New rear tire with old stock front?

[Villaven]

Ok folks, what's the consensus? My rear tire is starting to show its age and it's time to consider replacing it. Is it so wrong to put a new tire on the back that is not exactly the same as the one in the front? On my old 500R I put a new Avon tire in the back with the stock front and it seemed fine. Not a high performance bike I know, but I am not heading to the track anytime soon either. Now with my '04 636 I am in need once again. I really can't afford to buy both tires right now, I wonder if I can get away with replacing the rear with a nice new tire and then matching up the front when I can. What do we think?? Oh yeah the front is stock Bridgestone BT012

[Thmastr]

I would advise against it (I have no personal experience in this) but I woul only replace the back if I replaced it with the same tire as the front.

2 different manufacturers= 2 different compounds.. and u dont want to have a softer back than a front.

[suegip]

Ideally you would replace both tires at the same time, but one new tire at a time is better than running a bad tire. I have replaced tires one at a time many times with no ill effects, so I would say go for it.

[southjersey636]

Not a problem. Have done this numerous times and just remember unless your doing insane knee dragging you wont notice the difference. I been in your situation plenty of times.

[Villaven]

Thanks guys. I figured as much. It's just nice to hear it from others ya know?

[zedx11]

usually wear out 2 rears to one front and rarely get the same tire because of whats on sale at the time. never had any problems.

[UNDERTOW]

i would just replace one at a time but try to keep with the same tire

[fretbuzz]

I replaced my rear at 14,000 miles and I just now need a new front at
20,000+, so it would be a serious financial wast if I would have replaced the front just because I replaced the rear.

Unless you are a hard-core racer I don't see where it would matter.

Disclaimer: I am no expert.

[4W4K3]

If you have the funds, I'd go ahead and buy both new front and rear. But then keep the old front tire as a "spare". If for some reason you have a problem with the new front, you have a back-up tire to hold you over.

If you can't afford both, just replace the bad one and don't worry about it. Like others have said you probably won't notice a big difference unless you are taking it to the track and really counting on sticky tires.