Anuther tire thread, sorry

[newmaac]

Sorry to drag out the old tire thing, but I couldn't find an answer to my specific question in the old posts.

Last spring I replaced both tires with Battle Ax BT45's. I rode for only about a thousand miles before putting it back on the center stand. ( screwed-up priorities)
It sat for 5 months without being moved, and now when I check everything to get ready for this Spring, I found small cracks in the sidewall of my "new" rear tire.
The BT45 has been discontinued in Our size, (or so I'm told).
I would rather not replace them both with SO little usage on them.
Is there something for the rear that would act as a good companion to the BT45 up front, or is it advisable to always stick with matching tires.

Thanks folks,

[Pat Kelly]

I've never had a problem using tires of different brands on front and back. Just be aware that tires are made with different compounds (stickyness) and behave differently.
If you have a roadrace slick on back and a touring tire up front the bike may understeer or "push" the front end (extreme example).
Generally tires made for us humans are pretty much the same. Problems arise much quicker from suspension set-up (including tire pressures) than using different brands of tires.
If you're commuting and riding recreationally you should be ok. If you're being a squid you need a different bike and matched tires.

This is just my opinion from a couple of years roadracing and using any tire a rep would give me. Also using any tires the other wealthy racers would leave behind. You can now hear from they that believe in matched tires.

Also, small cracks are normal. Tire heats-up, flexes, cools down.
Counter to that is, even if it's a recently purchased tire, what is the date code on the sidewall. Dealer can have a brand-new, 8 year old tire on his shelf that he can finally unload to the guy with the old Yamaha.

[mro]

Tires do not need to be same manufacturer.
Depending how you ride you could put just about anything back there.

If you like to get EXsive talk to mc tire guy to get a tire w/same "properties" as your BT45 so handling/stopping will be close to what you had.



mro

[newmaac]

Thanks for the quick replies, guys.

I am noticing the addresses on the two replies.
Hmmmmm anything in the works for a local get-together??

[DiverRay]

Mike,
You missed the ride last Saturday. We can try for another one soon, as the rain seems to have let up. Check the date on your rear tire, and don't worry about a little bit of "cracking" on the sidewall. All tires will do that, some faster than others.
Ray

[motoman]

Hey there Newmaac..........Bridgestone still makes the 130/90x17 or 16 in the V rated. so you still have a replacement availabe. Check American Motorcycle Tire web site. Also have THE best prices including shipping.