Not the usual tire discussion

[Dr. Strangelove]

I will need to replace my tires before an upcoming Oct ride.
Problem

I am going with Michelin PR2s again, but the front tires are back ordered, seemingly world wide.

My rear at 10 k has some significant tread left but the fron has about 1k left I guess.

Ideas what would be a suitable front for a PR2 rear, other than the PR2 if they remain back ordered?

Ideally mixing may not be the best idea, but it may be a necessity. And I would consider a tire that might be stickier with resulting lower mileage. Road Attack? Road Smart? Z6?

Is it that big a deal to mix front and rear?

tia

[Airman]

If you need a complete set while you wait for the PR2s, you might consider the Pirelli Diablo Strada. They're $113 for the front and $130 for the rear w/free shipping from Motorcycle SuperStore. I'm on my second set and I have been impressed with them.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I've run the DSs and I think I prefer the PR2s--I think they handle as well or maybe better??? and they certainly last longer. and are worth the premium paid for them at least in terms of extra mileage.

BUt no, I am not interested in a complete set, just the front to go with a PR2 on the rear. Maybe the DS on the front?

[wncbmw]

I have run mixed sets with no problem, the latest a PR2 on the front and Z6 rear.

I like the Pirelli tire also and don't think you would have any issues.

[R4R&R]

I say mix them, unless you're that perfect of a rider.

I've had good luck with the Dunlop Roadsmart tires, also a dual compound tire and less expensive when compared to the PR2. I'm getting ready to order another rear tire today.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Thanks, that good information. So often the inferred fear is that handling will suffer in perhaps a life threatening way.

The question became moot yesterday; the front arrived.

Just a POI re the michelins. they have no dot showing the lightest part. According to Michelin, there are no "lightest" parts. Or heaviest parts. They're all good.

John

[toolinalong]

John, I know you got yours but for others who might be interested:

As we know everybody gets different results but I will hit 90k miles on my way to work today and good mileage has always been at the top of my list of desired traits in a tire, followed by wet weather handling, and so far I have had these on the bike:

Pilot Roads, 3 fronts (one was a Pilot Sport-got only 5k miles out of it), 2 rears, total 26k miles
ok handling, did not square off on the highway, wet performance ok as I recall not thinking about them much that day it rained for 6 hours straight back in Wisconsin in June of ? hmmm, what year WAS that?

Avon 45ST & 46ST, 2 fronts @ 15k miles, 2 rears @ 22k miles
very similar in all aspects to the Pilot tires

Metzler Z6, 5 fronts @ 38k miles, and 3 rears @ 30k miles
best handling up of all I have tried, felt great in an Oregon downpour, squared off a fair amount on the highway

Dunlop Roadsmarts, 1 front @ 4k miles, 1 rear @ 7k miles
identical in handling to the Z6, never got a chance to try them in serious rain
I removed them before they were worn out because in the middle of a trip this summer they had squared off very seriously; might have had as much as 2k miles left on the tread on both, but I had a long way to go, was headed to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and wanted some fresh rubber.
Also I purchased 2 more fronts and 1 rear from SW Moto, which I have sitting around, cause for some reason I thought I was gonna love 'em enough to go thru several sets this summer, but then.........

In Toronto, at 84k miles, needing to replace the Dunlops, all they had on the shelf was some Bridgestones; Battlax BT021 front, BT020 rear.
So far at 6k miles they are showing pretty good wear, with at least 2k left on the front and maybe more on the rear.
They did square off on the highway, but nothing like the Roadsmarts, more like the Metzler did.

So on balance I am probably going to try the PR2 after I run out the Bridgestones next year, and if anyone wants my Roadsmarts make me an offer

I have always mixed brands, it's ok for me, I don't normally ride like I'm on a racetrack, too old for that, I have enough fun in the local canyons....

[bimrluvr]

Again, for the benefit of others who might see this, I've been advised that the rationale for not mixing is primarily relevant to wet weather riding. Many manufacturers build front and rear tread patterns to complement one another, so that the front tire clears water a certain way before the rear tire hits the same wet patch. If you're not wet weather riding, then it won't matter if you mix brands. but if you ride in the wet a lot, then you may want to at least bear this in mind and be a little extra cautious if mixing tread patterns.

[R4R&R]

Ok, so here is my tire log data. I've kept track of all of my maintenance in a spreadsheet and recorded every service done on the bike, along with cost (let's not go there).

I know rider/bike weight, riding style, weather, season, and road surface play a lot into the mileage one gets on their tires, so my total miles on a specific brand tire may be very different than what YOU get on yours. Taking that into consideration, you should only look at the miles I got out of a given set of tires and compare them the other brand tires I used; don't expect to get the same out of the same tire unless the conditions are identical. In other words, your mileage may vary!

Front tire changes
model.........................miles
D208..........................12925
Z6.............................11101
Z6.............................10787
AV45..........................8619
Pirelli Strada.................7677
Pirelli Strada.................5037
Dunlop Roadsmart...........6796
Z6.............................10778
Dunlop Roadsmart (current)..2079


Rear tire changes
model......................miles
D208(flat)...................846
D220.......................7385
Z4..........................9920
Z6 (flat)...................7699
Z6..........................9602
AV46.......................7981
Pirelli Strada..............6195
Pirelli Strada..............6332
Dunlop Roadsmart.......10259
Dunlop Roadsmart (Current).....9581

The current Dunlop Roadsmart on the rear is shot - I have a new one on order, hoping to arrive by next Tuesday. It's pretty bald.

So far the only tire that I didn't like AT ALL is the Avon. I know others love them, but they didn't work for me. They wore out too quick and gave me quirky handling towards their mid-life.

[Dr. Strangelove]

My mileage champs have been the Metzler Marathons; they gave me about 13k miles on one set and just over 11 on another
The tires I liked the least were the PR 1s that came with the bike--got less than 8k from them...they sang and I felt less than confident on them, though these were the tires I grew up on my 1150 on.

My Diablo Stradas gave me about 8k.

The PR2s are at 10k and counting.

All performed well in the rain and the dry though I think the PR2s have been the best in both regards and the Marathons the worst in both regards. The DSs were second best and the PR1s third.

Aside: I have always shied away from the Z6s because it seems to be reported regularly that riders get their first indication that wear is significant when they see the steel belts. I have a good friend who assures me that that is because those riders are not conscientious about looking for the wear bars and if they were more observant wearing to bare metal would not occur. That, and also, the conventional wisdom that the Diablo Stradas are son of Z6.

[wncbmw]

Again, for the benefit of others who might see this, I've been advised that the rationale for not mixing is primarily relevant to wet weather riding. Many manufacturers build front and rear tread patterns to complement one another, so that the front tire clears water a certain way before the rear tire hits the same wet patch. If you're not wet weather riding, then it won't matter if you mix brands. but if you ride in the wet a lot, then you may want to at least bear this in mind and be a little extra cautious if mixing tread patterns.

I would imagine manufacturers also give this advice because they wish to keep you on the hook for their tires! Unless your tires wear out at the exact same time or you replace a tire before its time, you would never change brands!

As I said, I've done rain riding with mixed sets with no problem. The only tire that I know would even remotely affect is the slick middle Z6 rear, supposedly designed with the front clearing the way for rear in upright riding and the rear channeling its own water when leaned over. And I don't entirely buy that either, although all my Z6 tires have handled fine in the rain. Don't see why a PR2 or Diablo can't clear the water for a Z6 rear just as well!