Shot rear tire.....what to do?

[FredE]

I was getting set to hook up w/TeeDub (Vancouver, WA) and some of his riding buddies early this AM for a ride thru the Gifford Pinchot.........so I went through my pre-ride ritual. When I got round to checking tire pressure, there was only 14 PSI in the rear.

I must have picked up the nail on the way home yesterday, because I spent the day attacking the twisties with a buddy........he rides a GSXR1K, so we were letting no grass grow beneath us - no problems.

My query to you all is two-fold:

1. - To those who have already gone to their second set of tires, what did you replace the OEMs with, and how are they working out?

2. - I'm ambivalent about replacing both front & rear..........I've only got 1800 miles on them, so the front's got plenty of life left. What's the general opinion on "mis-matched" front & rear? It's got Metzler RennSports, so I could order a rear - but then the front will expire before the rear. I could go with a different brand rear, or just pony up for a new set of whatever. What say you all?

Here's what I found embedded in the rear:

[effort1]

I have run mixed tires on my bikes before. Never had a problem but that is not to say I ride hard enough to cause problems.

I am intrested in what everyone thinks of the different tire options out today.

[JC4]

Only 700 miles on mine, so I've just started an early search for replacement tires. Have you found anyone that carries Rennsports? The US Metzler site doesn't even list them.

Kneedraggers.com lists a Rennsport Race, Green and Blue. I don't think they are what we have stock??? Pricey bitches too, $222 for a 190 rear. They also have the Racetech's at only $200. :)

I've been considering Pilot Powers or M-3's. But, I probably wouldn't mix/match them with Renn's.

If I was you, I'd plug the tire for now. Not overly safe, but I'd trust it for short(semi-tame) rides, until a new tire was delivered. If I could find a Renn, then I'd just replace the rear(I usually go 2 rears for every front anyhow) If I couldn't find a Renn rear, I hate throwing away good tires(your front), but it might be your best bet, and get a matched set of something.

[Beau1K]

You can get a pair of Dunlop 208's from Cycle Gear on special right now for $156 front and rear. Great deal. Have not verified if it's still going on but I think it is.

[chrisscaines]

Don't mix brands, models within said brands, or put a new rear on with an old front...

Ask yourself this: Is it worth crashing over $100?? Because that's how much the average great DOT front tire costs (Dunl0p Qualifier 120/70 is $99).

I have crashed as a direct result of mixing miss-matched compounds with mixed mileage tires. Rule-o-thumb is retire both tires at the same time.

Now, this is where I break the rule.

Now if you are only a commuter, straight up kinda rider, you can probably mix mileage, but I still would not mix models or brands even just commuting.

Get Pilot Powers, Dunlop Qualifiers, or BT014s for the street. For the track: GPAs, Power Race. My two cents.

[amauri]

Looks like it's a nail, if it was mine I'd dismount the tire and use a patch from the inside.
I use those patches that have a stem that fill the hole from the inside out, pull it through the inside of the tire and cut off the excess from the outside.

The rear Diablo on my Factory has 4k miles since I patched it.
http://www.tireservicecentral.com/Product%20Catalog/Tire_Patch_Items/Tire_Patches___Chemicals/tire_patches___chemicals_4.htm

[splatty]

I'm not flush with cash by any means, but I am a firm believer of buying tyres in pairs. Especially when you are dropping them on your £8000 pride and joy.

Most dealers offer good deals for pairs.

I know someone who works for Bridgestone so sometimes I can get myself a bargain. The bike dealer I use for service is now selling Michelin Pilot Powers 2CT in pairs for £175 plus fitting which I think is pretty reasonable.

It's up to you mate, but that's my take on it.

[JC4]

I read about those CT2's. They sound sweet!!! To bad we don't get them in the US. :(

[hairy]

I was getting set to hook up w/TeeDub (Vancouver, WA) and some of his riding buddies early this AM for a ride thru the Gifford Pinchot.........so I went through my pre-ride ritual. When I got round to checking tire pressure, there was only 14 PSI in the rear.

I must have picked up the nail on the way home yesterday, because I spent the day attacking the twisties with a buddy........he rides a GSXR1K, so we were letting no grass grow beneath us - no problems.

My query to you all is two-fold:

1. - To those who have already gone to their second set of tires, what did you replace the OEMs with, and how are they working out?

2. - I'm ambivalent about replacing both front & rear..........I've only got 1800 miles on them, so the front's got plenty of life left. What's the general opinion on "mis-matched" front & rear? It's got Metzler RennSports, so I could order a rear - but then the front will expire before the rear. I could go with a different brand rear, or just pony up for a new set of whatever. What say you all?

Here's what I found embedded in the rear:
i dont think the front will expire b4 the new rear ,mines usually take two back tyres to i front even then there is still a good bit of wear on the front

[splatty]

I read about those CT2's. They sound sweet!!! To bad we don't get them in the US. :(

Sure do mate.........sticky on the outside, harder in the middle. :)

Think that's what I'll try when mine have give up.

[ckruzel]

mixing tires is no big deal, even when riding hard, and no you won't crash because of it, some people i know actually like the handling characteristics of a front dunlop, but a pirelli rear, and thats in competition

myself i replace them in pairs and with the same brand, but mixing won't cause you any grief

it can be patched, i had a tire with 92 miles on it pick up a nail, i had it patched like amauri said, i replaced the tire after i wore it out with no problems, i would never stick a plug in it, only a patch on the inside

if i had more miles than 92 like over 1000 on it i would have just replaced it

right now i currently get about 2000 out of a set of tires (both into the wear bars)

[TUONOAPE]

because I ride with a bunch of tight-arsed, self inflicted povo's, there has been many times when all that's been used is a simple plug (the cord type used for car tyres, not those farkin mushroom things!) and they've lasted for the life of the tyre. We all carry them for emergency use, but only 2 to my knowledge have ever failed and both had been in for big miles. One guy did a track day on a rear too, but I wouldn't recommend that. I've used them also, but fortunately each time the tyre's been nearly rooted anyway, so it's not been too long before I replaced it, but still never had a problem.

[FredE]

Thanks for all the replies..............the various opinions helped me make a decision. I bought a set of Dunlop Qualifiers today, gonna drop off the T7 tomorrow morning to have 'em mounted.

I wish the Metzler Rennsports hadn't come to an untimely end............they were VERY sticky, and weren't sporting much wear in the middle. I'm thinking they (the OEM version, at least) are dual compound. Would have liked to see how long they lasted.

[chrisscaines]

Look no further... unless the new Michelin 2CT blows it away, the Qualifier will serve you very well. It is great tire... the only way up is a DOT race tire. Good choice.

[Chuck B]

I've had plenty of experience with flat tires. Mix matching tires is just fine. Might handle a bit different but so would a new set of tires. If I'm on the road I plug it with mushroom style and when convenient I'll pull the tire and install a proper inside patch. My best trip was 3 flats with two occurring in a single day and both were with the FRONT tire.....nothing like bring a 900lb K1200LT to a stop with a flat front...twice! Second time overheated the tire so bad I had at least 5 major blisters on the tire. Had to push on almost 250miles to the nearest dealer for a replacement.

[cggunnersmate]

Like ckruzel said mixing brands/compounds and mileages shouldn't be an issue. Racers mix and match compounds all the time. My rear tires usually go twice as fast as the front and I just can't afford to replace a front tire that is still good. Since I'm in southern Miss/Alabama there's not enough twisty roads to really use the tires evenly the rear always gets the flat spot in the middle. For commuting/recreational riding running a fresh rear and older front is no big deal. Now if I was to do a track day I'd put fresh rubber on front and rear. I think a big mistake would be to mix tires of different construction i.e. radial and bias-ply.

[FredE]

There's nothing like a new set of tires.............after they're scrubbed in, that is. Just picked the T7 up from EDR, the Dunlop Qualifiers still have my name on them - not for long, heh, heh, heh.