Mixing tyres

[jambo]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

PS: you can see in that picture how much steeper the profile is than the D220, look at that then go and look at the one on your bike.

Not least of all because it's a 120/70 R17, rather than the SV's standard 120/60 R17, unless I've missed a trick and this is for a different bike.

A 120/70 will go on an SV, but for road riding I'd stick with the standard 120/60.

Jambo

Edit: Clicky for 120/60 R17 BT021. The picture is of a rear tyre, but the description seems to be of a front. Ho hum..

I ran my ZX7-R for about 5K on various mixed brands, often secondhand, sometimes even slightly incorrect profile, rubber, and did a trackday at Croft on a mix.

Used in all weathers (except snow/ice) and never had any problems at all.

you could always buy the front bt021 iv got lying around, did about 60 miles on it so it is like brand new, still got all the knobbly things on it!

Originally Posted by jambo

Not least of all because it's a 120/70 R17, rather than the SV's standard 120/60 R17, unless I've missed a trick and this is for a different bike.

A 120/70 will go on an SV, but for road riding I'd stick with the standard 120/60.

Jambo

Edit: Clicky for 120/60 R17 BT021. The picture is of a rear tyre, but the description seems to be of a front. Ho hum..

The profile is personal preference, I've run both on the SV. Maybe drop the forks in the yokes a bit to compensate if you prefer the way the 70 steers but don't want to change dynamics. But the point of my post was that your best bet is to buy a new front BT021 and my ebay link highlights approx what that will cost you to do.

Originally Posted by custard

use to run an 020 rear and 010/014 front no probs.

According to Bridgestone's technical dept a lot of people used to run the 010/014 front with an 020/021 rear, despite them not recommending it.

The profiles are different between the 010 and 020 front tyres and the bike will handle adversely. Also, Bridgestone know a thing about tyre technology, which is why they make the 020/021 fronts in a softer compound than the rears. You're wasting your money fitting a stickier front because the front that matches the rear is well up to the job.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

According to Bridgestone's technical dept a lot of people used to run the 010/014 front with an 020/021 rear, despite them not recommending it.

The profiles are different between the 010 and 020 front tyres and the bike will handle adversely. Also, Bridgestone know a thing about tyre technology, which is why they make the 020/021 fronts in a softer compound than the rears. You're wasting your money fitting a stickier front because the front that matches the rear is well up to the job.

Very true, I used to use an 010-020 combination on my bandit 600, but for a long time the 150 section rears that we were using were not matched by an available 110 front section, where as the 010 was available in that size. As soon as the front 020 became available I bought one (front was due anyway). The 020-020 combination was nicer than the mixed tyres had been, but neither was unsafe.

The point here is that you can run any legal tyres you want, however, if you want the bike to feel ballanced, it's far better to have a matching pair on there

Ralph, I didn't mean to sound out of turn, simply to point out that if we're getting picky about running non-standard tyres, lets stick to the standard sizes or we end up having a whole seperate argument.

Jambo

I think i'll still to a matched pair of michelins and be happy with that nice, stable, planted feel.

I'd feel a bit uneasy with my knee down in the wet on a mixed pair!

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Insurance companies would have a right hard time with me if they pulled that one, if the tyres are legal the bike has been kept roadworthy, are they going to stop paying out on cruisers just 'cos they don't go round corners very well? If you ride the bike inappropriately for the way it is handling then maybe place some fault on the rider for the accident, but don't tell me the bike is not roadworthy just 'cos the rider can't adjust to a handling problem, I did it for 3500 miles.

Its against manufacturer recommendations - you know what these insurance companies are like - I'll try to find you the link.

Originally Posted by GavinD

I'll try to find you the link.

Thanks, but don't worry about it mate, I've seen the manufacturers recommendations and just I'll take my chances with the insurance company next time I need to run on a mixed pair for any reason. I don't try to get my knee down in the wet anyway.