MOT + new rear tyre
 

I wanted to replace my squared off rear tyre with an Avon Distanzia. My usual tyre shop wanted �148, and will not remove wheels from the bike, but do supply stands and tools so the bike owner can do it in their workshop.

Before the XT I had a DR650 and 2 new Distanzias for that cost me �160 about 4 years ago.

I left it a bit late and realised I needed an MOT in a couple of days and still had a squared off tyre with nearly no tread on it.

I booked in at my local Yamaha Dealers for an MOT and asked them to fit a new tyre as well. They could not get a Distanzia in the correct size but offered me a Bridgestone BT021, for �120 fitted and balanced. Dual compound, hard in the middle, stickier on the edges.

I had the MOT done in the same shop last year and got an advisory for loud exhausts, which was fair enough because they are.
This time , same tester, same exhausts, no advisory.
I left the bike with them, they fitted the tyre and gave me an XJ6 for the day (Won't be trading in the X for one of those, I really didn't like it)

It poured down with rain when I picked up the bike later that day, so had a very careful ride home. It rained most of the week as well so couldn't really test the tyre, but it caused no problems.

I've ridden on the new tyre for a couple of weeks now and have no complaints, no 'moments' in the wet, it just works.
It feels cold after my 5 mile commute, but so does the front in this cold weather.

The tyre was a bit of a gamble but so far I don't feel like I wasted my money on it. Roll on some warmer weather so I can test out its limits.