I'm buying a new set for my cruiser and I believe I've decided to go with some Pirellis. I'm looking at the solid MT66 Routes and the higher-end Night Dragons. They don't make the latter in my size rear, but they do for the front. I'm about to buy a Night Dragon for the front and an MT66 rear.

My question is should I opt for the better tire up front and the good tire in back, or should I stick with a lesser but matching pair that were designed to work together? Would I actually get an appreciable benefit by putting the better tire up front or would I be defeating the purpose while also spending more money by mixing it up?


For reference:
Front: 100/90-19
Rear: 140/90-15


MT66 f/r: ~$66/82
Night Dragon f/r: ~$101/na


also if anyone knows where i can pick up a new clutch cable for an 85 virago cheaper than $35 online lemme know

9/28/2009 2:59:06 PM

well i didnt want to wait another day to get back on the road so I went ahead and ordered everything. Decided to go with the matching pair of Routes, they got great online reviews and I'm sure they'll be more than fine. Tires and cable from bikebandit altogether came to just over $200, not too bad I s'pose for some good pirelli rubber and an oem part for a 24yo bike


i'd still be interested in hearing your opinion on the matched pair vs. mixed but higher avg. quality issue

[Edited on September 28, 2009 at 5:56 PM. Reason : sfdg]

9/28/2009 5:55:16 PM

I, too, have pondered this question.

9/28/2009 6:20:50 PM

Beats me. They'll look better matched I'm sure.

I'm looking for a more aggressive rear tire now. I did some off-roading the other day(ie: my front yard after a rain storm) and nearly busted my ass.

The front is solid though:


I'm sure this thing will see dirt eventually. Probably need some fork gaiters for that.

9/28/2009 7:08:12 PM

9/28/2009 7:21:33 PM

haha fuckin right

for a second i thought you somehow got a picture of my saturn cliffhanging on matt's crawlspace entry


^^ you not still going for that retro tread pattern then?


here's the set I got



[Edited on September 28, 2009 at 7:55 PM. Reason : pic]

9/28/2009 7:45:14 PM

michelin pilot powers

10/19/2009 2:52:57 PM

^good tire, but NOT a cruising tire. Pilot powers on 85 virago is like putting r-comps on a chevy lumina

[Edited on October 20, 2009 at 12:41 AM. Reason : some people may think you are serious]

10/20/2009 12:40:51 AM

well that and why would anyone take tire advice from someone who lays their bike down every weekend they go riding?

10/20/2009 12:48:17 AM

they will be fine!

10/20/2009 1:09:19 AM

yeah love these tires


been cruisin around NC cutting with all my peg-scraping glory

10/20/2009 1:24:55 AM

yup

10/20/2009 1:30:11 AM

dude get your fucking chopper running


i'm tired of these excuses

10/20/2009 1:31:38 AM

it is a bobber son hahah big diff no raked out shit on my being but yes i got to... what u doing tonight?

10/20/2009 1:34:39 AM

i know what i said


i just wanted to rile you up


and tonight...hi i'm dave and i'm wasted

10/20/2009 1:40:52 AM

Quote :

"^good tire, but NOT a cruising tire. Pilot powers on 85 virago is like putting r-comps on a chevy lumina "

thats what i run on the fjr, one of the few performance tires that can hadle the load of a sport touring bike, i get 3-4k on the rear 4-5k on the front

10/20/2009 8:12:21 PM

Quote :

"one of the few performance tires that can hadle the load of a sport touring bike my fat ass"

10/21/2009 1:30:40 AM

troll [fail]

10/21/2009 7:37:08 AM