different brands of tyres on front and rear- ok?

[scrapps]

Hi. I'm new here, still learning loads about my new (used) bandit 600 (2000 SX). Just looking for some advice please.

Just discovered yesterday that I have a cut in my rear tyre, I'm going to change it, but there loads of choices.

I currently have BT010 110/70ZR17 front with plenty of tread left, and a BT020150/70ZR17 rear which needs changing.

Having done some research, I think I'll go for the Michelin Macadam 100x for the rear. The question is, will this be ok with my current front tyre, or should I change this also, obviously a matched pair will look nicer, but is there any technical/safety reason to do both?

I'd appreciate any advice from more experienced riders (passed test 3 weeks ago, had bike 2 weeks)

[Guest]

Absolutely no problem as long as they're both radials.

I buy tyres in pairs on offer, and as I get through two back uns to each front one I've been running mixed brands for years with no problems.

[Jamie_ducati]

Personally I wouldnt do it, at least certainly not using different brands.

Different brands usally employ different construction materials and techniques, and profiles are different.

this means that tyres are likely not compatible and may actually work against each other.
If you use different (suited) tyres from the same brand, use the stickier compound on the front tyre.


hope this helps
Jamie
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Jamie
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Time for eDUCATIon

[Robby]

The general idea is that different manufacturers shape their tyres a little differently, so it may mess up the handling a little bit.

However, this is a bandit 6 not a hypersports missile, so it wouldn't matter that much.

But, and this is a big but, the macadam range of tyres are horrible things. I assume you want to put one on the back of your bike because of the time they last for, I used to have one on the back of my VX800 and it was nasty. No feel, very hard, and let go without warning. Also seemed to feel better in the wet than it did in the dry.

020s are a good mileage tyre with good grip too. Better to get another of them on the back.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Have mixed brands loads of times. Only had one bike where the handling has been noticeably adversly affected in normal road use and that is the RS125 with a Dunlop Sportmax 2 on the back and a Michelin (cannot remember which model) on the front. Even then it is not a massive difference.

Sure a better rider on a track might be more picky but it is not something I worry about.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[scrapps]

Thanks all for replying. It seems most people have bridgestones on, BT020 in particular. When I was looking around for ideas I saw this website https://www.sidcupmotorcycletyres.co.uk/brands.htm which says that people find the macadam ok, and it outlasts the BT020. The company seems to fit all tyres and doesn't express a strong bias to any brand, but I do note that some comments are rather dated.

Was your experience a one-off Robby, or is it a problem that many bikers have with the brand?

As you say, I'm on a Bandit 600, and new to riding - I have no intention to push the bike yet - am I likely to be able to tell the difference in handling?

Now, I'm even more confused... BT020 or Mac100x???
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GSF600SX

[Guest]

I'm running a set of Macadams at the moment against strong advice from other users, but I've found them to be excellent at wearing (7000 miles and more to go) and had no problems with them stepping out wet or dry.

Maybe it's down to rider technique?

[AcIdBuRnZ]

My local motorbike tyre specialist does race support at Knockhill. He is completely against mixing tyre brands on a bike.

Big no-no from the experts.

If you want to change brands then best change them both together. Always have a matching pair, because they are designed to work with each other.
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[Guest]

[AcIdBuRnZ]

I also know him personally.

But its true enough when you think about it - companies devlop their tyres to work as matching pairs.

You wouldn't go skiing with two different make skis would you?

Valentino Rossi doesn't ride a Mitchy on the front and Dunlop rear does he?
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[G]

I had macadams on my TRX, I would say they felt a fair bit worse for grip than 020s.

At the moment I've got a Supercorsa front (very sticky) and D204 rear (not very sticky) - the profiles are a little different and make it feel slightly odd.

Only thing I'd be slightly worried about is if you had an accident and they tried to blame it on mis-matched tyres.

[feef]

no problems here..

Thundeace,

Metzeler Sportec M1 on the front,
Dunlop 208 on the rear.

Ridden hard on a trackday, and got rid of the chicken strips, scrubbed in the rear there actually.

Ridden almost as hard on the road, on occasion, and have never had a problem.

a
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[Kickstart]

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Having ridden with mismatched tyres many times on many different bike I have only had one pair where there was a noticeable adverse effect. Otherwise they have been fine. Sure, push it hard enough and you might notice a difference, but not that likely in day to day use. While I would agree to avoid it if reasonably possible, if it meant dumping a half used tyre then I would say it is not reasonable.

After all the profile changes dramatically as the tyres wear, and change differently on the front and rear tyres.

They might try getting out on that basis but I suspect any court would tell them to get stuffed (unless you were mixing a radial front with a cross ply rear).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[scrapps]

It seems as with most topics/questions, there is some polarisation of views.

Ultimately I am a junior (340 post-test road miles), I'm probably not going to push the bike hard enough to notice handling differences, but then again, the bike is not yet a true extension of my body... (no crude jokes please )

I think the sensible thing, based on the general opinion that the Macadam 100x is not as good as the BT020, is to go, this time, for a replacement with the same type of tyre - no mismatching, and a tyre I'm used to.

After this one is worn, I can then reassess, and maybe I'll be in a better position to truly appreciate a difference in brand/style of tyre! (for better or worse)

Thank you all so much for replying - it's very handy to have so much experience on tap! Much appreciated
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GSF600SX