Buying Tires - Front vs Rear

[powernurse]

I've noticed that online tire vendors always include a dropdown to force you to indicate whether the tire you're buying is for the front or the rear. What difference does it make, as long as I get the right size and load rating?

[Rich82GS750TZ]

It's about the tread patterns. Case in point: The Shinko 705 I use on both bikes, in some sizes they have this will fit some front, some rear situations. These tires have opposing direction arrows. mount this way <-- if front. Mount this way --> if rear. I know I've read the science on it, but I forget the specifics.

[rphillips]

Rich, I had no clue some were still done this way. Yrs. ago that was kind'f normal. an arrow on one side, pointing one direction for rear tire rotation and an arrow on the other side, pointing the other direction for front tire rotation. I haven't noticed see;in that for a long time.

[lizzywhite45]

Yes it does matter. Front and rear tires are made for different loads. The front is designed for braking and water channeling while the rear puts power to the road. That is why you see arrows or notes for front and rear. Best to follow what the maker recommends.

[Nessism]

Some tires are front or rear. Certain models of Avon Roadriders, for example. Two direction arrows on each tire. Follow the instructions based on intended usage.

[KiwiAlfa156]

I was told by a local tyre dealer that with bias ply tyres (and it may be true of radials), the way the plys are laid in the carcass effects tyre/tread deformation at the contact patch under load. Effectively the tyre is better at transmitting force in one direction than the other. The advice was if you fit a rear to the front (which was done back in they day), you should swap the rotation so the major force was in the direction of braking. When on the rear drive was the major force.