| Author | Message | ||
     Keys |
I'm guessing that this is a bad idea and I'm sure many of you will tell me why. BUT I'm wondering if any of you have had any luck with a mixmatched tire set-up. I have the stock Dunlop207s. I have no issue with the front tire (I hold it down if it wants to stand up in the corners). But the rear tire has worn too quick and slips and slides when cold. SO anyone have a good experience with a different tire paired up with the stock front tire? I'd love to hear your experience with it. And what did they charge you for your new tire and installation? THANKS again for the help. I appreciate it! | ||
| Olinxb12r |
I don't think it should really make a difference. My front 207 last through two rear tires. I bought the conti-force set off of ridedirect.com or someplace like that and I got the entire set for $200. They are much better than the 207s. I think that $30-$50 is standard per tire for mounting. | ||
| Deuceman |
I do believe that different tires have different profiles, and that could change handling characteristics. I am sure someone here knows more about that than I do. I always stick to the same tires for front and rear. | ||
| Spiderman |
You won't go to he11 but you will go to a special place I like to call Hisideville... | ||
| Cmm213 |
Probably not the best idea, but not everyone can afford what they want. I think if you are an aggresive rider and ride to a tires edge and grip limit both would be best. Also if you like the new set you get then in the future you can let the front go and keep getting a new rear. As the tread and internals will now be the same. In spring I will be buying a set of conti attacks, so many to choose from have fun. | ||
| Rubberdown |
Unless you're riding at 9/10ths or above you won't notice the difference. IMHO. | ||
| Chainsaw |
I've got some 40,000 miles out of 65,000 miles (2 bikes) on mismatched tires. I've mixed different brands, mixed different models. I've never noticed a bit of difference. Ever. YMMV. | ||
| Buellfighter |
Most everything in my life has the "mis" prefix associated with it. My tires are no different!  | ||
| Djkaplan |
I once had three different size tires from three different manufacturers on my car. Now that, wasn't a good idea. | ||
| Bake |
I have the old Dunlop on the front and a Pirelli on the rear, this combo causes headshake! Something I plan to cure before next season. | ||
| M1combat |
I think if you take it reasonably easy you would be OK. That said... You can't take it easy once a car pulls out in front of you. For the record... I believe it's the rear D207 that causes the stand up issues. It's too flat of a profile compared to the front tire. I once had a Bridgestone BT014 on the rear and the Dunlop on the front... The handling was "better" (it was a used rear that I got from the local honda shop when my 207 went flat...) but not by much. I then put on a full set of Sportecs and the bike is now SWEET. Just FYI... I pay about $15 for mounting each tire. | ||
| Glitch |
The XB series is really hard on front tires, whether or not you can tell by looking. I'm not changing two back tires to one front any more, it's just not worth it to me. Of course this would only apply to whether or not you ride like me, and whether or not you ride the same type roads I do. I've just found that after I bought a rear tire and not a front tire that it's not long that the front tire makes me feel like the front brake is stuttering, it has always settled down after the mounting of a new front. | ||
| Benm2 |
Did my last trackday with a Michelin rear & a Dunlop front. I didn't notice any differences. | ||
| Tq_freak |
Bake---what model pirelli are you running on the rear? My 208 is shot and i was going to go with a Diablo on just the rear cause the front still has some life on it and because of the whole $$$ factor | ||
| Oneway |
i have metzler up front and do to a flat tire far from home i have a dunlop on rear, and it is like the to are fighting each other.its the only time i have mixed tires on my xb | ||
| Aldaytona |
Do it, done it myself (and most of my friends as well) and never had a problem. Working for years in the motorcycle industry I can't ever remember anyone who had a problem either. You could still possibly go to Hell, but not for the tires.  | ||
| Keys |
HA! I'll have to start another topic about the REAL reasons I'll be going to hell.  I'm going to take Glitch's advise and change both front and back. I figure by the time I finish going easy on a new rear and THEN ride normal again. The front tire will have even less life in it than now. Even though you might not think it after my little slide today... I like to be cautious, and I have a track day in the spring with blake anyway to make. But if I get a flat and have to put a mixmatch on the bike I know it won't go into my infractions bearing entrance into the dark netherworld  If I start another topic about which tires are best though, I'm sure everyone will kill me!  | ||
| Bake |
Tq, yes I am running the Diablo on the rear for now. | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I'll probably have to do the same thing. I just replaced the front early summer with a Dunlop simply because the rear was a Dunlop and still in great shape. However, I just ran a screw through the rear a few days ago so I might as well change the rear but I really don't want to get Dunlops again but the front still has plenty of miles left on it. | ||
| Fullpower |
keys: not really a sin, so to speak, but you may be spending some time in "HECK" it's ok, we've all been there a few times. you will love a fresh set of rubber on that XB. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
What Glitch says! | ||
| Black_sunshine |
I'm with Glitch as well. We ride together and he is on the money with his statement. I caught a nail in my rear Diablo and my front had a 1k left. I changed the front as well cause I knew the level of riding that was required when ride with the 3%ers. GO ahead and pony up for the set and there will be no second guessing when your dragging a knee and eating a inline 4 for lunch in the twisties.  | ||
| Diablobrian |
Tires are not a place to cut corners on a bike you intend to ride hard. I guess if you were just going ride from hang-out to hang-out and pose with the wannabe's it would be OK. However, in my experience, most Buell riders aren't in that category. For us it is about the ride, not the destination. | ||
| Keys |
Diablo didn't I see your bike on ebay once. When did you get it. I think I still have the pics from that auction. I'll send them to you if it in fact wasn't yours. btw, What color are you thinking of changing it to? Anyone got any PSI advise for running Pilot Powers - street vs track? recommended and experience on surfaces can help too | ||
| Diablobrian |
you've got mail! | ||
| Roly |
hi tyres warm at different rates if mixed ,different compounds & profiles, not a good idea if you push it hard, can put a sticky on the front slightly harder on the rear. most tyre companys have a technical section and there always willing to help.i mix match tyres out quite regular but when the front wears out i normally put the same front as the back. the backs are always the first to go,two backs to 1 front not everyone can keep throwing fronts out just because they have tried a new rear. | ||
| Deuceman |
Keys, I am running Pilot Powers right now. On the last track day which started out rather cold (upper 40s), I was running about 27-28 PSI, and I stuck like glue on the cold track. Once the track warmed up later in the day, I did not have any problems with that PSI and traction. The track was perfectly dry all day also. On the street, I run them about 31-32 PSI with no traction problems. Hope this helps. | ||
| Isham |
I just got pilot roads on the rear with the front of a maxxis. It looks kind of new so I decided to keep it. I'm really loving the pilot roads, they just feel so secure in •••••• fla weather. I'm going to lower my psi a bit to see if it feels even better. | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I drive too and from work and maybe small errands.....we don't have any twisties around here that I know of. |
