Replace tires singly or in pairs ?

[Jim Bronson]

Is there a benefit in replacing tires singly versus replacing them both at the same time? The front tire of my '15 RK is getting real close to the wear bars, but the rear still has plenty of tread. I'm thinking of going with Commander II for both, but I'm wondering whether there's any advantage to replacing them together even though the rear doesn't need replacing yet. I have about 11K on the bike.

[Ohio HD]

That's generally the opposite in wear, for most the rear goes first.

I see no reason to replace both if one has good tread. Most of my life I replaced one at a time. Here in the past 5 or 6 years I've replaced in pairs. Simply because I like the feel of two new tires when one is needed.

[mr. pitts]

PERSONALLY, I replace tyres as needed, though AFAIK, it's not a good idea to run a radial tyre with a bias belted tyre.

[TXChop]

Get a good look at the rear tire. i bet its cupped or squared off. Change the set.

[Snowyone]

For me it's usually a 2 back to 1 front. 

[Hossamania]

For me it's usually a 2 back to 1 front.

Same here. But, I really like doing both at the same time, it's like a new bike.
All decisions are economic. If I don't need two, I buy one.

[PoorUB]

I replace them as they wear out. I also don't worry about mixing brands.

[BUBBIE]

 

I usually replace both as they USUALLY seem to Often show "worn-out" About the same time... I don't worry about a couple thousand miles changing under wear marks...
(usually front is still ok, but I CHANGE Too)

I too like the feel of Both tires/tyres being new.  Much better Ride Feel... ESPECIALLY at 80 (+) on the Fast Roads I travel... (75 limit out on the slabs)

I also like doing it at my favorite Bike Shop WHEN I WANT To... Not out on the road to GO a few more miles...

Last set, the rear Needed changing while the front was still a few thousand miles out...

Changed Both and done with it...

signed....BUBBIE

Matched sets for me or at least same matching brand "IF" changed singly.... American Elites...

[CndUltra88]

For me it's usually a 2 back to 1 front. 

Been my experience while running Dunflops too..
Oops, i meant Dunlops for the stock 02 Ultra.
This season my wrench suggested the American E3 ...like them so far with about 5000km on them so far.
Rob

[Princess Butt]

I'll replace in pairs if they're both close enough. Usually the extra 1k to 2k miles I'll get out of the front tire isn't worth tearing it apart a second time.

If you have a used bike and don't know the history of the bike, replace them both. Sometimes if you do know the history, replace them both!

Tires are dirt cheap compared to the damage or injuries from a marginal tire giving out. Plus, the ride quality might make you fall in love all over again with your ride. And that will save you the price of a new ride.

[motorhogman]

I used to always replace in pairs, last few times just the rear... retired a couple of years ago and the $$$$ flow ain't there like it used to be,, Front must have 30.000 mi on it now.  It's about due for a new one.

I haven't seen any issue with just changing the on tire.

In fact front is a D 402 with 2/32 left and the rear is an American Elite MU series with a few thousand mi and I see no difference in handling  2001 FLHT

[Pete_Vit]

I'll replace in pairs if they're both close enough. Usually the extra 1k to 2k miles I'll get out of the front tire isn't worth tearing it apart a second time.

If you have a used bike and don't know the history of the bike, replace them both. Sometimes if you do know the history, replace them both!

Tires are dirt cheap compared to the damage or injuries from a marginal tire giving out. Plus, the ride quality might make you fall in love all over again with your ride. And that will save you the price of a new ride.

[fourthgear]

For me it's usually a 2 back to 1 front.

  Same here .

[Tsani]

Two rears to one front for me as well, unless I got a long haul coming up that will cause me to change it on the trip, then I do both and save the marginal one as a back up. I have two sets of rims with rotors and pulleys mounted, So I have my new one all ready to go the week before, then I strip em down and remount.

[Jim Bronson]

For me it's usually a 2 back to 1 front.

Which makes me wonder why my front is wearing more than my back on the RK.

[Hossamania]

For me it's usually a 2 back to 1 front.

Which makes me wonder why my front is wearing more than my back on the RK.

Hard braking and cornering? Worn fork springs? Changed fork oil regularly? Proper air pressure in forks, if applicable? Proper air pressure in tire - 38 pounds or so?
What year RoadKing? Running stock 402's?

[TA63]

For me it's usually a 2 back to 1 front.

Same for me.

[Jim Bronson]

For me it's usually a 2 back to 1 front.

Which makes me wonder why my front is wearing more than my back on the RK.

Hard braking and cornering? Worn fork springs? Changed fork oil regularly? Proper air pressure in forks, if applicable? Proper air pressure in tire - 38 pounds or so?
What year RoadKing? Running stock 402's?

It's a '15 RK with about 11K. It has D407 on the rear and D408 on the front. I just had the 10K service done, and they didn't mention any issues. I had been running 36 in the front until I began hearing some howling in turns. Then I increased it to 40, and the howling mostly disappeared. I run 40 in the rear. I run twisties, but not real aggressively. I'm going to put it on the lift soon and check the rear wear bars. They always seem to be on the top in the garage.

[calgary56]

"Is there a benefit in replacing tires singly versus replacing them both at the same time?" ... YES, you save money !

[Jim Bronson]

"Is there a benefit in replacing tires singly versus replacing them both at the same time?" ... YES, you save money !

Well yeah there's that. 

[cdonis]

I like the idea of the feel of 2 new tires.  I have been replacing with harley tires on my breakout.  I'm sure there are better tires out there, probably cheaper too.  Need to do some investigation.....

[Beave]

With the smaller bias ply tires on pre 08 baggers it is normal to go two rear to one front. On the newer baggers with larger radial tires it is normal to go two fronts to one rear.  The radial rears last much longer, but the fronts don't last quite as long.  I change them individually when they are worn.  Since some of our trips are long enough to completely wear out a bias ply rear, I began replacing tires on the road.  I have had good luck stopping at Independent shops and dealers, borrowing a jack, pulling the wheel and letting the shop mount the tire.  I have done this maybe a half dozen times, and only once in Reno did they refuse to lend me a jack.

[glens]

I don't think the later bagger rears are radial.

[Beave]

So much for my theory on why 20K seems common for the new bagger rears. http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/Smileys/classic/headscratcher.gif I guess the size helps?
Tire wear is a mystery to me.  Some guys get 20k on an Ultra with a 124, pulling a trailer and popping wheelie's, I putt around on my little stock 88 and even the best rear tire I can get (E3) goes away in half that mileage!

[PoorUB]

On my 2010 Ultra running American Elites I get around 30k on the front and 17k or better on the rear.