Just had the tires changed on my 09 Fatboy. Told them to put the stock tires on. They put the stock tire on the front (Dunlop D408F 140/75R17), but put a Dunlop D205 200/55R17 Sportmax Touring on the back. Will it be ok running 2 different tires? Anyone ever use the sportmax touring? Should I get it changed out with the stock tire? How will effect the handling of the bike? So far I can't tell a difference besides that it handles better because it has 2 fresh tires.

 

From the Dunlop web site http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/info...etips.asp?id=2

Front and Rear Tire Matching
Remember, correct matching of front and rear tires is important to obtain optimum performance and handling. Follow the Tire Selection guidelines.

• Mount only tires marked “front wheel” on front positions and only tires marked “rear wheel” on rear positions.
• A new front tire with a worn rear tire can cause instability.
• Mixing radials, or mixing radials with bias or belted bias tires may adversely affect handling and stability. Always fit Dunlop Sportmax, Sportmax II D204, Sportmax touring D205 and Dunlop D207 high-performance radials in pairs. It should be noted that many factors other than tire incompatibility can affect the handling of a motorcycle, including the weight and height of the rider, mixing worn with unworn tires, and the fitment of luggage or fairings. Consult the motorcycle manufacturer before making modifications from stock.

 

what handling? its a fatboy!




it'll beok

 

Not on my bike it wouldn't be ok. Technically, maybe yes, it will be ok. But if I asked for the stock replacements I better be getting it. On an 09 Fatboy that's a Dunlop D407 on the back and D408 up front (D407 front was replaced with D408).

You asked for A and they gave you B. I wouldn't tolerate it.

 

If you have an accident and the insurance company discovers the mismatched tires and disclaimer from the manufacturer, they may not pay out. Something to consider.

 

+1, tell them to put it right.

 

I suspect the D205 sport touring would probably have a softer compound than the 407 thus the warning from Dunlop. If they are both bias, then probably no big deal. You're not riding a canyon carver. That being said, however, YOU DID ask for factory originals and they slipped those on probably because they had them in stock. The fact that they did this behind your back hoping, perhaps, you wouldn't notice is not a good thing.

 

I have not experienced any problems running two different tires. I have a Perilli Night Dragon on the rear and the stock DUMBLOP on the front, and I have a new rear tire that is the GT502 (Screamin Eagle) rear tire that is fixing to be mounted.

 

running 150 cruiserMAX (Dunlop only 150 WW) rear and Metz 21 880 white wall 21" front, over 15K on this combo so far.

Not a single problem, as previous posters said .. what handling ?!, Mine is FXST, I scrap on fast corners on daily bases, which means I run out of bike/frame/pipes clearence WAY before I get to the performance of the allegedly mis-matching tires.

Dunlop will say anything to get your business. that is the bottom line.

At any rate, my next tire change will put a 150 ME880 on the rear , but not to match, just because I want a bit narrower tire to suit the look of the whole bike and the ME150 is narrower than the CruizerMax 150.

 

Mixed tires on one of my Sport Touring bikes. Same manufacturer (Bridgestone), but, different compounds, so different tire. The profiles were different, so in a turn, one would turn in before the other and scare the beegeezes out of me. Won't make that mistake again.