For BT020 user only. :)

[strsout]

Normally my set of BT020 last very close mileage for the front and rear, around 8K for the front and 9K for the rear, so I always change both at the same time.
The current set is the first time I'm using the BIAS BT020 and they ae wearing at a very different pace.
Right now I have 6.5k in both and the front tire is ready to replace (the one cent coin test is way over due...)
The rear tire seams to have at least 3K to 4K miles to go.
Looks like the BIAS wear very different them the Radial.
Any other comments on that?

Now, the dilema: would you change both tires or just buy another BT020 front?

How about Avons front? (them I will have mix tires bias x radial... not good).

The other option would be change both and add a second spare rear tire at my garage... yep... second...

Open for ideas

[usmctpdog]

I am in the same spot as you. I have 5.5 mm of rear tire left and only 2 mm of front tire left on my bias set 020...I want to go to the Avon set but
don't think mixing radial and bias is a good idea nor is tossing a perfectly good rear tire..

[dshealey]

Normally my set of BT020 last very close mileage for the front and rear, around 8K for the front and 9K for the rear, so I always change both at the same time.

Don't know how you got similar mileage from the radials. I always got 8-9,000 front, 12-14,000 rear with the radial BT020s. I really loved how the bike felt with new front and rear, but usually bought two tires because of the free shipping (swmototires) and changed them individually when needed, most often was not at the same time. Just could not make myself waste 4000 plus miles on a tire.

[bruce2000ltc]

I guess it depends on if you want to stay with the bias 020's. If you replace the front with another 020 bias in a couple of thousand miles you 'll be in the same dilemma, just reversed - front good, rear needing replacement.
I had the same problem on my '05 with bias 020's; same mileage as yours. I wanted to change to radials but was leaving on a trip so I had to replace the front with another bias 020. 2500 miles later the rear is shot so I'll put an Avon front/020 rear (radials) on tonight. Bad timing cost me the price of a front tire + my time to install it and returned only 2500 miles of mediocre handling.

Bruce Hodges

[rattso]

The spec for min tire wear for ft tire in the BMW maintenence booklet is 1mm not 2mm as we are used to, so the the penny/lincoln's head deal is not applicable.

[jackd]

The spec for min tire wear for ft tire in the BMW maintenence booklet is 1mm not 2mm as we are used to, so the the penny/lincoln's head deal is not applicable.

I just changed mine at 2mm last week..

I personally get quite uncomfortable when the thread depth gets down there... I also view that depth as the lowest spot not the average 'lowest spot'.. YMMV...

[mlempenau]

I am just about finished with my third Avon front tire. I did something a little different with this one. I added the ballancing liquid into the tire before ballancing. The result has been less feathering and more milage. I can probably get an extra 2,000 out of the tire. So I suggest using the Avon front with the BT020 rear. Dave has mentioned in the past that it is not as stable as the stones and I agree, but the instablity is very minor. The most unstability I have found is when you cross over the freeway dividing bumps during wet weather. My two cents. I just purchased two more.

[dshealey]

I am just about finished with my third Avon front tire. I did something a little different with this one. I added the ballancing liquid into the tire before ballancing. The result has been less feathering and more milage. I can probably get an extra 2,000 out of the tire. So I suggest using the Avon front with the BT020 rear. Dave has mentioned in the past that it is not as stable as the stones and I agree, but the instablity is very minor. The most unstability I have found is when you cross over the freeway dividing bumps during wet weather. My two cents. I just purchased two more.

I was under the impression that once you put the liquid in, you do not balance it. Don't see how you could anyway, as at slow motion the liquid will flow to the low point and throw the tire out of balance. I think the balancing liquid (or ceramic beads recently posted about) have to settle into position after the wheel speed gets up enough for them to settle into the "balanced" position.

Just thinking out loud here, (us engineers do that a lot :D )but seems you would want to do any rough balancing BEFORE putting the liquid in, then it will have less out of balance condition to correct once spinning. If you put the liquid in, then try to balance it, you may be making the static balance condition worse.

[mlempenau]

Yes, you are correct. I did get that turned around. Been how long??? and I already forgot what I did!!