Tire Questions

I have Bridgestone Spitfires on front and rear. The front is in good shape but the rear has a little bit of sidewall cracking and I'm looking at it and thinking I should replace it.

However. I cant find a Bridgestone Spitfire and I dont think they even exist any more. What is the thinking re putting a different brand tire on the rear?
or perhaps a Bridgestone Battlax on the rear?
Also thinking maybe a set front and rear Shinko. Japanese, make in Korea. Anyone  running them on a 750/4 ?

Replace the pair, both front and back. As the back one  wears fastest and is old enough to split I bet the front is ancient also.
What's the date code on the front tire?
When riding, if a tire is going to let go I'd rather it be the rear over the front.! 

JR wrote:

I have Bridgestone Spitfires on front and rear. The front is in good shape but the rear has a little bit of sidewall cracking and I'm looking at it and thinking I should replace it.

However. I cant find a Bridgestone Spitfire and I dont think they even exist any more. What is the thinking re putting a different brand tire on the rear?
or perhaps a Bridgestone Battlax on the rear?
Also thinking maybe a set front and rear Shinko. Japanese, make in Korea. Anyone  running them on a 750/4 ?

Agree ref replacing as a pair, if you like the spitfires they are available by the looks of it ?

Bridgestone Spitfire S11

Date code on the front 1220. So week 12 2020. Rear also coded for sometime in 2020. 

i do like the spitfires and have had several sets over the last 20 + years . Possible that  they are no longer available just in Canada. 



 

JR wrote:

Date code on the front 1220. So week 12 2020. Rear also coded for sometime in 2020. 

i do like the spitfires and have had several sets over the last 20 + years . Possible that  they are no longer available just in Canada. 


 

Maybe I should have looked where you are before posting a North American link 

I've got Shinko 230's on my Z1.  Very happy with them, good grip dry or wet roads.

Warren3200gt wrote:

Replace the pair, both front and back. As the back one  wears fastest and is old enough to split I bet the front is ancient also.
What's the date code on the front tire?
When riding, if a tire is going to let go I'd rather it be the rear over the front.! 

Totally agree with Warren, replace both as a pair,  I have had old tyres that look good fail, and at speed it is not fun. I am using Bridgestone Battlaxe tyres which are a decent tyre..
Rich.

Pretty sure the Spitfire was discontinued.  Shinko 230 are cheap, and they stick well, but they wear fast.  A good choice for a bike that doesn't see a bunch of miles.

120/90-18 rear
100/90-19 front

Just back home from a visit to my local small motorcycle store and can confirm Spitfires discontinued.

Had a good chat and settled on a pair of Shinko 230 Tour Masters. I've been a regular there for years and got a very good price that includes install. If I have to change them at 3 or 4 years thats ok. Still a good deal. I only do about 3000 km/ year but the extreme weather here is rough on tires as the bike is parked outdoor 12 months a year.

it will be a couple more weeks before i'm back on the road. Still a bit of snow about and when that goes we'll have left over grit and crud in the corners.
thanks All