I am about to replace my front tire on my '93 (stock size 130/70ZR-16) due to a slow leak and was interested to hear opinions on which make/model might give me the best riding results. I am not just looking for suggestions, but possibly even inopions on tires and why they are recommended or not. I have always ran the OEM Battlax tires, which I believe are no longer produced, so was thinking about throwing a BT-016 on, but I have heard various things about Metzler, and Pirelli as good choices as well.

I don't ride super aggressively any longer, but road adherence is a must, especially under cold conditions since I do ride through New England winters and a tire that gets up to temperature quickly would be a benefit to me. I don't ride this bike as much as I used to since I have a more comfortable bike I use for transportation, so a softer tire that lasts for fewer miles for be a trade off I am willing to make.. While I do not ride much in the rain, you never know, so I wouldn't want any overly focused race tires either..

Also, is is better to just replace both at once? I only have 6500 miles on the rear tire, and it isn't near the point where it appears to need replacement, but it is the original tire from 1992.

 

If your rear tire is that old, you should change it along with the front.

I'm not sure what brand is best, but since you don't ride that aggressively I don't think it really matters they are all very good brands.

 

Metzler M3's

 

Pirelli Diablos are what I've been running. They get sticky REALLY quick!
If you ride in the rain though, they suck. I dunno why... just horrible in the rain.

Like MT Wallet said though, they're all good brands... since this size tire is pretty much extinct.

 

I run BT-016's and love them, Great tires

 

Ive had no issue with battleaxe tires, altho im sure by now you have found that all of the sweet pilots and other majic tires dont come in our size and the olny other option around here is the pirelli diablos...i used to run dunlop sportmax 2 , but not an option anymore...concider the battleaxe , it is a great alround tire(IMO) and if you ride semi-aggressive it will be fine, olny the track guys will argue this....peece