I know it's an old topic. I've read discussions about this and most will say if you corner under sever conditions, you definitely want to have a consistent ware pattern and same type of rubber on front and back tires. Also, rubber that is the same age on front and back will grip evenly. A new rear tire might hold onto the pavement but the old front might not be up to the task and slip out under hard cornering.

My front has plenty of miles left on it. The rear has a flat and it's close to change time anyway. What would you do?? Both front and back or just back??

Rook

I use to go through 2 rear tires before I went through 1 front. Now that I've got new suspension and the bike is dialed in right they ware together now.

But to answer your question, yes change both!!

I had the same question, asked my local garage-guy. he said its best to change both at the same time.

you know the answer. you just dont want to hear it.

Rook
It's obvious you know the correct reason for changing as a set, as do I but, I have changed out 2 rears to every 1 front ,(without incident), my entire riding career. Including track bikes. I think as long as someone wasn't staying with a 4 year old front/new rear combo, they are fine.

i CHANGE OUT 2 REARS TO 1 FRONT ALL THE TIME FOR THE CROCH ROCKET GUYS. NONE EVER COMPLAIN AND EVERY NOW AND THEN I WILL KEEP THEIR USED FRONT AS A GIVAWAYFOR SOMEBODY BECAUSE THERE IS A LOY OF NO CUPPING MEAT ON THEM. MY ONLY SELF RULE IS IF MISMATCHING TIERS MAKE SURE THE FRONT IS STICKIER THAN THE BACK.

OK!!!! CAN YOU PLEASE SHOUT SOME MORE BECAUSE I ONLY UNDERSTAND ALL UPPER CASE LETTERS..

Seriously? Can't hit that Caps Lock button? Sigh...

I never change at same time, usually 2 rear to 1 front. Sometimes more depending on burnouts.

hell, I've had to change out 2 fronts for 1 rear twice now, most of the time they wear pretty even, but, twice now I've had to change the fronts first.

you know the answer. you just dont want to hear it.

LOL yeah, I know.. I might try going with the same old front for one more go 'round and i was looking for some reassurance. I'm sure changing both is best unless maybe if you know you aren't going to corner very hard. I like the precaution of going with a less sticky rear if you keep the old front on.

I recently had a tire pierced by one of those steel bristles from a street sweeper truck. I'm pretty sure I have had that sort of thing happen in the past. Sweeper bristles are everywhere this time of year. If I pick up another one in a new tire, I don't think i want it to ruin a brand new front /rear set. Rather commit to that when I'm confident that i won't go right out and get another flat..

rook get Avon's they come with road hazard protection.

Nah, you want to get that last $5.75 out of your tires. Tires are not important on motorcycles. Just replace them with some 5 yr old chinese brand when the cops make you.

Change both tires at once. You might be able to swing changing out the back and leaving the front, but make sure the tires are the same model. If you have two diff model tires, your "turn in" might be a little awkward and hard to control.

I have changed one or both several times. If the front has uneven wear then change it if its still fairly new then use it I say. If you go to the MFG's site and look at the rubber compound used and the shape of the fronts for equivalent performance tires I don't see much difference. My tires are changed at least twice a year so there is no age problem. Now I just put a Pilot Power 2CT on the rear and it really has a fast roll over to it and sticks really good I think the front is a Bridgestone BT 016. Even on partially wet roads with some gravel and riding with some riders who ride faster on that stuff than I can on dry they held really great.

Rook tires are cheap right now change both at the same time nothing feels better on a bike than fresh tires. Don't use different tires on the bike I'm sure you already know thats a bad idea but just thought I would mention it in case someone else didn't.

Like I said before there are 2 many guys around here that will do a 2 rear to front 1 IF the front isn't cupped which happens often on sport bikes. There are also a few in my home land that will run different compounds and brands.
I better tell them I can no longer chance their lives by changing tires unless it is same make and compound front /back.

I personally always do both at the same time. Because the front cups so it does not show wear like the rear does. And cupping happens so gradually that you don't know how bad the tire is in tell you have a new one on the bike. I personally would not be unsafe just to save a little money, Now guys like 1Bad and others that drag race on a regular basic, it would be different because they do wear out the rear waaaaaay before the front.

I am changing tires for guyz that have as little as 1000 miles to as high as 2000 miles on a rear that is down to the wear bar or cords. With some the sides are rolled away and little rubber dingle berries are all over. Not much wear on the front but every now and then a front that had no problem and no cupping by feel will wobble with a new rear tire. Not often but it does happen.