Tire Replacement

[jaydog19833]

OK the time is growing near where I think I need a new tire. My front is fine but my rear has developed a "flat spot" in the middle. What my argument is here is that the lean angles or sides of the back tire are in pretty good shape.

(I believe this flat spot was caused for when I was stuck in traffic last summer on an 80 degree day on freshly laid blacktop. The blacktop MELTED into my tires and left hundreds of pebbles and rocks embedded in the rubber. I couldn't pick them out by hand so........I did a rather long [10second] burnout to get them out; all the while thinking "Man im f***ing up an expensive tire right now." Either way I think this may be part of the reason behind the flat spot in the tread).

Nevertheless I included some pics of BOTH my tires. I would appreciate if you guys could tell me if they NEED replacement or how soon I should need to. My biggest concern here is I am so unbelieveably broke I cannot quite afford a new tire right now. Don't worry I won't ride on a bad tire; this would just mean the bike would take of a week or so until I can afford a new one

Also I was looking into a different tire. I'm thinking of getting a Dunlop D208 180/55 x 17 as opposed to the previous Dunlop Sportmax. And this brings my next question. Due to the fact my front tire is in fine shape.......would it be a problem mismatching tires by buying a different name rear than front? If this is something dangerous or just "wrong" to do I would rather get an OEM tire (again due to my broke college ***).

Rear Tire 1
http://img134.echo.cx/my.php?image=tire16ue.jpg

Rear Tire 2
http://img134.echo.cx/my.php?image=tire20gu.jpg

Front Tire
http://img134.echo.cx/my.php?image=fronttire4qc.jpg

[Clint]

Good God, man, focus!

Your rear is about shot. They get flat spots from miles, not from hot pavement or a quick burnout. You'll notice much improved handling when you get a properly round tire back on there. The front is so-so, but it's best to buy a matched set, especially if the tire is old and hard.

[Gixxerdale]

1st, rather than cleaning a tire with a burn out, just do some counter steering. The tire will last a lot longer.

2nd, yep it's shot, and as Rowdy said buy a matched set. If you do a lot of straightline commuting/riding, I'd suggest not getting a 208. It's a soft compound that will wear rapidly when commuting. Some of the wear may be shredding due to under inflation and commuting.

Try a slightly harder compound like found on the Sport Touring side of things. They still handle well, but will last longer in the straight line commuting.

[jaydog19833]

Originally Posted by Gixxerdale

1st, rather than cleaning a tire with a burn out, just do some counter steering. The tire will last a lot longer.

Oh I would have just driven the rocks out except my tires felt like I was riding on ice!

Secondly, that tire in my pic was from my "learning" period on the GSXR. I started hitting corners harder after about 1,500 or 2,000 miles on it. I have some thinking to do though about soft or hard compounds. I LOVE twisties but rarely find good roads in my area That gets me thinking of a harder compound because I like long rides and nice scenery.

Dale what would you specifically recommend on a brand? I do a handful of longer commutes that usually end up in some twisties but mostly highway style riding in the long run. Perhaps the same tire as OEM? I managed to pull 6,500 miles outta that one!

[jaydog19833]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Good God, man, focus!

Oh trust me I have been focused! I wasn't kidding I am poor. I haven't been able to have fun on my bike for the past couple weeks because of this. I'm glad though to see that my assumptions were right about the "lack of tread" left on this baby. I think I may go stock tire again. That would keep me OK with the front tire and I already know what to expect from the rear tire.

BTW I keep a tire guage in my cowl. I check my pressure before every ride

[inspiron]

If you can't afford a set of tires, why did you buy a Gixxer? High-power bikes have high maintenance costs

Don't start mixing rubber - replace both tires at the same time, and use the same model front and rear. And make sure that your suspension is set correctly!

[Clint]

Actually, I meant the camera. My head hurts looking at those pics.

Dale, you can't ride without countersteering. It's physically impossible. What did you mean by that?

[themeatmanlandry]

Ride it until the belts show, then replace the rear. If the front's not wobbling on you, I'd ride it some more.

[Gixxerdale]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Actually, I meant the camera. My head hurts looking at those pics.

Dale, you can't ride without countersteering. It's physically impossible. What did you mean by that?

Sorry, should have said do some "excessive" counter steering to get the debris off the tire.

[Miyamoto]

Y'know...as much as it would be cool to replace both tires at the same time, I believe that's often impractical.
And I think the same thing goes with Brands.
I read somewhere that although its most ideal to replace both tires at the same time and use the same brand, its not always possibel/realistic and that as long as you have the right type and size, you should be good.
The MAJOR no-no is that you should not mix tire TYPES.

[Uncle Bob]

That applies to car tires but does it apply to bike tires ?

Bike tires are designed to have similar turning radiuses (?) from front to rear. Two similar tires will turn better than an unmatched pair that may not have the same turning radius built in .

If somebody can better explain this then please jump in here .

[Islander]

My wife has Pilot Roads on her Honda 599. She did a track school and they held the pavement well, so far they have 7500 km on them and are still in pretty good shape.

[Miyamoto]

Well...what are the best replacement tires for a Katana 600 then?
I was thinking about getting some Maxis Supermaxx M6029s, but now ah'm so confursed.

[themeatmanlandry]

There is no 'best replacement tire for a Kat' 600,' but there is a 'best tire for the typoe of riding that you intend to do.'

Do you ride to work a lot?

Do you only ride in the twisties?

. . . only at the track?

What are you looking for in a tire? Traction? Longevity?

Speak.

[SuzukiGirl1]

Again...you're post and your avatar together cracked me up!!!

[jaydog19833]

Originally Posted by inspiron

If you can't afford a set of tires, why did you buy a Gixxer? High-power bikes have high maintenance costs

Thanks for the advice; nothing I didn't know. I'm a little disappointed that after a year on this forum I get posts that should rather be kept to yourself. Here's why I can't afford the maintenance RIGHT NOW (http://www.suzuki-bikes.com/forum/sh...7725#post77725)

Well. I did a LOT of searching and found brand new Dunlop D208's (front and rear) on Ebay for a very affordable price. I am actually leaving for a 2 week trip on Sunday with my school (posted in another thread) so I will wait until my return to purchase the new tires. Thanks for all the advice and I will get brand new matching tires in the next couple weeks.

[Miyamoto]

Enjoy your trip.
I'm off to Boston this evening myself.
Not exactly a European trip...come to think of it. I haven't BEEN in Europe since 2001...wait, that's a lie, I was in France for a short bit last year, but that doesn't count.
Hey Jaydog...you guys got room for 1 more?

[Miyamoto]

I'm a casual rider.
I ride to work on Lake Shore Drive, but its a very short hop...15 minutes, tops.
I like to cruise around the city and surrounding environs in the evenings and weekends.
I'm the easy rider on a sportsbike.
Is that clear enough for ya, iggy-pop???