Do you / would you mix your tyres?

[irev]

Mixing different tyres often has less effect than putting a new one on one end while keeping an old one on the other. There are a couple of legal considerations which I will happily list if required but apart from that, go for it - always better with a newer tyre and you will very quickly notice if the handling goes to shit.

[MrGrumpy]

I've had mixed experiences...errm..mixing tyres. I've never tried it on the mk2 or 3 Tmaxs though.

On smaller scoots, I have often had a mixture of makes of tyres (although all proper OE Spec), with no problems. The only time I had a difficulty was on my elderly Maj250. The front was still the original Continental (still looked unworn after 10,000 miles), but on the back there was initially an IRC tyre. The performance of that degraded so I put my favourite super grippy Bridgestone Hoop on instead. However, then I had all sorts of problems from the front end, with apparent lack of grip and a nasty floating feeling. I can only think that the new B.stone gave so much grip at the back compared to the front that it somehow unbalanced the handling. So I had to throw away the Continental and buy a new matching Hoop for the front.

Snag is, you won't know if there's a problem until you put the tyres on.

[mightbesane]

Just put Bridgestone on front, Michelin on rear. Rides fine.

[andyscooter]

how have you not wear the rear before the front

i get through three rears to a front

and no i cant mix brands

[MrGrumpy]

Just put Bridgestone on front, Michelin on rear. Rides fine.

I remember when I had the 650 Burger that according to a US forum, the combination of a B.stone front an Michelin rear gave the optimum combination of handling and longevity

[Taipan]

Yes I've mixed tyre brands but not radials and xplys. For what its worth i wouldn't put Maxxis on a sccot through choice. They have a hideous profile which ruins the bikes handling, or at least it does on the Tmax!

[mightbesane]

Just put Bridgestone on front, Michelin on rear. Rides fine.

I remember when I had the 650 Burger that according to a US forum, the combination of a B.stone front an Michelin rear gave the optimum combination of handling and longevity

It just worked out that way for me. I had ordered just the Michelin rear because I thought that the front would pass inspection. The dealer said not and asked if a Bridgestone front, which he had in stock, would be OK. Like I said, so far so good.

[spdtwn]

Maxxis are known for sidewall cracking... so my tyre guy informed me when the Leonardo exibited the same problem. Lots of tread left too. I fitted new Michelin Pilots front and rear and noticed quite a bit firmer ride but great 'stiction'. T Max has the same Pilot Sports and wears the front considerably sooner than the rear...then again that could be how it's ridden.

Slainte.

PS; Quite an effort getting the rear wheel off the Leo!