Another mixing tires question

[rorycooney]

I've just "decoded" my DOT code on my rear tire (D220st)only to find that it was made in the 17th week of 2001. The tire has plenty of thread but does show signs of a little cracking. Although my rear shock is ready for the bin (to be replaced this week with an ohlins) I think that this tire is a big contributor to the vague and unstable feeling i've been getting off the back wheel. It's a real confidence killer and is why i've been going broke upgrading all the suspension.

I just have 2 questions for anyone with any experience in the matter.

Do you think that the age of the tire could be as significant a factor in the vague/unstable feel of the back wheel as the stock shock is?

I have a brand new D221ST up front but don't want to get a D221ST on the rear. I had a diablo strada on my bros 400 and absolutely loved it so I want to put another one on the rear. Has anyone any opinion on mixing the Dunlop D221ST front with a Diablo Strada Rear.

I really can't afford to be throwing away a brand new front tire and buying a new one in which case I would likely just go with a dunlop D221ST rear although they don't have it in an 18 inch rear (mark II 3 spoke wheels). ( If anyone has any experience with the D221ST, I'd really appreciate any info or advice as the internet does not seem to be forthcoming)

Thanks again for any help

Happy Hawking

[MrDude_1]

i have a dunlop qualifier on the front and a dragon supercorsa pro on the rear...

after one ride, im putting a supercorsa on the front this weekend.

going down the street, its fine.. but in a corner... heh, the front should NOT have less grip then the rear... it was NOT confidence inspiring.

[MrDude_1]

for the record, i know how you feel BTW.. im not going to throw it away, but i am taking off a basiclly brand new front tire.. it has less then 300 miles on it. (estimated.. i dont have a odometer)



i used to run mixed tires because i couldnt get a good 110 front tire locally, and the bike had this Michelin/dunlop combo to begin with... so i know it CAN work.. but what works with what seems to be trial and error...

[tkm433]

Re: Another mixing tires question

I've just "decoded" my DOT code on my rear tire (D220st)only to find that it was made in the 17th week of 2001. The tire has plenty of thread but does show signs of a little cracking. Although my rear shock is ready for the bin (to be replaced this week with an ohlins) I think that this tire is a big contributor to the vague and unstable feeling i've been getting off the back wheel. It's a real confidence killer and is why i've been going broke upgrading all the suspension.

I just have 2 questions for anyone with any experience in the matter.

Do you think that the age of the tire could be as significant a factor in the vague/unstable feel of the back wheel as the stock shock is?

I have a brand new D221ST up front but don't want to get a D221ST on the rear. I had a diablo strada on my bros 400 and absolutely loved it so I want to put another one on the rear. Has anyone any opinion on mixing the Dunlop D221ST front with a Diablo Strada Rear.

I really can't afford to be throwing away a brand new front tire and buying a new one in which case I would likely just go with a dunlop D221ST rear although they don't have it in an 18 inch rear (mark II 3 spoke wheels). ( If anyone has any experience with the D221ST, I'd really appreciate any info or advice as the internet does not seem to be forthcoming)

Thanks again for any help

Happy Hawking

If your current rear tire is used on the street it is most likely running a flat spot in the middle unless you live and ride in curve city. This flat spot from straight highway use will cause the tire to ride like crap in corners due to the new worn in profile. The transistion from straight to leaned over will not be smooth as would be a new no mileage tire of the same age and model.

I have a Hwak with 30,000 plue miles on it and it is using the stock rear shock. When I got the bike it had a worn down rear quality tire and it rode like crap and when I replace the rear tire with a new one the ride quality changed like night to day. The worn profile of the used tire caused the bike to corner like crap.

[DefTrap]

My bike always (apart from the first week of use) has a flat spot on the rear as I have to do so many motorway miles. You get used to it in the twisties and apapt. I'd say it's far easier to ride around that, say, knackered suspension.

I probably would replace a 6yo and cracking tyre. I probably wouldn't be overly bothered about mixing tyre brands (with the caveat of using a stickier front) but prefer front and reart the same. I'm trying Avon Storms next I think ...

[rorycooney]

Biting the bullet.

Thanks for the advice. I think I knew what I was going to be told but I was just fighting with myself over dropping another wad of cash.

After looking at the back tire some more, I've found that it is significantly harder to stick a finger nail in it compared to the matching front tire. I've come to my senses and ralized there is zero point in spending wads of cash upgrading the suspension whilst keeping crappy rubber under it.

I'm getting pirelli diablo stradas 160/60 - ZR18 and 120/70 - ZR17 for roughly $280 including removing them from the bike.

I'll update and let you know any improvements felt before and after I get the new shock fitted. I'll be interested to see how much of the vague feeling i'm getting from the bike is coming from the tires and how much can be attributed to the shock.

Thanks agin for the help, I really should grow a set of balls and just listen to common sense and stop crying over investing in my "safety" ...... Whilst hanging off the side of my bike.

[MrDude_1]

i JUST got home after riding all day... im SOOO glad i swapped to matching tires...

(side note.... get some heat in these and its like the street is covered in velcro... STICKY!! )

[Logicus]

I just pulled off my Metz M1 from the back (was 150/70 from the previous owner for some reason) and put on a Pirelli Diablo Strada 160/60... a 'high-mileage' speed rated tire. Holy crap! I can't believe this tire... supposed to break it in for 100 miles... I broke it in alright... the thing was better than the metz from the start! now even just warm, it's sticky to the touch. Logged 250 miles today 'breaking it in.' We'll see how 'high-mileage' they are.