Tires - Radial at rear & bias at front?

[robdurn]

Can the Dunlops be mixed? I have the Elite 3 radial on in the back but need a new front. Looking at the Dunlop D404 in front. Have Progressive shocks on. Must take weight up to about 460 total pounds w/ passenger & gear. Thanks.

Rob
97 standard Valk
Chicagoland

[R J]

It is not advisable to mix radial & bias tires,,,,,,,,

Why are you wanting to stick with Dun Flops?

Ya got Avon, Metzler, Brigestone in radial..........

[robdurn]

Just trying to save $. Thanks.

[DFragn]

METZLER SAYS YES YOU CAN. OK Front Bias - Rear Radial
But would Dunlop agree with Metzler? 

http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/en_US/browser/attachments/pdf/2008_METZELER_VTWIN_UPGRADE.pdf

Screen Shot from above link:

[Bone]

My 98 Tourer has a CT on the rear and it's third D404 on the front. 20K+ on the  D404's with No complaints.
My Valk is solo so I can't answer your weight question.

[MP]

Lots mix radials and bias on bikes.  Bias on front.  The no mixing pertains to car tires.

MP

[MarkT]

I have radials on rear, bias on front on both my Wing and Deerslayer.  Both now Cobras on rear, Wing Bridgestone Battlax front, Deerslayer Dunlop E-II K-491 front.  Both of the front tires are designated as rears - got them for the tread depth - double normal front tires.  No handling problems whatever, with thousands of miles on both in this config, rain & shine.  Though I don't ride at triple digit speeds.

[F6Dave]

I think my old BMW GS model came from the factory with a bias on front and a radial on the rear.  It handles just fine.

I think the concern dates to the '60s when people replaced a pair of bias car tires on one axle with radials and experienced handling changes they weren't expecting.  It was an exaggerated concern IMHO.  And, bike radials work differently than car radials.

[Ferris Leets]

I've been using the rear tire on the front for a long time.  Had a lot of people tell me I'm crazy.  Never had any issues at all.