Should I only change front time of different brand?

[cbdtran_imp]

At 8500 miles, my Dunlop front tire has ~2mm depth on center line, can last for 1.5K miles but I feel I want to change now because during very hard acceleration on twisty road it loose traction.

The original Dumlop D205 is not as available, so i set my eyes on the Bridgestone tire. I assume I can put tire of different brand on the CB?

I like the Dunlop tires and people say Bridgestone BT-45 is better???

[Houtman_imp]

Although they recommend using the same brand of tires in the front and the back, many times I had a different brand on the front and back on many of my bikes.
It never gave me a problem as long as you stick to radial only or bias only on the same bike.
There are times that you might prefer the front tire from one company and the back tire a different make.

[Pauley]

My CB1100 came with the Dunlop D205 tires. I picked up a nail with only 1,200 or so miles on the bike. I could not find a D205 replacement locally so I bought a Bridgestone BT-54 for the rear so I have been riding for several thousand miles with a Dunlop on the front and a Bridgestone on the rear. They're essentially the same tire so don't worry about it.

I bought a new BT-54 for the front and have it waiting. The OE Dunlop on the front is feathering pretty badly so I'm going to replace it in about another couple of hundred miles.

[CIP57_imp]

If there both original tires its a good idea to change them both at the same time. When my front is shot I change the rear.

As mentioned, you can change brands, i would put a radial to match the back.

[Randy B]

With the amout of miles I got out of my rear tire it just wouldn't make sense tonme to change them at the same time. I got 9,000 mile out of the front and almost 15,000 from the rear and it probably could have safely gone a other 500 - 1, 000 miles, but I just don't take those chances.

[flynrider]

I recently had to make a decision as my Bridgestone BT-54 was bald at 6K miles. With the rear tire still looking new, I was definitely looking at just replacing the front tire. With my disappointing wear experience of the BT-54, I decided to go with a dual compound Michelin Pilot Road 3. Hopefully the dual compound composition will give me a better experience.

You mentioned the BT-45 in your original post. Unlike the BT-54, the BT-45 is a bias ply tire. That wouldn't be a good fit with a radial on the rear. While I've never had an issue with different brands front and rear, I don't think I'd go as far as to mix radial and bias ply tires.

Actually, if it weren't for the fact that I still had a BT-54 radial on the back, I would have gone for the BT-45. I've gone through 3 sets of them on my CB750 and they're excellent in both handling and wear.

[cbdtran_imp]

With the amout of miles I got out of my rear tire it just wouldn't make sense tonme to change them at the same time. I got 9,000 mile out of the front and almost 15,000 from the rear and it probably could have safely gone a other 500 - 1, 000 miles, but I just don't take those chances.

yes - the rear Dunlop can last another 8K miles. I don't feel like throw the rear tire away at 8K miles. this is the reason I like Dunlop 205, very sticky and long lasting. Dunlop discontinues the D205, I wonder what is the replacement for it.

Many like Bridgestone BT 45/54, I assume they are as good.

I recently had to make a decision as my Bridgestone BT-54 was bald at 6K miles. With the rear tire still looking new, I was definitely looking at just replacing the front tire. With my disappointing wear experience of the BT-54, I decided to go with a dual compound Michelin Pilot Road 3. Hopefully the dual compound composition will give me a better experience.

You mentioned the BT-45 in your original post. Unlike the BT-54, the BT-45 is a bias ply tire. That wouldn't be a good fit with a radial on the rear. While I've never had an issue with different brands front and rear, I don't think I'd go as far as to mix radial and bias ply tires.

Actually, if it weren't for the fact that I still had a BT-54 radial on the back, I would have gone for the BT-45. I've gone through 3 sets of them on my CB750 and they're excellent in both handling and wear.

6K for a tire is not good enough. I might just go back to Dunlop tire that give me at least 8K in front and 15K in the back. the d205 is very sticky, handle great. I LEAN my motorcycle at an angle on straight line for a moment, sound impossile but it is true.

[The Spaceman_imp]

Most professionals, and virtually all manufacturers, would advise you against mixing tire brands, or even tire models. Many amateurs will say its fine. But, amateurs will also tell you it's perfectly fine to put passenger car tires on your motorcycle.

[CIP57_imp]

Most professionals, and virtually all manufacturers, would advise you against mixing tire brands, or even tire models. Many amateurs will say its fine. But, amateurs will also tell you it's perfectly fine to put passenger car tires on your motorcycle.

To add to Spaceman, all of the above would also advise to change tires together, well rounded fronts with flat spotted backs don't mix. With all the $$ spent on mods, its 150 dollars we'll spent.

[rboe]

After being out of the hobby for over twenty years, I come back and find that conventional wisdom is strongly suggesting changing both tires at the same time. Now I didn't on the last tire (replaced due to holes, not wear) and at the price of some of these tires that can be a large pill to swallow. But ideally, do both and keep them in the same family.