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Message started by Dave48 on 11/24/07 at 06:59:13

Title: Mixing Tyres?
Post by Dave48 on 11/24/07 at 06:59:13

Any views on running different tyre brands? My Savage came with Maxxis (AKA Chen Shing) HI MAX F & R. While the rear is as new, the front could do with replacing. Altho' I don't like CS tyres, I'd rather do without expense of a new rear so near to Xmas, so will a Conti Milestone up front while keping the rear for a while be OK? Or is a matched pair (even CS) actually "better"?
The Hi Max are less than half the price of Contis!
All views welcome!

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by Paladin on 11/24/07 at 07:38:04

My bike came with the OEM IRC tires. Got a set of Dunlop D404's, replaced the rear, held off on the front as it wasn't worn out. Ran 4000 miles before I did the front. The rear was getting worn, picked up another rear wheel, with good rubber, not Dunlop, and have been running that for the last 7000 miles.

But I go no where near the limits of performance.

(Corrected, Rocking John is right.)

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by Rockin_John on 11/24/07 at 08:56:57

Paladin wrote:

My bike came with the OEM Chen Shing tires. Got a set of Dunlop D404's, replaced the rear, held off on the front as it wasn't worn out. Ran 4000 miles before I did the front. The rear was getting worn, picked up another rear wheel, with good rubber, not Dunlop, and have been running that for the last 7000 miles.

But I go no where near the limits of performance.

I think the last sentence of Paladin's statement above is key. Unless you ride on the ragged edge of traction limits, I doubt the difference of having mixed tires on a Savage would be that much of a distraction. I know that having a Dunlop 404 on the rear, and an Avon on the front of my 99 works just fine.

In fact, I'd choose them above the matched set of OEM tires by IRC that are still on my 87 after 20 years. (I thought IRC had always supplied the OEM Savage tires?) Anyways, I've got to get those IRCs off the 87 because of the weather cracking, even though they still have a little tread on them. (I'm not currently riding the 87, just starting it occasionally.)

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by Dave48 on 11/24/07 at 09:58:01

Thanks both.
I doubt I go near the limit - mainly that the roads hereabouts have large proportions of painted areas! The cheapo, hard, "nylon" boots on both my Viragos squirmed nastily on such stuff even in the dry. Milestones MUCH better.
Conti front for now I think.

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by Stimpy on 11/26/07 at 23:33:21

As I understand it: it is not generally recomended to mix tire types because different rubber compounds react differently when breaking, taking curves and specially in wet weather.

I suppose it is fine to mix, let's say, a new Dunlop with a similar older Dunlop, but I personally would try not to mix different brands.

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by bill67 on 11/27/07 at 04:09:38

Has anyone went to a wider tire on front to slow down handling a bit. To me the front end feels pretty light once you get up over 60 mph.I did that to a 500 moto guzzi both front and back and it felt like a bigger bike.

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by demin on 11/27/07 at 04:40:22

I have a 110/90-19 on the front of mine.But it needs a fork brace bad,the front fender is off.Rides good at speed,but slow wants to follow the ruts in the road.I personally like a skinny front tire.90/90-21 on the Harley

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by bill67 on 11/27/07 at 04:49:34

I wonder why it would follow ruts in the road ,is it the size tire or the brand of tire. What brand do you have

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by azjay on 11/27/07 at 05:06:59

bill67 wrote:

I wonder why it would follow ruts in the road ,is it the size tire or the brand of tire. What brand do you have

tire size, we have dunlop 404s on both bikes, front and rear. we both have 130/16 rear, i have a 100/90/19 on the front of my bike and debby has a 130/16 on the front of hers, and her bike feels the grooves, ruts, and irregularities in the road surface WAY more than mine. it is not squirrely or dangerous feeling, just different, i guess you get used to what you ride.

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by bill67 on 11/27/07 at 06:13:32

Azjay what kind of bikes do you have with those size tires?

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by azjay on 11/28/07 at 05:10:41

bill67 wrote:

Azjay what kind of bikes do you have with those size tires?

i ride a '84 HD fxrp (police glide) debby rides a '97 HD road king now. she started on a '96 savage (which is how we ended up here), my dad has it now, and rides it daily.

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by bill67 on 11/28/07 at 05:32:52

Ok thanks

Title: Re: Mixing Tyres?
Post by skrapiron on 11/29/07 at 04:50:59

I ran mine most of the summer with a Shinko Tourmaster 203 on the rear and the OEM IRC in the front with no problems.

Now that the front tire is sufficiently worn, I'm taking the wheel over and getting the tourmaster front put on.