Bridgestone wear pattern on Curvy?

Hi lads,

Back again to pick your brains.

Been looking at several tyre brands online.
At the minute I have a Bridgestone Battlax BT020 on the rear. I've noticed that its very flat in the middle, although there seems to be plenty of thread on the outsides. In fact its still got nipples . The tyre has done 6000 miles. Is it normal for the tyre to loose its 'roundiness'? My mate was slagging me asking if the bike stood up by itself .I'm thinking that for my own safety I should just get new rubber.

Was just wondering if anybody else has come across this problem with this tyre? Is it time for renewal, is it the way I ride it, or am I just being mad?

Which brand of tyre would you recommend? I use the bike for leisure only.No commuting. I would ride in both dry and wet conditions. Should I go with battlax again, or something different?

Thanks in advance for your advice as always,

Ronnie

[embee]

I found the 020 tended to do that more than some other tyres. Bear in mind the 020 is a pretty old tyre now, we're on the next generation (or 2) tyre.

FWIW my curvey now has Metzeler Z8, and very nice they are too though very few people seem to be using them, yet to see how well they last. The older Z6 was a decent tyre in its day, but out of date now.

The popular tyre recommendations will be along shortly!

I'm surprised that they're squaring off if you're only using them for leisure riding, mine are going a bit square but I do a fair amount of motorway and straight line riding.

Can't really recommend a tyre as such as I've only had conti road attacks on mine, but I've got to say they're bloody good! (Not sure if that counts as a recommendation or not )

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me lad. I see what you mean now about the newer tyre - just been on ebay this evening. I see Michelin seem to be the cheaper tyre to go for, and Bridgrstone a more expensive tyre. I'm not familiar with the Metzeler Z8. What brand is that?

[Jayneflakes]

Tyres will always square off to a degree because you spend a lot of time with the bike upright, that is just the way it goes. My last tyres squared off nicely on the back and wore on one side on the front, however when it came to replacing them, I could not afford the Road Attacks again and shopped around for other brands or models. Luckily, someone on this very forum gave me a great bit of advice which I shall share with you now. With modern tyres, it is very hard to buy a bad one!

With this in mind I purchased a set of Contimotions. Yes, I know that they sound like a laxitive, but so far they have been nothing but lovely. I am not the fastest or the most aggressive rider, but I have found them to be confidence inspiring in wet and dry conditions. The best part is that they only cost £160 for a pair.

One other point, I don't know how accurate this is, but I have always been advised to buy matched tyres. If I was only changing one tyre, replace it with the matching item that is staying the same, or change both.

Lads thats a great bit of advice you's have all given - I'll take it onboard and let you's know how I got on.
Many thanks for taking the time to reply,

Its much appreciated!

[embee]

Originally Posted by rharrington0

..... I'm not familiar with the Metzeler Z8. What brand is that?

Metzeler and Pirelli are part of the same industrial group.

Have a quick look at the "tyre" section in "Reviews" in the forum section listing. A lot of folk like Avon Storms and Michelin Pilot Roads PR2 or PR3, see what they say. http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=138

[johnnyrod]

Don't worry about matching tyres, it steps over into the realms of paranoia to be honest. That and healthy tyre sales. Probably been Hitlered to death on here, usually is on bike forums!