MDWZX14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 27
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posted April 21, 2008 10:29 AM
JUST the BACK tire
OK folks, I've got a couple questions for the group. I've owned 4 sportbikes over the last 12 years or so and have gone thru lots of tires. I have always, always, always replaced the front when the back needed to go no matter if the front needed to be replaced or not. I'm just anal that way. But, for the first time, I'm considering replacing just the rear (Bridgestone Battalax BT-014) and leaving the front on as it does not look to need to be replaced yet. I'm at 3300 miles now ('07).
Questions:
1. How common a practice is it to just do the rear?
2. Will my front last 6,500 - 7,000 miles before needing to be replaced?
I ask question 2 because I don' t want to have to replace the front half way thru the new rear's life span. If the front won't last, I'll just switch them both out now for the brand I'll ultimately replace them with anyway (either AVON or Metzler). If the front will last the life of 2 rears, I'll be happy and will make the 2 for 2 switch when the second BT-014 rear gives up the ghost.
Comments much appreciated.
  
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LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
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posted April 21, 2008 10:59 AM
Just the rear...reply
MDWZX14:
Question 1: Yes, very common.
Question 2. Depends on your wrist and roads.
I got about 4,500 miles out of my rear, but in truth it was pretty shot 5-600 miles earlier so the last 500 or so miles I only went out on sunny days. That said, most I know, especially those who have upgraded to the stickier Power Pilots, etc, "routinely" go 2 for 1 as I did with the Bridgestones OEM set. Other will chime in for sure, good luck with whatever you choose.
Ride Safe....
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'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted April 21, 2008 11:00 AM
I agree that it's quite usual for a front tire to last for two rears, normally.
However, it wasn't until I got off another bike, a Triumph Speed Triple, and jumped onto my 14 that I realised it was steering like an oil tanker. The front had lost it's profile even though the wear blocks were not showing. A new tire restored it back to it's old self.
I'm not convinced that the ZX14 is a bike where the two for one rule applies.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted April 21, 2008 11:01 AM
 Edited By: BobC on 21 Apr 2008 12:02
Forgot to add that I get about 1500 miles from a rear.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted April 21, 2008 12:03 PM
Replace the front with whatever tire you plan on using for the next year or two. Then replace as needed. My last bike was a very hard ridden TL1000R, and I replaced the front on a almost 2 for 1 to the rear. I never had an issue with it losing its profile because I kept the sides of it worn as fast as the center, but that is an issue on most bikes.
My other bikes, I replaced the front when it started steering odd. I raced those bikes, so the front usually got "V" grooved and would fall over into full lean wether I wanted that or not...
But a mild street worn tire will get a flat spot and be harder to initiate a turn. Not a big issue, really, because you get used to it wearing that way gradually then, as Bob mentioned, you ride another bike with a new tire and go "damn! I forgot what its supposed to feel like!" and buy a new one.  How full is your wallet?
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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ninja12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
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posted April 21, 2008 06:25 PM
Almost every drag racers will tell you rears as neeeded.
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mark524
Expert Class
Posts: 297
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posted April 21, 2008 06:51 PM
quote:
Almost every drag racers will tell you rears as neeeded.
I have 2700 miles and I'm on my 5th rear tire and still have the factory front tire although it's ready to be replaced ( worn only in middle). 90% track 10% street and I trailer it to the track.
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NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted April 21, 2008 07:10 PM
I'm at 800miles on my stock tire and it's near the wear indicators. It will be bald probably around 1200-1300miles. So I will buy hard cheaper tires. I use to buy pilot powers for my 636, but on the 14, they're not needed. I had the edges feathering from the turns I took Sunday and the middle is balding WAY fast. It's just so much torque it eats rubber. It's the price of a big bore.
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87gtNOS
Zone Head
Posts: 620
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posted April 22, 2008 04:41 AM
Ok, I accelerate off the line hard all the time...lots of wheelies, etc...and I weigh 220lbs.
I am at 7300 kms on the original tires still....the front is starting to cup the sides...the rear has 1mm of tread in the middle.
I am waiting to go on the dyno tomorrow before I put on new tires. Pilot Power 2CT's most likely...although the Pirelli ROSSO's have me intrigued.
I had every intention of putting on a NEW BT014 last August....thinking that I wasn't gonna make it to winter on the first one!!!
____________
01 ZX12R
07 ZX14 - YEAH BABY!
03 ZX9R-traded in for the 14!!! June 07!
05 636-traded in for the 9 Sept 05
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted April 22, 2008 06:23 AM
quote:
I never had an issue with it losing its profile because I kept the sides of it worn as fast as the center, but that is an issue on most bikes.
But a mild street worn tire will get a flat spot and be harder to initiate a turn. Not a big issue, really, because you get used to it wearing that way gradually then, as Bob mentioned, you ride another bike with a new tire
That's exactly what I meant. Flats worn on the shoulders so it is difficult to adjust your line when leaning over. A new front restores the handling so you just need to look where you want to go and the bike follows. Since it happens so gradually and you kind of get used to it it does take a ride on another machine to show it up. I really think it's a false economy to spend $$$$ or ££££ on a bike and skimp on the one thing that is so important - rubber.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted April 22, 2008 06:44 AM
Edited By: Sticks_n_Stones on 22 Apr 2008 07:46
Totally agree Bob. My old 600 Ninja I used to part time race (track) and, umm, full time race (Sacramento River canyons) would get so flat on the sides that it would fall over with the slightest suggestion. I couldnt let anyone but me ride it when it was that bad. Racing on a Pizza delivery boy budget sucks... (late eighties, early nineties it was a E-1 paygrade in Navy. 'Bout the same $$$ lol)
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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