can front and rear tires be different?

jcbud · Post by **jcbud** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:01 pm

My rear is wearing out and getting a little dry (lack of riding). I avg from 800-1200 miles a year. My front tires are stock, but I was thinking of getting 100/90-10 for the rear. I know that 100/90's fit from reading the post here, ......but mismatched?
any thoughts.
thanks

anthony · Post by **anthony** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:46 pm

3.5x10 and 100/90-10 are very close in size and you should be fine.

jcbud · Post by **jcbud** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 4:46 pm

Tread pattern from font to rear ok too?

anthony · Post by **anthony** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 5:57 pm

Opinions differ on that with some saying that you should get something with a very similar tread pattern, but I'm not sure how much it really matters unless maybe they're hugely different. My mechanic seems to think that if you're OCD, you might notice a very slight difference in handling, but nothing significant, and he saw no issue with me running a maxxis whitewall on the front and a michelin s1 on the rear. So far I've ridden around 1000 miles that way with no issue or noticeable handling differences. Others might be able to contribute more on that topic.

Witch · Post by **Witch** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:07 pm

I've ridden scoots for a decade now. Rarely have I had "matching" front and rear tires, for whatever reason. Shouldn't affect your handling in any major way unless something's actually wrong with the tire.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:42 am

Some same make/model tires have different treads in different sizes but they still work together. Some only have rain grooves for rear tires, that sort of thing.

I'm in the "they don't need to be the same but fairly similar" camp. I wouldn't run a sport tread up front and a classic style in the back.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 1:39 am

Given the fact that front and rear tires wear differently, by the time one of them needs replacing, you're already riding on mismatched treads.

jcbud · Post by **jcbud** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:24 pm

Considering both tires are original, I'm going to change both out for 100/90-10, I'm getting squirmy. After that I'll 2 good shoes and mixing won't be a problem.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 1:28 pm

ericalm wrote: I'm in the "they don't need to be the same but fairly similar" camp. I wouldn't run a sport tread up front and a classic style in the back.

I agree. I've run a sport on the rear with an original touring tread on the front and I found it to be very noticeable.

However, when I ran a Michelin S1 (sport) on the front and a Vee VRM134 (also sport) on the rear the difference was negligible.

I think it matters most depending on your riding style. If you like to take corners tight, having matching tires is a bigger deal. If your style is less aggressive and upright, even the mismatched style of tire will work.