J&P Community

 I bought a FXSTC this spring and it came with Dunlop tires. The rear tire was down to the wear indicators after 6500 miles.

Most of the mile were highway miles. I hit something on a trip and had to replace the rear tire. My only option was to replace

it with another Dunlop. Now the front tire is wearing strange and needs to be replaced. The dealer is telling me that I should

run a Dunlop on the front and not to mix brands of tires due to handling problems. Is it really an issue to run two different

brands of tires?  I really don't want to put on another Dunlop.

gls858

you just asked the "whats the best oil" question   

Seriously, if you do a search of the forums (top right of the screen) for the words "Two Brand Tire" you will get over 12000 hits.  In summary, some people say yes, some say no, some say maybe.

clear as mud?

gls,

 Unless you're flat-tracking at 150 mph +, mixing tire brands is ok.

Yup, I run Avons up front for obvious reasons and Metzlers in the back for mileage.

I ride almost religiously over 70 all the time (hehehe) and I have no problems with handling, just these cars with lights keep showing up.

LOL Guess I'll be OK then don't think my soft tail custom would make much of a flat tracker.

And the obvious reasons for running Avons up front is?

I've had that same problem with the cars with lights. They usually couldn't keep up though :-)

 Thanks for the search tip. I was just seaching on tires. You can imagine what I got.

Yup clear as mud. I didn't expect much else. I had some one at the dealership tell me that 80% of the bikes they get in that have been in an accident. I told all that meant was that 80% of the people run two brands and they were just getting a representive sample but I couldn't get her to believe it.

So, you have gotten two “not a problem” answers, now you are going to get the maybe yes – maybe no (long winded version).

I am going to start with your 6500 miles on the rear.  6500 miles might not be too bad depending on your driving conditions and driving style. 

- Driving in really hot weather (hot asphalt) tends to have the air in the tire expand causing a higher pressure – can cause premature tire wear.

- using a lot of rear brake when stopping or jack-rabbit starts causes extra tire wear

- hilly country (foothills, mountains) requires more torque to the rear wheel, thus more tire wear

enough about why your tire may have only gotten 6500

different brands.  You won’t find many Bud drinkers who would jump back and forth between Bud and Miller and Coors and . . .  Even within a single brand a “lite” beer isn’t the same as the “real” stuff.

like beer, not all tires are made the same – different softness & sidewall construction – even within a single brand.

- most people are aware of different softness in tires – softer tires have more grip and less durability (get fewer miles).  Most racing shops and many good automotive shops have a gauge you can buy to test how soft a tire is – looks something like a tread wear depth gauge only with a sharp point for going into the rubber.  Your rear tire has already had more than one heat cycle on it (like a scuffed tire on NASCAR), so find a Dunlop like your rear tire and measure the hardness, then measure the hardness of the one the dealer wants to sell you.  You now have something to look at when looking at other brands.

- sidewall construction (including radial – non-radial tires) determines how the sidewall will flex, especially under hard cornering or braking – you want the front and rear as close as possible.  If your front sidewall is softer, you can find the front end trying to “push up” in hard cornering or when braking in corners.  Nor do you want the rear of the bike to get squirrelly in the middle of the corner from the rear sidewall being softer.  Not many people are stupid enough these days to mix radials with bias tires.  You will probably have to go to the manufacture’s web site to get sidewall construction specs.

My advice – do your homework and if you go with two different brands or two different lines within the same brand, do it with your eyes open not based on "a guy down the road heard 'bout a fella who might have dun it". 

Hope this helps

PS: I spent a dozen years turning wrenches on stock cars – there are only 4 things that keep a stock car on the track and moving forward – the 4 tires – you gotta know about them to look after them.

gls858:

And the obvious reasons for running Avons up front is?

I've had that same problem with the cars with lights. They usually couldn't keep up though :-)

 

There is nothing better in the wet, in dusty corners for keeping that front end planted and not washing out on ya....nothing  They don't give a lot of wear but, up front their reasonable..  Over here, most of the MCs have Avons and  oh yeah, never seen a scooter out run a radio....

Out on the county roadsaround here there may only be one county car for miles around. If you can shake them chances are

there's not another close enough to radio. I don't ride like that anymore sold my crotch rocket and bought me a

FXSTC this spring. Now it's just cruising, relaxing and enjoying the ride.

gls858

 Thanks for the info. Guess it's time for a little homework.

gls858:

Out on the county roadsaround here there may only be one county car for miles around. If you can shake them chances are

there's not another close enough to radio. I don't ride like that anymore sold my crotch rocket and bought me a

FXSTC this spring. Now it's just cruising, relaxing and enjoying the ride.

gls858

Actually, I don't own a crotch rocket either but, my FLSTF is fitted with  a lot of go fast goodies so I cruise and ride like I stole it.. hehehe