abacall
Speedy recovery
I was running Pilot Road 2 in the front and BT020 in the rear (got the bike this way).
The rear died first, naturally, and I replaced it with a BT021.
I was riding the mixed set for some time with no noticeable problems. The BT020 was a stone, and the new BT021 was a huge improvement.
I still had no issues riding a more than 1/2 worn front with a new rear.
Shortly after (1 month), the front got pretty close to the wear bars.
I started to feel the front washing a little bit and response was vague, and that was enough for me to go get a new tire. By the way, the Pilot wore at the sides before the middle.
I got the matching BT021 for the front.
Well, I am convinced. Matching sets offer the best performance. Sure, you can get away with a mixed set (of the same category tire, ie. sport/sport or touring/touring), but it's not the best.
Braking has a more modulated feel. Turn-in is crisper and smoother with less snap and more fine-tuning of lean angle. The front is much more planted.
Sure, some of this can be due to the difference between a new tire and an older tire. But it really "feels" like the tires are now working in unison. Linked.
Just a heads-up. If you're running a mixed set, get a matched one. I know you will feel the difference immediately.
The rear died first, naturally, and I replaced it with a BT021.
I was riding the mixed set for some time with no noticeable problems. The BT020 was a stone, and the new BT021 was a huge improvement.
I still had no issues riding a more than 1/2 worn front with a new rear.
Shortly after (1 month), the front got pretty close to the wear bars.
I started to feel the front washing a little bit and response was vague, and that was enough for me to go get a new tire. By the way, the Pilot wore at the sides before the middle.
I got the matching BT021 for the front.
Well, I am convinced. Matching sets offer the best performance. Sure, you can get away with a mixed set (of the same category tire, ie. sport/sport or touring/touring), but it's not the best.
Braking has a more modulated feel. Turn-in is crisper and smoother with less snap and more fine-tuning of lean angle. The front is much more planted.
Sure, some of this can be due to the difference between a new tire and an older tire. But it really "feels" like the tires are now working in unison. Linked.
Just a heads-up. If you're running a mixed set, get a matched one. I know you will feel the difference immediately.