2 different tires?

[norcalkid]

Hey all, How noticeable will it be running 2 different tires? I currently run Metzeler Tourance on my VStrom. Front needs replacing, rear only has 4200 on it(mostly highway, Canada and back). Is it a big deal if I change the front out to Shinko 705 now and hold off till Dec/Jan for the rear?

Not the end of the world to change both now. But then I'd have 2-3k on it in Dec/Jan and be setting off on another road trip. Not really ideal. And I'd probably end up pulling it and replacing it again (hanging onto the tire for when I get home). Just seems like a PITA vs just holding off.

Have any of you used 705's on a 650 VStrom. I kinda see mixed reviews on Youtube but they seem to be on heavier bikes????


Friggen Tourance are getting expensive changing every 8 months.

 

[davidji]

Do it and don't worry about it. The 705 is a great value.

My only warning: to get the only front 705 I've installed to balance easily, I had to rotate it a bit from the normal position. Don't know if that was about the tire or the rim. But I'm gonna check the rim balance when I replace it.

 

[R3DS!X]

I like the 705, not great in the rain though.

 

[mototireguy]

I like the 705, not great in the rain though.

+1

Shinko E705 great value tire for the money.

Solid performance in the dry, seem to drift a little when pushed in wet conditions.

Running different make/model front/rear tires, not a big deal, not 100% optimal, but not a big deal.

 

[Gary856]

Unless they’re equally worn, I usually replace front/rear separately to get the most miles out of each. I have Shinko 705 rear and Avon TrailRider front on both my R1200GS and KTM 690SM. No problem with this combo rain or shine.

I haven’t had a 705 in the front yet.

 

[norcalkid]

Thanks all, Ordered the front 705 and an AirHawk seat pad for the same price as a single Tourance.

 

[bpw]

I'm running a Tourance rear/shinko 705 front on my R100GS. Very similar tires that work fine together.

 

[kuksul08]

No problem mixing but it's not optimal. Nothing like a new set of matching rubber. Lawrd

 

[ScottRNelson]

I've never given a second thought to mixing tire brands or models. I currently have a TKC-80 front with D606 rear for my XR and TKC-80 front with Shinko 805 rear on my KTM.

I liked the Shinko 705 for street use, but it wasn't good enough off road. The 244 works much better for me and I have a set of those on my third bike.

I wouldn't mix tires on a car, but no problem on a bike.

 

[norcalkid]

Put the Shinko 705 on today. First turn was the on ramp onto the freeway. Very noticeable. The shinko feels heavier than the Tourance. Rode up 162 and over Cherakee, maybe 120 miles. After getting used to it I think the Shinko's will be fine.

IMG20190916143622 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

 

[Kestrel]

I put an 18" bias ply Bridgestone BT45 on the rear of my DR350, and a Bridgestone S20 EVO on the front 17" as a 'sorta supermoto' setup.

Ran a few track days that way. Stupid lean angle, beyond knee dragging... To date, I've never lost the rear, and was able to push the front to the point of sliding.

Mix 'em.

 

[R3DS!X]

^that sounds fun

 

[mototireguy]

Put the Shinko 705 on today. First turn was the on ramp onto the freeway. Very noticeable. The shinko feels heavier than the Tourance.

Coming off an old worn out tire and going onto a new tire will always feel different.

What tire pressures are you running?

I would suggest 34psi front and 36psi rear riding solo, 39psi rear with passenger.

 

[HadesOmega]

I got a pair on my KLR650 good enough for the old Barbie can do some off road too, wouldn't play in any deep sand though.

 

[moto-rama]

No problem mixing but it's not optimal. Nothing like a new set of matching rubber. Lawrd

I'm in this camp, too.
But then I don't commute anymore so eeking out more miles or coordinating wear out times isn't a thing.

I used to think it was not good to run a stickier tire in the rear, but maybe that was an old rider myth that it could cause the front to slide more if pushed.

 

[Kestrel]

^that sounds fun

The rear is a lot more complicated with respect to getting 17" rubber, and so I didn't bother :laughing The front was easy - fabbed spacers, made a caliper relocation bracket, and changed bearings. Voila. GS500 front wheel with a GSXR600 4 piston caliper & 320mm floating rotor, along with good 17" radial sticky rubber courtesy of the revival of low displacement bikes like the RC390, Ninja 300/400, CBR300 etc.

I'm still surprised how well it rides. The rear end sitting a little higher with the 18" makes for some snappy handling.