Buy 1 New Tire Or 2?

I generally buy new tires in sets so I will have two new tires on my bike, but by doing so I always give up a lot of rubber on the front. The cost of tires today is tempting me to start replacing them individually as they need to be replaced.

How do you folks feel about this?

If you stay with the same tire brand and model, go for it. Normally tire wear is two rears to one front.

Now if your going to replace the rear with a totally different tire, then I would say no.

I used to always replace mine in pairs, but now run two rears to one front.

[image: View Post]Hisservant, on May 6 2009, 11:25 AM, said:

I generally buy new tires in sets so I will have two new tires on my bike, but by doing so I always give up a lot of rubber on the front. The cost of tires today is tempting me to start replacing them individually as they need to be replaced.

How do you folks feel about this?

I usually change one at a time, but with the stock tyres my front was cup'd, so I went ahead and changed it anyway. the big difference at this time is, I was living in Colorado and would wear my tires all the way from side to side. Now living in Va. I wear out the middle so much, it leaves a corner which I don't like. So I think that will have to come into play when I decide to go one or two at a time. It's a lot more fun when not riding on corners..........Monk

I replace each as needed. Why throw money away?

When I run sportbike fronts and sport-touring rears the tread life of each is closer than if I run both sport or both sport-touring. IMO that's one strategy for replacing both skins at once without wasting perfectly good rubber. ;)

Keep in mind you can keep buying tires in front/rear sets to save money but just install them as needed. It won't hurt the tire to sit for a couple months. I try to buy a couple tires at a time when I find a good deal on them, so I usually have 2-3 sitting in the garage waiting to be installed when needed.

i just replace them when needed.usually the rear wears out far faster then the front.since i havent found another tire i like better i just stay with the same.

I buy in pais sometimes to save $$ but replace when needed. I'm a 1.5 rear to 1 front type rider.

If I go with the same make and model tire, I will just change the rears most of the time. Although I have a tire machine and change tires for a lot of the locals so if I change both, I can normally sell the front to someone and make back some of the money. I plan to do that this week. I have a set of BT-016's ready to go on and take the Pilot Powers off for TMac. The front still has some good life left, so it will probably get sold for $40 or something.

[image: View Post]Hisservant, on May 6 2009, 11:25 AM, said:

I generally buy new tires in sets so I will have two new tires on my bike, but by doing so I always give up a lot of rubber on the front. The cost of tires today is tempting me to start replacing them individually as they need to be replaced.

How do you folks feel about this?

The front on my bikes always last twice as long as the rears. If its got thread - I'm gonna use it. --btw The 2 rears to one front routine is getting way old. I generally run sport Dunlops. I have the Qualifiers now and the rear is getting worn with the front still having plenty of thread left. -- Screw it, I'm going for a Roadsmart rear. If I can double rear life, I'll be a happy camper.

MD

I do one at a time and mix and match. You can feel the difference between tires but it is just something you get used to in about five minutes.

If you ride the bike to its limits(not your limits) you might want to consider not going with the mix and match.

I used replace either or both when they need it, I have had different brands on front and rear before with no worries.

I used to go through 2 rears for every front when using Pilot Powers, but now I'm back to 1 for one as I switched to pilot power front and pilot road 2CT rear about 2 changes ago...