potentially dumb tyre question.........

[earthmover]

But I'm going to ask it anyway.
My rear TCK is nearly a slick, the front is fine. What is the legality of putting a new Tourance on the back, but leaving the front as is?
I find I have the most problems with front grip (in the quarry that is) with Tourances on, I can cope with the back wandering about. Do bike tyres have to be "matched" for the road, legally that is? Handling I will deal with, unless it's considered to be really dangerous, though I can't see why.
What do you think?
Mark

 

[LiquidLAN]

I'm not sure about the legality (probably illegal) but the sense of it, I'm guessing you'd end up with loads on understeer and possible a bike that was leathal to ride, especially on the road.

 

[Flipfly]

I'm sure by law the tyres don't have to be matched. Many people run a BT010 on the front and an 020 on the back for example. I think that an insurance company may use it against you in the event of a claim and I would consider it unwise to use a bike on the road with such seriously different tyres. Try the pirelli scorpions. They seem a little more cut than the tourances and Rollinsdan said they handle really well on the road.

 

[earthmover]

I'm not sure about the legality (probably illegal) but the sense of it, I'm guessing you'd end up with loads on understeer and possible a bike that was leathal to ride, especially on the road.

Is this because of the different profiles of the two tyres?
I am quite happy with the performance of the TCK's for winter riding, although the wear rate is serious. I have a new set ready, but want to save them for April. Tourances have done everything I've asked of them on the road (or trackdays) but have their limits when I use the bike for work, especially the front. I also have a set of those waiting to go on, but thought about combining the two for what could either be perfection, or disaster.
Any more thoughts?
Mark

 

[LiquidLAN]

I'm really no expert on this, my response is just a personally opinion.

My thinking is that the tourance is going to give you superior grip in the wet, combine that with a TKC on wet roads, I would have thought you'd see the TKC front giving out a lot sooner than the rear in corners, especially if you apply the power.

I've got a part warn set of TKC that I will put back on if I do any off roading that requres them.

If you are looking at doing a lot of different riding, why not look at picking up a second set of wheels?

Again, its just my opinion, but it seems a cheaper bet in the long run.

 

[Fanum]

Mark....I also don't think it would be illegal but I suspect that with such an obvious mis-match you may well get tugged for it

I'd try Heidenau K60's.......the rear has a flatter squarer profile for the road but they're pretty good off road...they're sort of exactly half way between Tourences and TKC's, both in looks and performance.

They might be perfect for you

 

[Colban]

www.motuk.co.uk/mcmanual_410.htm
Have a read of this,particularly the "unsuitable tyres" section in the information section.
You cant mix types of tyres.ie bias belted/cross ply.
I use a front Tourance and a road Avon on the rear (cures rear end slides powering out of tight bends).Never had a problem at MOT time.

 

[Chris G]

Mark....I also don't think it would be illegal but I suspect that with such an obvious mis-match you may well get tugged for it

I'd try Heidenau K60's.......the rear has a flatter squarer profile for the road but they're pretty good off road...they're sort of exactly half way between Tourences and TKC's, both in looks and performance.

They might be perfect for you

the only thing I have found to be a problem with the K60's [profile a bit square], will be sorted out soon as I have had a mail from them saying that they are to start production in proper GS sizes

 

[Bigtwin]

I'm sure by law the tyres don't have to be matched. Many people run a BT010 on the front and an 020 on the back for example.

Isn't that because one is a front and one the rear of that product range - sure it used to work like that?

 

[wildbeeste]

I went to a talk by the couple who hold the record for riding a bike from one end of the Americas to the other.
I recall they actually recommended a TKC on the front and a tourance on the rear.
It sounded strange so I noted it. The front provides grip on the trails and the tourance will last longer on the freeways.
I could not say if it is legal or not though.

 

[Fanum]

the only thing I have found to be a problem with the K60's [profile a bit square], will be sorted out soon as I have had a mail from them saying that they are to start production in proper GS sizes

Now that is very good news