07 Rear tyre wear and replacement help

[Corky]

Hi Guys

Happy New Year.

My 07 Sprint has just done 4K and the tyre wear is quite noticeable. I reckon I only have enough tread for another 2K. What is the normal tyre wear for factory fitted rear tyres and what is the best tyre I should replace it with that will give me longer tyre life? The bike does 95% highway riding and very little city riding.
Hopefully the tyres recommended will be available here in New Zealand.

[DaveM]

That would be those crap BT 020's.

I would say that is pretty average milage.

For the type of riding you do I would use Michelin Pilot Road 2's

Good long life, reasonable handling and very good wet and dry grip.

OR

Avon Storms.

I have done a number of tyre reviews in the sticky at the top of the page but my riding is very different to yours.

cheers,
DaveM

[Corky]

Hi DaveM

Yes just checked my tyres and they are indeed the BT 020's. I will check with my local tyre man and see if he has the Michelin Pilot Road 2's.

Thanks very much for your advice.

[Calliway]

I dont think you can lose with either tire that Dave recommended. I have the Storms on my bike and love them.

[googus]

I have close to 9K on my stock tires. there are only good for highway use now and the bike handles like crap due to being squared off. I will get a Avon Sorm my next set to see how they go, For me anything over 8-9K is ok. Then again I do not look for peformance jusy long lasting.
Greg

[NNELGS955]

Originally Posted by googus

I have close to 9K on my stock tires. there are only good for highway use now and the bike handles like crap due to being squared off. I will get a Avon Sorm my next set to see how they go, For me anything over 8-9K is ok. Then again I do not look for peformance jusy long lasting.
Greg

Hi Greg,

When I bought my bike about 7 months ago it had a new Bridgestone BTO14R "soft" tyre on the rear. I have done about 6500 kms since then mostly country riding and the tyre is "squared off" and is looking a bit thin in the middle. Like you I think I will have to get another tyre in a couple of thousand k's. I'm quite surprised that the bike tyre has worn so quickly and that it has squared off to the extent that it has. Perhaps it is because it is a "soft" compound ?.

My front tyre is a Bridgestone BT014 F and it has plenty of life left in it. So what do I do? Change both or replace the rear tyre with one that is compatible with the front tyre. Perhaps a tyre guru could help me out with some advice with this.

Cheers Glenn

[sdkoskey]

The Avons and Pilots are great tires. You may also want to consider the Pirelli Diablo Stradas too. I've had those on my ZZR1200 and now have them on my ST.

[googus]

I am not a tyre guru by far. I have changed out many rear tyres before the front and mis-match brands with no problems. The way the bike handles might be the only drawback but for me if I am not on a track it is not that big of a deal.

[ricster]

Originally Posted by NNELGS955

Hi Greg,

When I bought my bike about 7 months ago it had a new Bridgestone BTO14R "soft" tyre on the rear. I have done about 6500 kms since then mostly country riding and the tyre is "squared off" and is looking a bit thin in the middle. Like you I think I will have to get another tyre in a couple of thousand k's. I'm quite surprised that the bike tyre has worn so quickly and that it has squared off to the extent that it has. Perhaps it is because it is a "soft" compound ?.

My front tyre is a Bridgestone BT014 F and it has plenty of life left in it. So what do I do? Change both or replace the rear tyre with one that is compatible with the front tyre. Perhaps a tyre guru could help me out with some advice with this.

Cheers Glenn

I change in pairs. I dont like mixing tires and tire compounds...remember your life may depend on it. I like Michelin road pilots 2ct. I have others that swear on Avon Storms. just my 2cents

[Calliway]

Oh I dont recommend mixing and matching tires either. It might be a good idea to buy a set this time to get you out of the BT014 tires which are soft soft tires. Get yourself a proper sport touring tire (if that is the kind of riding you do) that match then you can replace the rear over and over as long as you are replacing it with the same series of tire. So buy a set of eg. Avon Storm AV56 front and rear then when the rear bags you can replace just the rear with the same Avon Storm AV 56. Their is a sticky on tires with tons of info on what the crew has tried and used. I took the BT020's off my bike and replaced them with Avon Storms. I ride hard but wanted something to last longer then an oil change. The Storms will spin cold but once they warm up they stick like mad and are great in water. Just my opinion....