Mixing Tire Types

[SHADOW1100T]

In this months CW in the trouble section there's a mixing tires answer that was news to me, he said it was OK to do with the newer tires, in fact the Yamaha Raider (Love It) and the Harley Rocker do just that, mix radial and Bias Ply tires. I like a lot of others thought it was a No No and at one time it was,,,but not anymore due to the newer ways of tire construction, I found it interesting and thought I would pass it on.

[Wrider]

I've always been told not to period! Even just 7 weeks ago in the tires/suspension/etc class I had. I probably wouldn't do it anyway myself, they're gonna ride different and everything, and have different traction, so I wouldn't do it.
Wrider

[SHADOW1100T]

That's why I found it interesting that a respected trouble shooter in a National Magazine would say what he did, I'm sure what he says is correct only because Yamaha and Harley must have gone this route for a reason, maybe it was tire size, but the fact remains that they did, BUT I have to admit that I'm with you on this, I'll keep um both the same for and aft, don't need to be rideing and wondering.

[Johnj]

I'm running a radial on the front and a bias-ply out back. Mainly because it's hard to find a set of tires that fit my bike (87 Kawasaki Concours). I did a lot of research first and found many riders using the combo. I've only put a couple hundred miles on them so far and it has been good.

[gsJack]

Remember way back when radial tires first came out for cars they told us that when mixing them with bias tires a pair of new radials should always be put on the back with the bias on the front and not to mix on the same axle? Well the same is true of motorcycle tires, a radial on the back with a bias on the front can be OK but a radial on the front with a bias on the back is a no-no. In fact it is illegal across the big pond to the east where they inspect such things.

Many have mixed them with the radial on the front with no problems. It's a matter of handling and if you never get close to the limit it can work for you. This combo can cause serious oversteer on a bike same as it does on a car with the rear breaking loose abruptly when pushing it hard. Never know when you might find yourself going around a corner much faster than you should have.

A number of bike makers are now using a bias front with a radial rear and some tire makers are suggesting this combo in their fitment guides but none are suggesting it the other way around with the radial on the front. I've used a few bias front and radial rears but wouldn't consider it the other way.

[PanosGR-nc24]

I have tested different tyres back and rear and concluded in the fact that after 90km you begin to feel differrent handlings in front and rear...that may cause serious problems espesially at street bike riders.
My bikes are a vfr nc 24 & nc30 and nowdays i only use radial type tires.