Looking for tire advice

[curiouser]

Hello in NESR-land,

My SV has a Michelin Pilot Road on the front with a decent amount (over half) of its tread left. The rear tire is a Metzler Sportec M1 that is just about done.

My question is, should I purchase a new, more similarly matched front tire (even though I don't need one yet) at the same time as when I replace my rear tire? I'm planning on ordering another soft rear tire, maybe another M1. Purpose is primarily street use, but I plan on doing a trackday or two this season. I'm coming off a 5-year riding hiatus, so I won't be logging anything resembling fast lap times, however I don't want to take an asphalt slide because my front tire is not suitable for track riding. What would you recommend in this scenario? Thanks.

[Pigman]

I would keep the front or sell and go with a New set of Powers or 2CT's or Roads.....that way they are matched(doesn't make a huge Diff) but both have equal tread life and wear... and will have good fresh grip for TD's..

[Kurlon]

I'd be ok with just a new rear, seemed to be the normal replacement pattern for most bikes, two rears for every front.

[e30addict]

If it were my bike, I wouldn't hesitate to put a new Pilot Road on the back and do a track day or two.

[DucDave]

If you're riding hard enough and well enough that you could tell the difference you wouldn't be asking us here for our opinion on mixing tires....we'd be coming to you for advice!!!

[nhbubba]

I have a Road 3 on the front end of my V-Strom right now. It has been through ~8-9k miles and 2 track days. I intend to run it through a 3rd soon.
I had a matching Road 3 on it at first. It was dead after 7500 miles and a single track day. I mounted a Road 2 up instead this time and ran it on the track.
I cannot tell the difference between the Road 2 and Road 3 tires at my pace.

I would run the tire. I would also not hesitate to run different tires. YMMV.

[curiouser]

Thanks all. I'll run the front tire as-is for now and see how it goes through the first track venture.

[nhbubba]

Have fun. Prepare your SO and your wallet now.

[curiouser]

Wallet has been lubed, and the SO is willing to tolerate. Or is it the other way around..?

[nhbubba]

[reks95]

I'm assuming that the tire is more than 5 years old. You might consider replacing it due to age and/or checking for signs of dry rot, cracking, etc.