I was wondering if I can use a rear tire on the front. It looks like the wheels are the same, so didn't know why there is two different size tires. 04 FLHRC

 

Others may have different opinions although I know some that done it.

I think it could make for a wild ride especially in curvesor in the rain. Generally I *think* the tires are marked for Front or Rear service because of the tread patterns, possibly compound, and contours.

I would think a rear drive tire would most likely have a stiffer side wall to transmit torque and most likely wouldn't be the best for biting the road in turns.

 

It just bothers me not to know things. I thought that a rear tire on the front would be better since it a little wider, hence better control.

 

The rear has ahigher load rating and is a stiffer tire. I'm with skinner here, I think it would make for a less comfortable, possibly even more dangerous ride. Motorcyle tires are not like car tires and have completely different jobs to do on the front vs the back. Stick with what the tire manufacturers and HD says on this one. Tires are not something to experiment with.

 

Simply, if you use a rear tire on the front you will have a flat the first time you corner hard from the tire hitting the fender mount bolts. You will not be able to tread water at all in the curves and you will experience much less traction when braking keeping in mind that 70% of your braking is on the front. If you are looking for a quick suicide act out of this life that will do it.