I am almost convinced...rear tire on front wheel & TG is running great!

[arnie]

I used a Dunlop 402. mt90b rear tire

 

[Crocsr]

rear tire on front wheel of trike

I've been asking (posting) about changing the front tire on a trike to something different, and found this older post. Does anyone have any more info, or an update to the experience of the rear tire on the front wheel?

 

[Notgrownup]

I have it on my 14 Tri Glide, rode up to Amish country PA the WV, VA and NC mountains. Rode through downpours,it did fine. Mine is a Dunlop D402 mounted backwards.

 

[ultrafxr]

Dunlop American Elite rear tire mounted in reverse. Rides and handles great dry or wet. No issues at all. Kevin at DK runs the same setup.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I've been asking (posting) about changing the front tire on a trike to something different, and found this older post. Does anyone have any more info, or an update to the experience of the rear tire on the front wheel?

Here's an update:



Kevin

 

[cycle7447]

I have been doing this since 1990 (previously on my GoldWings)

My new trike still has the original tire on it - however, when I need a new tire, this is exactly my plan again.

From other post, I understand that Avon makes a trike specific tire that is designed to do just this - and I will certainly take a look.

 

[cycle7447]

While not yet needed, I decided to take a look. From what I found, the AV71 has been discontinued and the new tire is the AV91 - for me, that is the 130/70R18 63V.

After searching high and low, most of the places show they are out of stock. Cost was about $240 or so. One store says they have 9 of them but the cost is about $335.

Glad I don't need it yet and perhaps they will be available or come down after the riding season. My current tire had 8K on it and still looks good. If things go south during the riding season, I can always just put a regular tire on it.

 

[cycle7447]

I have continued to follow this. Was at my dealership yesterday - yep, that time is still on backorder everywhere - cost is about $331. My front tire still looks good - has 4/32 left and just 8.5K on it. Showed the dealer the Avon tire and the first thing the service manager said was, I think that's the way to go. They could see the tread and tire design.

Here is what I am doing. Have a few trips coming up. Should have over 10K on the bike after my next trip. When I get there, will take the bike in for the 10K checkup. At the same time, I will change the tire.

Yesterday (6/19/23) I ordered the tire from Summit. To my surprise, it was shipped yesterday and the notice I got this morning said I will have it in my hand today (6/20/23).

Also, interesting - my bike is a 2021 Ultra that I converted with a CSC kit. The wheel on my bike is an 18 - whereas the wheel on the Triglide is a 16. Service said they may start to look into the 16 Avon when doing trike tires.

 

[cycle7447]

New tire arrived today. Will get it installed after my next trip - bike should have 10K on it by then.

 

[SmittysTrike]

I just finished a 4 corner trip with the rear Dunlap American Elite tire mounted backwards. Over 11k miles and rain like Moses was waiting to float a boat. We were running right around 70 with no problems. Very pleased with the performance of the tire. I measured the tread depth before leaving and again yesterday. Just about 1/32" difference. I think this tire will be on my trike for awhile.

Do a search here to see pics I posted of the Dunlap rear and a front. The tread direction goes the same way a front tire does after reversed. I felt no hydroplaning at all. Very stable in turns wet or dry.

 

[RKplus10]

Smitty, glad you had a safe trip and thanks for the tire review, but I feel you’re spreading some false information here. Pretty sure it was Noah waiting with the big boat.

 

[SmittysTrike]

Smitty, glad you had a safe trip and thanks for the tire review, but I feel you’re spreading some false information here. Pretty sure it was Noah waiting with the big boat.

I stand corrected. But I'm used to that. I'm married...

 

[Crocsr]

rear tire on front wheel of trike

I've been asking (posting) about changing the front tire on a trike to something different, and found this older post. Does anyone have any more info, or an update to the experience of the rear tire on the front wheel?

Thanks for the input guys, very helpful, especially the video from DK products.

 

[Notgrownup]

I put about 10000 miles on my D402 mounted reverse nd had no adverse effects and cut through the wet roads perfectly on 2 trips pulling a trailer as well.

 

[al704]

I put about 10000 miles on my D402 mounted reverse nd had no adverse effects and cut through the wet roads perfectly on 2 trips pulling a trailer as well.

What air pressure are you running

 

[DK Custom Products]

I have always run the max psi listed on the sidewall with good success.

Kevin

 

[Notgrownup]

What air pressure are you running

I believe I was running 38psi but I just traded it for a 21 and now back to a stock front.

 

[David792]

New Rear Tires

I'm thinking of buying new rear tires.

My trike is a 2018 and the Dunlop Signature tires are stamped manufactured in Feb 2018.

They look good and have about 4mm - 5mm of tread left. (about 5-6/32"). New ones should have a full 11/32".

Sidewalls look good, but approaching 6 years I'm thinking they might be getting hard. I am planning a 5,000 mile trip summer of 2024.

I think that for peace of mind, and not wanting to wait until they rot, I should go ahead and buy a new set.

Is there a softer sidewall out there that might smooth the ride?

 

[Notgrownup]

Michelin Defender. I put them on my 14 and last ride with it was Nova Scotia Cabot Trail and Quebec , New Brunswick ride. I sold the bike when I got home to trade fora 21. They were smooth. I will go with them again when my stockers are worn.