Tyre matching

[orangeback]

Who's into tyre matching
I mean only buying match pairs of tyres, not mixing them up and why?
Disadvantages or advantages? mixing modles for sticker fonts, harder rears
Im more intrested in those bikes that have an R in them (CBR,R1,ZXR,GSXR, etc ) sports orinated. Than crusers:dodge: thats why this in the sports/road section. & what size bike you are fitting them to and what you running

[Ghost_Bullet]

An R in the name... cool... GRISO.
When bought it, it had a pair of Rennsports on it, and now I have a Renn on the front and a M3 on the rear.

[Kyle]

On my cbr600 race bike when i got it, it had dunlop qualifiers, but the back was shagged, and im not a big fan of dunlops, they seem to chew out, but stick alright. So then put a pair of metzler race techs on, sc0 on the front (softest) and because all they had was Sc1 (medium soft) for the rear i got that. Well one race meeting later the rear was totally gone, way to soft and it cold sheered itself to death. So then i stuck a second hand pirelli dragon slick Sc2 compound (firm) on the back to test my suspension changes and it rocked. So im leaving the SC0 metzler racetech on the front because it works great and has plenty of meat left, and bought a new pirelli diablo slick SC2. Basically my reason for mixing is im still testing tire brands, i cant afford to change fronts when they are still perfectly good. And with race tires, quite often availablity means you cant always pick the tire you want.
As for my road bike, Im not riding like a mad loon on the road so im not worryed about mixing. in fact i used two second hand tires on the front and a pirelli diablo to race on, when i was racing this other bike, the diablo lasted 8 track days and three race meeting and some road touring so i was happy with that. and now its back on the road full time i put a matching pair of pirelli diablo strada tires, because they were the cheapest tire buy the better company. I couldve got shinkos for much less but everyone told me "dont do it" so i didnt. Thats my 2 dollars worth. I voted matched when i buy two, dont care when buying a rear.

[Karma]

Depends what you mean by matching them...

On the ZXR400 I used to run Pilot Sport on the front, and Pilot Road on the back, gave it that extra wear when commuting, not had to worry on the GSXR so far as it had a brand new rear when I brought it, but that's mismatched and I've not noticed any problems.

[MacD]

You don't have an option for purposefully not matching front and rear tyres. For the last couple of years I've run an Avon Viper on the front and an Azaro ST on the rear on my RF900 and Bandit. The combination works perfectly well and has been used for everything from trackdays to South Island tours. I've also used a Dunlop 208 on the front and a 220 on the rear, although I wasn't so keen on the 220.

On the other hand, I do match manufacturers these days, though that wasn't always the case.

This topic is almost as good as the oil debate, nobody will ever agree. Manufacturers do not recommend mixing models of tyres let alone brands, but you have to remember they're protecting themselves from litigation with such statements in countries such as the US. You only have to read KB to realise how often people blame their tyres for bins, rather than their riding.

[bert_is_evil]

You only have to read KB to realise how often people blame their tyres for bins, rather than their riding.

It's true though - my bike fell off it's stand once, since I got a new rear tyre it hasn't happened, so it must have been the tyre.

[vifferman]

You don't have an option for purposefully not matching front and rear tyres. For the last couple of years I've run an Avon Viper on the front and an Azaro ST on the rear on my RF900 and Bandit.
Ditto.
I've run Bridgestone BT012F/BT020R on the VFR750 I used to have, then Avon AV45-SP front / AV49-ST rear on the VTR1000, and the same combo on the VFR800.
For relatively slow-steering bikes like the VTR and VFR, sticking a sports front tyre on and a sport-touring rear gives quicker turn-in, a stickier front for confidence, and both tyres wear out at the same time, so you're not mismatching new/worn tyres.

Back when I had a VF500, I had totally mismatched tyres (brand and style) and I wouldn't do it again. Mind you, the fact that it had a 16" front and 18" rear meant nothing was a matched pair anyway...

The crappest combo was an oversized IRC rear, and Dunslop front.

[The Stranger]

This topic is almost as good as the oil debate, nobody will ever agree.

Yes, now add in air filters and fuel octane and you really have a volatile mix.

[bugjuice]

surely the fact that tyres are designed together is a strong point.. (not having read the rest of the topic).. mix n match means one is going to potentially out do the other

[onearmedbandit]

He wasn't asking who is wrong or right, just who does and who doesn't. Simple really.

I only go matched, currently running Michelin Pilot Powers, seem decent enough for both road and track duty (although I was on PP's when I highsided at the track last year, but that was rider error).

[The Stranger]

You don't have an option for purposefully not matching front and rear tyres. For the last couple of years I've run an Avon Viper on the front and an Azaro ST on the rear on my RF900 and Bandit.

You don't perchance get your tyres from Kerry at Motohaus do you?

[Disco Dan]

I just made sure the two tyres were compatible with each other - ie same profile and lean angles. Got a Metzler on the front and Bridgestone battlax on the rear.

[avgas]

I've never had luck with matching tyres. I prefer less grip on the back so its easier to kick out.

[Squeak the Rat]

You don't perchance get your tyres from Kerry at Motohaus do you?

Haha, I'll bet a dollar.

I match my tyres just as I match my socks only washed more often. If the manufacturers are lying I don't lose much, if they're making valid recommendations then all good.

[The Stranger]

I just made sure the two tyres were compatible with each other - ie same profile and lean angles.

Ok, I got to ask, how does one go about this?

[MacD]

You don't perchance get your tyres from Kerry at Motohaus do you?

Would you believe me if I said no? ;)

[Disco Dan]

Ok, I got to ask, how does one go about this?

farked if I know... the guy at mt eden motorcycles told me the two tyres were compatible with each other because the lean angles were the same or something?

I thought that was why you dont get dif tyres? so that when you lean over, one tyre runs out of tread/gets to the edge before the other one?

[The Stranger]

Would you believe me if I said no? ;)

Should I?

[slowpoke]

I mix and match....within reason. Depending on the manufacturer they can sell you a variety of compounds and profiles of the same tyre (ie Metzeler Racetec) so I don't really see the difference between running different manufacturers so long as the intended use of the tyre is the same. If you are crazy enough to run a crossply cruiser tyre with a sports bike radial then please take some video footage to give us all a laugh.

[MacD]

Should I?

No!..............

[Sensei]

Hell yea too Mixing !! Have only had one matching set in 26ys & that was when I brought my RSVR they put brand new P-Pilots on it . Changed back for a Power Sports as the PP had to much wall flex for me , even the Sports moves abit . Have just put a Metzy M1 front on so Michy / Metzy combo till I get the Z6 on the rear soon .:Punk:

[MSTRS]

Would anyone see a problem in having a BT45 on the front and a SportDemon on the back on YTs EX500?? And if so, why?

[banditrider]

I've been a big fan of Metzlers for ages. When I bought my K2 bandit it came with Battleaxes and the front end didn't feel that great. I swapped to a Metzler Sportec on the Front and a Roadtec on the back. Still running the same combination now on the K6 (even though the Dunlop Sportmax originals were ok). Great feel, excellant in the wet and last pretty well too.

I've got a couple in the shed with about 3,000km left in them (had to change them before the Southern X) if someone wants to make me an offer and try them...

[cowboyz]

I buy on recommendation at the time. Bike come with conti road attacks on both front and rear when I got it. Rear run out in about 10000km. Replaced it with a michellin cause the guy behind the counter recommended it for touring. Seems to be going alright so far.

[Tim 39]

I dont tyre match on my road bike, no point realy because the back always wears out first, on my race bike I run the same tyres all the time so it doesn't matter

[moT]

i dnt care i put anyhing on that has rubber you wld be supprised on how good some "cheap shit" tyres arei got a super corsa on the front and a shinko touring tyre on the rear lol

[Bonez]

Matching Yokohamas on the GB, matching Cheng Shins on the CX, matching Metzelers on the GSX, mixed Metezer/Cheng Shins on the 550, mixed Metzeler/Bridgestone on Gerty. A Metzeler, Cheng Shin and Shinko waiting to be fitted once something wears out.

One should always make sure one has a spare few rubbers in hand.:innocent:

Prior preperation prevents piss poor performance you know...........

[Tim 39]

Matching Yokohamas on the GB, matching Cheng Shins on the CX, matching Metzelers on the GSX, mixed Metezer/Cheng Shins on the 550, mixed Metzeler/Bridgestone on Gerty. A Metzeler, Cheng Shin and Shinko waiting to be fitted once something wears out.

One should always make sure one has a spare few rubbers in hand.:innocent:

Prior preperation prevents piss poor performance you know...........

got enough motorbikes? lol

[cowboyz]

got enough motorbikes? lol

if only you knew................

[Bonez]

got enough motorbikes? lolNo :scooter: