Different tyres front and rear
Discussion
Hi all. Question. I’ve been on bikes nearly 30 years now and something I’ve never understood.
Does it REALLY matter if I’ve got different rubber front and back. I need a new rear tyre and all I can get locally today is Pirelli Gran Turismo. What actual difference will it make with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II on the front?
Or is it just a means for tyre companies to sell more by recommending the same type both ends? I mean, it’s not like they’re on the same axle or anything!
ETA. On a Bonneville T120 if it makes any difference...
Does it REALLY matter if I’ve got different rubber front and back. I need a new rear tyre and all I can get locally today is Pirelli Gran Turismo. What actual difference will it make with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II on the front?
Or is it just a means for tyre companies to sell more by recommending the same type both ends? I mean, it’s not like they’re on the same axle or anything!
ETA. On a Bonneville T120 if it makes any difference...
On my old Norton I wasn't really bothered about brands being the same but when I switched to faster more modern bikes I have always bought as a branded pair, and then sold the front on as a part worn (front normally lasts twice the rear miles). If you are just pootling about I wouldn't think it would make much difference but if you are triple figures and above then I would defo keep a matched pair.
I had to buy an emergency rear tyre for my Ducati monster when I was in Wick. The shop there fitted the only tyre they had in the right size, a Michelin (front was a Dunlop from memory)
I planned to change it once I got back home to Devon, but in the end I didn't notice any ill effects from having mismatched tyres so kept it on there until the front wore out.
I planned to change it once I got back home to Devon, but in the end I didn't notice any ill effects from having mismatched tyres so kept it on there until the front wore out.
TheThing said:
In the real world at real world speeds I would think that it wouldn't make any difference at all. Not good if you have OCD though!
That's my problem with it. Whilst it can be perfectly fine with mixed rubber, I like a matching set. Hell, even the double light switches in the house have to be both on or both off.TinyMonster said:
TheThing said:
In the real world at real world speeds I would think that it wouldn't make any difference at all. Not good if you have OCD though!
That's my problem with it. Whilst it can be perfectly fine with mixed rubber, I like a matching set. Hell, even the double light switches in the house have to be both on or both off.Haha. Same here. I couldn't live with mis matched tyres. A pal of mine has mixed rubber on his bike at work. It makes my teeth itch every time I see it!
I am probably alone in thinking that a brand new rear tyre and a nearly worn out front one actually gives a nice handling balance?
The font when worn tends towards a triangular shape, which gives a pointy feeling to the front, and the new back tyre is nicely rounded, so tipping in feels good.
The font when worn tends towards a triangular shape, which gives a pointy feeling to the front, and the new back tyre is nicely rounded, so tipping in feels good.
Its the difference in grip levels that puts me off, in normal day to day riding they'll be fine but that one time when you need to have predictable constant grip levels (such as cornering in the pissing rain and you have to swerve) they could be very different and have you off, a trial based tyre will differ hugely from a road tyre in compound and construction.
I'd rather have a cheap matched pair than odd tyres.
I'd rather have a cheap matched pair than odd tyres.
I agree with most on here. Assuming it's not completely different types of tyre then there will likely be no issue. After all, mixing a two thirds worn tyre with a brand new tyre of the same make, is actually mixing different tyres as a 2 thirds worn tyre definitely performs differently to a new tyre.
TheThing said:
In the real world at real world speeds I would think that it wouldn't make any difference at all. Not good if you have OCD though!
This is what my issue is - car or bike I can't even drive the things if they don't have the correctly matching tyres. If I buy something used and they don't match it's my first job.(I can't do with having a bulb out either - if the warning comes on I will fix it there and then, even if it's not even dark.)
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