I don't want to create a new thread and I don't want to completely hijack this one.
So I'll provide my reply to the original quesiton first, and a sk a question at the end.
When I bought my Savage (September '05) she was shod with Avon Venoms front&rear, very grippy "supersports" rubber.
That rubber had been fitted in the Spring, I bought the bike end September, and the tires were still good and grippy in the Spring 2012... (6 years old!)
BUT
they were beginning to show some "glazing" at the sides - i.e. the silicone in the rubber was ageing and hardening beyond safety standards.
Today I have Pirelli MT66 "Route" in 100/90x19 (front) and 140/90x15 (rear) sizes.
YES the rear is a bit taller, NO it does not create a problem.
My BMW R1200, on the other hand, was initially shod with the OEM Bridgestone Battlax
Sehe is now shod with Metzeler Rennsports
which are supersports very grippy dry weather tires; in the rain I ride with more caution but have never dropped the bike, and after almost 6000 miles the front is still as new while the rear does have a 1" wide "wear alley".
I bought these because of a special "half price" sale, else I was quite happy with the Bridgestones.
If you do much riding in wet/damp conditions, may I suggest Michelin Pilot Road 3, which are specifically engineered for wet roads.