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!

Paladin. wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:



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.)

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.

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

bill67 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:

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.

bill67 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:

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.

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.