Would you fit four different tires on a car? And two different ones on the same axis? So why do you ride two different ones on one motorcycle? That is what we should consider if we have thought about mixing two models, or even two different manufacturers, when changing the tires on our motorcycle. Nothing good can come out when we mix elements designed to work together.
Although this idea seems incoherent to us, and we even have a friend who recommends us to put «softer rubber at the front for more grip«The truth is that tires are developed to work together. When we do not follow this simple recommendation, it is most likely that we will make the motorcycle run much worse and, therefore, without realizing it we will be taking more risk when riding it.
Why is it not a good idea to mix different motorcycle tires?
Each manufacturer develops a tire structure that is different from another brand. Both in its shape, rigidity, construction materials… Therefore, we can make the mistake of having a tire with a more round casing and another that is more triangular. This will cause both wheels to be out of sync when tilting, and we will have strange reactions and inaccuracies. Likewise, the rigidity of the casing will make the suspension behave erratically and not balanced on both axles.
Above the casing is the tread, which also has different characteristics between manufacturers and of course, in different models from the same manufacturer. Again, playing with mixing tires will mean that we can have two tires that heat differently, or that do not react or behave the same when rolling. A tourist tire is designed for a specific purpose, which has nothing to do with one designed for sports use. Combining both on a motorcycle creates enormous risks.
Returning to the well-known phrase: «softer front, grips more«, we will find ourselves in the situation where we do not heat up the front tire enough (softer almost always equals a higher working temperature), while the rear, helped by traction during acceleration, has done so. When we come to a curve, the rear wheel tends to push the front wheel, and what we thought made us go safer, ends up being the opposite.
What’s more, even the drawings are designed to work together. When we ride in the rain, the front wheel is designed to open a path, removing the water on the asphalt, allowing the rear wheel to work on a surface that contains less water.
If the rubbers are different, the tread does not work in harmony and therefore, the behavior in water could even be dangerous, greatly increasing the chances of aquaplaning.
There is one last reason, which is economic. It is usually cheaper to buy a set of front and rear tires than, on the contrary, to buy one first and then the other. So if you can, change both tires at the same time and if not, at least fit the same one to maintain balance.
