Mixing tyre brands (or even models)

fleet

Hi folks,

I have a Hyosung GV250 - beautiful bike, really happy with it except one thing.

The stock tyres are awful in the wet, fairly typical for OEM far east tyres (Shinko). They'll probably last for years, but no good in wet 'oul Ireland.

Problem is there is nobody* making a matching 110/90-16 front, 150/80-15 rear set of tyres. Dunlop come close, but the front is TT (tube type) so no good on my rims.

(*Heidenau do, tricky to find though.)


Is there really an issue if I use two different makes of tyre front and rear?

They wouldn't be totally different, i.e. both soft rain tyres.
Say a Dunlop rear with a Metzler front.

furerer

Here's a site with the same question.... and an answer:
http://www.ukwheels.com/faq.asp?catagory=TYRES

It is usually a good idea to keep the tyres the same make. But would 2 different makes affect an insurance payout if you were to claim against another driver? Perhaps an insurance assessor/company would be best to ask...perhaps one will read your question and give a definitive answer, as I have no legal knowledge in this subject.....in fact I have no legal knowledge in anything!!...before someone asks! :o:o

KamiKazi

Might be worth the long term investment of a new set of wheels of more conventional sizes?

judas1369

This is a link to a PDF file which should answer your queries-
http://www.tyresafe.org/data/files/TS149%20Motorcycle%2012p%20Leaflet.pdf
I reckon it covers all the bases, from time to time I have mixed and matched tyres from different manufacturers but ALWAYS of the same type i.e. Radial and size and rating.

fleet

Thanks all.

I've done a lot of reading up on it.

The gist of it seems that mixing can lead to variable results.
They could be better than matched set, or they could be worse, a matched set is more likely to work well together.

I think if I matched the tyre type (radial, ply bias etc) and the compound (soft high silica etc) then it should be fine.

judas1369

Yeah, as I said the key thing is to ensure the thread pattern type is the same - radial with radial, cross ply with cross ply etc.
Years ago I had the dubious privilege of getting a go on a mates bike (Honda 250 n yeah I know showing my age!) with mixed tyres... lets just say it was entertaining going around corners!

Monkeybonkers

In the last year I've started mixing tyres with no adverse effects. I think it's recommended to have the same make front and rear but I've never had any issues, wet or dry.