I put some Dumlop Q2's on and after 4000 miles the rear is just about toast (wear bars showing new the edge of the tread). I want to just put a sport touring tyre on the rear since most of my miles are commuting now (500 miles a week to and from work and 300 on weekend rides to and through canyons). The front still has a thousand or two miles on it, has anyone ran mismatched tyres? I know I'm being a cheap ass, but I would be riding very hard on it at least until I get a matched set again.

Something like a Dunlop Roadsmart should be fine

.......mismatched tyre problems can even be caused by wear (even on a matched pair).....as the 'older' tyre will have a different profile than it did when it was new

.....Its a case of suck it and see .....if it feels unstable / does not want to ''tip in'' like it did before...I would change the front

Only one serious down side...if you have an accident.....mismatched tyres will be one of the reasons that the insurance company could use not to pay out

Might just try the road smart and sustain from hooliganism for a little bit.

Strange how people want to save on the thing that saves your arse.

Nice knowing you... good luck...

It depends mostly on the profile of the tyre whether it's a good idea or not. Usually a sporting tyre on the front and a tour/sport on the rear from the same brand and line don't give problems.
Michelin and Dunlop for instance have completely different carcasses so these are a bad combo. Pilot power front and pilot road rear works fine.
Front usually goes for 2 or 3 rears so replacing them sooner isn't that expensive on the long term. Short term though...

I do it all the time. For street riding I prefer a sport front with sport touring rear combo. The VFR currently has a Roadsmart II rear and Q2 track takeoff ( ) front. Feels amazing.

tyres are great as long as they aren't really old or improperly inflated, road conditions and bad suspension settings will catch you out long before a set of mismatched tyres fail to get along.