tire match question

[26667]

The used bike I just bought has a Michelin Road Pilot 2 on the rear that will need to be replaced 'soon-ish' The front is an RP 3 that's in very good shape. One of the big online vendors has a sale on. Can I mix an RP 4 rear with the RP 3 front tire that's on now?
TIA!

 

[20774]

I would think that as long as the tires had comparable speed ratings, load ratings, construction (bias ply vs radial), size that fits, you should be fine. A quick search didn't find anyone with problems:

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/mixing-pr3-in-front-and-pr4-at-rear.141833/

 

[26667]

Thanx!

I would think that as long as the tires had comparable speed ratings, load ratings, construction (bias ply vs radial), size that fits, you should be fine. A quick search didn't find anyone with problems:

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/mixing-pr3-in-front-and-pr4-at-rear.141833/

Thanx!

 

[mjfink420]

I've run different brands front and rear before without any issue or strange handling. I'm sure it depends on the brands and the specific tires to some degree, but if you're matching "type" of tire (a sport touring tire from Michelin up front, sport touring tire from Continental in the rear vs running a racing slick in the rear and a touring tire up front) I think you'll be fine in most cases.

 

[pglaves]

Some tire sellers claim that tires need to be matched. But that is - in my opinion - only because they are tire sellers who want to sell two tires instead of one. Buy a tire that meets specifications and you will be fine unless you are riding at the tire limits like on a racetrack.

I have on a couple of occasions used a street tire on the rear of my bike and a dual-sport tire on the front of a street bike I rode on some gravel roads - not minding a little squirm at the rear but hating any slip at the front.

YMMV

 

[lee]

. Can I mix an RP 4 rear with the RP 3 front tire that's on now?
TIA!

Mixing a Pilot Road 3 and 4 should not be a problem.
Check the date code on the Pilot Road 3.

 

[26667]

Thanx!

I've run different brands front and rear before without any issue or strange handling. I'm sure it depends on the brands and the specific tires to some degree, but if you're matching "type" of tire (a sport touring tire from Michelin up front, sport touring tire from Continental in the rear vs running a racing slick in the rear and a touring tire up front) I think you'll be fine in most cases.

Thanx!

 

[26667]

Thanx!

Mixing a Pilot Road 3 and 4 should not be a problem.
Check the date code on the Pilot Road 3.

Thanx!

 

[26667]

Some tire sellers claim that tires need to be matched. But that is - in my opinion - only because they are tire sellers who want to sell two tires instead of one. Buy a tire that meets specifications and you will be fine unless you are riding at the tire limits like on a racetrack.

I have on a couple of occasions used a street tire on the rear of my bike and a dual-sport tire on the front of a street bike I rode on some gravel roads - not minding a little squirm at the rear but hating any slip at the front.

YMMV

Thanx, Paul and hey to V!

 

[The_Veg]

I asked a similar question once to one of the wise old sages who worked at the parts counter at a dealer circa 2008. I remember him saying that I shouldn't worry, and the part that made me chuckle was when he said that "modern tires are so good you just wanna lay down and cry!"