[CrAzY dRiVeR]

This is a topic that generally divides most motorcycling groups! How do you approach your motorcycle tyre change?

1. As a pair ONLY?
2. Two rear tyres for one front - but only with the exact same replacement?
3. Two rear tyres for one front?
4. Both adhoc based on perceived wear and tear?

Tyre manufacturer CEAT has this to say on the topic -

Changing both the tyres simultaneously
One of the primary questions about bike tyre maintenance is that ‘should you change both the rear and front tyres of your motorcycle?’

Experts vote unanimously on the recommendation that you should not replace both the front and rear wheels of your bike. This is true even when the two tyres have covered the same distance! Wondering why?

The wear rate of the front motorcycle tyre is always lesser, compared to the rear wheel. This means that your front wheel enjoys a much longer life, so why change it at all it’s not a must?

However, you should definitely replace your front tyre at the same time as the rear wheel in the following extraordinary cases:

• The front tyre suffers from any visible injury.
• The front wheel has a manufacturing date of more than five years.

Otherwise, your front wheel can last much longer than your rear wheel, so relax.

If you are troubled by the question - “why does the rear tyre wear out faster?” - here is the answer:

• In its daily application, the rear tyre bears the weight of the engine, chassis and the rider/pillion.
• Motorcycle engines are driven by rear bike tyres.

One important thumb rule followed by most bikers is “replace the front tyre during the second replacement of the rear tyre.”
That is, you should change your front wheel along with every second change of the rear wheel.

Personally, I have been on both sides of the argument. When I replaced my first set of Dunlops with Metzeler Roadtec01 - I chose to treat the replacement as a pair because the Dunlops were quite average and I didn't want a clear mismatch with the excellent Roadtec01 at the rear. Now, with the second replacement due - the front tyres clearly have 50% life left and have been giving excellent grip, so I have decided to go ahead with a replacement of the rear tyres alone. The only reasonable choice available currently is from Vredestein, but looking at the reviews - I'm convinced these shouldn't be much of a mismatch! On the scooter - I follow the 'two for one pattern' as well and it has worked properly.

Where do you stand on this topic?

[Geo_Ipe]

For car tyres, I always change them as a set of 4. Car tyres can be rotated and the wear will be more or less even after x km!

As rightly pointed out, the front & rear tyres of motorcycles have differential wear. So if the front tyre is not worn out as much as the rear one, I don't see a point in changing them as a set. The rear tyre will need more frequent changes!

[AtheK]

I personally change the set, but generally with usage, rear will burn out faster and if you are running short on cash you can change the rear first followed by fronts.

[Akshay6988]

I change it based on wear and tyre condition. The new one goes in the front and the used front goes on the back wheel. I've found CEAT tyres turn hard and the sidewalls develop small cracks in about a year and half. I've switched to MRF zappers and quite happy with them.

[mp417]

In most cases I would change on adhoc based on wear and tear.

In addition to wear and tear, the time duration should be considered as well. Tyres get hard over time and loses the effectiveness. It also form cracks even if the tyre has sufficient thread depth.

[abhi_tjet]

I replaced the tires as a pair on my P180. I suppose, it will be same for my Street Triple as well.
For scooters, however, it will be ad hoc as per wear and tear.

[KayEss]

My approach is simple.
If I'm changing to a tyre that's markedly different from current, I would prefer to change both. If not, just the one that's worn out.

[kosjam]

While the answer for me is AD-HOC,

I have experienced that my riding style has been such, with liberal use of front brakes and conservative, sedate riding, that both tyres generally wear out equally, so I have always needed to change both tyres together. I did this 3 times, and every time I checked if the front tyre needed a change, and looking at its condition, decided that it was.

Twice on a Ninja 300 and once on an apache.

[shyamg28]

I would like to bring in the additional factor of the cost of tyres, as well as current income state.

At an earlier stage in my career, I recall replacing only a single tyre when absolutely necessary. Pushing it yes, but that was the immature thought process.

I recently replaced both my tyres for my Himalayan because the sum total came to 6k which I found was extremely affordable given my current income. And I preferred it because not only did I change the tyre company, I also felt more at ease knowing that I would be supported from both ends from the get go.

So ideally, given a choice and circumstances allow, I would look at replacing both at the same time.

[shancz]

Adhoc for me.
Not just about the money/wastage but I don't see any reasoning in letting go of a tyre which still has 50-60% of its life left.
For the grip levels I don't think I am skilled enough to make use of that difference its going to make.

[ebonho]

It depends on the condition of the tyres, regardless of usage. Some tyres simply do not wear at an accelerated rate because of the rubber compound, so you will find them looking the same year on year. But rubber gets hard and then does not grip as well, so you might still decide to change a tyre with a lot of tread depth remaining.

Other times, as in the case of Doppie, my Std 500, you might experiment with a different wheel size (I moved from 19 to 18). In that case, you obviously buy a new set in the new size. And if the old set is good, you clean it, put in tyre spacers to keep the bead in shape, and store it carefully for when you decide to move back to the original wheelset.

Sometimes, as for Bullets. the rear wear is really hard. Ditto for KTM's. High torque and higher power, combined with a heavy rider with a heavy right hand tends to do that. In that case, if the front still has a lot if usable life left, and as for the KTM the tyres are really costly, then you change only the rear.

Sometimes, you go on a big tour (6-7,000+ km) and the cost of the ride and the terrain justifies a change to purpose built new tyres. Like my replacing my Duke 390's Metzelers for a set of Ceat Verygos at the rear and Michelin Siracs for the front for a big ride to North Sikkim. I had used up the rear tyre by the time we returned. Two micro punctures and continually falling pressures along with the mountain terrain did that. The Sirac later went on to the rear of my son's old Pulsar when a petty cheat puncturewalla destroyed his old MRFs.

Sometimes you just want to experiment with the look and feel of a new tread design and are bored of waiting for the existing tyre to degrade to the point of replacement. Like Dunlop Unigrips on the rear and front of my Bullet (in 19). Or the Ceat Secura Sport (the favourite of many old Bullet racers/rallyists, though the jury is out there and the fan club divided between those and the older Dunlops, fauji favourite).

Sometimes the rear is done (wires showing through the center finally), but the front is still going strong, but you get a crazy deal on a new set of Chinese Metzelers. Which you want to try as a longterm cheaper alternative. So you clean and store the old front, the old rear tied to a rope tied to a tree branch becomes a swing, and the new set front and rear goes on, like for my Duke 390.

Do not be afraid to mix and match treads and manufacturers. Or even rear tyres for the front. Generations of motorcyclists have been doing that and racing as well, over decades, when tyres were neither easily available, not were people as well off as today. With great results too.

I used to tell the same to a close friend who tours tens of thousands of miles every year and owns many very fancy bikes. For the longest time he was a by the manufacturer's book type of guy, who would look at me with faint horror when I suggested the same. In spite of the evidence to the contrary on rides we did together. Recently I find his bikes shod with different treads from different manufacturers. He claims its the Covid tyre dryout. I just looked at him and smiled broadly.

Cheers, Doc

[mindshack]

Hi, my two bits on this. Based on the how experienced the rider is and what the rider can afford-

(Very Experienced) Ad-Hoc basis: Understands his bike and handling well. Can take a call which needs to be changed when;
(Medium Experience) Two rear for one front: same tyre preplacement and if ever does not feel confident with the front grip, knows to move away from this thumb rule and quick change;
(Beginner/Early Riding) Both together: this is the easy peasy rule OR change both if cost is not a consideration.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by mindshack

(Medium Experience) Two rear for one front: same tyre preplacement and if ever does not feel confident with the front grip, knows to move away from this thumb rule and quick change

I never even knew there was a thumb rule like this, till I saw the poll.

If yes, then guys following it are taking a really big risk. There is simply now way for instance that my front KTM Metzeler that still had life in it when my rear started showing central wires, would last for the whole entirety of the second rear tyre.

Tyres often have wear indicators to help. But with the front tyre you usually do not have the luxury of getting a warning slide/s like with the rear. And then its too late.

A very costly way of finding out you need to replace the tyre to my mind.

[bj96]

On Jupiter purely ad hoc as it is used for low speed city errands. Rear is second unit, front is still factory oem all in about 8y/11k kms. On bullet also it is ad hoc. however in 16y/23k treads were ok but sidewalls had micro cracks and rubber turned hard and tube inside was loosing air frequently. So, changed both rear and front almost together but different brands based on cost and tread pattern. It is on second set and looking good for a year at least. On fat boy also I wanted to be ad hoc but both rear and front became hard and started loosing grip almost same time. 4.5y/28k I am looking for a third set now (preferably either Dunlops or Michelins ). Because of speeds it can go, kerb weight and kind of roads I take him to, don’t want to take chances.

Nutshell- it is ad hoc and value for money but not penny wise pound foolish for me. Suboptimal tread and bad tires can cost life or lead to expensive damages, so, I keep a keen eye and ensure not to go bald or hard with tires.

Cheers,
BJ

[adisan]

With a sedate driving style and used only in city, ad hoc worked well for me.