OK to just replace rear tire or best to have matching tread?

[mrphotoman]

The 600cc I am purchasing needs a new rear tire but the front appears to still be pretty good. Would I be better off to just get both replaced at the same time or is it no big deal to run 2 different tread patterns?

[grumpyoldgit]

What make/model is the front?

Depending on what it is would help to decide, i.e. if it's a stock macadam I would say replace both, if it's a decent make such as bt-020/021, metz z6, conti sport, etc, you should be able to get a matching rear.

[Black_peter]

What year? The tire is probably past it's "use" date anyway.. Changing them both is the best bet but not a law...

[mrphotoman]

I am not sure on the front tire, I will post up when I pick up the bike on saturday.

it is a 1996 katana

[StevieB]

Conventional wisdom holds that one front tire will last as long as two rears- I'd install a rear to match the front, and next time, replace them both.

[Kat750GSXF]

no

[The CyberPoet]

IMHO: replace both unless the front is a particularly good tire and you're going to stick to that brand/make in the rear.

Specifically: if the tire in question is a Michelin Macadam (90x or 100x), a Dunlop 205 / 207, Chen Shing, or a bias-based tire, I would recommend removing the front and selling it used on eBay, then getting a complete set of new Metzeler Z6's instead.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[StevieB]

no

What kind of an answer is THAT?

Besides, everbody knows the correct answer is...

"Yes."

[mrphotoman]

i am going to get both tires replaced.

[JaxKat]

IMHO: replace both unless the front is a particularly good tire and you're going to stick to that brand/make in the rear.

Specifically: if the tire in question is a Michelin Macadam (90x or 100x), a Dunlop 205 / 207, Chen Shing, or a bias-based tire, I would recommend removing the front and selling it used on eBay, then getting a complete set of new Metzeler Z6's instead.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

That is exactly what I did when my D205 got a nail in the rear. Two new Z6's... World of difference.

[mrphotoman]

Now I just have to decide between the cont force or z6. I want a set that will do well in the rain if I get caught in a storm.

Thanks for the help!

[The CyberPoet]

IMHO: There is no tire better for the Kat in the wet than the Z6. Period. No matter what, if you are concerned about wet-weather handling, stick to the stock tire sizes (don't up-size the rear tire to a 160/60).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[mrphotoman]

What is the cheapest place to buy a Z6 tire at?

[AKA AllyKat]

Iron pony had the cheapest price for the conti forces looks like $117 front and 135 rear for the z6's
Excelent turn around time from order to delivery

[steves]

I guess it depends really.... My front tire was shot at the end of last season so I replaced them as a set since I wanted to go to a Z6.

I kept the old rear as an "emergency spare" which I should probably put on eBay this winter...