Mixing tyres?

[triumphant]

Is it essential to have matching tyres? Or can combinations/closely related tyres back and front work well? eg Dunlop Sportmax Qualifyer rear (because it is near new)with a Sportmax Roadsmart on front (because front needs replacing and Roadsmart would be a better winter tyre?)?

[dogsnbikes]

Since when did the winterless north start having winters???

NO........ some will say its a sin too miss match tyres,where as in reality its ok too even use different brands of tyres on front and rear

but look at what tyres work well together for your purpose and talk too your local bike shop

[Hitcher]

I'd do it the other way round: Qualifier on the front and Roadsmart on the rear. The Qualifier will give nice sharp steering and grippyness. The Roadsmart rear will give you wear/tyre life.

Although I've never done it myself, I don't see any real harm in running a sports tyre on the front with a sports touring rear. Indeed for some bikes this pairing could work well.

Interestingly the Roadsmarts are different constructions front and rear anyway. The rears are multi-compound (hard centre with grippier edges) and the front is single compound.

My Shiver came with Qualifiers as its OEM tyres. I liked them. I put a set of Roadsmarts on my FJR1300 and they are currently my first choice to replace the OEM Battlax 021s I'm currently running on the GSX1250FA.

[DEATH_INC.]

Although I've never done it myself, I don't see any real harm in running a sports tyre on the front with a sports touring rear. Indeed for some bikes this pairing could work well.

I've even gone a step further and run a sport-touring rear and a race front. Worked sweet as, even around the old Taupo track.

[triumphant]

Since when did the winterless north start having winters???

NO........ some will say its a sin too miss match tyres,where as in reality its ok too even use different brands of tyres on front and rear

but look at what tyres work well together for your purpose and talk too your local bike shop

Cheers, maybe no snow and ice, but quite liquid!

[AllanB]

My Shiver came with Qualifiers as its OEM tyres. I liked them. I put a set of Roadsmarts on my FJR1300 and they are currently my first choice to replace the OEM Battlax 021s I'm currently running on the GSX1250FA.

Interesting. Have you tried the Conti Road Attack 2's? (possibly not after your Conti Motion experience!).


Back to OP.

It is more usual to put the sticky sport tyre on the front and a sport/touring on the rear. Why? Ultra sticky front and a longer wearing rear.
I think there is a reasonable presumption that you'll not use the treadless edge of the sport tyre in the wet winter!

IMO the current crop of Sport Touring tyres (pick your favourite tread pattern) are all very good tyres and well up to the requirements of just about all riders on public roads. Ego tends to dictate a tyre well beyonds ones requirements and actual abilities.

I personally never mix brands but plenty do and the bastards often fly past me!

[R1madness]

It will be fine.