2nd HALF

[biddlej]

Forgot to ask: why a bias ply on the front instead of a radial. Just another rookie question but always trying to learn!

 

[Bikerbozo]

I'm going to guess that Bias is rounder and easier to steer. Radials always have that wider, flater look. Probably more difficult to turn.

 

[Nana]

I understand that the side walls are softer with the radials. With the steering on the front wheel, that no doubt makes a difference.

 

[John Luciano]

Radial is soft sided walls and flex, you get a bounce feeling . The bias ply stand up to the twist and grind . When you are pushing the hard corner, you don't want the flex.

 

[Motogordo]

9/5/12<br />
I find this very confusing also. One person says a rear radial or rear bias ply on the front. Radial or Bias Ply on the front ? Different tire pressures. I am not sure there is an exact answer. Everyone has a different opinion. I guess the only way to solve this problem is to try each of the choices, one at a time. This isn't easy to do until your tires are ready to be replaced. LOL. One dealer says it doesn't matter which tire you use on the front.

Is there an answer or is it another "Different Strokes for Different Folks? " My biggest concern is "What is the best tire for making turns and is one safer then the other ?" Any opinions would be greatly appreciated since I am new to trikes. However, I had a 2011 Canam Spyder RTS/SE5 for a year and everything was fine and nobody ever mentioned different types of tires. Whatever came with the bike was what we used. Go figure.<br />
Motogordo<img src="images/smilies/shrug.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Shrug" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Rosy]

Here are some answers to your question as my Goldwing only shop told me to use on my 02 GL1800 Hannigan trike and he explained why: Michelin Pilot tires
Front tire for Michelin rating: 1-soft-- 2 --- 3 medium for hardness
Picture your front tire as a semi circle from the side of the rim to the other side of the rim- The sides closes to the rim are a #1 soft --- the middle of the tire is a #2--- the other side is also a #1
Rear tire: sides closes to the rim- #2---the middle of the tire is a #3--the other side is also a #2
Now because the front tire of a trike does not lean into the curves, you do not need the soft side to grip as you would do riding a regular 2 wheel Goldwing. So you take the rear tire and mount it on the front reverse direction and add beads in the tire to keep it balance as you ride to reduce cupping. He told me I should get better mileage out of these tires than my Avons I had before.
I have over 2000 miles on the tire as we speak and it looks like the day they put it on.
Front pressure: 41 PSI
Rear pressure: 20 PSI also Michelin, car tires
Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

 

[rmrc51]

Here are some answers to your question as my Goldwing only shop told me to use on my 02 GL1800 Hannigan trike and he explained why: Michelin Pilot tires
Front tire for Michelin rating: 1-soft-- 2 --- 3 medium for hardness
Picture your front tire as a semi circle from the side of the rim to the other side of the rim- The sides closes to the rim are a #1 soft --- the middle of the tire is a #2--- the other side is also a #1
Rear tire: sides closes to the rim- #2---the middle of the tire is a #3--the other side is also a #2
Now because the front tire of a trike does not lean into the curves, you do not need the soft side to grip as you would do riding a regular 2 wheel Goldwing. So you take the rear tire and mount it on the front reverse direction and add beads in the tire to keep it balance as you ride to reduce cupping. He told me I should get better mileage out of these tires than my Avons I had before.
I have over 2000 miles on the tire as we speak and it looks like the day they put it on.
Front pressure: 41 PSI
Rear pressure: 20 PSI also Michelin, car tires
Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

Rosy,

Your explanation is exactly the same as my dealer told me! My trike is there being serviced and I'm also having a a rear 'Michelin Pilot Active' mounted in front as well. ThumbUp

 

[John Luciano]

BIAS PLY ON THE FRONT... <br />
USE A TIRE THE SAME SIZE AS THE FRONT TIRE WAS , BUT USE A REAR TIRE<br />
This tire will be a tire that is used as a rear tire in a different <br />
Motorcycle than you have.<br />
MOUNT IT EITHER REV OR NORMAL DIRECTION.<br />
41. LBS FRONT TIRE<br />
18 to 22 lb REAR TIRES <br />
YOU CAN USE ANY BRAND TIRE : the Battle Axe ,Venom,Pilot Activ ( no e ) , some even tried a Chinese tire from JC Whitney .<br />
All this is carved in stone... These are the rules they have been proven with over, 11 years of testing, you all can do what you want, but this is the best way to set up your trike. Never heard of changing a tire on a Spyder. It was designed as a trike as was the Stallion.

 

[Mick]

A rear tire pretty much has twice the tread depth of a front tire. Some dealers will tell you it doesnt matter what tire because they know a stock wing radial lasts anywhere from 4-7000 miles on a trike. This is how some dealers take advantage of trike owners. Where a Bias-ply rear tire goes 20-30,000 miles. The added plus with the bias-ply versus radial is the bias-ply is easier to steer because you're not fighting trying to steer the sidewall.

 

[lectric]

Agree with what others have posted about the side walls. Now for the reversing the rear bias and putting on the front. It has been explained that is due to the lapping of the belts in cnstruction. On a rear tire they are lapped to deal with acceleration forces, put it on the front and you need to reverse it as it now deals with braking forces.