10-11-2024, 10:17 AM
(09-17-2024, 01:28 AM)dUh!_imp Wrote: In 2022 I showed up to the CB Rally on a set of old tires that I felt needed to be replaced. This was going to be the last trip for the set of Michelins. Little did I know, it was going to put me in a spotlight.
The Michelins had been discontinued, despite being highly coveted by our CB group. At the rally in normal conversations a tire talk came up. My old Michelins were spotted. Now, being aware and already self-conscience about my aged tires, the spotlight was unwelcome. But the spotlight was there and honestly not as bad as I internally make it out to be. Tough crowd, your peers can be at times. It was a good laugh still and the aged Michelins did not fail me at the Rally.
After the Rally, I researched for a set of replacements. Pirelli Angles seemed to be a great option, but the tread life is short for a sacrifice for additional traction. Tough choices, but I finally settled on Avon. I purchased the tires online – and in the garage they went. 2023 was a busy year. The CB was left unattended for far to long. As the 2023 Rally date approached the CB was still sporting the old set of Michelins and had not been outside the garage but once or twice. I started my routine maintenance in preparations to ride to the Rally. A week before the Rally, I made an appointment for the CB to visit the dealer. Tire swap and valve adjustments. Those at the 2023 Rally, know the story.
I rode the CB around town the week before the Rally. I could feel something was different leaving the dealership. I went back to the dealer and asked them to look at the front tire again to ensure the balance was correct. Everything checked out. I’m picky sometimes, so I dismissed it as just being me. Hours into the Rally trip, I was mad. The CB had a vibration coming from the front end. Arrived at the Rally and my confidence to lay the bike over for some turns, was not there. I was probably complaining about it when other Rally goers jumped in to help out. Tough crowd yes, but what a great bunch of friends. We reset the clamps on the front forks to proper torque specs, everything. The vibration was still there. I knew the vibration was coming from the tire. My confidence was not there, so I took a day trying to get the tires replaced while at the Rally. The local area had zero stock to support a tire change for the CB. A-Man had a new Pirelli Angel front tire, at the Rally. Seriously. Here soon, I believe we may have the spare parts to assembly a new CB … maybe. I bought the front tire from A-Man and set off at a local bike shop late at night to change the front tire.
Now, an Avon out back and a Pirelli up front. Internally, this bothered me. I am a bit particular about my vehicles and mismatched tires … it bothered me. But not as bad as the vibration. A-Man still has that Avon if anyone needs it going forward at a Rally. My vibration was gone. During the remainder of the Rally, I had no further issues. I also discovered an interesting aspect of my new tire combination. The Pirelli is a sportier compound, while the Avon has a longer tread life for interstate riding (supporting my weight). The CB was spot on throughout the rally and the bike shows no ill effects of sporting 2 different name brands. Its turning out to be a great combination, best of both worlds. Consciously, I would have never mismatched tires.
I rode to the 2024 Rally on the unique combo. It rides very well, with zero issues. 2024 has had more opportunities to ride and the CB. I have no complaints about either Avon or Pirelli. The life of these tires is holding up very well so far, with great performance results.
I did choose two different tires, but my dilemma was the crappy from front BT54 I sent back. I have yet to mount them, but I kept the BT54 rear and bought a T-32 for the front. I foresee no problems. In the "old" days we mounted whatever tire the dealer had, regardless of matching. I rode my old CB175 with mismatched tires all through college, never an issue.
Heck, I even installed rear shocks from a CL350 I bought at a bike junk yard for $10 because the CB175 was too heavy for those skinny stock shocks, especially ridden two up.