Front tire recommendations

[dthorn]

Well its time for a new front tire for my 2017 tri glide over the winter. It has 21,000 miles and this will be the second front tire that I have had to put on. Last winter at 10,000 miles I put my first replacement tire. This year I put 11,000 miles on it here in Michigan because of all of the Covid closers. My wife and I escape the crazy restrictions on the open road. I put the same Dunlop tire that came from the factory last winter. miles. Of course I would like a tire that last longer then 10,000 or 11,000 miles but more important I would like a tire that has a smoother ride then the factory Dunlop. Any experiences and/or recommendations would be much appreciated.

 

[Zammy]

David, I can only go on my experience, my original Dunlop lasted 15,000 miles and I went to the Avon trike specific tire. I really like the Avon, I run 39# in it and it sticks like glue in the twisties. I have weights on the rim, don't run dyna beads or ride-on and I've been pleased with the wear after 10,000 miles, I really can't see hardly any wear. A lot of guys run a rear tire mounted backwards on the front and are pleased with their results so there are a lot of options.

 

[Fearless]

I'm a rear tire reversed rider

9/32" tread vs 5/32 for only 15 bucks more. Figured I'd give it a try. Commander II rear seems just fine for us. No balance issues handles great and great traction wet or dry. When this tire wears out I will most likely do it again. Good luck on your choice Fred

 

[PosseRider]

David, I can only go on my experience, my original Dunlop lasted 15,000 miles and I went to the Avon trike specific tire. I really like the Avon, I run 39# in it and it sticks like glue in the twisties. I have weights on the rim, don't run dyna beads or ride-on and I've been pleased with the wear after 10,000 miles, I really can't see hardly any wear. A lot of guys run a rear tire mounted backwards on the front and are pleased with their results so there are a lot of options.

+1 on the Avon. Had 14k on the 1st & still tread left. I was leaving on a long trip out west,so replaced before we went. The new one was great when I bought the new 2020 so had Dealer switch the Dunflop out with my Avon. That tire now has over 14k & still life in in it. Like Zammy says great tire. I like Dyna Beads also,but forgot to tell dealer when switched,so, it has weights on it. Also great on wet roads. I also have Goodyear Comfortred on the rear of the 20. Dyna beads in them as thry were also from the 2016 & just had the Dealer swap the wheels also. I am not a fan of Dunflop. 41 in the front & 23 in the rear.

 

[tommce]

I have a question. I see quite a few on here like to run a rear tire, mounted backwards. I’m assuming the same rim size and cross-section as stock Dunlop front tire. Soooo, why mount it backwards? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Fearless]

I have a question. I see quite a few on here like to run a rear tire, mounted backwards. I’m assuming the same rim size and cross-section as stock Dunlop front tire. Soooo, why mount it backwards? Inquiring minds want to know.

The reason for the reverse simple the manner the way the casing is spliced, rear tires are spliced to strengthen under acceleration. Front tires for deceleration. So put back on front reversed

 

[ultrafxr]

The reason for the reverse simple the manner the way the casing is spliced, rear tires are spliced to strengthen under acceleration. Front tires for deceleration. So put back on front reversed

Understand and agree with that . . . but I've read several articles / posts that refer to the different tread patterns for front vs rear and that reversing the rear may not be the best idea for traction and wet weather performance since the tread pattern is going against what it was designed for. Thoughts / experience??

 

[tommce]

Thank-you for the answers, guys.

 

[Gideon]

Fearless is correct! During the tire manufacture process, a length of tread rubber is wrapped around the carcass and joined together with an angled bevel type joint. This joint is orientated so that as the tire rotates, this joint stays shut. As the rear tire provides drive and the front tire provides braking, the joint is made one way for the rear tire and the opposite way for the front.

 

[Fearless]

Understand and agree with that . . . but I've read several articles / posts that refer to the different tread patterns for front vs rear and that reversing the rear may not be the best idea for traction and wet weather performance since the tread pattern is going against what it was designed for. Thoughts / experience??

I have had no traction issues on wet roads we have been caught in a few horrendous storms on problems, the trike handles great corners like a sport trike whatever that is. I can't imagine anything better from where I sit on old Shiney just sayin... Good luck on whatever you choose I understand the concern, for what we pay for our toys we must be vigilant. Ride safe Fred

 

[DK Custom Products]

I've run rear tires reversed on the front and got much better wear and traction out of them.

I've run the Avon and really liked it...even better than rear tire reversed.

There have been more than a few folks that have had issues with the Avon front trike tire (balancing, humming, etc.).

I liked the one that I ran on the '14 and am getting ready to put one on my '19.

Kevin

 

[azbob09]

Is the Dunlop American Elite designed for trike front tires?

 

[PosseRider]

Is the Dunlop American Elite designed for trike front tires?

I dont believe so.. It has been around for years. I think I 1st had one on my 03 Ultra, around 05 or 06.

 

[ultrafxr]

Is the Dunlop American Elite designed for trike front tires?

It is not designed specifically for trikes . . . but then neither is the D 402 that comes stock from Harley. Both are 'just' motorcycle front tires.

I ran the Avon AV91 Cobra Chrome trike tire for 11k miles on my 2018 TG. Just checked my records and I got 17.5k miles out of my oem tire on that bike. Anyway I liked the Avon OK. Never had any problem with vibration as others have reported. It was fine as far as I could tell.

 

[hogcowboy]

Is the Dunlop American Elite designed for trike front tires?

The American Elite was a much better tire than the E3 my Indian came with so I'm not sure whether to go with an E4 which is the replacement for the E3 or put an American Elite up front. Or does it even make a difference. Oh so many things to consider triking this Indian than I ever expected. Beginning to wonder if it's all going to be worth it.:xzqxz:

 

[GARYD]

I stick with the OEM Dunlops. That's what the bike was designed with and I'm not going to re-invent the wheel - or - tire in this case.

I've never had a problem with Dunlop tires.

BTW. you will get a lot better mileage with the rear tire on the front because the rear tire has thicker rubber.

 

[hardwickbv]

I got 22K out of my first Avon AV71

I am now running a Avon AV91 and have about 10K on it with a long ways to go.

Best I could get out of the 2 Dunlops I ran before the Avon was 15K

I have not had any issues with either

Bob

 

[azbob09]

It is not designed specifically for trikes . . . but then neither is the D 402 that comes stock from Harley. Both are 'just' motorcycle front tires.

I ran the Avon AV91 Cobra Chrome trike tire for 11k miles on my 2018 TG. Just checked my records and I got 17.5k miles out of my oem tire on that bike. Anyway I liked the Avon OK. Never had any problem with vibration as others have reported. It was fine as far as I could tell.

I too have always ran the stock OEM Dunlap but only got 11000 to 15000 miles on it. Then I went to the Avon 71 and got much better mileage but with all the problems I hear with the Avon 91 I wanted to try The American Elite. Which is better or preferred between the American Elite number one or number two?

 

[azbob09]

I got 22K out of my first Avon AV71

I am now running a Avon AV91 and have about 10K on it with a long ways to go.

Best I could get out of the 2 Dunlops I ran before the Avon was 15K

I have not had any issues with either

Bob

Which is considered the better of the two, the American Elite one or two?

 

[1dn5up]

The American Elite was a much better tire than the E3 my Indian came with so I'm not sure whether to go with an E4 which is the replacement for the E3 or put an American Elite up front. Or does it even make a difference. Oh so many things to consider triking this Indian than I ever expected. Beginning to wonder if it's all going to be worth it.:xzqxz:

Such problems to deal with ! Just flip a coin ....