Is it ok to mix tyres front and back?

[Mac]

I've used BT014s and only got 3k out of the rear.
Have also tried the Metzlers M3's too...which I really like. Gonna stick Pirelli 3's after I've gone thru my BT015's

[bubbafred]

how did you rate the 014?? running 010 at the mo love them, hated the bt 56 tore them to shreds in no time, been told to use 014, but to go to a 200 rear section not sure if i want to do that as it will slow the steering down

[bubbafred]

i can honestly say i have nvere mixed front and rears its the only thing keeping you on the road, as differant tyres warm up differant and not worth the risk

[jonnydangerous]

i mixed fronts and rears all the time, had a heavy EXUP 1000 and had no problems at all ever, as long as you do have a stickier front than back . but this is only my personal opinion. i used to use 020's as well and they are a cracking tyre, well sticky enough for our c**p roads, so good choice you made there.
the 014's on my GSXR were pants i thought, they just wear out fast, but again this is only my personal opinion.....

[Silverrider]

This is taken from the Bridgestone website. It's maybe the manufacturer covering their arses but.....

Q: I have a pair of BT-020's fitted, but the rear needs replacing. Can I fit the new BT-021 with the BT-020 front?
A: At present, the BT-020 and BT-021 have not been tested as a pair. So to say they will work together would be foolish as there is no data to suggest they will.

Below is the link to the site
http://www.battlax.co.uk/faq.asp

[Gav]

Key point as mentioned is the tyre Profile...there is a good chance if you mix n match the profiles will be different.

Way I see it tyres are the most important piece of safety kit you can spend your money on...so if you got a sports bike then honour it by fitting sports rubber....if you want to clock up miles get a touring bike and fit touring rubber.

I see from your pics you got a TT, not many people know about them and those that do a little bit shrug them off as a poor substitute to jap 600's...but I know they are actually bikes that handle really well (and a cracking buy) and you owe it to the bike to fit sports rubber to it.

Try BT014's...full on sports rubber but you'll still see upto 6k miles out the rear on your bike

Also anonther tip, buy tyres online (cheeper look on ebay for blackroundhoops) and take them to lynhams to be fitted they always do it right for a good price

PS: Last time I dealt with biketreads they sold me a Heavy Duty chain which snapped after 100 miles, then tried to fob me off by saying I didn't fit it right...Not used them again since >

Oh i see your another one of those bikers that knows everything about everthing...
1st off.....heavy duty chain that snapped after 100miles.....yup fitted wrong as we fit hundreds and HAVE NEVER had one snap after 3000miles let alone 100 miles!

As for 6k from a set of BT014s.....well im sorry to say but if your getting that milage from sports tyres then chances are that you are not riding to within hapf of thier potential and therefor probably not getting them warm enough to generate anymore heat than a set of BT021s riden in the same fashion!!!!!
As a general rule of thumb if you are looking to get good milage from your tyres then stick a sports tyre on the front, and the alternative sports touring tyre on the rear...this will evan out the tyre wear and for 99.9% of riders will offer more than enough grip!

[Gav]

This is taken from the Bridgestone website. It's maybe the manufacturer covering their arses but.....

Q: I have a pair of BT-020's fitted, but the rear needs replacing. Can I fit the new BT-021 with the BT-020 front?
A: At present, the BT-020 and BT-021 have not been tested as a pair. So to say they will work together would be foolish as there is no data to suggest they will.

Below is the link to the site
http://www.battlax.co.uk/faq.asp

This too is correct, straneg but true...before a manufacturer will recommend a tyre to a bike....they will actually test the tyres on the bike....
And again before they will say yes the 020 and the 021 will work fine...they will first test them as a pair on a mixture of bikes and riding styles to make sure they work...

[furry-TLR]

Excuse me...I didn't fit it wrong...I've got engineering qualifications after my name thankyou very much...and won't be touching that place again with a barge pole!

PS: Would like to add I've done over 70'000 miles on bikes using DID X-ring rivited chains fitted by myself...only reason I fitted that crappy heavy duty one was waiting for new DID one to come in the post...biggest mistake I ever made never again!

As for BT014's...I get 3k out of one on my TLR...on 600 in theory should be seeing more than that...and depending how hard the bike is ridden on a TT600 that could be as much as 6k...but realisticaly if he's giving it beans then 3-4k

As for mixing sports rubber on the back and touring on the rear...that's just plain stupid...the front will be gripping more than the rear making the bike more unstable and less traceable...whatever you put on the front also put on the rear they are designed to grip with eachother based on their compersisitions.

[Mac]

I had bt014s last year on my 600 and only just got 3100 miles out of them before changine for M3's

[furry-TLR]

Obviously giving that 600 of yours a good ride then Nice one!

BT014's Have to say now the front is getting near the limit it's feeling vauge round corners and I'm having to readjust my line on occasions...but from experience different tyres go off in different ways...with Diablo's used to be the rears more than the front that made it feel funny when worn.

Anyone tried the BT012's or BT002's? views/mileage?