I'm getting ready to replace my squared off ME880 rear tire (not enough twisties on the Texas Gulf coast) and got free shipping from Southwest moto tires by ordering both front and rear tires.

I'll probably replace both tires because I have them but I'm wondering if most of you replace both tires at the same time, or do you run the front tire longer until the tread wears down too?

Have a great day!

Joe

I think it is really personal preference.

Changing one saves money.

Changing two ensure good rubber, and less frequent trips for tire changes.

If I changed my own tires, I might do the one at a time thing, but since I don't, I change them both at the same time.

I don't want to change one, then go back in a month or two and change the other. Besides, even though the front wears longer, they usually start to feather and I don't like the ride as well as a new one.

It really boils down to a money / convienence type of decision.

Yes.

If money does not matter and in a perfect world a new matched set is the perfect way to go.

Myself, My Front 020 bias ply is worn down to 1 mm, I ordered a set of 880s and will install only the front 880 as my rear 020 bias still has 5.+ mm of tread left. When it wears down I will install the rear 880 then!!

on my 3rd set of 880's - and have replaced both every time.

I average 12-14 thousand miles on the rear tire
and 20 thousand on the front
and change them accordingly unless circumstances call for an earlier change like if I'm preparing for a major road trip or there's a problem. (cupping, uneven wear etc)
The rule I follow consistently is if I have any doubts I change them.
The cost doesn't matter, I want the best equipment, tires and brakes because I'm worth it.

More often than not, I only replace one at a time. But if the front only has 1K or so left on it, I'll do both just to get it over and done with. I do tend to order them 2 at a time though...just to save on shipping.

So far yes, on my LT, 2 at a time.
ME880s on my second set changed at 12K
I'll probably change those out too at 24K

I change both. For about he same price for one tire at a dealer I can get a set online.

I do both at the same time. It's only one trip to the shop and if I get another 2-4k miles out of the front, then I have to make another trip to have it changed.

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'll replace both as I have the replacements in the garage.

I bought the NO-Mar tire spoons after wrestling with duct taping a standard spoon to keep from scratching the wheel last time. I'm looking forward to an easier time getting that rear bead over the rim with these.

Do you have your tires installed at Lone Star, ibbones? BMW of North Houston is supposed to open their shop on our side of town (Beltway 8 & US 59) this November. That will be a little shorter ride if the service is decent.

Joe

Yes, because nothing feels better than all new rubber. Improved handling and the confidence of that new tires can provide is well worth the cost.

I too replace both at the same time. I keep the rear as a spare in case I pick up a nail, bolt, or other road hazard debris.

Joe,

My ME880's wear at a rate of about 2 rear tires to 1 front tire. I do change my own tires, and I try to order them 3 at a time from SWMoto. 2 rears and 1 front.

Bill B.

Same here with my 880's. Two rears to one front.

Usually replace front when feathering / wear warrants it. Then when it is time for the next front the rear is ready and the pair gets replaced.

I ordered them when Edgar needed a set and had them shipped to his house in San Antonio. Dick picked them up from Edgar and dropped them off at Rhinewest on the day I made an appointment. I am not the one to do my own stuff so I rode in and rode out.

Im not about to change and balance a tire myself.So......if you buy online the local BMW dealer is ok with installing tires that was purchased elsewhere ? If so what would they charge ?

Some dealer will not mount tires from some one else so check with "YOUR" dealer. I sometimes use "Cycle Gear" (when Grif's Garage is closed) they do good work

NO! I change them when it's needed as I do my own changing and keep a set near my computer as I buy them online mainly in the fall and winter as they are usually much cheaper to buy.

Independent of changing one or two tires, important is to change when you real need.
If you see this video, you will know when is time to change tyres and other things very interesting about tyres.
Take a look

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Yq7...eature=related

Regards from Portugal

has anyone checked the manufacturers date code on their new tires? I saw a report that you don't want to be on tires that are over 6 years old. I am sure most of you will wear them out way before 6 years passes, but I bought a low mileage LT and the tires on it are now 6 years old. The date code is the last group of 4 numbers follwoing the tire size.

How much is the 880 rear these days? Last bought them in April 2007 and got 10,000 out of the rear, front still looks great.

Nope... Won't accept that they do good work... Took my rims to them for new feet. Had over 4 oz's. of weight on the front rim and 3.5 on the rear.

The dot on the tire was no where near the heavy spot on the rim. Guy tells me the spot is worthless and all cast rims are balanced true before they go on the bike.

Rims were a dirty mess when they went in I will admit, but the rims came back just as dirty.

Puh-leeze...

I now use a NoMar machine. All the wheels I now do have the rims cleaned spotless, the rim balanced before the tire goes on and then rebalanced when the shoe is on the rim. My front shed 3 oz's on remounting and 2.5 on the remount of the rear.

Cycle Gear? Sells products, but I won't go to them for service...

Yep...

http://expressoriders.org/UMBlog/?p=39


Scary when you read all about it...

I seem to go through 3 rear tires for every 2 front ones... so occasionally I do change both together but more frequently not.

Recently I even mixed brands: my BT020 rear had about half its tread left so I just changed the front to a PR2, and then changed the rear to a matching PR2 when the tread was gone. (Well, actually was past gone...) Anyway, I didn't notice any handling issues with the mixed brands, but it was sure nice to get a fresh PR2 on the back.