rear tyre choice

Hi all.
just noticed after checking my tyres that the rear one has some bad cracks in the sidewall ,so looks like its time for a new one,just wondering what brand most people on here would recommend.and what prices am i looking at.
thanks.
shaun.

i think Bridgestone BT45s seem to generally be the most popular choice on this forum. Relatively good grip in all weather and reasonable lifespan. There are a few others around but I've always gone with the popular vote and stuck with the Battleaxes.

Oh, and don't forget the pressures should be higher than the OEM figures quoted by Honda/Haynes (which only applied to the stock tyres). If you have BT45s front and rear, pressures should be 36 front and 40 rear.

Yep, BT45s are the dogs-bollocks recomendation. Unfortuantly you pay for this: they are slightly more expensive and don't last as long.

If you want cheaper tyres that are slightly less grippy but last a bit longer try Conti Gos or Avon Roadriders, both have been used with success.

Ultimatly it is up to you (and your wallet). I went for the Avon Roadriders 'cos I could get them cheap and I have little money.

If money isn't a problem for you then go for the BT45s :)

I am sure that if you shop around you can get BT45's for a reasonable price. I got mine a year ago and paid £155 including fitting, balancing and valves.

somewhere on the internet and possibly even in this very forum it has been said that BT45's go out of shape too quickly and that newer designs are better in this respect.


Anecdotal it may be but once more I'm riding around on a square rear tyre and a triangular front which do not inspire confidence in the wet and tramline like a bugger.

This tyre wear pattern is the bane of commuting and those who spend more time in the twisties would prefer the BT45s but I'm not sure it's the best choice for riding to work.

thanks for all your advice,i went with the bt45 in the end,fitted for £90,so not too bad i thought.

I agree wih kungfupoodle ref BT45's... I have used before on a previous bike...

I have just put on Michelin Pilot Activs.

They are great in the dry.

They are great in the wet... but I mean proper wet...

They can be a weee bit of a handfull in the mildly-moist conditions - but then again, the roads are so greasy at the moment it may not be a true reflection of the tyre performance.

The advantage of the Pilot Activs is that they are constructed of a dual compound rubber (the centre tread for upright riding is hard while the outter edges for cornering is a softer gripy compound) thus more mileage for the commuter but not as much grip for the weekend hoooner on BT45's !!!!!!!

The disadvantage is that if the tyre does under-perform in the damp/wet conditions with your style of riding, then you are stuck with it for 6k miles...

Price is approx £70 for the front and £80 for the rear - both fitted/balanced but I took the wheels off the bike else the fitting charges were approx £20 extra.

Regards

G-T

where did you get your tyres G-T? I can order them off the web for those prices but I'd still have to pay someone to fit them

Hi kungfupoodle,

I bought them online, and opted to get them fitted at my local tyre depot.
The chap , Steve, is very knowledgable and fills you with confidence that he knows what he is talking about... When I asked how much the 2 ryes would have cost if ordered direct, he quoted me £71 for front and £78 for back, Inc valves, balancing, fitting and vat. This was cheaper than online price :-(
See www.sandhurstmotorcycles.co.uk tel 01252 870837.

Location is about 4miles from jnc 4 of M3.

Hope this of help.

Regards

G-T

Heh, Sandhurst, you're not too far from me GT!

Indeed Teamster, it would appear we're not far appart... 20mins max (if roads clear)!

Some nice roads between Woking & Sandhurst as well, we'll have to meet for a pint one evening when the weather improves!