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two different tires question

globe

globe

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Aug 11, 2004
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all gone..
So a few weeks ago i had to buy a new rear-tire due to a nail. The shop did not have the Metzler to match the front. However, after a bit of convincing from the employee and the fact i was put into a time squeeze and needed the bike up and running i went ahead and purchased a different rear tire (dunlop).

Put the wheel back on the back of the bike and road it for a bit.. the tire felt as if something isn't right.. like something is hitting. Took the wheel off again, checked everything and put it back on. Seems to be on correctly, we have done this before, but it seems when im riding and i let off the throttle and coast i feel like something is hitting, but can't find anything.

Someone mentioned that it could be the different thread pattern, but that doesnt make any sense to me. Any ideas?

Thanks,
globe
 
Metzelers are steel belted tires- Dunlops are not. This is one of many reason not to mix brands. All sorts of handling issues can come up. I strongly suggest going with a matched set of the proper tires for your bike.
 
Unless the wheel was installed improperly I doubt anything is hitting. Look for wear spots on either side of the tire where it might be rubbing.

I mix brands all the time, Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop on track and off.
 
It's always optimal to have a matching set of tires. Front/Rear motorcycle tires are engineered to work in concert with each other. Different brands/models of tires have slightly different contours and internal construction that could have adverse effects when combined.

That being said it's usually ok to mix-n-match as long as both tires are radials or both bias-ply front and rear.

Avoid mixing radial with bias-ply tires, that's the one big no-no.
 
supertireguy said:
It's always optimal to have a matching set of tires. Front/Rear motorcycle tires are engineered to work in concert with each other. Different brands/models of tires have slightly different contours and internal construction that could have adverse effects when combined.

That being said it's usually ok to mix-n-match as long as both tires are radials or both bias-ply front and rear.
Click to expand...

I would have to disagree with you on that just a bit. If you tell someone that it's OK to mix tire brands and they crash, tire related or not, their hotshit lawyer could put you up on the stand and ask you to provide the testing and research data that allowed you to conclude that mixing brands was in fact a "safe" practice. The truth is there is no data and research that says it's OK to mix brands. It's like putting Ford parts on a Chevy. Just because it fits doesn't mean it will work safely and properly. We live in a litigious society where anyone with a chemical imbalance and a chip on their shoulder can sue you for looking at them wrong. It doesn't mean the case has any merit, but it's still a pain in the ass. Prudence dictates that since the manufacturers are the ones that design and make the tires, sticking to their recommendations is the best advice to give. They recommend not to mix brands. There may not be anything wrong at all with a certain combination of tires on a given motorcycle. Then again, it could cause a wobble that could turn into a tank slapper that could turn into a crash that could turn into a lawsuit. Who is qualified to say with 100% certainty that it's not possible? Nobody here is.
 
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Well the people at the shop made it sound like people recommend to have the same tires, but its not written in stone. He wasnt pushy, so i dont think he was just trying to make a sale.
Everything seems fine, its just when i coast that i feel something, and its not always its is just sporadic.
 
globe said:
So a few weeks ago i had to buy a new rear-tire due to a nail. The shop did not have the Metzler to match the front. However, after a bit of convincing from the employee and the fact i was put into a time squeeze and needed the bike up and running i went ahead and purchased a different rear tire (dunlop).

Put the wheel back on the back of the bike and road it for a bit.. the tire felt as if something isn't right.. like something is hitting. Took the wheel off again, checked everything and put it back on. Seems to be on correctly, we have done this before, but it seems when im riding and i let off the throttle and coast i feel like something is hitting, but can't find anything.

Someone mentioned that it could be the different thread pattern, but that doesnt make any sense to me. Any ideas?

Thanks,
globe
Click to expand...
Tire bead might not be seated on both sides..? that'll create a bumpty bumpty..
 
'Could be an out of round tire. Or it might have a bump from a defect. Put the bike up so you can spin the rear tire by hand. Then place a block of wood or a brick or something extremely close the the center of the tread. Maybe only 1/32 to 1/16th of an inch away. Now slow rotate the wheel by hand and see if the gap between the tire and the block varies. It will, some, but a good tire probably doesn't have any more than 1/16th run out.
 
I wouldn't mix brands. Go back, spend the money and get a Metzeler for a matched pair. Not sure what it could be hitting or what the problem is, but nonetheless, it is a compromise and I'd get it fixed asap, preferably by putting on a Metzeler.
 
Is it a 'single hit', or is it continuously hitting something after you go off throttle? I'm just wondering if there is any chance the chain didn't get tightened enough when they put on the new tire and it's the chain smacking the swing-arm or something? :confused
 
I can't believe I just read that.

Unless you are riding the bike at 99% race pace you won't even NOTICE any difference in handling with two different manufacturer tires. You WILL notice far more difference with a different profile tire by the same manufacturer.

If you run them and crash. sue me.

aramid or steel belt makes no difference. They feel a bit different. It is not a car. The whole thing about mixing brands comes from back when radials were first introduced and mixing them with bias ply created problems, and that was on cars.
 
ALANRIDER7 said:
I would have to disagree with you on that just a bit. If you tell someone that it's OK to mix tire brands and they crash, tire related or not, their hotshit lawyer could put you up on the stand and ask you to provide the testing and research data that allowed you to conclude that mixing brands was in fact a "safe" practice. The truth is there is no data and research that says it's OK to mix brands. It's like putting Ford parts on a Chevy. Just because it fits doesn't mean it will work safely and properly. We live in a litigious society where anyone with a chemical imbalance and a chip on their shoulder can sue you for looking at them wrong. It doesn't mean the case has any merit, but it's still a pain in the ass. Prudence dictates that since the manufacturers are the ones that design and make the tires, sticking to their recommendations is the best advice to give. They recommend not to mix brands. There may not be anything wrong at all with a certain combination of tires on a given motorcycle. Then again, it could cause a wobble that could turn into a tank slapper that could turn into a crash that could turn into a lawsuit. Who is qualified to say with 100% certainty that it's not possible? Nobody here is.:spam
Click to expand...

My powre race says to run at 42 psi and that max speed is 149. :wtf That's gona be fun on the track come sunday or even on the road next week. And how the hell can anyone win a race with a tire that wont go more than 149???
 
ALANRIDER7 said:
Put the bike on a swingarm stand, put it in gear and wick it up to 100mph. Watch for shaking, a bent rim, unseated tire bead, etc.
Click to expand...
this is more dangerous than any tire mixing.
while there lube chain also :)
 
I should clarify that a bit. First, it should be a spooled swingarm and stand. Second, take the speed up in increments. Check for shakng, vibration, out of round, etc.
 
ALANRIDER7 said:
Put the bike on a swingarm stand, put it in gear and wick it up to 100mph. Watch for shaking, a bent rim, unseated tire bead, etc.
Click to expand...

Talk about lawyers and lawsuits:nerd
 
I mix and match all the time, street and track.

Make sure that all the spacers are there. Might want to pull the sprocket carrier off and make sure nothing is missing inside.
 
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I would NEVER run a bike to anything more than 10 or 15 mph on a stand. If that came off you would be fucked. Instability, earthquake, spool bolt breaks, etc......
 
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