What's the difference between a front tire and a rear tire?

[warnerwh]

Looking to get a new front and the 120/80/17 seems to be listed as a rear tire in at least 2 brands.  If there's a functional difference I'd appreciate knowing it.  Thanks

[TLRam1]

The forces a tire is made to endure are different.

One is made for stopping (front) and the other is made for pushing (rear) the bike. A rear tire on the front is reversed when stopping where a majority of weight/force from the bike is. Some tires are non-directional where it would not matter. 

Other differences will be tread pattern for water, many rear tires do not a groove in the middle.

[hootmon]

Terry;
   Always the Smartee.. Good info.

[TLRam1]

Terry;
   Always the Smartee.. Good info.

Haha....if only I were! 

[warnerwh]

Thanks for the answer.  Makes sense now.

[hootmon]

I think this may have been posted before, but since we are bringing up tires...

Click on this link to see a very detailed explaination of tire wear and how it happens and what it means.

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/tirewear/