Two separate issues tyre wear?? I have never known a bike eat tyres like an XT,the original Pirellis went 1200 miles but even with Road Smarts on front hasn't done 1500 miles and it scrap.

Re mixing tyres you will never find anyone in the bike trade or any position of responsibility advocate mixing makes and neither will your insurance company,companys spend a lot of money getting a front and rear to work together,most customers I've come across only want to mix tyres to save money end of.

Tyres went through a major change in 07 with the advent of dual compound and Michelin with their Road 02,Dunlop quickly jumped on the band wagon and the others have been playing catch up ever since,where things are changing again after the intro of dual compound both sports and touring I've noticed the habit of running a front sports tyre with a touring rear is starting to become popular again.

I'm about to try a Dunlop Sport Smart front with a Road Smart rear and I'll be honest and say Dunlop were not keen on me doing that either.