Front tire mileage stinks

[MikeyTX]

Why do you run it reversed ???

He backs up a lot ........................... epper::wave4::gah::clapping:

 

[FuLong]

Dammed, no car tire in the needed size available
Now I have a Dunlop D402 rear tire in reverse direction, I hope it lasts longer than 5k miles.

 

[MikeyTX]

Why ?

I do not understand this propensity to use a tire designed for the rear on the front when there is available a dedicated front trike tire from Avon.

 

[FuLong]

I just searched for Avon and trike, google finds the Avon Cobra AV71, but on the German Avon site I can't read anything about Trike.
So, no option for me, if they don't inform the customer.

 

[Capt.Bob]

I do not understand this propensity to use a tire designed for the rear on the front when there is available a dedicated front trike tire from Avon.

Mike, From what I have been reading about the Avon trike specific tire, there have been some complaints of poor wet weather handling and some wandering of the front end. Kevin of DK Products uses his TGU as basic transportation and racks up the miles and he has stated that he prefers to use the Dunlop American Elite MT90 B16 74H installed in the reverse direction as his preferred tire. He has stated that it does not seem to wander and has excellent wet weather traction. For the reasons stated above, I just ordered a Dunlop from his partner Devin and it should be here in a day or two. I have just about 14k on my OEM tire and it does not show any signs of quitting on me tread-wise for another probably 2-3k miles. I don't ride my bike like and old lady and was taking gentle sweepers out West at 70-80 mph

 

[prariepilot]

Question on Trike Tires

Mike, From what I have been reading about the Avon trike specific tire, there have been some complaints of poor wet weather handling and some wandering of the front end. Kevin of DK Products uses his TGU as basic transportation and racks up the miles and he has stated that he prefers to use the Dunlop American Elite MT90 B16 74H installed in the reverse direction as his preferred tire. He has stated that it does not seem to wander and has excellent wet weather traction. For the reasons stated above, I just ordered a Dunlop from his partner Devin and it should be here in a day or two. I have just about 14k on my OEM tire and it does not show any signs of quitting on me tread-wise for another probably 2-3k miles. I don't ride my bike like and old lady and was taking gentle sweepers out West at 70-80 mph

You mention the preference of the Dunlop American Elite in MT90 B16 74H. My interpretation of the NHTSA Tire guide indicates this is a BIAS ply tire.

We always hear the warning on automobiles to "never mix bias-ply and radial-ply tires on a vehicle". Does this hold true for the TG?

 

[Capt.Bob]

You mention the preference of the Dunlop American Elite in MT90 B16 74H. My interpretation of the NHTSA Tire guide indicates this is a BIAS ply tire.

We always hear the warning on automobiles to "never mix bias-ply and radial-ply tires on a vehicle". Does this hold true for the TG?

Prariepilot, I think my current original stock front Dunlop 402F on my TGU are also a bias ply tire in the MT90b16 72H size. So I guess I am not changing the strategy that Harley had?

 

[Capt.Bob]

Mike, In terms of running the rear tire in reverse, this is what Avon suggests if using a rear tire on the front: "If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation only and for some reason you want to put it on the front, make sure it is rotating in the opposite direction so you don’t aggravate the tread splice." Avon Tyre

 

[prariepilot]

Tire Strategy

Prariepilot, I think my current original stock front Dunlop 402F on my TGU are also a bias ply tire in the MT90b16 72H size. So I guess I am not changing the strategy that Harley had?

I haven't checked my tires for the Bias/Radial mix yet, and am following this thread closely, as I'll need to replace them in about 1K.
If Harley mixes Bias and Radial, then they should know! (?) I like the idea of getting better than 7K miles on a front tire! This will be my second one in 14K!

BTW, Had a conversation with the guys at Dunlop....
....There is a new "Signature II" series tire on the market in sizes to fit the rear. The P205/65 R15 94T is $83.66 at my local Sams Club. I've got 30K on my rear tires and they're due. Guys at Dunlop say they are an acceptable substitute for the H-D OEM rear tire.

Thanks, Capt Bob for the insight on H-D strategy!

 

[MikeyTX]

Prariepilot, I think my current original stock front Dunlop 402F on my TGU are also a bias ply tire in the MT90b16 72H size. So I guess I am not changing the strategy that Harley had?

Believe he is referring to the rear tires which, are radial

 

[Capt.Bob]

Believe he is referring to the rear tires which, are radial

Granted. I think Prariepilot was concerned about mixing a bias ply front with the stock radial rears. I am somewhat surprised that he is only getting 7k out of his front bias ply tires here in Florida where the roads are not that rough or twisty. It sounds like the Dunlop American Elite rear tire moved up front and run in reverse direction may be a solution to him getting a lot more miles per front tire?

 

[1dn5up]

Correct ... loads of trikers do this. Mine is mounted in reverse rotation per Michelins directions (has to do with the tread splice). You get almost twice the tread depth in a rear tire versus a front tire.

I expect to easily get 25,000 miles out of this tire.

View attachment 37853

:Agree:

 

[prariepilot]

Checked the tires....

....and Capt. Bob's right! I've got a MoCo BIAS on the front and MoCo RADIALS on the back. Guess the MoCo knows what's best!

As for wearing out tires, I'm a "back-road" rider, not confining myself to Florida. I've made two 'round trips to PA, one to the Canadian Maritimes - PEI and Cabot and Fundy trails - then cross-Canada to MKE and back. Been on the "Tail", Moonshiner and the Cherahola Skyway. A lot of the roads didn't even have pavement markings!

Next summer we're going to trace Kevin's 2016 (DK Custom Products) route from FL out Through Yellowstone and the lot. BUT, no Interstates, just back roads! So I need a set of tires that will take a beating!

 

[Capt.Bob]

....and Capt. Bob's right! I've got a MoCo BIAS on the front and MoCo RADIALS on the back. Guess the MoCo knows what's best!

As for wearing out tires, I'm a "back-road" rider, not confining myself to Florida. I've made two 'round trips to PA, one to the Canadian Maritimes - PEI and Cabot and Fundy trails - then cross-Canada to MKE and back. Been on the "Tail", Moonshiner and the Cherahola Skyway. A lot of the roads didn't even have pavement markings!

Next summer we're going to trace Kevin's 2016 (DK Custom Products) route from FL out Through Yellowstone and the lot. BUT, no Interstates, just back roads! So I need a set of tires that will take a beating!

Prariepilot, I too have gone up to the Maritmes and ridden to PEI and around Fundy but on a Honda ST1300. What fun!!!

I just received my Dunlop American Elite rear tire this afternoon from DK Custom Products. They seem to have the best prices around and the tire arrived here in Florida in less than two days after ordering. Highly recommended. Although I have a couple of thousand miles left in my front OEM tire after 14k, I am going to change it out for the American Elite because I want to see how well the two compare before my OEM tire is too dogged to make a decent comparison.

 

[prariepilot]

Where's the tire section?

Prariepilot, I too have gone up to the Maritmes and ridden to PEI and around Fundy but on a Honda ST1300. What fun!!! I just received my Dunlop American Elite rear tire this afternoon from DK Custom Products. They seem to have the best prices around and the tire arrived here in Florida in less than two days after ordering. Highly recommended. Although I have a couple of thousand miles left in my front OEM tire after 14k, I am going to change it out for the American Elite because I want to see how well the two compare before my OEM tire is too dogged to make a decent comparison.

Capt. Bob / Kevin,

I've been all over the DK website. Where's the tire listings? What is the American Elite MT90 B16 74H list for ($$$) at DK?

Thanks!

 

[Capt.Bob]

Capt. Bob / Kevin,

I've been all over the DK website. Where's the tire listings? What is the American Elite MT90 B16 74H list for ($$$) at DK?

Thanks!

Just give Devin a call at the DK main number and he will quote you a shipped price to your location.

 

[HarleyPap57]

Prariepilot, I too have gone up to the Maritmes and ridden to PEI and around Fundy but on a Honda ST1300. What fun!!! I just received my Dunlop American Elite rear tire this afternoon from DK Custom Products. They seem to have the best prices around and the tire arrived here in Florida in less than two days after ordering. Highly recommended. Although I have a couple of thousand miles left in my front OEM tire after 14k, I am going to change it out for the American Elite because I want to see how well the two compare before my OEM tire is too dogged to make a decent comparison.

You won't be disappointed with your tire choice. 27,000 miles and counting and still looks great. Ride a lot of twisty roads around western NC and eastern TN. I actually think I can get 35,000 to 40,000 on it.

 

[FuLong]

Dunlop D402

Now I have the Dunlop D402 rear tire installed an did the first 300 miles.
Seems to have a good grip on dry streets and gives a good stability. Don't feel any difference in handling.
Starts with 7mm of profile depth, I am curious how long its holding.