Mixing Tyres

[lunc]

I currently have Torrance EXP tyres and don't like them as much as the old "standard" Torrance so I want change to them. I asked the dealer to change the rear with the service next week since it needs doing. The front is still pretty good (several thousand miles left on it I reckon) so I don't want to do that yet. The dealer said that he isn't allowed to mix tyres and that both the front and rear must be the same so I either must change both or keep what I have. This seems daft to me and seems like a way for him and the tyre company to sell more tyres.

It's not like I asked for a TKC 80 on the front and to leave a Sportmax Roadsmart on the back. The Torrance's are pretty similar tyres and I can't see why that would be unsafe. Is it really dodgy to mix these tyres?

 

[lunc]

OK, he's checked again and these two can be mixed OK, so no problem.

 

[harry]

There is no reason why you should not retain your 'old' front Tourance with your new rear.

Your big mistake is going to a dealer, I presume you mean a bike dealer, for tyres, go to a known good m/c tyre dealer, usually better and cheaper

 

[G5RJO]

'DEALER' You don't mean a BMW dealer do you?

Dear god NO!

If you have that much cash to spare I will give you my PAYPAL address..

Try here.....

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/productinfo/902604/Tyres/Tyre-Offers/Metzeler

£149.99p a pair for proper tourances not the new 'improved' wear out faster EXP things.

My local garage will change them over and balance it for £10...

Roger.

 

[lunc]

Yes, the BMW dealer costs more, but it works for me for a whole stack of reasons that mean this week I'm happy to trade a reduction of time and effort for a bit more money (just not so much that I'd change a perfectly good front 'cos the tyre bloke said I had to have a pair).

£150 a pair is a good deal I reckon and I might very well do that next time. I've saved the link - thanks.

 

[Bendy toy]

Its not only the fitting cost. Tyres can be bought much cheaper at specialist outlets.

I always run tyres until they are worn out or the handling has degraded too much. Some sporty types have squared off long before legally worn out. I also use any mix of tyre brands appropriate for the bike and have never had any problems. I only use radials BTW.

 

[Yonkyo]

I have often mixed tyre brands on my GSA, e.g. a Metz Tourance front and BT Battlewing rear, with no handling/grip/feel problems whatsoever.

 

[sharkojoints]

I have a new Dunlop Sportsmart on the back and a worn BW on the front.

The bike doesn't feel quite as stable as with a pair of BW's, so I'm changing the front for another Dunlop soon. It's perfectly rideable though, and any difference might be all in my head...

 

[rocky burns]

I have the exp on the front and a standard tourance on the back and it works just fine

 

[Pablo1]

'DEALER' You don't mean a BMW dealer do you?

Dear god NO!

If you have that much cash to spare I will give you my PAYPAL address..

Try here.....

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/productinfo/902604/Tyres/Tyre-Offers/Metzeler

£149.99p a pair for proper tourances not the new 'improved' wear out faster EXP things.

My local garage will change them over and balance it for £10...

Roger.

We are not well endowed up here in scotchland with bike tyre suppliers and fitting, however i'd be a bit worried the independants might screw up my tp sensors or something similar , peace of mind if i put it into bmw im not going to have any screw ups.
just my opinion.

 

[ihandyman247]

I never mixed and never had dissatisfactions
My advise is not to mix tyres , I do not think is legal and if you have a accident it will may become problematic

 

[Delboy777]

I never mixed and never had dissatisfactions
My advise is not to mix tyres , I do not think is legal and if you have a accident it will may become problematic

If a tyre is legal, ie has enough tread on it and provided you dont mix off road with Tarmac type tyres and the tyre has been designed for your bike there is nothing illegal about mixing tyres.

 

[Bendy toy]

Crossply, bias belt and radial cannot be mixed. But as long as the tyres are the correct size correct speed rating and have legal tread you can use any brnad you like on any end of the bike.

Use both the same brand/model if you must, but I see no point in throwing a perfectly good front tyre when the rear wears out.

My Diversion 900 has to say the least "average" suspension so it needs good tyres. Its no better with a manufacturer's pair than it is with mixed manufacturer's tyres.

Telling people they must always run a matched pair is a con trick to make them buy 2 tyres when they need only one.

 

[Roymondo]

Crossply, bias belt and radial cannot be mixed.

Oh, yes they can! The only restriction is that you are not allowed to have radial on the front with bias-belt or crossply on the rear, or bias belt on the front with crossply on the rear. Any other combination (e.g. radial rear, crossply front) is OK from a legal POV.

 

[Paul S]

Currently using a Tourance EXP front with a Conti Trail Attack rear - no problems at all

 

[Richie B]

While on a recent trip across the water I got a puncture in the rear battlewing , found a dealer to purchase a new one but unfortunately they didnt have battlewings so I had a tourance put on, So had a BW on the front and a tourance on the rear. Felt ok in the dry , but when I got back to the UK it was pissing down and shit it was well scary , they didnt work well together at all. soon as I got home i had the rear changed for a BW . happy days are here again .............

 

[lunc]

I have the exp on the front and a standard tourance on the back and it works just fine

That's excellent news. Thanks.

 

[hiup]

Does anyone fit and balance their own tyres? Care to share any tips if you do this, like is it difficult, what about the TPS valves (how not to damage them) and what setup and method do you use to balance the wheels?

 

[Backmarker]

I never mixed and never had dissatisfactions
My advise is not to mix tyres , I do not think is legal and if you have a accident it will may become problematic

An absolute classic of a post. Reminds me of the old days. Thanks for posting.

 

[WindyChuffer]

I currently have Torrance EXP tyres and don't like them as much as the old "standard" Torrance so I want change to them. I asked the dealer to change the rear with the service next week since it needs doing. The front is still pretty good (several thousand miles left on it I reckon) so I don't want to do that yet. The dealer said that he isn't allowed to mix tyres and that both the front and rear must be the same so I either must change both or keep what I have. This seems daft to me and seems like a way for him and the tyre company to sell more tyres.

It's not like I asked for a TKC 80 on the front and to leave a Sportmax Roadsmart on the back. The Torrance's are pretty similar tyres and I can't see why that would be unsafe. Is it really dodgy to mix these tyres?

Nothing wrong with mixing tyres. Nothing wrong with TKC on the front and road tyre on the back. I quite often end up with that combo. The rozzers make silly jokes about it but wtf do they know.