Should tires "match"???

KBacon · 09-15-2008, 11:54 PM

I know that this is a newbie question... I did search and didn't find anything on this particular question.

Just picked up a '97 YZF 600R today and it's in need of a new front tire. The rear tire is a fairly new 160/60-17 Metzeler Sportec M1... the front is a worn out MEZ3 120/60-17. Should I replace the front w/ a Sportec M1.. or any other comparable tire? A buddy of mine that works on a local bike shop told me that I should stick w/ the same tire because the radius/profile of the tires would be the same.. and if I used a different tire brand/model that it would negatively affect the handling?

Should I still go w/ the same size tire? I didn't find many choices in the 120/60,, but did find several in 120/70... And saw that several people went w/ the 120/70.. are there any negative aspects to going w/ the taller tire?

inpayne · 09-16-2008, 12:30 AM

It shouln't be a problem mis-matching the tires.

But if you choose the taller tire, then you run the risk of it not fitting in under the fender, possibly adverse handling aspects. Also there is plenty of choices in the 120/60 profile. I just got some Bridgestone bt-016's and there is pilot power, as well as the pilot power 2ct. Some of the smaller manufacturers may have a more limited choice though.

Justice06RR · 09-16-2008, 02:15 AM

Ideally you want to have the same tires front and back, but its not a problem if it isn't.

silent_R1 · 09-16-2008, 02:22 AM

yea, I put mismatched tires on my bike and actually like the way it rides better now.

Screagles · 09-16-2008, 08:04 PM

I always end up replacing the rear tire on my bike much more than my front and i have not noticed any changes in handling at all.

KBacon · 09-17-2008, 07:06 AM

A buddy had a slightly used Pilot Power... said he fried his Pilot rear doing a burnout for a photoshoot... and replaced both tires w/ new Pirellis... So he gave me the front for a heck of a deal for $25!!!

vio · 09-17-2008, 01:17 PM

i would say mismatching isn't that big of a deal as long as you have quality tires on both ends. You wouldn't want to put a crappy tire on one end and a good one on the other

suzukills · 09-21-2008, 08:54 PM

as long is you know what compound your tire is, you can match according to compound, just dont have a race tire on the front and a cruiser tire on the rear

Shamrock627 · 09-21-2008, 11:53 PM

Might be ok for street riding, but for racing, or track days?

silent_R1 · 09-22-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamrock627

Might be ok for street riding, but for racing, or track days?

To expound a little bit on my previous post.

I put a Michilin Pilot Race on the Front (soft compound) and a Pirelli SuperCorsa on the rear (medium compound)...on my race bike.

I wanted to change my tires, had grabbed the mismatched set by mistake. It turns in real f'in quick now. I love it. I have to seriously think about it when I get ready to change back to matching tires.

Oh, btw, I ran a track day on Saturday, 2 practice sessions on Sunday and 3 sprint races that sunday afternoon. Yes, it works.

PAzYearazzUP · 09-24-2008, 08:33 PM

I am the dummy here so what I do is think like two hands and rub both hands together and now which one stayed cold? Sorta the same friction idea of two parts meeting the road and darn if in ideal conditions they may roll almost the same, give or take the 2 different diameter rims.

More like, I am not that stupid wear out I can see me rolling my fresh set of tires off the dealer floor and now do I really convince myself that I push more rubber off with my steering input, and the front takes on a step type center cupping pattern; wear out the other end is shaved smooth bye the power to the ground is the force that rubber is taking is not the same pattern between both wheels.

You sorta see how I know both tires rolled the same time is they wear out the same time is if the rear is gone, then the front is wasted too.

Now, do I look like a squid to you, or some racing head where I will freshen up both front and rear and do you really think I would trust your front wheel, (I trust you as a rider to stay up and such), butt on the ground you go if you think you can stick a used front into the apex and carry that fresh rear is nice and sticky and your front is dry, worn, flat and you crank a new rear with a worn front and you cannot feel the difference is so subtle even you can feel you lean over with your ready to replace tires is they do not steer like they used to in the, 'flop-over.'

No, I will not hang with you and your blast into some corner and take me out is go slip on your used cupped front tire with your other half/cocked for corners is you are about to wash the front you have no idea you run both new front and rear is my opinion and I am not about to think the front tire is worn less cause I wheelie more than the average JOE?