front tire size

[fastfreddy2015]

So I'm googling front tires for my honda 2008 motortrike motorcycle and find out that my trike came with a rear tire mounted in front. It's a 130/70/18 which according to Michelin specs is considered/listed as a rear tire. My trike rides great. I am loving it and have no complaints. So I decide to post and ask you guys who have driven lots of miles and tried several brands what might be reason for the prior owner to mount a rear tire on front. Wider, better handling, ? Not sure what to think about it. And also what does mounting the tire in reverse rotation do to the tire. Just trying to learn about my trike to keep it running in great condition.

 

[Gold Rush]

So I'm goggling front tires for my honda 2008 motortrike motorcycle and find out that my trike came with a rear tire mounted in front. It's a 130/70/18 which according to Michelin specs is considered/listed as a rear tire. My trike rides great. I am loving it and have no complaints. So I decide to post and ask you guys who have driven lots of miles and tried several brands what might be reason for the prior owner to mount a rear tire on front. Wider, better handling, ? Not sure what to think about it. And also what does mounting the tire in reverse rotation do to the tire. Just trying to learn about my trike to keep it running in great condition.

Freddy, there are lots and lots of tire threads on this forum so you might want to search some. The long and short of it is that the OEM front tire for Goldwings is a conventional radial design and the side walls are not strong enough to prevent major flexing while cornering. That causes serious handling issues and also wares the tire out in about 7 to 8 thousand miles. By mounting a good quality bias play of the same size as OEM tire on the front you get better handling and better ware. Michelin MPA and Bridgestone BT45 have been the standard for years. AVON has brought out a Trike Specific Radial that from all reports comes very close to the performance of the MPA and BT45 but is suppose to give a smoother ride. There are many threads on that tire as well here on TT so do some searching and reading.

I have a fresh AVON in my shop that will be going on soon. It will be my first so I can't offer any first hand info. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[mhgoldwing]

Freddy, there are lots and lots of tire threads on this forum so you might want to search some. The long and short of it is that the OEM front tire for Goldwings is a conventional radial design and the side walls are not strong enough to prevent major flexing while cornering. That causes serious handling issues and also wares the tire out in about 7 to 8 thousand miles. By mounting a good quality bias play of the same size as OEM tire on the front you get better handling and better ware. Michelin MPA and Bridgestone BT45 have been the standard for years. AVON has brought out a Trike Specific Radial that from all reports comes very close to the performance of the MPA and BT45 but is suppose to give a smoother ride. There are many threads on that tire as well here on TT so do some searching and reading.

I have a fresh AVON in my shop that will be going on soon. It will be my first so I can't offer any first hand info. :xszpv::xszpv:

Ditto what Gold Rush said. I am on my second Avon Cobra Trike front tire and have no plans to go back to the bias ply tires. The ride and handling of the Avon tire is far superior in my opinion. YMMV.

 

[Haste Maker]

I have a fresh AVON in my shop that will be going on soon. It will be my first so I can't offer any first hand info. :xszpv::xszpv:

I also have a new AVON in the shop...waiting for the BT 45 to wear out...

 

[Mick]

I put an Avon on mine last year and I wouldnt go back to a bias ply tire after riding on the Avon. There is such a world of difference in ride and handling with the Avon that anything besides the Avon is just second best.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Freddy, there are lots and lots of tire threads on this forum so you might want to search some. The long and short of it is that the OEM front tire for Goldwings is a conventional radial design and the side walls are not strong enough to prevent major flexing while cornering. That causes serious handling issues and also wares the tire out in about 7 to 8 thousand miles. By mounting a good quality bias play of the same size as OEM tire on the front you get better handling and better ware. Michelin MPA and Bridgestone BT45 have been the standard for years. AVON has brought out a Trike Specific Radial that from all reports comes very close to the performance of the MPA and BT45 but is suppose to give a smoother ride. There are many threads on that tire as well here on TT so do some searching and reading.

I have a fresh AVON in my shop that will be going on soon. It will be my first so I can't offer any first hand info. :xszpv::xszpv:

The Avon trike tire is a radial:Shrug:

 

[Gold Rush]

The Avon trike tire is a radial:Shrug:

Yes we know dd!! Hopefully the OP will read some of the many previous threads and evaluations. Then he will be as informed as any of us. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[bikerbillone]

Running the BT45 (rear), 23K on the tire now getting to the wear bars, will give the MPA (rear) a try on the next change. For the price diff, I see no reason to change to the Avon trike specific tire.

 

[Haste Maker]

What is the price of a MPA ?

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Yes we know dd!! Hopefully the OP will read some of the many previous threads and evaluations. Then he will be as informed as any of us. :xszpv::xszpv:

Do not wish to belittle anyone but it would be nice if people posted facts!
For the OP, someone, somewhere tried a Bridgestone BT45, reversed on their trike and the word spread quickly!
Reason is mostly because these rear tires have much more rubber on them. Hence, more mileage!
Reason for reverse rotation> It was thought at one time(supported by a few tire manufacturers at the time) because of the construction of a rear tire, if used on the front, it should be reverse rotated because of braking forces! Haven't read much about that lately!

Running the BT45 (rear), 23K on the tire now getting to the wear bars, will give the MPA (rear) a try on the next change. For the price diff, I see no reason to change to the Avon trike specific tire.

The reason might be because of many comments on many forums of how much smoother the Avon trike front tire is!

 

[firemen122]

Running the BT45 (rear), 23K on the tire now getting to the wear bars, will give the MPA (rear) a try on the next change. For the price diff, I see no reason to change to the Avon trike specific tire.

I can tell you I have ran all of them in 112,000 miles and the only thing is the avon for me. It absolutely outperforms them in every way. No buzz, smooth, and sticks in the corners well. It truly is a better tire in every way. I run the balance beads also.

Good luck

 

[fastfreddy2015]

Front tire

Just want to thank all you guys for your opinions and comments. I did search farther as Goldrush suggested and wow, talk about different opinions. Learn about moving rear tire to front and purpose for mounting in reverse. Hard point to argue when tire techs recommend it. Read lots of pros and cons about mounting straight up and reversed. My conclusion is either way I decide to mount it, its a win win situation. Love this place, lots and lots of info here.

 

[Gold Rush]

Just want to thank all you guys for your opinions and comments. I did search farther as Goldrush suggested and wow, talk about different opinions. Learn about moving rear tire to front and purpose for mounting in reverse. Hard point to argue when tire techs recommend it. Read lots of pros and cons about mounting straight up and reversed. My conclusion is either way I decide to mount it, its a win win situation. Love this place, lots and lots of info here.

I see from your profile that you are riding an '08 Wing with Motor Trike conversion. That is pretty similar to what I rode for 120,000 miles (not all of that in three wheel mode). I ran several BT45 tires in reverse because I believed the rotation theory. About the time I decided to buy my 2015 and install the Roadsmith conversion I put some serious thought to the matter.:xszpv::xszpv:

Here is what I decided: Realizing this only applies to linked brake systems like the GL1800 has. If your conversion does not delink the brakes then they will act the same as when it was a two wheel bike. When you apply only the front break lever, fluid is sent to both front and rear calipers resulting in 70% of the breaking being accomplished by the front wheel and 30% by the rear. The exact opposite happens when only the rear brake peddle is used. If you use both lever and peddle of course you will achieve maximum braking.

Using that information, at no time will you ever expose a MTA or BT45 mounted in forward rotation to the braking force which leads us to mount in reverse rotation. If you are running a delinked system and are a pretty aggressive rider that brakes hard with the front brake, you might want to consider that option. :cxtv::cxtv:

As for tire ware: Of all the BT45 tires I ran on my '06, I never got over 14K ware out of them. Some I got way less if I rode a lot in the twisties or on a lot of roads covered in the crushed rock TXDOT uses here to resurface asphalt roads. I am quickly approaching that 14K mark on my Roadsimth and the front BT45 still has at least 4000 miles left before reaching the ware bars. I am going on a trip next week that will use up many of those miles. I will be replacing my BT45 with the new AVON Trike tire in early May so I will have fresh rubber mounted for our trip to Osage Beach, MO (TT/TOI Mid-America Gathering) in June.

Based on what many of our members have experienced and passed on, I expect the AVON Trike Specific tire will be my choice from now on.......

Ride safe my friends!!! But HAVE FUN...:AGGHH::AGGHH::AGGHH:

 

[Haste Maker]

Jerry, I am in a waiting period for my BT45 to wear out...mine is the same one I was using on the 2 wheeler & it only had 17,000 miles on it when I triked the bike...I have a new AVON to go on, but the BT45 still has tread on it.

 

[Gold Rush]

Jerry, I am in a waiting period for my BT45 to wear out...mine is the same one I was using on the 2 wheeler & it only had 17,000 miles on it when I triked the bike...I have a new AVON to go on, but the BT45 still has tread on it.

I really hope the AVON is that "silver bullet" we've been waiting for Tommy!! From the evaluation posts it sure seems to be. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[CrystalPistol]

Do not wish to belittle anyone but it would be nice if people posted facts!
For the OP, someone, somewhere tried a Bridgestone BT45, reversed on their trike and the word spread quickly!
Reason is mostly because these rear tires have much more rubber on them. Hence, more mileage!
Reason for reverse rotation> It was thought at one time(supported by a few tire manufacturers at the time) because of the construction of a rear tire, if used on the front, it should be reverse rotated because of braking forces! Haven't read much about that lately!

For sure, the MPA or BT-45 rear tires used on front of trikes far outlast a OEM style front tire that came on the bikes when they were bikes. They are heavier, have stiffer sidewalls, thicker tread, wear longer .... no question.

The reason might be because of many comments on many forums of how much smoother the Avon trike front tire is!

MUCH SMOOTHER!

I put an Avon on mine last year and I wouldnt go back to a bias ply tire after riding on the Avon. There is such a world of difference in ride and handling with the Avon that anything besides the Avon is just second best.

Ditto what Gold Rush said. I am on my second Avon Cobra Trike front tire and have no plans to go back to the bias ply tires. The ride and handling of the Avon tire is far superior in my opinion. YMMV.

I have no qualms about buying these Avons twice as often if need be when compared to the MPA rear tire I just took off with half the tread left on it. I know that it'll never go back on my trike.

A tire is more than it's ability to run so many miles (in part that's why I run Goodyear RS-As on my cars). There's other attributes that are as important, comfort, handling, feel, directional stability, noise, traction .... and the Avon delivers a better balance IMHO. I don't ride my bikes of necessity, they are for play, relaxation, and the Avon Cobra Trike specific Radial furthers that end.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

"Here is what I decided: Realizing this only applies to linked brake systems like the GL1800 has. If your conversion does not delink the brakes then they will act the same as when it was a two wheel bike. When you apply only the front break lever, fluid is sent to both front and rear calipers resulting in 70% of the breaking being accomplished by the front wheel and 30% by the rear. The exact opposite happens when only the rear brake peddle is used. If you use both lever and peddle of course you will achieve maximum braking."

I hope the smiley face means this "exact opposite" is a joke!
Where does this stuff come from:Shrug:
My elevator doesn't reach the top floor anymore but, me thinks if 70% of the braking force was ever applied to the rear, with the weight transfer, there would be lot of rear brake lock ups:AGGHH:

 

[mhgoldwing]

"Here is what I decided: Realizing this only applies to linked brake systems like the GL1800 has. If your conversion does not delink the brakes then they will act the same as when it was a two wheel bike. When you apply only the front break lever, fluid is sent to both front and rear calipers resulting in 70% of the breaking being accomplished by the front wheel and 30% by the rear. The exact opposite happens when only the rear brake peddle is used. If you use both lever and peddle of course you will achieve maximum braking."

I hope the smiley face means this "exact opposite" is a joke!
Where does this stuff come from:Shrug:
My elevator doesn't reach the top floor anymore but, me thinks if 70% of the braking force was ever applied to the rear, with the weight transfer, there would be lot of rear brake lock ups:AGGHH:

The reason for rear tire lockup on bikes when applying maximum braking is the weight transfer to front wheel reduces weight on rear tire and thus reduces traction. The is why Honda uses the anti-dive system on the Gold Wing; to help reduce the nose dive and increase braking traction on rear wheel.

Trikes lock up rear wheels because the amount of weight on rear axles is not heavy enough for the square inches of tire surface touching the ground to maintain good traction. Also, why trikes will tend to hydroplane easily.

 

[camplejeune]

Hello everyone,

Looking for a new front tire to replace the Bridgestone with cracked sidewalls on my C90 trike. I have an Avon on my Valkyrie and really like it better than the E3 I was running. Where are you finding the trike rated Avon? Their website may not be current as I do not see this listed.

Thanks,

 

[hisst]

Hello everyone,

Looking for a new front tire to replace the Bridgestone with cracked sidewalls on my C90 trike. I have an Avon on my Valkyrie and really like it better than the E3 I was running. Where are you finding the trike rated Avon? Their website may not be current as I do not see this listed.

Thanks,

Can order from Dennis Kirk or J &P cycle......

 

[Gold Rush]

Hello everyone,

Looking for a new front tire to replace the Bridgestone with cracked sidewalls on my C90 trike. I have an Avon on my Valkyrie and really like it better than the E3 I was running. Where are you finding the trike rated Avon? Their website may not be current as I do not see this listed.

Thanks,

Brian, from what I see the AVON Trike Tire only comes in two sizes. If one of these will fit your C90 then I think it would be a good switch. If not the BT-45 or MPA are the second best choices. Here is what I got from the AVON web site:

Material #	Model	Tire Size	Service Index	Rec Rim	Rim Min-Max	OW mm	OW Inches	OD mm	OD Inches	Depth mm	Revs per km	Revs per Mile
90000020646	AV71	130/70R18	63V	MT3.50	3.50 - 4.00	127	5.00	648	25.5	4.5	505	813
90000025025	AV71	MT90B16	74H	3.00D	2.50 - 3.50	133	5.20	638	25.1	8.7	513	825

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</tbody>

I hope that helps you out some.. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[camplejeune]

Brian, from what I see the AVON Trike Tire only comes in two sizes. If one of these will fit your C90 then I think it would be a good switch. If not the BT-45 or MPA are the second best choices. Here is what I got from the AVON web site:

Material #	Model	Tire Size	Service Index	Rec Rim	Rim Min-Max	OW mm	OW Inches	OD mm	OD Inches	Depth mm	Revs per km	Revs per Mile
90000020646	AV71	130/70R18	63V	MT3.50	3.50 - 4.00	127	5.00	648	25.5	4.5	505	813
90000025025	AV71	MT90B16	74H	3.00D	2.50 - 3.50	133	5.20	638	25.1	8.7	513	825

<tbody>
</tbody>

I hope that helps you out some.. :xszpv::xszpv:

Thank you. I was going to back come on here to tell you all I found this info then my laptop crapped out. UHG!