What is the difference between XL and Reinforced Tyres as I currently have Toyo T1R Reinforced on the rear and looking at a pair of Firenza XL for the front, is it ok to mix?

The R in T1-R just means the sidewall are beefier than the old T1-Ses. Still not beefy enough IME, but that's a different issue. Different tyres front to rear aren't a big issue, as long as the fronts aren't significantly grippier than the rears (Stop! Lift-off-oversteer time! Nah-nah-nah-nah Nuh-nuh Nah-Nah...)

Na I doubt £49 firenza will be gripper than t1r haha

Na I doubt £49 firenza will be gripper than t1r haha

Reinforced and XL or Extra Load means it's safe to inflate the tyre to a higher pressure than a non-XL tyre.

I have found that sidewall stiffness is more a brand/tyre company culture thing. Goodyear F1s don't seem to be all that stiff. Bridgestone S02PPs have LOADS.

For normal everyday use, the Goodyears are the better tyre. For pressing on or 10/10ths "work", the bridgestones..... Unless it's wet!

J.

Sorry to drag this up... so are you saying that XL and reinforced are the same tyre? I'm looking at some T1-R's and all Black Circles can do are the reinforced ones...

XL and Reinforced tend to mean the same thing and indicate that the tyre can be inflated to higher pressures.

Actually, a more usual definition is "The load rating of the tyre is higher than average for a tyre of that size". Primarily means that it's rated to carry more weight than a similar non-XL tyre.

It differentiates tyres of the same size, prevents ****-ups. As really, the load rating is the number that's important. Would you trust the average tyre fitter to know the difference, without the RNF or XL written on the sidewall?

J.