sooo... my front tire needs to be changed., i have the oem bridgestone battlax that doesn't have almost no thread on it... so my question is should i go with the oem or should i change with something else... i also want to keep the rear tire 'cause it's almost new...
any sugestions?? thanks

 

I would go with different rubber if you have only ridden with stock. It sucks you have a new rear. I was in the same boat. I need a front tire but got a screw in the rear. It made the decision to get a different compound easier.

 

What year is your bike? I didnt know they came with battleax's. I can vouch for the m3's. I have rode a set of battleax's they are ok but I love the m3's. The center is a hard compound for mileage and 10percent in from the edge is soft for grip.

 

dont mix the brands on the bike.some people will say its a safety issue, but I think that is in the most of extreme cases.really, if you want to see what a different tire feels like, you have to change out the set. otherwise profiles and diameters will be different and the handling will be all jacked up and you get the right feedback that the tire was designed for.

If you want to try something else, fine buy a whole set and sell the rear to somebody that just got a screw in their tire. otherwise, just buy a new front.

my vote is to buy something other than OEM rubber.

 

You can get a set of Sportec M1's from motorcycle superstore for under $250. I just replaced a really worn set of M1's with a new set and there was a really noticable difference in cornering. It's worth it.

 

it's no problem with different tires front'n'rear. just keep the similar level. no touring rear and sporty front or vice-versa..

 

I'm personally getting a new pilot power front tomorrow and keeping my Dunlop on the rear (just too much tread left to get rid of it).
Not a horrible price here for the meantime. Helps its right up the street from me. http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...ilot_power.htm
$230 for the set of pilot powers, or in our case, $101.50 for the front only.
Hopefully I won't be unhappy with the mix either, or else I'll be heading back up the next day to get the rear as well lol.