TIRE QUESTION

Hey folks, just another silly question. I bought a new Dunlop tire at an auction for the rear tire on my 1981 KZ1000. After I had it all mounted, I see on the side of the tire "FOR FRONT TIRE USE ONLY". Other than the obvious (to me) that the front tire will not wear as much as the back ........ What difference does it make lol. Hopefully someone much smarter than I am about tires can answer this question for me. Thanks in advance, Jon

Most like relates to the tread pattern and the ability to shed water. Might also be related to the curve shape.

Another possibility –

Forces on the front tire are greatest when braking and are applied in one direction. Forces on the rear tire are greatest when accelerating and are applied in the opposite direction than the front tire braking forces. Assuming that the tire manufacturer took these facts into account when designing the internal construction of the tire that may be the reason that the tire intended for use on the front is marked "FOR FRONT TIRE USE ONLY.” Ed

A 90 second web search finds these references -
From the Dunlop site:
"Why are some front and rear patterns reversed? What about channeling the water?"
"Many Dunlop motorcycle tire patterns have “reversed front patterns” compared to rear, because different forces act on front and rear tires. We test all Dunlop tires for satisfactory wet performance in the direction as indicated on the sidewall. It is important to always mount the tire in the correct direction of rotation as indicated by the arrow on the sidewall."

"Can I put a rear tire on the front or vice-versa?"
"Motorcycle tires are designed to work together in front or rear applications due to loading, steering and braking forces. Unless specially designed, you can only use a front on the front and a rear on the rear, following the directional rotation arrows."

The MSF weighs in on the question:
"...tires are specifically designed for use only on the front or rear wheel..."
www.msf-usa.org/downloads/mic_tire_guide_2012v1.pdf

We'll just leave it at that.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE