Can you mix tire brands on a motorcycle?
Unless a bike was equipped with two different tires from the factory, we do not recommend mixing tire brands because differences in tire handling and performance can cause an otherwise well-behaved motorcycle to act in an unpredictable, unsafe manner.
Do bike tires need to match?
While tire diameter should be an exact match, you do have the option of putting on a tire with a slight variation in width. Some riders opt for wider tires, for example, to give them more traction and a somewhat cushier ride.
Is it bad to have two different tires on a motorcycle?
It is not a bad idea to buy tires of different brands unless one of them is cheap or doesn’t have the quality of the other. Tires with different type of tread pattern may cause some difference in your bikes stability (Read this), just an opinion.
Should you replace both motorcycle tires at the same time?
It is not necessary to change both tires at the same time. Since back motorcycle tires wear faster than front ones, they will need replacement more often. If both tires are older, then they should be changed together. Also, if you switch brands, you need to change both tires over to the new manufacturer.
How many years are motorcycle tires good for?
five years
Tire Age. You should replace the motorcycle tires if they are over five years old. However, this is a general guideline to follow, and it does not apply to all situations. You may be able to use tires that are older than five years if they sat in storage for the first one to three years without extensive damage.
How does tire size affect motorcycle handling?
It’s always a balance of grip, handling, and wear. So, smaller, less powerful bikes can get away with smaller, narrower tires, while bigger, more powerful bikes require larger, wider tires so that they offer adequate traction and wear, but not so wide that it ruins the handling.