One Tire Or Two

[ffltstn]

I have always replaced both tires at the same time. Even though the back has worn out first. So I was wondering if it was the norm to replace both at once? Which do you do? Also anyone know of any deals right now?
Ken In Fl

[the2knights]

I work to hard for my money to replace a tire with good tread left on it! Next rear tire I am going to the dark side. I plan on that tire having a life a lot longer than my front. Replaced front 2,000 miles ago, should have about 2,500 to 3,000 left on my current rear tire.

[debron]

I replaced front and rear at different times last year on my XII (Elite 3's replacing Elite 3's) and just replaced the front tire before the Western Regional Rally. Misplaced the paperwork for when I replaced the front tire last summer but it had around 20,000 on it when I replaced it a couple of weeks ago. The rear has about 18,000 and looks to be good for well over 20,000. So no, I don't replace the tires at the same time unless they are both worn out or nearly so. As Kendall (the2knights) suggested, it's too expensive to replace tires that don't need replacing.

[gearheadfla]

I also do 1 at a time, I went darkside last year and look to get 30k out of the rear, that should be 3 fronts to a rear, my Nomad will be the same when I wear out the E-3 on the rear

[justagrinin]

Tonight I just pulled the front and back wheel my first for such, 2000 XII. All went well and will have a shop put my new Elite 3's on tomorrow. Do you have any words of wisdom I should do when I put the wheels back on. Thanks for any suggestions.

[JHD]

Tonight I just pulled the front and back wheel my first for such, 2000 XII. All went well and will have a shop put my new Elite 3's on tomorrow. Do you have any words of wisdom I should do when I put the wheels back on. Thanks for any suggestions.

I would clean up the final drive by removing any rust/dirt on the splines. Do the same on the splines on your wheel hub. I would also check the splines on your wheel hub once you clean it. Look for damage. This is the sacrificial part (ask me how I know). I would also change your final drive gear oil if you haven't already. Check your wheel bearings front and rear. Clean/lube the speedo drive if needed. Check your brake pads/rotors/calipers. Change all brake/clutch fluid if you haven't in the last year or two. You could also lube your swingarm bearings while your at it. This all depends on how much time you have to do some extra maintenance. In the end it's worth every minute and penny you've spent.

Brad

[doug of so fla]

I just change 1 at a time and also do some maint while it's down. but equally important when changing tires or brakes or even motorcycles, is to after you scrub the silicone off new tires by driving 100mi or so. Is to do some testing!! so you do not come up with any surprises!! down the road. Find a untraveled road and do some weaving & slow speed hard stops and high speed hard stops. and check that everything is on proper and lined up. Weather you do it or a shop does it do some above average testing. & it is also good practice for yourself.. I go overeboard but thats just me..

[biggersm]

I agree with what Doug said above. Also would like to add that you should check to see if your brakes calipers are back in place. I picked up my bike from a dealer once and noticed it felt a little clunky when using the front brakes and the clunking when braking seemed to get worse after 50 miles (to include giving Marcia a ride home from work). I knew something was wrong so I dropped her off and said I was going to swing by the dealer. While en route one of the front calipers fell off!

After the same visit I noticed the coolant overflow bottle was empty.

The two same day incidents above were on our Goldwing. This is also the dealer that couldn't get the carbs back on our XII correctly. Three strikes and your out!

[cushman eagle]

I would also lube the splines on the back wheel, after cleaning them, before you reinstall it.

[96desertXII]

I usually get 2 rear to one front on my bikes. We will see how that works on the XII. I'm a little heavy handed on the throttle and am "spirited" in the corners.

Either way I cant wait to get rid of the 404 and 491 series tires when they wear out.....so 1 at a time.

[ghostler]

Replaced both about 6 months ago. Back was definitely in need of replacement, front was badly cupped. (Bridgestone front had cup wear on inner part of alternating zig-zag tread pattern; bought bike used, thought it best to zero time the rubber.) Next go around, I'll probably replace both as older rubber is never good on a bike.

New Mexican shade tree mechanic at work, used car jack and pickup with wood blocking under rim to protect to break bead, 5/8" split heater hose sections for rim protectors, screw drivers suitable to opening manhole covers as tire irons and special aluminum tire tool and iron, window cleaner as lubricant, etc. (No tires or rims were harmed in producing these photos, LOL)

[Mr Jensee]

When I had smaller bikes I, like others here changed only the tire that needed it. This is my first (and probably my last) big touring bike. I changed both tires 10,000 miles ago because it had Dunlop 404's on it. As of today those tires, Dunlop E3's are still showing a lot of tread so I can't tell you I will change them one at a time. This set looks like they will both go the distance equally! yea!

[ghostler]

My first bike, a 1971 Honda CB100 bought used in 1979 as a college student, went through 3 sets of back tires and 1 front tire before graduating in Winter 1981. (I still have the bike.) Those were almost like changing bicycle tires, but a little tougher. (2.50x18 front, 2.75x17 or 3.00x17 rear, surprised they are now called "moped tires"). Went through Sears (they sold motorcycle tires then), and Yokohamas, later Chen Shing and Michelin Gazelles.

2nd bike, 1987 Suzuki LS650 Savage, replaced two back for one front more or less. Worst tires were Kenda Challengers, long life, but spooky when wet. Could scratch in 3rd gear riding on rain slick limestone paved roads. Front tire size labelling matched OEM but was larger diameter than OEM; rubbed front fender, got rid of it shortly after. Pirelli MT66 Routes were really good tires for it.

[Mr Jensee]

Yep. That's about the right ratio of back tires to front. Totally agree. Also agree that back then (late 60's early 70's) changing tires on small bikes, I had a Yamaha 180 street scrambler then, was a breeze compared to mama bear Voyager! Peace bro!

[jre258 in SoDak]

Seeing you break the bead using a hydraulic jack under a pick up bumper brought back memories. My dad, the ultimate do-it-yourselfer, used to do the same thing by placing the jack under a tractor drawbar. He preferred the hot patch method of fixing inner tubes. The little metal trays that held the sulfur compound became toys for my brother and me.
Jim

[trigger12]

Most of the time I like to replace both tires at the same time. However, there have been times that the front tire is too good to replace. So I replace the rear tire with a cheap Kenda, until the front tire wear catches up. Then I shop for the best deal for both.

[chevyman1]

I replace the tires as they need to be, I do not necessary change both at the same time.

[Highway Rider]

It all depends on how old the front tire is. But the rear about every year whether it needs it or not and the front no more then two years.

[duckman]

I replace them one at a time. It's usually two backs to one front. There are exceptions in that my last set of 404s on the 03 XII both wore out at the same time with 19k+ miles on them. This set of E3's rides so much smoother but the front is actually worn almost down to the warning bar and the rear is still good. So this one will get a new front E3 over the winter while the rear rolls on. Being a conservative rider I've never had that happen before with 3 rides and really don't have an explanation.

I take the wheel to a tire shop for mounting & balance while I perform some of the preventive maintenance measures mentioned. Also do a slow test ride after to insure brakes and all works as planned....

[Stormryder]

I replace as needed. I'm a trucker and gone most of the time so I don't get to put a lot of miles on in a season. Not on the bike anyway, lol. Just got my 2002 Voyager XII around Thanksgiving. It's going to get new front and back which is not the norm for me. Avon or Metzler has been recommended by an AVA member with lots of miles on the XII under his belt. He has gone to the Dark side on his and I am seriously considering it myself for my rear tire.