Mixed Tyres

rjsmith26

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Hi,

Ready for a new rear on GSA.

6k from new on Battlewings.

Two questions

1) Used to ride a VFR and got 5k from rears and 10k from fronts. How long should I expect to get out of Battlewings? (and stupid question I know:blast but how do you know when its worn out?).

2) Assuming Battlewing will last, has anyone ridden with a Conti Road Attack on the rear and a Battlewing on the front - will it handle ok for be like a bag of spanners?

All serious and p*ss taking welcome.
 
Mix and match at will. It's a GS not a race prepared R1:thumb

Are you seriously asking when your tyre is worn out:eek:
 
Change both every time and enjoy, its not like we are getting Busa mileage from them, also cheap as chips compared to 190's :nenau

Best regards Stretch :)
PS would only change one tyre if I was selling the bike or doing nothing but commuting :thumb2
 
Well it may sound crazy:eek: - on the VFR the front tyre didn't look worn after 10k - plenty of tread - tyre looked same shape - etc. Change was recommended by mechanic. The new tyre did transform the bike however - much more confidence in front end - especially in wet.
 
I have had two sets of Battlewings on my GSA - 6K sounds about right to have it changed. I found the fronts were wearing at almost the same rate in that the leading and trailing edge of the blocks were wearing quickly as well. I changed them as a pair. I'm trying out the Conti trail attacks at the present time, but so far, nothing has handled as well as Dunlop Roadsmarts on tarmac.
 
Are you seriously asking when your tyre is worn out:eek:

Several signs:

1. It goes very Square
2. You fall off every time it rains
3. It goes Flat and won't pump up

I have always tried to avoid a mix and match, but sometimes have done it for a short period, never had a bad experience, but in this day and age I would be more concerned about insurers trying to blame your tyres after some twat pulls out on you.
 
Assuming the 'its' is your tyre.....

The same way as you knew on your VFR, I might suggest?

Change was recommended by mechanic. The new tyre did transform the bike however - much more confidence in front end - especially in wet.

Return to the same mechanic for regular checks on your GS's tyres, would still seem to be your best course of action.

Also, avoid rain / dew / river crossings :beerjug:
 
Thanks Wapping - Will do (will let you have his address so you can also call in for him to check yours as you also don't seem to know:aidan).

Thanks for other posts, Beemerman - anywhere local where you picked up your conti's? Bike Treads, Swindon?
 
Thanks Wapping - Will do (will let you have his address so you can also call in for him to check yours as you also don't seem to know:aidan).

Thanks for other posts, Beemerman - anywhere local where you picked up your conti's? Bike Treads, Swindon?

Off T'internet and fit them myself.:beerjug:
 
Is cool. :beerjug:

You can tell when your tyre is worn worn when, in no particular order:

It is worn down to or well into its wear bars. Mine regularly go into the bars.... but that does no make them legal or unworn as if by magic. I just go on what it looks like, how it feels and if it is likely to last my journey. If it is shot, or will not last until I can sensibly get a replacement, I get a new tyre fitted. That may be say 500 miles 'early' if I plan to be out'n'about in Europe.... but I do not mind getting them done abroad either..... the money lost in the 500 miles is peanuts over the bike's (or my) lifetime... I trade it off against the worn tyres I have over run.

It's tread depth is less than the legal minimum. Google for info.

The bike's handling goes to pot. Tracking groves in the road, squirming excessively on over-banding or on white road markings. You know what it is; so if you can live with it your worn tyres will last longer than someone who thinks they will die at every shimmy.

It does not fall / roll into corners properly. Look at a new tyre. It has a nice rounded shape. As the tyre wears, more often than not it squares off, losing its nice round curve, replaced by a sort of flat plateau, or even a cup shaped 'dent' around the tyre's innermost diameter. As you lean the bike over, the bike has to ride up and over the rubber between the flat plateau and the still rounded edges.

You can see cord / canvas / wire showing through the carcass.

You get an MOT fail / rectification notice / endorsements / fine from plod.

A mechanic tells you.

Front tyre wear is different to rear, not least as the size and external pressures on a front tyre are different to the rear's. Mine often feather / flat spot on the outer edges. You can feel it starting to happen.

Wear does not occur overnight. So remember what your new tyres feel like and when you feel that feeling has gone, swap 'em for new ones, or at least check your current tyres for condition and pressure (which I am sure you do anyway).

Worry less (or not at all) about the mileage of other bods. A fellow commuting 300 miles a day on a motorway may well hack through (badly square off) tyres way quicker than bod XYZ who just tootles to Tesco for root vegetables every third month, whose tyres will probably last half a life time. A bod hooning around the mountains will be somewhere in between. Some bods report being reluctant to go above 5,000 RPM.... theirs probably never wear out at all.

If your tyres are are worn out, bin 'em, irrespective of mileage. It really is that simple.
 
There are two important pieces for me.

  1. I like to have a tyre on the front
  2. I like to have a tyre on the back

I won't mix road tyres with knobblies, but aside from that I reckon you're OK.

I work on a rough ratio of two backs to one front......
 


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