Mixing radial and Bias ply tires

[makksdad]

I need tires for my R18 First Edition. I have Bridgestone Battlecruise tires on it now, 120/70 B19 in front, and 180/65 B16 in the rear. Two bias ply tires. The manual is saying to put a radial tire on the front, and a bias tire on the rear. Do any of you ride with this tire combination, and does your bike handle ok. Everything I've heard and read was you never mix radial and bias tires.
I'm thinking of switching to Michelin Commander II. Nobody even offers a bias ply tire for the front.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks

 

[Ulrich]

Funny you mentioned that, I was told the same thing ... You mix them and the abyss will open up and will swallow the world whole!! LoL ... Well the BMW engineers proved that wrong ... 16 000 miles with that mix match and I still love the way she rides

 

[makksdad]

Funny you mentioned that, I was told the same thing ... You mix them and the abyss will open up and will swallow the world whole!! LoL ... Well the BMW engineers proved that wrong ... 16 000 miles with that mix match and I still love the way she rides

Thanks Ulrich! That's all I wanted to hear.

 

[johndeeredr]

Don’t put the commander 2 in the front . It will make a noise and vibration on certain rd conditions. I would just stay with Bridgestone H-50 front and rear . I had a set of commander 2 on my R18B when I purchased it used I thought I made a mistake buying it . Until I switched out tires after reading on this forum about some of the issues with the front tire . Do some more research here . It’s a big investment nowadays for tires !

 

[makksdad]

Don’t put the commander 2 in the front . It will make a noise and vibration on certain rd conditions. I would just stay with Bridgestone H-50 front and rear . I had a set of commander 2 on my R18B when I purchased it used I thought I made a mistake buying it . Until I switched out tires after reading on this forum about some of the issues with the front tire . Do some more research here . It’s a big investment nowadays for tires !

I read about that with the Commander III, I didn't know it was a problem with the IIs also. I was happy with the Bridgestones, so maybe I will keep with them.
Thanks for your input.

 

[johndeeredr]

We’re limited to brands for are front tire size . The rear is available in a lot of brands. If Shinko had a size for the front , that would be my tire of choice front and rear . Ran those on my Harley and was pleased with the price and performance. Can’t go wrong with Bridgestone.

 

[Mr. Efficiency]

I just got the commander 3s on my R18… yep BMW has a radial/Bias mix for the R18. Whatever works I do like the new Michelin commander IIIs and I liked the Michelin Commanders on the bike originally

 

[emgarciax]

I just got the commander 3s on my R18… yep BMW has a radial/Bias mix for the R18. Whatever works I do like the new Michelin commander IIIs and I liked the Michelin Commanders on the bike originally

Pretty happy with mines so far.