Different brand of tyre on the front compared to the rear.

[KiwiBob]

Hi all, I've been running Dunlop Road Smart 3s on my CBF1000 for the previous 12000km. Perfectly happy with them. I replaced the front recently with the same but now the rear needs to be replaced. What are peoples opinions on replacing my rear with a Michelin Pilot? They seem to get a lot of praise. I'd then have a Dunlop on the front and a Michelin on the rear. Tyre shop I normally go to say there is no problem with running different brands front and rear as they are different designs and doing different jobs anyway. Also the tyres don't know what is on each wheel.

Thanks, KiwiBob

[Art]

Not wanting to mix tyres fore and aft is partly why I've kept to what was on the CBF when I got it, that and that the Bridgestone BT-023's have performed above expectation. For me its a personal preference, if you've found the Dunlop OK on the front I'd put one on the back too although I don't see why the Dunlop/Michelin combo shouldn't work if that's the way you're going.

[KiwiBob]

Hi Art, thanks for your reply. I think I’ll stick with the Dunlop’s. I can remember back in the 80s there was a real thing to mix your brands of tyres. It seemed to be based in people’s imagination of improved performance rather than research and testing fact.
KiwiBob

[ivor hugh jarse]

I run Bridgestones on mine too but on other bikes I have mixed tyres when i wanted to try something else due to the two rears to one front ratio we get.  I've added a new different tyre to the rear on many occasions and its been fine - then at the following double change I tend to bite the bullet and try them .. experience keeps me away from Dunlops but that's personal taste and nothing more

[KiwiBob]

Thanks IHJ that’s what I was thinking as how I would go about changing to Michelins. However now you and Art have both got me thinking about swapping to Bridgestones. An additional appeal of the Dunlop’s is they are about $40 a wheel cheaper than both the Michelin’s and the Bridgestones.
I’ll give it some more thought.
KiwiBob

[knapdog]

I never mix my tyres.
Regardless of the cost, I always have the same, front and rear.
Different tyres have different patterns and different levels of grip, particularly important in wet conditions.
I've recently bought Michelin Road 5's which I'll be fitting before my "trip".

[Steve_h]

I used to worry about this a lot, but after a number forced tyre changes due to 'away from home punctures' when you take what you can I'm now much more relaxed about it.
By preference I like something I know on the front and the back can generally take care of itself. The only proviso I have is right size and speed rating.

[KiwiBob]

Thanks for the replies people. I spoke to my tyre guy and he reckons there is no problem so long as you match the tyres for grip levels. Which to me makes a lot of sense.
KiwiBob