Would it be a better or worse to have 205 / 50-16 on The front and 225 / 45 - 16 on the rears?

Oh God, here we go on the which tyre has more grip debate

It really doesn't matter, which ever way you want to do it as according to some, both tyres have the same amount of grip.

personally I would put the 225s on the back if I *had* to have differing sizes front to back.

It'll not make much difference on the rears as they don't turn, accelerate, or even brake much. I guess it could help reduce the rear end coming round if it got un-loaded for some reason but I'm really not sure.

Shamelessly stolen from wikipedia:


i.e. you change the shape of the contact patch, not the size of it - hence same overall grip but (slightly) different handling characteristics.