Running dissimilar tires

[FullSails]

I'm getting ready to get a new front tire on my F8 and I was wondering what the consensus on running dissimilar tires front to back was. I put a Shinko 705 on the back but I wanted to run something a little softer with a more aggressive tread on the front. Had a guy basically tell me I was going to crash when I did it on my uly (and never did), but I don’t know if DS tires are the same way. Thanks.

[Wildman]

Kevin and Julia Saunders (Round the World adventurers) recommend a TKC80 front and a Tourance rear. My dealer refused to fit them.

[Whirlynerd]

I'm running Shinko 705's front and rear right now but wouldn't hesitate to put a 700 on front if I rode more off road. IMO matching tire profiles is relevant on a short wheel base, wide rear tire, aggressive steering geometry bike (crotch rocket) but not so much on an F8.

[BillsburgGS]

I assume you mean F800 GS. I put a TKC80 up front with an Anakee II rear about 600 miles ago after 8000 miles on my 800GS. Many folks here recommend such combos and there appears to be little risk...just the usual tradeoffs that we all make and often disagree about.

My experience has been that when on dirt the knobby front helps a bit and gives me a little more confidence. In mushy terrqin, it's a WHOLE lot better. On the road, it's about 10% louder and maybe the same incease in vibration versus street dual sports front and rear.

I ride 90% + on road, but when I do go off I really want my gear to gap my skills shortfall as much as possible and I think the knobby front, dual sport rear does it well, ride wise and spend wise. FWIW, my off road riding is pretty much hard packed flat dirt and gravel with occasional mud, clay etc.

[RRVT]

I've been running TKC in the front and Shinko in the back for about 2 years, works great for me. I think it's a good combination of performance and price - handles well both on pavement and offroad, and doesn't cost me a fortune. A TKC lasts about 9,000 miles, and Shinko about 6,000 miles.

[FullSails]

Great advice, thanks. The TKC sounds like its the way to go.

[Gangplank]

I run a Pirelli MT/90 front and Anakee2 rear. Works great front and back for the 70/30 road/dirt that I do. Been running different tires for 2 years and still here to tell abou it. I don't ride slow, ride long ways some days. Now on my trackbike no way would I risk it. Same brand front and rear. Different models ok but same rubber for sure. Dualsport different is good.

[Lensgrinder]

I ran a Tourance on the front and a Heidenau K60 on the rear to from San Diego to Prudhoe Bay and back with no trouble at all. It actually worked well on the Dalton in the rain.

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by itsatdm

Your dealer obviously did not have one or the other and was pissed he was missing a piece of the action...

He said BMW wouldn't allow them to fit unmatched tyres. May be a UK insurance thing.

[Xskydiver]

I'm surprised to see so many people running TKCs on the front. I started with TKCs front and rear. The TKC on the front cupped out and had very erratic wear patterns and was wollowy at speed. I switched to a Heidineau front and the ride got much firmer on dirt and pavement. I kept the TKC on the rear but I'll probably switch after this one for something that wears a bit longer. I might try a Kenda big block or another Heidi on the rear.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Xskydiver

I'm surprised to see so many people running TKCs on the front. I started with TKCs front and rear. The TKC on the front cupped out and had very erratic wear patterns and was wollowy at speed. I switched to a Heidineau front and the ride got much firmer on dirt and pavement. I kept the TKC on the rear but I'll probably switch after this one for something that wears a bit longer. I might try a Kenda big block or another Heidi on the rear.

Agreed. TKC's grip but wear out fast and faster. My pirelli front will last two anakee2 rears. Air down the anakee2 and it goes where I need it to.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by itsatdm

Personally, I like the TKC. Works both on and off road. They do wear fast, so I flip them when I notice the cupping and they will last twice as long.

Twice as long being how many miles?

[Ride_There]

Originally Posted by itsatdm

Personally, I like the TKC. Works both on and off road. They do wear fast, so I flip them when I notice the cupping and they will last twice as long.

I've been tempted to flip mine half way through. Might have to try that next time.

[gsd4me]

Originally Posted by itsatdm

Personally, I like the TKC. Works both on and off road. They do wear fast, so I flip them when I notice the cupping and they will last twice as long.

That`s what I do; have about 16,000Km on front of my 1100GS. TKC front, Heidenau rear, or M21 front, 606 rear are good combinations also.

[TowPro]

The idea is that with dissimilar tires you could create a condition where one will stick better then the other. You reach a point speed in the corner where 1 might let go (slip) before the other. If both start to slip around the same G force the slide might be more controllable then if the front or rear slips first.

Some techs also frown about mixing Radial and Non Radial, but I am pretty sure our Front tire is bias ply and rear is radial from the factory. I don't think any 21" tires are made in radial configuration.