying tires like that being a new rider but its your money, but to look at it on the bright side having a new set of tires like that you shouldn't be able to blame any handleing problems on your tires lol

You are probably right, but all the sport touring tires are about the same price anyway. Pilot 3, Road Attack 2, Angels, Z8s, ... a rear tire is about $190CAD for each of those. I got my Z8s for $303CAD (front & rear) which I think is pretty good. And as far as I have seen, I cannot get anything "less" (and cheaper) than these tires.

- Mark

 

[ChevyFazer]

I guess I should have looked to see what the actual price was :spank: I was going off what a friend of mine on a BMW had told me what what he paid for a z8 he said he got the rear for about $250 for a 180.....but I guess that's what I get for assuming. I just look for myself and saw that you can get them for around the same price as all the other good sport tourers so....(inserts foot in mouth)

 

[SamuraiMark]

I guess I should have looked to see what the actual price was :spank: I was going off what a friend of mine on a BMW had told me what what he paid for a z8 he said he got the rear for about $250 for a 180.....but I guess that's what I get for assuming. I just look for myself and saw that you can get them for around the same price as all the other good sport tourers so....(inserts foot in mouth)

$250 makes sense ... I think that is the list price on them. No doubt the dealers/distributors were charging full price when they first came out.