Only changing one tyre?

[tojo82]

Hi this maybe a silly question but I'll go ahead and ask anyway. I recently had a front fork service and the mechanic told me afterwards that my front wheel a continental has an understanding ever wear ridge on it. As I look down at the wheel he showed me a clear lip where it is not round. He told me that would obviously affect handling and that I should replace it with a better quality front tyre. Should I do that straight away or should I purchase both front and rear together. He said I should move away from the continentals as they are not great quality.

[Tdi90]

Check the rear, if thats worn then change em both. If not just change the front.
Mate at work has a kwak 750 and was moaning about the handling. Found out why, his rear tyre is worn flat in center about 2.5 inches across.

[rictus01]

generally I used to get through 5 rears to 3 fronts in a year,(but that ratio depends on the way you ride especially into corner,) so changing just one is fine, just remember to get profile compatible tyres, as some really don't work well together.

[johnnyrod]

Change it for anything you like. People will tell you a mismatched pair will kill you on your first outing, it's not true. Worth getting a sticky front as they last for ever and you don't want it to let go.

[tojo82]

Can anyone suggest a sticky front then please?

[Swin]

I have recently had Michelin Pilot 2's fitted, not sure if they are classed as "sticky" as such but they are easily the best I've used

[johnnyrod]

I like the feel of Bridgestones, so the S20. I'm not really up on the current range -anything described as sports/super sports rather than sports touring.

[sev]

imo I would keep matched front and rear tyres if not only to keep your insurance happy if anything happens.
your tyre choice will depend on how you ride your bike. if you mainly use it for commuting then a sports tyre is not really needed, most sport/touring are well up to the job.

[Fordward]

I replaced the OEM D220 rear with a BT020, with the D220 still on the front it was horrible. Had other mixtures of tyres on the SV with no problems.

I'd immediately question your mechanics advice if he says that Continental are a crap tyre. They are a premium tyre, have a big motorcycle range, and I'd say they are better than Bridgestones or Avon, as good as Pirelli, and nearly as good as Michelin. All in my experience of course, but I don't think many people would call Continental a crap tyre. I hate it when a mechanic talks crap because you then start to question everything he's said or done.

I've never known an insurance company to insist on matched tyres. Which company was that? So long as they are the correct tyres for the bike two different brands shouldn't be an issue from an insurance perspective.

The most important thing to consider, and the thing that most influences your perception of the tyres performance, is your confidence! Its psychological. If you don't trust the tyre combination you have on there you won't be happy. So if your gut says you want matched tyres, then stick to matched tyres.

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[tojo82]

Thanks all. I have no interest in one person opinion ie the mechanic but he did show me that my front tyre has uneven wear in a lip in the right side. In the dry the contimotions feel fine but in the wet they make me very nervous cornering. Part of me wants to put a pilot road 3 on the front and keep the back contimotion. Would that work? If it does not I will just buy the rear one too. I commute all weather 30 mile trip each way a roads and motorway.

[Red ones]

I share your concerns about Conti in the wet. I used to ride Conti Road Attack all year and in all weather. It seemed that when the temp dropped to less than about 7C they just didn't get warm enough, and were similar in the wet. That said, I did buy them twice, but then replaced with Pilot Road2 which sadly blew out rather prematurely. Metz Z6 were OK - very similar to the Road Attack.
I'm now on BT021 - a great tyre - dual compound and it wears very well - it performs OK in the wet, but again in the cold and wet it is a little skittish (but I suspect they all are)

[sev]

I mentioned the insurance as in the event of an accident caused by loss of control they may try to attribute it to the differing brand/type of tyre and try to avoid or reduce the settlement. this may not be the case but something I am wary of.

[ManMango]

I commute 20 miles each way to work 4 days a week all weather on Road Pilot 4s.

I ran with a Pirelli Diablo on the front for 4-5 months with the Pilot 4 rear. No issues, no funny feels but did notice a slight difference when I had the matching pair on.

BUT to be honest lets say your rear is a £100 tyre and is 70% worn then you are only loosing £20-30 by changing it at the same time as your front... I would just change them at the same time. Easier to track mileage will have a better feel and will give you more confidence in the bike which is BIG when it comes to keeping yourself safe.

So just go for it pal. Front and rear, I suggest Road pilot 4s especially if you are commuting all weather inc motorway. They will last you a long time and will STICK in the wet!

+ keep the old rear as a spare, you never know when your going to get a puncture, could be a week before payday!

[Fordward]

I mentioned the insurance as in the event of an accident caused by loss of control they may try to attribute it to the differing brand/type of tyre and try to avoid or reduce the settlement. this may not be the case but something I am wary of.
If you fit a tyre that us totally wrong for the bike maybe, but different brands no problem

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[johnnyrod]

So on one hand there are people who say you should play it safe and always stick to matched pairs, just in case, you never know, also always wear clean underpants, never had a problem but...

And those who've mixed and matched almost every tyre ever ridden and not had a problem either (hello). In fact a BT021 was a better match for a BT016 on my bike than another BT016 FWIW.

Hope this helps