Best tyres for less-than-spirited riding

Q. My girlfriend has just returned to biking after a long lay-off and at present I’m doing 95% of my riding with her.

• Save cash on motorcycle tyres

It’s great and she’s rapidly building confidence but I’ve just had to change my Bridgestone BT021 because the centre strip was completely bald, but the shoulders weren’t worn at all.

Can you recommend something cheaper/harder wearing that I can pussy foot around behind her on?

I’d consider getting another rear wheel and swapping them because it’s so easy on the VFR.
Mike Webster, email

A. The tyre of the moment for that sort of riding will be Dunlop’s Roadsmarts – hard rubber in the middle, soft on the edges.

Or maybe you can escape for the odd blast with someone faster for equal wear on the tyres!