Mixing Pilot Sports and Roads?

[bmwonder]

Anyone know if I can mix Pilot Roads and Sports? My present Sports (rear) is getting pretty worn and I'm thinking of changing over to Pilot Roads. I'm hoping that the Roads will wear better for my commuting but still be grippy enough for weekend hooning. Anyone what the consequences of having a Sport on the front and a Road on the rear? I am hoping that the profiles of the two are the same, or similar, and that it's just a case case of harder rubber and different tread?

Am I just being super cheapskate?

[Jason M]

You're being a super cheapskate

The profiles will definately not be the same. I've got a pilot sport on the front and a BT020 on the back - the pilot seems good in the dry but gives the old 'winker stinker' a good bit of exercise in the wet - pretty skideroo it seems to me. Lot sportier profile than the BT20 too, so probably the pilot road also. I know Mr B seems to like his new pilot roads.

so.. that helped.. NOT

Jason

[bigblackfalco]

Would like to add that I have gone past the 5K miles mark on the Pilot Roads.Still loads left and I have been riding hard.I reckon the front should be good for another 6-7K miles.
Regarding mixing tyres.It is a gamble.The only mixes I ever found that really worked were 010f/020R and Pirelli Dragon evo corsa f/020 rear.The rest were damn right scary.If you have the option always go for a matched pair!
Bailey.

[boxerpan]

The profiles are the same said the man at Central Wheel, no problem to mix the two. Its only like putting the 010/020 Bridgestone mix with the softer front that some people favour.

Lloyd

[bmwonder]

Ta for the feedback everybody. Will see what the bank balance is like when it comes to changinging. Also, I guess that should chek with my local tyre place - (FWR in Saaff London)

Mark

[black99S]

Had Sport front & Rear. Changed out the rear for a Road last summer during an extended trip. Caned the bike over Lolo and Beartooth passes, Yellowstone, Glacier and Waterton national parks. No issues, better life.
Changed to the Road front last fall when it wore out.
Very happy with the handling (better than the previous Mettzlers).
Go fer it.

[Ade B]

I too have a Sport front, Road Rear - Road has gone squarish after only 2000 odd miles (too much motorway and London!) - No handling quibbles noticed to date. Except for horrible low speed steering which I think is to do with shot steering damper and knackered front.

Will change the front to a road soon (almost at the wear marks after 5000+ miles but the profile don't look too good).

Having just completely spanked a set of Dunlop 208GPs on the trackbike last weekend I would happily concede that I will never get much proper use out of the slow-to-warm-up Pilot Sports on the road - Pilot Sport/Road combo seems fine for my riding, as for profiles, I couldn't tell the difference .

[Gromit]

Good to hear the positive feedback on the Pilot Roads - I was tempted to try them (went for Roadtecs in the end) and perhaps will for the next tyre change. If Bailey rates'em that'd be good enough for me

Btw - done a few miles on the Roadtecs now; they feel superb. Less 'slimy' than 020's with more of a positive feel. Did a few laps of Stockley on sunday lunchtime to scrub one side in and they're definitely not lacking in dry grip. One happy customer of the elephant.