pagibbo
Registered user
Has anyone mixed Tourances on their GS. I have a new standard Tourance on the rear but just had a puncture on the front so was going to fit a new Tourance EXP I have sitting in the garage.
Mixing Tourance's
- Thread starter pagibbo
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snerkler
Registered user
I was always told never to mix tyres. However, once I was stranded up on the Isle of Skye and the guy only had Tourances in (my bike had michelin). He said that the tread pattern was almost identical and so it wouldn't be an issue. I rode it and couldn't tell any difference. I also know a number of people who have mixed tyres and cars and bikes and never had issues.
I'm not sure how different Tourances are from EXP's, but if the tread pattern is fairly similar I can't see it being an issue.
Disclaimer: I'm not an expert so don't take my word as gospel, and I will not accept any responsibility for any issues arising from having non-matching tyres
pagibbo
Registered user
As far as I can see the tread patern is almost identical and the only key difference is a softer compound (which is not a bad thing for a front tyre 
Bones
Registered user
The tread patterns are irrelevant. It is the profiles that should be the same/similar. Mixing the Tourances should be fine.
Deleted account 190920001
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will be fine, I did it last year for a 6 months until the front wore out and I replaced it. Possibly true that some tyres wont mix well but there can also be an advantage as some fronts are good but the matching rear isnt type thing. EXP and normal mix well though.
Reckless
Registered user
Check the Metzeler website - it shows that you can mix Tourance and Tourance EXP in any combination without a problem - its an approved fit for the GS.
rce
Registered user
Just make sure you never mix tyre types on the same axle 
snerkler
Registered user
I've ben given wrong info then. I wasn't aware you could get different profiles for the GS (assuming OEM wheels)
Mix and match at will. It's a GS not a BSB R1
I mix Tourances, Battle Wings and any other tyre I can get if I need it and I've never had any problems whatsoever.
I mix Tourances, Battle Wings and any other tyre I can get if I need it and I've never had any problems whatsoever.
STUBBS
undead
should be ok
It's about tyre profiles. A pure road tyre, say a Michelin Roadsmart, will have a slightly different profile to say a Conti trail attack.
When we talk about profiles, we're talking how pointy or how flat the tyre contact patch is on the road. By and large, sports road tyres are quite 'pointy', that way they'll give you a nice fat footprint when you're cranked over. The down side to a very pointy sports based tyre say, is that in a straight line, you're now riding on quite a narrow V (unlike a U) so it can feel a tad flighty. The benefit is that it will fall into a turn easily and then, when on its side, as we said, have a big foot print.
A Pair of tyres will share the same profile, so front and rear will be V V or U U, but if you put different makes on front and rear with different profiles, you may well be riding V U so the front is trying to fall and the back is doing something entirely different, or what ever.
I agree with the others that a pair of Tourances, albeit one standard and one EXP, will almost bound to have exactly the same profile, as would say a Conti RA2 and the original version. (Pilot ... Pilot 2 etc etc..)
I also agree with Sgt Bilco that we're not talking cutting edge race technology, so even if you did mix makes of tyres, it's not exactly going to throw you off your bike, but, if we're going to be picky, sharing similar profiles is probably best practise. This is why when you replace your knackered, squared off rear, but keep the same slightly worn front, it suddenly handles again
Mixing different compounds is another topic that comes up from time to time. Food for thought would be having an ultra grippy, confidence inspiring tyre on say the front (Maybe it's raining and you've got a Roadsmart or a Pilot road 3..) and something made of Bakelite on the back. Not ideal ....
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