Has anyone used different manufacturers tyres front and back? Ive got damn good tourance on front and have been given an Anakee for back, is this do-able or a recipe for disaster? If I do it, what oil should i use??
Mixing Tyres??
- Thread starter ianran
- Start date
I have mixed tyres a few times. Eg. Bridgestone Battlewing front and Metzler Tourance rear, without any handling problems whatsoever.
As long as the tyres are the same type, e.g. both Radial construction.
I even have a Metzler/Pirelli mix on my S1000RR missile….handles fine.
Mind you, I probly wouldn’t mix a road tyre with a knobbly though.
As long as the tyres are the same type, e.g. both Radial construction.
I even have a Metzler/Pirelli mix on my S1000RR missile….handles fine.
Mind you, I probly wouldn’t mix a road tyre with a knobbly though.
Why not?
It is a good question because your two tyres are unlikely to wear at the same rate so if you don't 'mix and match' you will stay forever with the original marque. I don't believe that there would be any harm in using the specified tyres from different manufacturers and I suspect that most of us wouldn't even notice! however it would be interesting to hear an authorative voice on the subject.Has anyone used different manufacturers tyres front and back? Ive got damn good tourance on front and have been given an Anakee for back, is this do-able or a recipe for disaster? If I do it, what oil should i use??
SpyInTheCamp
Registered user
You would hope that the dealer or tyre shop that put it on for you did so knowing that it would at least be a safe combination.
I've run mixed tyres (Dunlop Trailax front and Tourance rear) and it was fine. In fact a very good and stable combination.
Kai
I've run mixed tyres (Dunlop Trailax front and Tourance rear) and it was fine. In fact a very good and stable combination.
Kai
This question came up not so long ago, (albeit about off road tyres), and there was a mixed response.
Quite a few people said they regularly mixed different tyres, but probably as many people, myself included, said they didn't.
For me, the down side is that you'll not always find the perfect match in tyre profile unless you stick to the same manufacturer. (ie a conti and a conti 2, a pilot road and a pilot road 2 etc). This to me is the essense of good handling. Remember that feeling you get when you stick on a new pair of tyres and the bike handles really really well? Its because the two profiles are working in unison. Both tyres are are turning in together and falling into a corner on the same profile. Different profiles mean different turn in characteristics, some fall in, some need to be pushed in, but if the two are different, then the profiles aren't working together.
Food for thought as well, is grip. Imaging having a cracking wet weather tyre on the rear and something made of bakelite on the front? A good combination? Personally, I'd rather have a pair of tyres that share the same grip characteristics, than a miss match that could get you into trouble.
Quite a few people said they regularly mixed different tyres, but probably as many people, myself included, said they didn't.
For me, the down side is that you'll not always find the perfect match in tyre profile unless you stick to the same manufacturer. (ie a conti and a conti 2, a pilot road and a pilot road 2 etc). This to me is the essense of good handling. Remember that feeling you get when you stick on a new pair of tyres and the bike handles really really well? Its because the two profiles are working in unison. Both tyres are are turning in together and falling into a corner on the same profile. Different profiles mean different turn in characteristics, some fall in, some need to be pushed in, but if the two are different, then the profiles aren't working together.
Food for thought as well, is grip. Imaging having a cracking wet weather tyre on the rear and something made of bakelite on the front? A good combination? Personally, I'd rather have a pair of tyres that share the same grip characteristics, than a miss match that could get you into trouble.
Fair comment but....
I think that what Giles lamb is saying makes sense BUT wonder how many of us are really capable of judging 'the perfect match in tyre profile' if we are lucky enough to have it! few of us, if any, have the opportunity, never mind the capability to ride anywhere near the limit of our tyres and I would be happy to ride say, with the correct Bridgestone on the front with the equivalent Metzler on the rear if they were both in good order;
I think that what Giles lamb is saying makes sense BUT wonder how many of us are really capable of judging 'the perfect match in tyre profile' if we are lucky enough to have it! few of us, if any, have the opportunity, never mind the capability to ride anywhere near the limit of our tyres and I would be happy to ride say, with the correct Bridgestone on the front with the equivalent Metzler on the rear if they were both in good order;
Don't put yerself down!!
Most people can tell the difference between average and good in many things, they just need an expert to tell them why.
Can I tell the difference between a £4.50 bottle of wine and a £15 one? Yes probably! Do I know why its better? No I don't, I'd need Oz Clarke to tell me.
I'm no expert in tyres (I do ride for a living though!) and can't tell you why one tyre is beter than another, but if you gave me a blind tyre test, I'd recognise better tyres over average ones.
And I reckon most people would too. If we stuck you on a road bike with say, roadsmarts, and then another with say origanal tourances, I'd put a fiver on you knowing which was which just be the feel.
Chalk and cheese example I know, but we can all be very perceptive at times!!
What is grip? How do you describe it? How does it feel? How do you know when your pushing the envelope just that little bit? (esp with a telelever front end..), I can't tell you, i just feel it, and so do you too!!!
Most people can tell the difference between average and good in many things, they just need an expert to tell them why.
Can I tell the difference between a £4.50 bottle of wine and a £15 one? Yes probably! Do I know why its better? No I don't, I'd need Oz Clarke to tell me.
I'm no expert in tyres (I do ride for a living though!) and can't tell you why one tyre is beter than another, but if you gave me a blind tyre test, I'd recognise better tyres over average ones.
And I reckon most people would too. If we stuck you on a road bike with say, roadsmarts, and then another with say origanal tourances, I'd put a fiver on you knowing which was which just be the feel.
Chalk and cheese example I know, but we can all be very perceptive at times!!
What is grip? How do you describe it? How does it feel? How do you know when your pushing the envelope just that little bit? (esp with a telelever front end..), I can't tell you, i just feel it, and so do you too!!!
Don't put yerself down!!
Most people can tell the difference between average and good in many things, they just need an expert to tell them why.
Can I tell the difference between a £4.50 bottle of wine and a £15 one? Yes probably! Do I know why its better? No I don't, I'd need Oz Clarke to tell me.
I'm no expert in tyres (I do ride for a living though!) and can't tell you why one tyre is beter than another, but if you gave me a blind tyre test, I'd recognise better tyres over average ones.
And I reckon most people would too. If we stuck you on a road bike with say, roadsmarts, and then another with say origanal tourances, I'd put a fiver on you knowing which was which just be the feel.
Chalk and cheese example I know, but we can all be very perceptive at times!!
What is grip? How do you describe it? How does it feel? How do you know when your pushing the envelope just that little bit? (esp with a telelever front end..), I can't tell you, i just feel it, and so do you too!!!
The profile and chartacteristics of the Anakee and Tourances appear to be similar if not the sale. I must admit I wouldnt put a nobbley on the front and a sticky one on the rear however these seem to be similar in objective.
As for that riding, would get me knicked if I tried it!
Mixed Tyres
Due to a rear puncture while in the Pyrenees on my GSA, the only replacement tyre I could source was a Bridgestone Battlewing. Left me running with a nearly new Conti Trail Attack front and the Bridgestone on the rear......... have just completed another 5k miles on this mix which included some seriously monsoon weather.........have to say I have not felt or experienced any bad moments.
My original intention was to match the tyres up when back in the UK, but the experience to date......has been to leave them until natural wear forces me into a decision........... then a choice of Trail Attacks or Bridgestones?
Cheers
Mac
Due to a rear puncture while in the Pyrenees on my GSA, the only replacement tyre I could source was a Bridgestone Battlewing. Left me running with a nearly new Conti Trail Attack front and the Bridgestone on the rear......... have just completed another 5k miles on this mix which included some seriously monsoon weather.........have to say I have not felt or experienced any bad moments.
My original intention was to match the tyres up when back in the UK, but the experience to date......has been to leave them until natural wear forces me into a decision........... then a choice of Trail Attacks or Bridgestones?
Cheers
Mac
Attachments
Mixed and matched many times on many different bikes and for the life of the tyres without any problems.
I'm more worried about the mix and match of the many different road surfaces.
I'm more worried about the mix and match of the many different road surfaces
.Mixed and matched many times on many different bikes and for the life of the tyres without any problems.
I'm more worried about the mix and match of the many different road surfaces
Exactly that; these are all-purpose bikes - not refined high speed projectiles!
I only ever mixed once before, that was on a Suzuki GT750 with a Roadrunner on the front and a TT100 on the back. Must admit it handled so badly I was pushed to tell!!
NLC
Registered user
I need a new front tyre and I have got Battlewings on the baby right now. The rear was replaced before I bought the bike and has lots of tread on it. Anything I should try or just stick with the Wings? I've never tried anything different on the bike. I do mostly tarmac.
Regards,
Numpty.
Regards,
Numpty.
snerkler
Registered user
I agree with Giles, you can tell a difference between tyres, and if you've mixed them. However, whether that difference is detrimental or not is not so clear cut. Out of necessity I had to mix a michelin with a Metzeler once. Could I tell the difference? Yes. Did it matter? no, the bike was still perfectly rideable and handled almost the same. The tyres were pretty similar though, I wouldn't like to have 2 totally different tyres.
If it was me, I'd either buy a pair of something different, or put another Battlewing on the front. But I do completely accept and totally agree with some of the others, that mixing tyres ain't going to throw you off your bike!
I'm just a bit anal!!
bsogri
Registered user
mixing tyres
Mixed loads of different makes and can't feel the difference
Mixed loads of different makes and can't feel the difference
NLC
Registered user
I just put on another Battlewing. Got it from Essential Rubber. He said if you were going to replace the rear in a couple of hundred miles no worries but he said best to stick with a matched pair. He said the Battlewings were becoming more common/popular . Tourance and Anakee 2 also popular.
Tyres
For a long while I ran a Conti Road Attack front on a1200GS.with B'stone 023 rear. no probs at all.
Since changed bike and now have a Metzler Esp on the front with a B'stone BT023 on the rear, handles like a dream, I tend to send them on a bit and would'nt keep anything that felt less than perfect.
I shall keep this mix till June when B'stone are bringing out an 023 to fit the front of the GS's.
For a long while I ran a Conti Road Attack front on a1200GS.with B'stone 023 rear. no probs at all.
Since changed bike and now have a Metzler Esp on the front with a B'stone BT023 on the rear, handles like a dream, I tend to send them on a bit and would'nt keep anything that felt less than perfect.
I shall keep this mix till June when B'stone are bringing out an 023 to fit the front of the GS's.
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