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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Tires » What's the deal with mixing tires? « Previous Next »

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Creeker
Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 07:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I will be needing a new front tire on my 03 XB9 soon that I recently purchased used. It's got almost 5k on it with the stock qualifier on front but it has a newer qualifier on the rear with 1k. So I'd like to put some Pirelli's on but I hear things like mixing is bad. Any input would be great!

Travis
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Jlnance
Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 09:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Different brands and models of tires are different shapes. This affects how they handle when you turn. If you mix & match you get a front & back with cross sections which weren't designed to go with each other. This can lead to poor handling, hence the warning about not mixing them.

That being said, a lot of people, myself included, have run mismatched tiers with no problems. I've got a Sync on the front and a Contiforce on the rear right now.
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12r
Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 04:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The rule-of-thumb is to have the grippiest tyre on the front. If you're thinking about putting a new Corsa on the front it will be OK with the Qualifier on the rear, but not as good as a pair of Corsas.
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Creeker
Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 10:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks guys. Ended up just getting another stocker on the front I guess I change the set next time.

Travis
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12r
Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 10:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It used to be the case that the front lasted twice as long as the rear but IME it's not the same with new sport tyres. I get about 5k mi out of a Michelin Pilot Power rear and maybe 7 out of the front but really it's past it's best by then.

FWIW I change them both at the same time, even though the front looks OK-ish.
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Vagelis46
Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 05:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I think experimenting with tires is a bad idea.

Mixing tires, even from the same brand but different models, is like gambling. Sometimes the result is very-very bad, and sometimes is OK. Why take the chance, and put yourself to danger?

I mixed a front Michelin Power and a rear Pireli once, in my previous bike (Cagiva Navigator). The result was dangerous handling! After 160km/h I had bad tank-slapping. It was a nightmare.

Then another time, I mixed Michelin Power front and Michelin Road rear and the result was OK.

Ever since I keep the same tires front and rear.
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