Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

I read with interest the posts re "Tyres" elsewhere in the Forum and like most of the correspondents I have to replace my front tyre (11,000 kms) while the rear tyre is still in quite good condition and will probably last the life of another new Bridgestone BT011, not that I can get one - the nearest being a BT12F.
At this stage I am thinking of fitting another Bridgestone to the front and when that is worn I will replace both with Michelin Pilot Road 2.
I would like to put a Michelin Pilot Road 2 on the front now but I am wary of having different brands on the front and back.
I would appreciate advice on the pros and cons of using mismatched tyres.
Cheers

I'm no tyre guru ,my mechanic said you should have the same brand type front and rear ,as when they design the front and rears thread pattern ,its meant to get rid of the water evenly ,if you have different brands the front might not be spreading the water away from the rears tread pattern .
It sort of made sense ,but hey ...its just what I was told.

I've heard the same as sleddog. In dry conditions I can't really see it being a problem but in the wet it will be a different story.
As they say "Your tyres are the only thing connecting you with the road", so don't skimp on the quality or take a risk.

I used to work in a tire shop.
As long as you put a steel belted tire at the front AND at the back, there is no problem.
The story of water .... is a hoax
Yes, a tire has a rotation direction, respect that,
but it doesn't know which tire is following him or which is in front of him.
So it does not make any difference which tire you mount on your bike, as long they are of the same compound kind.
ie don't put a Super Sporty soft rubber compound at the rear and a normal (hard) touring tire at the front or the other way arround.

Take a look at our bike BT011 and BT020 , a sporty tire at the front and a normal at the rear.
No problem to replace them both for a BT021 touring or BT016 sporty tire.
Or switch brand completely, like I did to Michelin road 2ct.

My front tire was gone at 11000km also, rear had about 2,1mm of profile left.
Now on the michelins 12000km , and stil 2,2mm left at the front and 4mm left at the rear.

Hey lampie all the tire sizes were the same for the gsx when switching over to michelin or do they differ from the original 120/70 and 160/60? just wondering because i am thinking about a pair for myself

Width front is 120mm , hight is 70% of 120 @ 17 inch diameter
Width rear is 160mm, hight is 60% of 160 @ 17 inch diameter

Does not matter which brand tire you buy, size should be the same.

you can always mount a different size tire , as long as it is 17 inch, and the ratio of width and hight is (almost) the same.
60% of 160 = 96mm When you want a 180 tire, it should be 53 high to keep the same ratio.
Because tiresize steps in 5%.... you need a 180/55 17inch tire, and is 99mm

The distance per revolution of the original tire is Phi (3,14) times the diameter.
The diameter is 17 inch + hight of tire.
(431,7999+ 96) * 3,14 = 1657 mm

With the wider tire (431,7999+99)*3,14=1666 mm

So bike will travel only 0,54% faster with the same indication of revs and speed .

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

You have helped me make up my mind to buy a Bridgestone BT021 (thanks Lampie) which seems to be their latest equivalent to the old tyre.

I'll look to upgrade both front and back to Michelin Pilot Road 2 at the next replacement.

Take a look at the new BT023 , if you like Bridgestone.
A complete new tire, newest technology, better compound etc....

http://www.bridgestone.eu/press/press-r ... uring-tyre

I am running an Avon up front and a Metzeler in the back. The combination works fantastically.

I think its the new Metzelers that have a chick strip makers on the tyre.

Can't remember what the markers are ,but its like a picture of a girl in the middle ,the closer to the edge its a bunny rabbit and them some thing else........ but a elephant on the tyre wall ,the aim is to wear it out and your the king of the jungle.

Reference Lampie's comments about the Bridgestone BT023, it is only now being released in Europe which means it could be some time before we see it here in Australia. I can't find any local reference to it at this time. The BT023 replaces the BT021 which is probably in run-out mode pending arrival of the later version.

Surprise, surprise! I just found out that the Bridgestone BT023 has just become available in Oz and I have ordered one to replace my front tyre - cost $A175 fitted and balanced, a very good price given the next best quote was $A225.
I look forward to reporting on the impact it has on handling and ride comfort.