Dumb tire question

[Yamaman]

Question is - Is it ok to mix tire brands? Not sure why I'm questioning this, but I thought I saw a post somewhere that it was a bad idea. Just bought my bike in December and the dealer I bought from put a new tire on the rear at my insistence, but I had no choice in what it was, and he put on the Metzler ME 880. Been reading all the good stuff here about Avon and also about the smaller MT90-16 tire size on the front, so now that it's time to buy a new front, I am leaning towards getting the Avon, but of course still have the nearly new Metzler on the back. Also, I can't seem to find the Metzler in the MT90-16 size anyway.

 

Also, saw this link which looks like a best price: ($109.60 for MT90B-16)

 

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_61_72

 

Southwest Moto has MT90HB-16 for $111.95. Are these the same or slightly different tires? Also, I want blackwalls, not whitewalls. And these prices are close enough that if one provides better customer service, then I would go with that one. Thanks for any and all help.

[flb_78]

yes the metz is available in 130/90-16.

 

I just bought the Avon for 99.95 shipped in 130/90-16 of eBay.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AM41-AVON-VENOM-130-90-16-MT90HB-16-FRONT-TIRE-2805012_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35578QQihZ004QQitemZ140219447753QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

here's a Metz in that size for 109.95 shipped.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/METZELER-ME880-130-90-16-FRONT-TIRE-FOR-HARLEY-DAVIDSON_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35578QQihZ017QQitemZ270222353272QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[sarges46]

Many have mixed brands with no issues. Right now Marilyn runs her vstar with two differant brands and no issues.

[Albino Rhino]

Question is - Is it ok to mix tire brands?

Right now I am running a Metzler on the front and an Avon on the rear; there is no difference in handling from having two Metzlers.

[SaltyDawg]

I have run different brands of tires before without any adverse effects. I was told by a MC builder that it's not a good idea to do so. He was pretty adamant about it. Not trying to sell me tires since I was already having two commanders put on. He said each tire brand has different sidewall construction methods and the bike could be unstable in turns because of this. Now keep in mind this guy is a custom builder so his bikes might not be the most stable rides out there.

 

Again I have had different tire brands on my RSV without noticing any problems at all.

[texasrices]

I have a Dunlop on the front and an Avon on the rear and have had NO problems as far as stability or handing at all.

 

I see no sense in spending good money to replace a tire that is not worn out, just to keep them as a matched set. Find the best deal out there and put them on.

:thumbsup2:

[Yamaman]

Thanks again everyone. I guess I'll go ahead with the Avon on the front, and then wait until the Metzler wears out to put an Avon on the back. Hopefully that will be later rather than sooner. (i.e., no throwing chunks within the first couple thousand miles)

[hig4s]

Just a note, the Metz rear and Avon rear have the same load capacity, but the Avon MT90b-16 has a higher load capacity then the Metz front. (or the Avon front in the stock size)

[Moped]

I never had a problem with mixed brands on a number of bikes. I would never waste money throwing away a good tire. One thing you DON'T want to do is mix bias and radial tire on same bike.

[Tartan Terror]

Though tire makers match the front and rear tires they make there is no problem mixing brands on a scoot. Do not mix radial and bias tires on the scoot as they work differently. I prefer to match brands but there is no danger in mixing brands.