Tyres? Again

[Dodgy1]

Morning all well its that time again. I find myself in need of a new front tyre for the bandit. I have Pirelli Diablo Strada's on at the moment but apparently these are becoming quite hard to source and the price people are asking for them is certainly reflecting this. The problem I have is my rear tyre is all good and I only have to replace the front so it looks like a change in tyre brand is on the cards Which brings me to my question. I don't need to change the rear tyre. So have any of you ever had a miss matched set of tyres on your bikes?? Where is a good place to shop for reasonably priced tyres?? Cheers in advance lads and lasseses

[george formby]

Morning all well its that time again. I find myself in need of a new front tyre for the bandit. I have Pirelli Diablo Strada's on at the moment but apparently these are becoming quite hard to source and the price people are asking for them is certainly reflecting this. The problem I have is my rear tyre is all good and I only have to replace the front so it looks like a change in tyre brand is on the cards Which brings me to my question. I don't need to change the rear tyre. So have any of you ever had a miss matched set of tyres on your bikes?? Where is a good place to shop for reasonably priced tyres?? Cheers in advance lads and lasseses

I've mix & matched twice. First time was fine, BT 021 front, Conti road attack rear. My current pair are not good. The profiles don't match & I would run off the front before the rear. Not ideal but manageable for my current riding.
Be very careful if you go down this road. Cycletreads suggested the sport touring combination due to availability issues & they were spot on.

[Dodgy1]

I've mix & matched twice. First time was fine, BT 021 front, Conti road attack rear. My current pair are not good. The profiles don't match & I would run off the front before the rear. Not ideal but manageable for my current riding.
Be very careful if you go down this road. Cycletreads suggested the sport touring combination due to availability issues & they were spot on.

Yeah I hear ya....I don't really want to go down that road. I also don't want to throw away a perfectly good tyre either. Cycletreads have some great deals tyre wise but Iv'e only ever had Pirelli's so am like a fish out of water on this subject. Think I'll give em a ring...Cheers

[pritch]

Yeah I hear ya....I don't really want to go down that road. I also don't want to throw away a perfectly good tyre either.

I like matched tyres but have made do with a mismatch for a time.

From memory the Strada has no tread in the centre of the tyre. The design relies on the front tyre sweeping the road clear of water in the wet. So I'd want a front tyre designed to work as a pair with a similar rear tread pattern.

The Metzeler Z6 rears were a similar tread pattern to the Strada, not sure about the Z8. The Zs are sport touring tyres like the Stradas, are probably made in the same factory, and are as likely to be as close a match as you can get.

I have used both Stradas and Z6s and was happy with both. Just haven't tried them mixed.

[Premature Accelerato]

Have mismatched for years. For average road riding I dont believe it is that important to have matched sets but more important to have good quality. Have also mismatched on a trackday bike mixing Conti Race Attacks and Bt 002 and 003s without problems. I am also going to experiment with flipping the trackday tyres shortly but only with the rears. Just my opinion.

[trumpy]

I left a part worn (warrantable) Strada front with Katman when I changed tyres recently. PM him and see if he still has it. Probably enough tread on there to allow you to use up your rear before changing brands.

[Subike]

I Dont ride on the edge,
So mis matched tires are not a worry
A long as they have decent tread, the right pressure, and are not plastic. Use em.
Never go on the track, so taking the tires to the edge of their adhesion will never happen.
For normal safe road riding, I dont think it matters much IMO.
But if you like to push the limits, then well, buy the best, or die on the rest

[Andy67]

I was running Metzeler M5 front and rear for a while but just got through the rears to quick. Now running Z8 rear and M5 front, I supose thats a technical mismatch but profiles fairly well identical and getting way better distance with minimal loss in performance. Don't get me wrong the M5 rear is a fantastic tyre just the Beemer is hard on them.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Never go on the track, so taking the tires to the edge of their adhesion will never happen.

What about if someone pulls out in front of you and you have to do some emergency braking?

[Subike]

What about if someone pulls out in front of you and you have to do some emergency braking?

well, now if that was to happen, it would probably be in a straight line, type of tire would not be as important as condition of brakes and your personal reaction time
Have had that happen a couple of time with mixed tires, not a problem yet.

[Andy67]

well, now if that was to happen, it would probably be in a straight line, type of tire would not be as important as condition of brakes and your personal reaction time
Have had that happen a couple of time with mixed tires, not a problem yet.

You might want to rethink most of that

[Crasherfromwayback]

well, now if that was to happen, it would probably be in a straight line, type of tire would not be as important as condition of brakes and your personal reaction time
Have had that happen a couple of time with mixed tires, not a problem yet.

Good luck with that.

You might want to rethink most of that

Doesn't sound like it'll happen though eh!!!

[Subike]

Good luck with that.



Doesn't sound like it'll happen though eh!!!

well, I have not yet happened upon a situation yet where I have had that problem

But then I dont ride congested roads like you guys.

And how I ride is possibly boaring compared to you as well

My old bikes dont tend to get me into trouble fast, just at a more sedate pace.

[Andy67]

Good luck with that.



Doesn't sound like it'll happen though eh!!!

Can't fault the logic though mate...

Only ever ride in a straight line check
Mint brakes check
Reactions of a ninja check
Suboptimal rubber check

[Subike]

Can't fault the logic though mate...

Only ever ride in a straight line check
Mint brakes check
Reactions of a ninja check
Suboptimal rubber check

lol, believe what you will
I dont consider myself anything other than a capable rider
After riding a couple of miles more, I might just get to being more than a learner
But then what do I know,
As for how my bikes perform with the tires that are fitted to them?
Good enough for me,