Do you change tyres in pairs or as each wears?

[LeeR]

So I just thought as I've squared off my rear, and it'll need replacing before the year's out, do I buy a pair or just replace the rear?

The reason I ask is, it's a Metzler Tourance EXP, the road bias version of the Tourance and IMHO not as good as other tyres I've used.

Now ordinarily I change the tyres as they wear each in turn until front and rear replacement coincides, but a chap I work with says he always changes them together whether they need it or not.

I guess he has more disposable income than me, and though I've not been overly impressed with the EXP, I'm loathed to bin a front tyre with another 5000-7000 miles life left in it.

So what do you think, a pair of another type or just a new rear?

https://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc162/lrogers_album/rearexp1.jpg
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[stinkwheel]

I do them as and when needed.

It is so common to go through two rears top every front that many tyre suppliers will do special deals of "sets of three" (2 rears and a front).

So, If I were you, I'd get another rear and expect them both to wear out at roughly the same time. Swap them for another type next time.

I ride roughshod over what anyone says. I bought a spare rear wheel for my VFR. I have two different rears, a decent sports-touring one and one cheap and nasty one to wear out on motorway runs.

I use the sportier front which I just replace as and when it gets too illegal.
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[kitty kat]

I replace each as needed. In 48000 miles of riding on this bike I have never had both become illegal at the same time
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[bikedemon99]

As above, when they are needed but remember 100 miles before there grippy and much worse in the wet, good luck
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[Villers]

If Im on a set of tyres I like then I will change each tyre as is needed. Think I once managed three rear BT014's to one front on the CBR6, back when I was all throttle!

If its a new bike that Ive got and I dont like the tyres Ive been known to swap them for a pair I do like. I switched the dunlops on my SV650 after doing about 100 miles from brand new because I didnt trust them.

The Hayabusa has squared the front slightly and it feels weird, so Im getting a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2's on at the reccomendation of the lads over at UKbusas. They are the only thing between me and the road so I have a bit of an OCD about them!
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[SoND]

I've BT014s on the CBR4 and it's worked out 1.5 rear tyres to 1 front (wear markers are about 1inch long and badly misshapen).

Depending on what tread you have left on the front I'd just change the back and maybe buy a new front at the same time then swap it when you need to.
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[thefallenange...]

if you can race scrub on ebay. Bought some michelin's sport or something which were on sale a bit ago for £120 a pair. The rear squared badly and by 1500 miles it was shagged. Managed to brave another 1500 miles from it but bought a Pirelli Corsa scrub off ebay for £35 and got it fitted for a tenner.

I'd go new pair at first and then get a race scrub to squeeze it until both are toast and have a new set again. Works out cheaper in the long run too. Thank god for race bikes.
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[Flip]

[mooserx]

i prefer to change each tyre as and when, purely due to the fact that
a) new tyres aren't as grippy until they've been scrubbed in
b) i'm to tight to shell out on a pair in one go.
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[LeeR]

Cool, thanks for the common sense answers I'll be buying just a new rear then, so that's £100 instead of £200.
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[Kris]

As said, replace each tyre as and when required.

I don't quite understand people that junk perfectly good tyres to get a new 'set'. Weird.

Probably the same people that happily junk a decent chain because a new sprocket is required. I guess some of us just like to save as much money as possible?
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[Kickstart]

Hi

I also change them as they get worn out. Exception is if they are both pretty close to being worn out. Cannot be bothered to go and sort out 2 tyres seperatly only a short time apart.

All the best

Keith
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[binge]

On the NC29 they used to wear out pretty evenly. The front would wear out on the edges, And the rear would wear out in the middle.

£30 for a set of Race scrubs every couple of months though. So wasnt a problem.

[Wave2k]

usually do 2-3 rears to a single front, although if i liked thowing cash down the toilet id get 2 new ones every time.
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[Villers]

[Mr Nice Guy]

The Pilot Road 2 on my Gixer are now totally shagged, they are on 9100 miles though ...wear seems pretty even, however I think the front is slightly more worn than the rear...
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I do them as an when unless the tyres on it are truely aweful.
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[TheDonUK]

As and when,

With the exception of when i picked up my ZX6R, i rode it for a week on the OE tyres, Dunlop D207's or something, they were shocking, dumped them both for some Pilot Road 2's
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[MarJay]

There is a thread about this on the Buell forum that was answered by an expert from bridgestone. He said that tyres were designed to wear at different rates because they have different loads put on them. He also said it makes sense because customers buy two rears for every 1 front (ish) and so its better for them financially to buy 1 tyre at a time.

(although I got the impression that was a secondary consideration to how the tyres actually peform.)
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[LeeR]

Pretty conclusive poll guys and gals so thanks very much for your time and input.

I usually manage 2 rears to a front, getting 7000-9000 miles from a rear (depending on whether it's my winter or summer tyre) and 11,000 - 14,000 from the front.

Getting them to coincide is pretty much impossible with those figures but I'm comfortable with fitting a new rear and then having a full set late spring.
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[Jaloopa]

I changed both recently when the rear was worn. The front had a fair bit of wear left but was looking a bit perished so I thought I should probably do that as well since I was already taking the wheels off.

First time I've ever changed my tyres though so I'm not exactly the font of all knowledge.
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[LeeR]

Why is everything such hard work?

I rang Protyre in Gloucester on 27th Dec to arrange a new rear for the 2nd Jan.

Due to poor sales of the Metzler Tourance EXP they no longer stock it and couldn't get me one for the new year as Metzler are closed until 5th. Plus their only motorcycle tyre fitter is on holiday 1st - 4th Jan so I had to go in yesterday afternoon before they finished early.

Anyway, cut a very long and boring story short I came away with a pair of Bridgestones a BT-020 on the front and a BT-021 on the rear for £210 all in.
Done 50 miles so far and they're rather nice a helluva lot sticker than the kind of tyres I'm used to.
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[neatbik]

You got back safe then
I was quite surprised that you managed to get some heat into them in this weather, usually mine still feel stone cold in temperatures like this.

[robbieguy2003]

I had some BT020s on my last 600RR when I used to ride in the winter, worked really well and don't square off that badly - think they are a triple compound so harder in the middle, softer on the sides.

I felt they stuck better than 014s in the wet and cold and certainly better than 015s which were just terrible in cold and wet.
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[Flip]

BT 020's are awful tyres