OK I will bet the has been discussed but what is the consensus, on what brand, over size a little or what have you. I'm thinking about a Dunlop Spitfire raise white letter, my front now is a 130/90/16, looking to got to 140/?? comments??:wave4:
Rear MC tire on front????
- Thread starter sparkman
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- #3
I did a bunch of research on this, in my opinion reversing the tire is no longer required. I know a bunch of the guys on "THE DARK SIDE" run car tires on back, with rear MC tire on front .... doing it for years now. If I was still on two wheels, CT would be on the back LOL! Trikes are different than two wheelers, we use the front brake "a lot" more. Water shedding is the only trouble I can see, just wondered if anyone has done the switch. Dark siders are getting 30k on the back and 20k on the front.
Should be able to find ALL the info you can use on front tires already posted.
What's wrong with the tire's that the Harley engineers designed ?.. Harley has been at it for over a 110 years now, I would say they kinda know what their talking about 
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What's wrong with the tire's that the Harley engineers designed ?.. Harley has been at it for over a 110 years now, I would say they kinda know what their talking about
Harley is also in the business of selling parts & tires........ Just sayin'....
What they put out works, but what if a better way to use even their parts works with less parts bought in the future ? What is wrong with that?
What's wrong with the tire's that the Harley engineers designed ?.. Harley has been at it for over a 110 years now, I would say they kinda know what their talking about
There is nothing wrong with the tire on the front of a trike. However a new tire (402 stock tire) has 5/32 of tread, 2/32 is the limit to be replaced. By using the same size tire only a rear tire (402 stock tire) it has 9/32 of tread. What this means to me is rather than replace a stock front tire every year (at $175.00 from Harley) I change only one tire in 2 1/2 to 3 years ($220.00 from Harley) Plus you get a different compound on the center of a rear tire that is designed to last longer. Of course you can buy tires from someone other than Harley and get them much cheaper, different tires have different tread depths (Dunlop American Elite has 11/32)
Harley has been in around for over 110 years and hopefully will be for a lot longer. They can do that in part from selling replacement parts which is fine. However I for one do not have the same deep pockets Harley does so I need to get the most for my money.. $175 X 3 = $525 compared to a rear that lasts for 3 years is still $220.00
:Agree:ThumbUp One of the reasons they are making parts more disposable vs rebuild-able.
Great comment Moe...just want to say don't forget to mount that rear tire backward when going on front...and my only problem with that is how it will work in the rain...but I am going to try it just the same...
It will work just fine, I've been running this way since late 2012 when my factory tire gave it up at 8K, the rear on the front backwards now has about 10K on it and looks like it will go another 8-10K. I've been in some pretty good rains and very wet roads and that front tire has never been a problem, it sheds water a lot better than the rears do. Try it you'll like it.
Nothing wrong with that Sloufoot.
Every one should do what makes them happy.
BTW.... all M/C parts business's are also in the business of selling just parts and tires etc. for M/C,s .. that's how they make a living.
As far as the right size tires for a Harley, I would rather trust Harley and Dunlop to decide that.
Again, everyone should do what makes them happy.
"Happy Veterans day to all you Vet,s"
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- #12
Nothing wrong with Harley tires .... they are made by Bridgestone .... Harley oil is also farmed out .... I use Amsoil .... and a Hayden chain tensioner ... that's not the discussion .... I am about to be in the market for a new front tire ..... AND it will be a rear tire of some kind ..... love my Harley Davidson, this will be the last motorcycle I own in this lifetime .... taking nothing from that ...
in the old days they ran what ever tire they could find on them LOL:Joker3:
in the old days they ran what ever tire they could find on them LOL:Joker3:
The tires are made by Dunlop who is owned by Goodyear since 1999.
- Thread starter
- #15
now that's what I wanted to hear and see thanks
and clearly states on the sidewall...Made In The USA...ThumbUp
OK a dumb Question . if I put a rear tire on the front which direction should the arrow on the tire sidewall be facing when standing in front of the bike????? would the arrow be on the left side facing toward the rear ????
The directional arrow on the sidewall of the tire when installed in reverse the wheel valve stem will be on the right side as you sit on the trike.
- Thread starter
- #19
epper: that meets my specs ThumbUp- - - Updated - - -
OK a dumb Question .
if I put a rear tire on the front which direction should the arrow on the tire sidewall be facing when standing in front of the bike????? would the arrow be on the left side facing toward the rear ????
I have been looking at the rear MC tire for some time ..... I would base my mounting direction on the tread pattern .... so water shedding would be best .... most of the guys on "Darkside" mount so direction arrow is correct ... check it out ... there's all kinds of discussion about tire splice point .... breaking .... torque ....
I really don't think that figures in now days :AGGHH:
While I cant respond to the use of a rear tire mount in the forward direction on the front I can state this as to running it mounted in reverse:
"In 30k miles I have ridden in wet weather and dry, pushed my trike into corners faster than normal. Not once did I have a moment of traction loss."
Here is a 2009 article on the subject from a rep of Avon Tires.
http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/08/23/...by-avon-tyres/
"In 30k miles I have ridden in wet weather and dry, pushed my trike into corners faster than normal. Not once did I have a moment of traction loss."
Here is a 2009 article on the subject from a rep of Avon Tires.
http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/08/23/...by-avon-tyres/
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Just curious,... Have you ever called Dunlop and ask would it be "safe" and also ok to use one of their tires designed for the rear wheel, to use it on the front wheel in reverse ? and would it effect the tire warranty in any way ? what did they say ?
I did not. I was my own guinea pig. :AGGHH:
I have known that M/C tires are constructed with splices laid so the forces will not peel them apart.
Additionally any extra contact patch, stronger rubber to resist wear, as well as having a rear tire designed to handle addtional weight is a plus.
Add in that the rear tire has more depth for wear and water wicking ability is another plus.
Stand a front tire and rear tire side by side when new, you will see a difference. Remember, we have to steer our trikes to turn, not lean into the turn.
My next front tire will be a Dunlop American Elite rear tire mounted in reverse.
I have known that M/C tires are constructed with splices laid so the forces will not peel them apart.
Additionally any extra contact patch, stronger rubber to resist wear, as well as having a rear tire designed to handle addtional weight is a plus.
Add in that the rear tire has more depth for wear and water wicking ability is another plus.
Stand a front tire and rear tire side by side when new, you will see a difference. Remember, we have to steer our trikes to turn, not lean into the turn.
My next front tire will be a Dunlop American Elite rear tire mounted in reverse.
I have 19,000 plus on original front tire.As I sit on the bike now the valve stem is on the right side and the directional arrow is on the left side pointing toward the front . When I replace the tire with a rear tire the valve stem will still be on the right side and the directional arrow will also be on the right side pointing to the rear as I sit on the bike.IS that what you are trying to tell this Dummy???????? Thanks for your help
Correct ThumbUp
Thanks:clapping:
So, if I wanted to put a front tire on the rear, and I am sitting on the bike looking to the rear, the valve steam would be on left and the directional arrow would be pointed to the front, right? :xzqxz:.
You guy's are cracking me up, USMC68 just said he got 19,000 plus miles on an org. front tire, don't know what went wrong with Livin2ride, he only got 8,000 miles ?
IMO why not put the tire that Harley and Dunlop engineers recommend before some one gets a bad case of cement rash or worse.
Don't mean to be rude, and if I am the only one here that thinks like this, then my next frt. tire will be a rear one on the front in reverse.
any opinions ? good or bad
, Thanks.
Think about your statement. You can only put a rear wheel on one way on a 2 wheel M/C.....I repeat......only one way.
The front wheel can be installed either direction. Leaving the valve stem to be on one side or the other if the M/C doesnt havr a ABS bearing is installed :gah:
So your comment is irrelevant.
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And just to be crystal clear, the reason the front and rear wheel valve stems are on the right, is so when the M/C is on the kickstand the rider can locate it easier.
If you so choose to use a front tire designed for a 2 wheel M/C which what came on your trike then continue to do so. I have no issue with your choice.
The front wheel can be installed either direction. Leaving the valve stem to be on one side or the other if the M/C doesnt havr a ABS bearing is installed :gah:
So your comment is irrelevant.
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And just to be crystal clear, the reason the front and rear wheel valve stems are on the right, is so when the M/C is on the kickstand the rider can locate it easier.
If you so choose to use a front tire designed for a 2 wheel M/C which what came on your trike then continue to do so. I have no issue with your choice.
I don't feel a bit guilty for wanting to get the most out of any product that will cut cost . I think their is enough evidence from a lot of riders that feel a rear tire on front is SAFE & Cost effective .I will be using a rear tire on front with a hope for many safe miles.
So, if I wanted to put a front tire on the rear, and I am sitting on the bike looking to the rear, the valve steam would be on left and the directional arrow would be pointed to the front, right? :xzqxz:.
You guy's are cracking me up, USMC68 just said he got 19,000 plus miles on an org. front tire, don't know what went wrong with Livin2ride, he only got 8,000 miles ?
IMO why not put the tire that Harley and Dunlop engineers recommend before some one gets a bad case of cement rash or worse.
Don't mean to be rude, and if I am the only one here that thinks like this, then my next frt. tire will be a rear one on the front in reverse.
any opinions ? good or bad
Why in gods name would you want to put a front tire on the rear?????? You lost me.
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I was going to attach the same article. ThumbUp Makes perfect sense.
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