[PaulStaske]

I just picked up my bike from the shop with a new front tire. My bike is a 99KLT. The tire ordered is Metzler ME 880. My question is I didn't realize that the new tire is a redial tire but my rear tire is br 020 bias ply. I know that many people mix brands but mixing redial with bias ply yikes! The rear still has quite a bit of life left. When the rear is worn out I will change to the same set up as the front. Should I be concerned Thanks for the help.....Paul

 

[fpmlt]

I was told by an Avon rep that running radial rear and bias front is fine, and that's what I now do on my Harley. They did say that running radial front and bias rear is a big no no. I've never tried it, and don't intend to, but maybe someone here has and can offer you some advise.

 

[Beemerick]

I just picked up my bike from the shop with a new front tire. My bike is a 99KLT. The tire ordered is Metzler ME 880. My question is I didn't realize that the new tire is a redial tire but my rear tire is br 020 bias ply. I know that many people mix brands but mixing redial with bias ply yikes! The rear still has quite a bit of life left. When the rear is worn out I will change to the same set up as the front. Should I be concerned Thanks for the help.....Paul

Paul, that's a good question. I too am running a radial front with a bias rear. Maybe the "suspender guy", the one who wrote that book, will chime in and enlighten us; Uncle Something or other...

 

[jzeiler]

I don't believe that the ME 880 s come in a radial. Dooesit have "VR 17" on it or "VB17"?

Ok I checked and they do make a 120/70R17. Should be no problem on you year bike or with the bias on the rear.

 

[PaulStaske]

Thanks I will look into this more in depth

 

[UncleMark]

Metz 880's are Bias-ply... the only radial made today for the LT (unless the boys over at marshamllow land - Michelin for those who don't know) is Avon.

I don'r run disparate types... i.e. all Bias or all Radial... But I have heard of those who run radial fronts and bias rears and swear by them. Again, as my book states, what's your primary purpose? Carving up corners or laying down some mileage.

Radials are a softer blend. Using those on the rear and bias on the front could cause the machine to feel like to wants to push or chatter in a turn. Depending on your tire pressures, that could be a real eye opener... great grip in the rear and the front washes out... hmmm.

Let us know what you find...

 

[Boatzo]

I ran a radial rear and bias front for a long time with no problems.

 

[hschisler]

I don't believe that the ME 880 s come in a radial. Dooes it have "VR 17" on it or "VB17"?

Ok I checked and they do make a 120/70R17. Should be no problem on you year bike or with the bias on the rear.

The bad news: I had a momentary panic when I realized the front tire I had installed 2 days ago was a Metzeler ME880 radial and the rear that is still on the bike is a Metzeler bias. I thought perhaps I was screwed - safety-wise/performance-wise - with this tire combo.

The good news: I jumped back on this site and found this discussion, so I guess all is well again.

Thanks.

PS: John, you can ignore my PM. You've already answered my question.

 

[copperstatetour]

I don't think that I would rest easy with a mix, even Metzler seems to indicate that mixing them isn't a good idea unless the manufacturer recommends. I don't have an owner's manual for my LT (previous owner ) but I don't think it recommends a mix. Here is from Metzler:

Therefore a combination of different constructions between front and rear can influence the motorcycle overall behaviour.

and the link:

http://www.metzelermoto.com/web/products/technology/maintenance/default.page

I know people who are smarter than me on these things probably have a different opinion, but I can't imagine that every tire manufacturer I have been able to find info from out there are in agreement on this, and that they are all wrong.