Trike tires again

[RobertW]

OK, I have a 2008 GL1800. It has 5k miles on it. The front tread has 1/16 inch of tread. It's time for a new tire. It seems to me that a trike tire only wears at the center and not the sides like a regular bike. I wonder if there is a tire out there that is flatter on the bottom? Is this a good idea?
If not (probably not) what would last longer than 5000 miles?

 

[Rosy]

MPA reverse direction mounted with Dyna beads for balancing and 41 psi.
02 GL 1800 Hannigan trike.

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

 

[skuuter]

Michelin Pilot Activ Rear Sport Bike Tire...available in the exact Gold Wing Front Tire Size (Ninja 250 rear tire)...mounting in reverse or straight up is Your Option...mounting order is always in "debate" here at TRIKE TALK.com...there are Threads in the Honda Section, including one of my own, that discuss this at great length.....ThumbUp

 

[RobertW]

Is there even a flat bottom tire around?

 

[bayoudave]

I don't know but I just replaced my front tire (2002 GL1800 w/motortrike) with 22,000 miles on it and still had some tread. It was the Pilot Active as mentioned above. Can't beat them for the ride or the wear.

 

[RobertW]

So why did my tire go away after only 5000 miles?

 

[mhgoldwing]

Also the Bridgestone Battleax BT-45.

You probably had the original tire on the bike and they simply are not strong enough to handle the loads a trike induces. Also, the tires mentioned, the MPA and the BT-45 are BIASED ply tires, not radials. Radials flex too much under the side loading of a trike steering through turns.

 

[bikerbillone]

I did a post on here as well, I thought, confirming the BT45, great tire. Shopped around, found best price at Dennis Kirk.

 

[John Luciano]

If you replace it with anything but a rear tire ( as mentioned there are a few choices) and anything but a bias ply, you will wear out another front tire in less than 7,000 miles. Go straight to where ever you get tires, order a Bias ply REAR motorcycle tire , the same size you now have on the front of the trike. Have it mounted and forget about rethinking this. The research has been done and this is the answer. Carved in stone, there are no options.

 

[skuuter]

So why did my tire go away after only 5000 miles?

(A) Radial Tires have more sidewall flex than bias ply Tires. Trikes carry more weight on the Front Tire than do regular 2-Wheel Motorycles. Since You actually steer a Trike, You cause the sidewall to twist and flex more than it was designed for. The softer sidewall helps a 2-Wheeler maintain traction in a lean/counter steer scenario required for completing corners.

(B) Front Tires for Motorcycles tend to be slightly softer compound tread rubber than Rear Tires, even in the same designated Tire Family. They also have less Tread Rubber thickness than a Rear Tire.

(C) The Overall Twisting and Flexing of the Stock 2-Wheeler Tire, first leads to cupping on the Tire, which, in turn speeds up the Tread Wear Process even more

Hope this helped a small amount for a "quick thumbnail explanation" of Your tire's early demise.....definetly replace it with a Rear Tire as suggested, and read some more, lengthier Threads on the subject.....ThumbUp

 

[bikerbillone]

Well said, John, short, simple, and true.....

 

[Gary Hellums]

I replaced the OEM front tire on my '10 Champion Conversion at about 8500 miles (about the same mileage I used to get on my two-wheel Wing) with Bridgestone Battleax BT45 mounted reverse rotation. Keep inflated to 41 PSI. The BT 45 started cupping at about 8000 miles. Now with about 15000 on the tire it's time to replace it again.

 

[bikerbillone]

Use BT45 with Ride On product. You won't have a cupping problem, you'll have peace of mind on the road, you'll get excellent wear and smile with the miles.

 

[Konrad]

Use BT45 with Ride On product. You won't have a cupping problem, you'll have peace of mind on the road, you'll get excellent wear and smile with the miles.

Second That! pepper pepper

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks Konrad, good to have a little agreement here.

 

[kerr88]

Michelin Pilot Activ Rear, mounted in reverse....Got it on my 2010 GW, RS Rig.

 

[Pegasus1300]

There is only one flat section tire for motorcycles that I know of and that is a sidecar tire made by Avon. It is a bias tire 18" diameter but it is a tube type tire.

 

[rkenman44]

OK, I have a 2008 GL1800. It has 5k miles on it. The front tread has 1/16 inch of tread. It's time for a new tire. It seems to me that a trike tire only wears at the center and not the sides like a regular bike. I wonder if there is a tire out there that is flatter on the bottom? Is this a good idea?
If not (probably not) what would last longer than 5000 miles?

I just went to the dark side on my Burgman 400 trike. It took a lot of air to get it to seat, but the car tire should get 25,000 to 30,000 miles. Since I have a trike kit, and my scooter drive tire doesn't lean much if any. I've also heard of people using a motorcycle rear tire on the front, for extra wear life

 

[skuuter]

Will be interested to read about the Car Tire's reaction to rain and water on a fairly light Scooter Trike after using it a few thousand miles.....ThumbUp

 

[plmath]

I bought my trike new and it had a BS on it and I didn't even put many miles on it before it started to cup so I went to the MPA mounted backwards.

 

[aquariusbabe]

I agree about the front tire...only wear is in middle, my outer edges look new I worry about tire blowing, Back tires put on same time as front tire, yet back tires look new, very little tread used. You have a good idea about the front tire, but would we get as smooth a ride with different type tire?

 

[skuuter]

Since the Rear Tires on a Trike are Automotive Tires, They should last longer than any Motorcycle Front Tire because of Harder Rubber Compounds and built to carry more weight than a Trike has. I was perfectly happy with the Michelin Pilot Activ for a front Tire.....Great Handling, Quicker Turn-in, Much Longer Wear before Cupping.....ThumbUp

 

[aquariusbabe]

I'm new to Triking....divorced last June, bought my GW Trike last Sept...what is BT45 with ride on product?

 

[bikerbillone]

The B45 is a Bridgestone Battlax BT45H, 130/70H-18, which is designed for the rear of Wing but fits the front, gives very good wear and stability as reported by many riders. Ride is a product inserted into the tire through the valve stem which provides balance to the tire, while also giving some good protedtion against punctures. Try this link for a good explanation for what it does.....
Tire Sealant | Puncture Repair | Flat Tire Repair | Tire Protection Systems for Motorcycle, Automotive, ATV and Heavy Equipment - Ride-On

 

[haddont]

MPA rear tire mounted in reverse direction with Ride-On in the tire. I got 2000 miles out of the stock tire that came on my Motor Trike, I got 3000 miles out of a BT45? and 7000 miles out of the third tire. I don't remember what kind it was. I now have over 15K on the MPA and it is hardly worn.
I also looked for a car tire for the front of my GL1800 Motor Trike and couldn't find one. I guess as long a Michelin keeps making the MPA I don't have to fret over it too much.

 

[bikerbillone]

3K from the BT45? Now that's just plain weird.......

 

[carbco]

[I agree with both rosy and Skuuter. MPA Biased ply rear tire run in reverse or in normal direction. I've tried Dunflop, Stones, and the most mileage I've gotten is 8000 from the Stones. Will go to the MPA next and run it at 41 psi. CSC Cobra XL. ThumbUp

 

[bikerbillone]

Did you try the BT45 (rear) and if so, what mileage did you get? I find it hard to believe that BT45 (rear) would only get 8K miles.....

 

[ErinTier]

I think 8500 miles are more than enough for this, it's more than the average. May be the milage on two wheels is different.

 

[skuuter]

I took both of my Michelin Pilot Activs off around 15,000 miles because of "very slight cupping".....I figure They could have easily gone 25,000+ miles as far as good tread, etc. I tend to ride extremely hard at times, and live in an Area that has Constant Twisties and Mountain Roads, so I tend to be extremely "fanatical" about Tires always feeling perfect. Once I can feel the slightest interruption in "Tire Perfection", it's time for a New One.

Most Riders will be served fine by the MPA for easily 20,000+ miles.....ThumbUp