Mixing tire types front & rear
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Senior Rider
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver Canada
Mixing tire types front & rear
2009 Electra Glide Classic with a rear D407. It has over 19000 Kilometers (12,000 mi)on it, and replacement is imminent. My problem is that a new tire is over $300.00 installed - and it's all because of the policies of Dunlop/HD. I can get a Dunlop Elite III for much less.
My front still had the original 407 (no cupping) and it's still good, so I really don't want to toss it.
I'm thinking of Dunlop Elite Touring III for the rear.
Vancouver is rainy, and I ride year 'round, in addition to at least one long-ranger, often to California via WA & OR. The bike is essentially stock, and I'm fairly conservative.
I prize long life in a tire.
What kind of handling issues will I experience with a "mismatched" pair of tires?
My front still had the original 407 (no cupping) and it's still good, so I really don't want to toss it.
I'm thinking of Dunlop Elite Touring III for the rear.
Vancouver is rainy, and I ride year 'round, in addition to at least one long-ranger, often to California via WA & OR. The bike is essentially stock, and I'm fairly conservative.
I prize long life in a tire.
What kind of handling issues will I experience with a "mismatched" pair of tires?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
first,an e 3 will not fit your 09 u will need an american elite,i will not mix radials and bias, but different makes of bias doesnt bother me.there are several members here thta have ran e 3 rear and 402 front.e3 and american elite are simialer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 148
From: Augusta, GA
I have a set of the American Elite in the garage and ready to install on the 09. Got both of them for about $280 with no tax and fre shipping. Same tire as the HD Dunlop with a different tread pattern.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,733
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Mixing bias/radials front n rear will have \no adverse effects on your bike...Been there done that....On a bike that you won't exceed 100 mph you won't know the difference...The only place you will see bad handling mixing bias n radial will be on a trailer or on a race bike because the slight differences in lateral flex....I am pretty sure a few harleys come with a mixed set of tires on it from the factory...Forget which ones but they do...
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Wpg, Mb, Canada
Mixing bias/radials front n rear will have \no adverse effects on your bike...Been there done that....On a bike that you won't exceed 100 mph you won't know the difference...The only place you will see bad handling mixing bias n radial will be on a trailer or on a race bike because the slight differences in lateral flex....I am pretty sure a few harleys come with a mixed set of tires on it from the factory...Forget which ones but they do...
Having said that....I now run E3s both front and back and won't go back. I feel your pain about the $300 for a rear tire. I paid the same thing here, until I ordered my tires from Dennis Kirk and change them myself on a Cycle Hill tire changer. Bought both tires for around $200.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 522
Likes: 27
From: Glendale, Arizona
Well then it's not the same tire if the tread pattern is different. Duh!!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: North Cental Iowa
Everyone can do what they want, but it's not recommended to run a radial on the front & a bias on the rear, the other way should be OK. Mixing brands or the same brand different series should be just fine.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
Considering your riding style being conservative you'll be just fine. I've mixed before and had no problem, even mixing whitewall with blackwall! The Dunlop American Elite is a good tire and noticeably cheaper than that D407 (got 20,000 out of that 407).
I just went with an American Elite in the rear 5000 miles ago and am going to their front tire next week at 27000 miles for the front (a Dunlop D408). I'm a conservative rider also and do lots of long distance freeway miles at 75 or so.
I just went with an American Elite in the rear 5000 miles ago and am going to their front tire next week at 27000 miles for the front (a Dunlop D408). I'm a conservative rider also and do lots of long distance freeway miles at 75 or so.
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