Mismatched Tires

[Sinker]

I was away from home last weekend and had an issue with my front tire that caused me to replace it with what the shop I went to had, a Dunlop American Elite. The back tire was replaced about 1,000 miles ago with the same standard Dunlop that came with the bike originally.  Other than knowing in my own mind that there are 2 different tires on the bike are there any other drawbacks I should be worried about?

Thanks/Scott

[motorhogman]

I've had a D402 on the front and Michelin Commander II on he rear twice now.. Feel no difference in handling, ride or anything.  01 FLHT

[fbn ent]

On the bikes we ride, nope. On, say an R6 doing doing 150 on wet pavement in twisties?   

[calif phil]

No worries at all, you will be fine, the American Elite is a great tire.

[RKRuss]

I've been running non-matching tyres on the Road King for the last 20 years or so!

[scott7d]

From here on out if I were you, I'd just stick with the American Elites. I got 30,000 from the front and almost that much from the rear on my last set. Even when riding aggressively I never feel they are going to let go. As mentioned, a fantastic all around tire.

[fleetmechanic]

   And you don't have to pay HD dealer prices for them like the OEM Dunlop models.

[PoorUB]

are there any other drawbacks I should be worried about?

Thanks/Scott

Yep, why you have been paying 1-1/2 times the price for a tire at the dealer that isn't as good as the American Elite!

[tomcat64]

We will not put a bike on the floor with mismatched tires.

[kd]

Tom, do you have a reason or been given a reason to worry about mixing tire brands.  I get the radial / bias bit but can't grasp the matching manufacturer thing.  One company may have a front design you find works well and the rear of another company out handles or out performs it's mate.

[Hossamania]

We will not put a bike on the floor with mismatched tires.

I'm sure it makes it easier to sell, one less question to deal with, or item the potential buyer can use as a negotiating tool.

[RKRuss]

Tom, do you have a reason or been given a reason to worry about mixing tire brands.  I get the radial / bias bit but can't grasp the matching manufacturer thing.  One company may have a front design you find works well and the rear of another company out handles or out performs it's mate.

Even the radial/bias hoodoo has no factual basis as far as I'm concerned. My 2014 Victory Cross Country Tour left the factory shod with a radial rear and bias ply front and it handled beautifully.

I tend to believe that we overthink tyre performance on what are essentially low performance cruiser type motorcycles.