Another thread about which tire to choose

[Turbowaffle]

Well it's starting to rain here now and my worn back tire is really starting to worry me. I've read the threads I could find on tires, and  pantablo's info, but I'm still not sure how I choose which tire to buy. I'm new to riding ( around 8 months) so I don't ride very aggresively. I've been looking at tires online but haven't found a nice matrix or something that compares the features of tires. I'm looking for something that's good in the rain, especailly on freeways since I use it to get to work and school.  Something with decent tire life would be nice, but grip, especailly in the rain, is more important. I use my bike as my main transportation, so it's ridden both around town and on the freeway.  My front tire isn't as worn, but from what I've read, I would be wise not to mix tires that are too different. With that in mind, I will probably replace the front also.

Thanks,
-Chris

[Rich500]

BT45's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are the best. I love them, and have had good luck witht hem in the rain. They were stable, and grippy. And they make a damn nice roostertail. Thats my recomendation.  

[Kerry]

I still think you're looking at the Bridgestone Battlax BT45H.  It's a bias tire that you could mix with your front stocker, and it's great all-round.  Here's the blurb from the Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse (MAW) website - probably copied and pasted from Bridgestone press material:

High performance bias ply. New Silica compound for improved wet and dry grip. Dual tread compound on rear tire for longer life and better traction when cornering. Larger crown radius for greater stability and extended tread life. H speed rated. Tubeless.

[Rich500]

Told yah so

[Turbowaffle]

You guys rock. So  BT45 130/70H17 is the one I'd want?

[Kerry]

Yeah, that's the stock size.

I actually tried a 130/80H17 the second time around, thinking I would get more miles out of the tire because of the slightly larger diameter.  Instead, because of the rounder profile the middle of the tread has worn down much faster than the edges.

I'll have to check my records to see if I've gotten as many miles as I did with the 130/70H17.  If it's roughly the same, I'll go with 130/80H17 again because for some reason they're CHEAPER.  (?)  But if not, I'll go back to the stock size to try to get more even wear.

[scratch]

Yep. All-season tires (for an all-season rider).

[Rich500]

mine is a 140 width out back, and i personally like it better. Just my opinion.

[Pam G]

Another vote for the BT45's here!  I have always trusted them in the rain.