Mixing Tires

[bguinn]

On my way home today, and had to make a stop. When I came back out to get on my bike, I noticed something shiny on my rear tire. It was the steel belts.

I was wondering how big a sin it would be to mix tires. Like most, I go through two rears to one front. Don't get me wrong, the stock Pirelli Diablos were great but most of my miles are commuting with an occasional weekend jaunt on the mountains.

 

[Alfatango1]

You can mix them, you can't always justify replacing them both since we both know rears wear out faster. You may want to go with a Michelin Power Pilot CT2. Harder compound in the center for longevity.

 

[BuellRider3158]

You can mix them and it will work just fine. Right now I have a Michelin Power Pilot back tire and a Continental front tire. It works just fine. I've just been too lazy to put the front tire on my bike because breaking beads sucks.

 

[brightbuell]

I love the new mich power piloy 2's. Thats my next tire for sure.

 

[kyle_dewald]

I went with the pirelli angels

 

[Mike Van V]

You ran the tires to the cord....?
NOT safe..!

I'd bet you'd be much better off (read that safer) putting both tires (new) on at the same time.

For what it may be worth, last weekend, I put the new Pilot Pure tires on my 1125CR. A coupla things I don't care for, but the overall traction is the best street tire I've ever used.

Mike

 

[fishgutz]

@ Mike, ran my Diablo to the chord too. Second rear in 8K miles. Switched to Mich Pilot Road 2CT. So far so good. Supposed to be go for at least 10K miles. We shall see.
I didn't replace the front the first time I replaced the rear. But I did when I switched to the Mich PR2CT.

 

[Macbuell]

Michelin Power Pilot CT2---

I have these and almost need a new rear already after only 4k miles No burn-outs, and I don't wheelie. I don't understand why my tires don't last longer. I do enjoy weaving even on a straight road though so that might be it. Also I do like quick starts, but I thought that was normal.

 

[GSXdoubleR88ciNINJA]

If you just ride your bike, don't worry about mix and match.

If you fine tune your suspension and Tire air pressure for your sport riding pleasure. You know better...


The last 2 sets of tires I've run have been the worst ever and the best ever. For many reasons either way.

The worst Bridgstone BT-016 ;
Got only 2 thousand miles on the front before it was a slick. Started burning the back off and got almost 3k out of it. The worst tires ever.


The best ever Dunlop Q2 ;
I've got about 4k on them. The back is toast. First set EVER that kept the same profile throughout the life of the tire. NO FLAT SPOT in the middle. Same wear on sides as the middle.

The highest mileage I've got from sport tires; 5 thousand miles. The least, 2k.

Michelin touts about 51 degrees lean angle with their Pilot Power 2ct, and Dunlop about 54 degrees lean angle. Track like speeds are required to get the "strips" off those tires.

Remember all the sport multiple compound tires are a harder compound in the middle than the sides. But that is race like rubber on the sides! Most people get 3-5k miles on the sport rubbers.

 

[bguinn]

After getting my tire off and looking at it closely, I am due a tire for sure, but it looks like I might have gotten a rock or something stuck between my tire and swingarm. There are 2 gouges that go down to the steel belts, the rest of the tire is worn, but not worn down to the belts.

After calling around town, I have 2 tires that are standing out. The Dunlop Q2, and Michelin Pilot Power 2ct.

The Q2 is about $50 cheaper. Any recommendations?

Also, I was wanting to go with a 190, I assume I need a 190/50 since the stock is a 180/55. Is that right?

 

[GSXdoubleR88ciNINJA]

Q2 are the best tires I've ever used.

 

[anrkizm95]

i love the Q2s

 

[Alfatango1]

Hated my old Dunlops but I hear the new Q2's are real nice. I just put a regular power pilot on the rear of my 9R. Need a front in about 800 to 1000 miles. Not sure what I'll use.

 

[bguinn]

I listened and had the Q2 put on the wheel. We'll see how it goes on stick and mileage.

Thanks guys

 

[07xb12sgrin]

i have the michelin ct2 on the rear but a reg. power pilot on the front. i like a sticky front tire. i will let everyone know toward the end of the year how that setup worked for me. so far though, really happy with it. [up]

 

[tuck]

I just put a Pilot Power out back, and am still running a Dunlop Sportmax up front. It works just fine for how I ride.

 

[okey]

i have just come up for tyres and have them being fitted tomorrow.went for pirelli angel's as i liked the diablo's that were standard but want some extra km's out of my rubber. Just remember to check your wheel bearings carefully as my front is notchy at 10 thousand km's and will have to be replaced also.To top it off i have had a rock puncture the drive belt right through so thats on order also, better safe than sorry.Hey Kyle how are the angels so far?

 

[03Firebolt9R]

The worst Bridgstone BT-016 ;
Got only 2 thousand miles on the front before it was a slick. Started burning the back off and got almost 3k out of it. The worst tires ever.

I have to disagree...I have had 3 sets of BT016's on 2 different Buells and got about 5000 miles out of each one of the rears on the first 2. Just put the third one on my CR and I expect about the same. I have a friend that has the same on his CBR and he has over 6000 on them and his miles are mainly straight line commuting.

In my case, the wrost tires ever were the OEM Pirelli's. I only got about 2000 miles out of the rear and could never get traction during hard acceration on my CR. I smoked the center off of it.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[GSXdoubleR88ciNINJA]

Maybe it's possible I had a "bad" set. Too bad it was my first set of Bridgstones.... Others have liked them. One of my buddies on the xb9r had the same opinion. Even at the track the front just felt like it was slippery. Another friend with and RC51 track bike loved them.