Hi All,
It's time for me to get a new rear tire for my '02 F4i. I currently have Dunlop SportMax d208 front and rear (front is only 1 season old, so don't need to replace that). Problem is, the D208 looks to have been discontinued and I cant find one anywhere (180/55/17).
Looks like the Dunlop Sportmax Q2 is it's new replacement? Is it ok to go with the Q2 as a new rear and keep the D208 on the front?

Thanks for your help!

 

I've heard that it's no big deal to mix and match tires like that, I'm assuming as long as they're in the same basic performance level. But I would wait until someone comes up with a definitive answer as idk how reliable what I read was. I personally wouldn't do it but I'm the kinda person that bugs out about things like that.

 

i would mix. sometimes, if you want to get picky, one manufacturers front works great for the conditions while the matching rear wont be ideal. racers mix compounds all the time. the bigger issue is the wear being even. tires wear together on a bike to the same rollover to the edge. differently worn tires "roll" differently, and can cause trouble if very different.

how many miles is "one season?" how is the wear on it? how old is it?(tires get hard and rot when the get old too) one season for me is 3 sets of tires... inspect it and make the call. if it is more the half worn or is not rounded nicely, i'd replace it.

just my opinion.

 

Mixing tyres designed for similar usage (i.e. sport and sport, touring and touring) is generally fine. You might get some odd handling characteristics if you are dumb enough to have a super sticky, sharp profile sports tyre one end and a flat profile touring tyre on the other.

I always mix brands, models etc. I find they are fine if the tyres are intended for the same purpose.

 

There is no problems with mixing if the performance and tire design is for the same riding characteristics (i.e. street, touring, road, race, etc).

I had a different front and rear tire for the first year when I purchased my bike and had no problems.

 

^ Similar usage. Don't mix compounds, ie. dual compound w/ single.

Install a Dunlop Qualifier on there & you'll be good to go.

 

I've not had a problem mixing dual and single compound tyres.

 

i agree with all the stuff above, but I have a sticky Pirelli Diablo in the front and a Conti sport touring tire in the rear

Feels good around the bends to me, but I dont know any different so...

 

I've mixed pilot sports with powers, then a power with a 2ct, then a 2ct with a pure. I wouldn't track with them mismatched but for street use it doesn't matter.

 

For everyday commuting...ok to mix brands with similar compound...the problem is the D208 is grandfather(older model) GOTCBR is right, get a Qualifier (Q1) on there, you're good to go. Your mixing grandfather & father...now the Q2 is the newest son...would you mix grandfather with grandson? The D208 is very hard compound...and it's been discontinue long time, chit I'm having trouble finding the Qualifier(Q1) let alone trying to find a D208?? Find the expiration date on your front tire...they all have shelf life. If it's old and hard compound, I rather change both front an rear with Q2s...but if cost is an issue, search eBay or some overstock...meaning similar year and make...

By all means, you can mix anything...but it really depend how you ride & what expectation you have and require from your bike.