Independent that sold me my new Metzler rear tire said that I should change out the front too as Ishouldnt have missmatched tires on the bike. Any truth to this? or just bull! about the looks of two different brands, its a bagger lowered 2 inches so rear tire is barely visible anyway.

 

I have a metz. on the rear and dunlop on front and have been riding that way for about 5K now... so far so good.

 

It is standard to have the same brand and model on front and back, it is not the look of the tire, but the handling/ tracking characteristics of the tread design.
I believe he gave you good advice.

 

My son is running a Dunlop K181 16" on the rear(yea I know they dont even make them anymore buthe got it free and its brand new from the Dunlop plant here in Tonawanda ny). He hasa Metzler 880, 21"on the front of his Dyna w/g. He put about 5000 miles on since he has had this combo and has had no problems with handling or traction and he has run the bike hard and fast both straight line and in the twisties...................BG

 

I can only say that I had no problem running a Dunlop on the front and a Metzeler on the rear for a considerable time. I was in the process of changing over from blackwall to whitewall tires and the front had lots of tread left on it. I went ahead and ran the bike like that (a V-Star 1100) and had no problem with it. When the front was ready then I matchedit up with a whitewall Metzeler also.

 

++++

 

I agree with you boys,I have run my RK with a Dunlop F and Conti R for 3 yrs now.Cornering up on the kickstand and never once had any problems.The bottoms of my boots take more beating than me worring about mismatched tires.

 

Ran a stock Dunlap front with Metzler rear for 11K miles. Never had any problems. Had more problems when I changed to Avon front AND rear as matched set. TERRIBLE on wet pavement, where Dunlap/Metzler combo did fine.

 

Have a Dunlop elite 3 on the front and a D401 rear tire and have no problems. Have run it about 1000 miles so far and the handling is much improved. Am planning on getting an Avon Venom on the rear as soon as the rear tire wears out. Would replace it with the E3 if they made a 150/80/16.

 

No problems with mis-match either...

Stock Dunflop front & Metz in back on RK Classic.

Edmo