Mix and Match

[Tech23]

I was looking at the features of the Yamaha Raider S when I ran across this. I was suprised to see a mix of a bias ply up front and a radial on the rear....right from the factory.

**(Custom 5-spoke wheels carry a 120/70-21-inch bias tire up front, and a wide, 210/40-18 radial out back—the tallest and widest ever on a Star.)**

Has anyone out there done this on their Harley...if so how did it handle? It would seem if this were not a real world issue, it would open up alot of other tire choices and combos that may yield some good (or even great) results. From looking at the Yamaha web site this combo does not really have a matching tread pattern either. Any input?..........

Tech23

[murphdog]

Radial rear and bias front is common. Some of the Softails have come that way new for a couple or three years. I have a rear Avon radial and front Dunlop bias on my Dyna and it handles fine.

[hbmc]

I like my avons

[Tech23]

Originally Posted by murphdog

Radial rear and bias front is common. Some of the Softails have come that way new for a couple or three years. I have a rear Avon radial and front Dunlop bias on my Dyna and it handles fine.

Is that right? Which Softail models came with the radial rear/bias front tires from the factory? I really like the E3's I just put on, they were a great upgrade.... but I did not look into a radial for the rear either while shopping around for tires. Now I'm curious if there was a better combo. In any case the 21" E3 is worlds better than the 21" D402, so that was already an upgrade. I will have to take a look and see what radials are available in the 140/90/16 - (MU90 - MU85) size ranges just for my own benefit.

Tech23

[murphdog]

The FX Softails, except the Deuce, have had a rear radial since, I believe, 2006. It was when they put the 200mm rear tire on them.

[Prog Rocker]

Originally Posted by Tech23

I was looking at the features of the Yamaha Raider S when I ran across this. I was suprised to see a mix of a bias ply up front and a radial on the rear....right from the factory.

**(Custom 5-spoke wheels carry a 120/70-21-inch bias tire up front, and a wide, 210/40-18 radial out back—the tallest and widest ever on a Star.)**

Has anyone out there done this on their Harley...if so how did it handle? It would seem if this were not a real world issue, it would open up alot of other tire choices and combos that may yield some good (or even great) results. From looking at the Yamaha web site this combo does not really have a matching tread pattern either. Any input?..........

Tech23

While the mixing of bias-ply and radial tires on motorcycles was once something that only occurred with custom applications, that has been slowly changing in recent years.

There are several bikes now being produced with a mixed fitment from the factory, most notably the Yamaha Raider as you mentioned. The new Honda Fury and the Triumph Thruxton and Bonneville are other notable examples.

As the performance envelope for even cruiser bikes continues to expand, so will the tire requirements. You are going to see more mixed fitments and also all-radial fitments in the coming years as the various bike manufacturers introduce new cruiser designs to the market.



Cheers

[Tech23]

Originally Posted by murphdog

The FX Softails, except the Deuce, have had a rear radial since, I believe, 2006. It was when they put the 200mm rear tire on them.

Originally Posted by Prog Rocker

While the mixing of bias-ply and radial tires on motorcycles was once something that only occurred with custom applications, that has been slowly changing in recent years.

There are several bikes now being produced with a mixed fitment from the factory, most notably the Yamaha Raider as you mentioned. The new Honda Fury and the Triumph Thruxton and Bonneville are other notable examples.

As the performance envelope for even cruiser bikes continues to expand, so will the tire requirements. You are going to see more mixed fitments and also all-radial fitments in the coming years as the various bike manufacturers introduce new cruiser designs to the market.



Cheers

You guy's are absolutely correct. I guess I just figured (assumed) with the "HD Approved" tire BS...they would never mix and match from the factory. I haven't had an opportunity to look into it yet to see if there are rear radials that will fit my application and expand my rear tire options next time around.

Tech23.