front tire

[cinjeff]

Good morning to all. I am ready for a new front tire on my 07 Wing with 15 Roadsmith Trike. My 1500 always had the Dunlop elite 3 and this had one also when I purchased it. I never have been happy with this tire with poor wear, cupping etc. My 1500 was not raked but this one is raked six and half degrees. I have approx. 5000 miles on this tire and it is wearing better but still not happy with ride, response. I would be interested to know what you folks would recommend.

 

[ol' school]

Good morning to all. I am ready for a new front tire on my 07 Wing with 15 Roadsmith Trike. My 1500 always had the Dunlop elite 3 and this had one also when I purchased it. I never have been happy with this tire with poor wear, cupping etc. My 1500 was not raked but this one is raked six and half degrees. I have approx. 5000 miles on this tire and it is wearing better but still not happy with ride, response. I would be interested to know what you folks would recommend.

Avon is making a tire especially made for trikes. They make one to fit your Wing. Cooper Tire is the parent company for Avon motorcycle tires. I have used Avon tires on my motorcycles for the last few years and have been happy with performance and wear.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Good morning to all. I am ready for a new front tire on my 07 Wing with 15 Roadsmith Trike. My 1500 always had the Dunlop elite 3 and this had one also when I purchased it. I never have been happy with this tire with poor wear, cupping etc. My 1500 was not raked but this one is raked six and half degrees. I have approx. 5000 miles on this tire and it is wearing better but still not happy with ride, response. I would be interested to know what you folks would recommend.

For 1800 trikes there are three tires predominantly used. All are the 130/70 - 18 size that is standard:

1) Avon Cobra Trike front tire - has only been out about a year. It is a radial designed specifically for trike use. Ride and handling, IMO, is far better than the next two bias ply tires which are the other alternatives. Mileage appears to be comparable to the bias ply.

2 & 3) The Michelin Pilot Activ and the Battleax BT-45 are both bias ply tires used on sport bikes. Their heavy sidewalls and carcass will hold up to a trike's use and give much better mileage. However, all are run at 41-42 psi. The bias ply tires, IMO, ride much harder and feel every little irregularity in the road surface. But, they have served well and many still use them. They are cheaper than the new Avon tire by $40 or so.

 

[Solidbob]

Have tried both Bias Ply Rear Sport Bike tires in 130/70 X 18 the BT45 from Bridge Stone and the Michelin Pilot Activ or MPA / I personally with our Roadsmith with the Traxxion AK20 Cartridge front end, a SuperBrace and the 5.5 Rake Kit have got better mileage and a better ride with the MPA tire averaging approx. 24 - 26,000 miles out of ours at 42PSI , I do reduce the pressure to 38 or 39 psi when its raining. I buy all my tires online thru Motorcycle Superstore as they generally have a competive price, turn their tires faster so they aren't old and ship to my door for free....

[h=1] COBRA AV71 FRONT TRIKE TIRE $179.99[/h]

• Item # 77460
• SKU #658014
• Mfr. Part # 4110011 / 90000020646 Radial Tire / Standard Direction

[h=1] BATTLAX BT-45 SPORT TOURING REAR TIRE $121.85 Sale[/h]

• Item # 6013
• SKU #51376
• Mfr. Part # 066257 Bias Ply Rear Tire / Standard or Reverse Rotation

[h=1]PILOT ACTIV REAR TIRE SALE $108.99[/h]

• Item # 6158
• SKU #53921
• Mfr. Part # 95581 Bias Ply Rear Tire / Standard or Reverse Rotation

Motorcycle Superstore - http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/

Free Shipping over 89.00

 

[mhgoldwing]

Might also try Dennis Kirk. I paid $152 with free shipping.

 

[Mick]

I would go straight for the Avon trike tire. The BT45 and MPA are OK but neither of the handle or ride as nice as the Avon. Mileage is still to be determined but for what you paid to trike your bike the Avon is the only tire to give it justice in its ride. I bought mine from Chapparal motorsports for $148.00 but I had to call them as it wasnt listed on their website.

 

[geol]

I have used the Michelin Pilot Activ rear tire mounted backwards on the front of a GL1500 Roadsmith conversion and it was fine. I just put on a trike specific Avon and it seems to work great and hope that I get the mileage others are reporting. I paid about $150 SHIPPED through DennisKirk.com who has the best prices on tires in the marketplace. Period.

 

[FRR]

Search the threads for this subject. There have been toms of responses on this.

 

[cinjeff]

tires

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I will try the Avon tire this time around. Happy riding.

 

[bikerbillone]

Have tried both Bias Ply Rear Sport Bike tires in 130/70 X 18 the BT45 from Bridge Stone and the Michelin Pilot Activ or MPA / I personally with our Roadsmith with the Traxxion AK20 Cartridge front end, a SuperBrace and the 5.5 Rake Kit have got better mileage and a better ride with the MPA tire averaging approx. 24 - 26,000 miles out of ours at 42PSI , I do reduce the pressure to 38 or 39 psi when its raining. I buy all my tires online thru Motorcycle Superstore as they generally have a competive price, turn their tires faster so they aren't old and ship to my door for free....

COBRA AV71 FRONT TRIKE TIRE $179.99

• Item # 77460
• SKU #658014
• Mfr. Part # 4110011 / 90000020646 Radial Tire / Standard Direction

BATTLAX BT-45 SPORT TOURING REAR TIRE $121.85 Sale

• Item # 6013
• SKU #51376
• Mfr. Part # 066257 Bias Ply Rear Tire / Standard or Reverse Rotation

PILOT ACTIV REAR TIRE SALE $108.99

• Item # 6158
• SKU #53921
• Mfr. Part # 95581 Bias Ply Rear Tire / Standard or Reverse Rotation

Motorcycle Superstore - http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/

Free Shipping over 89.00

Bob, good post as usual, my BT 45 (rear) is getting to the point that I'm considering the MPA change. Love the BT, but need to test the MPA for a better ride up front. Does MPA also have a rear that fits front as the BT does?

 

[Solidbob]

Bob, good post as usual, my BT 45 (rear) is getting to the point that I'm considering the MPA change. Love the BT, but need to test the MPA for a better ride up front. Does MPA also have a rear that fits front as the BT does?

Sure Bill its the Michelin listed above or go here.... cheapest tire in the bunch.... and before I get jumped again about where I buy tires, I didn't say these guys are the cheapest, BUT they turn over or sell their tires quickly and have always had fresh Dated tires that haven't set on someones shelf...:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6158/i/michelin-pilot-activ-rear-tire 130/70HX18 = Size

Please search for your cheapest price but how long has it been on their shelf? That would be my question, I don't want a cooked warehouse stored tire..
Just my FYI....

 

[bikerbillone]

Bob, I'll for sure visit this site for my next tire purchase. I've been reading your informed posts since I came on TT, so I know, you know from experience what you're talking about. Experience is a tough teacher starting from scratch, I'd much rather save myself the grief and go with good advice.

 

[bikerbillone]

Sure Bill its the Michelin listed above or go here.... cheapest tire in the bunch.... and before I get jumped again about where I buy tires, I didn't say these guys are the cheapest, BUT they turn over or sell their tires quickly and have always had fresh Dated tires that haven't set on someones shelf...: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6158/i/michelin-pilot-activ-rear-tire 130/70HX18 = Size Please search for your cheapest price but how long has it been on their shelf? That would be my question, I don't want a cooked warehouse stored tire.. Just my FYI....

Bob, not wanting to talk this to death, but are you running a MPA (rear tire) on your front? If not, why?

 

[cinjeff]

thanks

Sure Bill its the Michelin listed above or go here.... cheapest tire in the bunch.... and before I get jumped again about where I buy tires, I didn't say these guys are the cheapest, BUT they turn over or sell their tires quickly and have always had fresh Dated tires that haven't set on someones shelf...:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6158/i/michelin-pilot-activ-rear-tire 130/70HX18 = Size

Please search for your cheapest price but how long has it been on their shelf? That would be my question, I don't want a cooked warehouse stored tire..
Just my FYI....[/QUOTE
Thanks Bob for the info. I also bought a lot for my 1500 from these guys and always am happy with my purchases. I have decided to try the Avon Tire and am going to order it this evening and get it put on. Weather is supposed to be nice here in KY, Tn area and considering a ride down to the Tail of The Dragon before putting it away for a month or two.

 

[Solidbob]

Bob, not wanting to talk this to death, but are you running a MPA (rear tire) on your front? If not, why?

Yes Bill, I run an MPA at 42 PSI the max. rated cold pressure, and have 18,600 miles so far. The last one I had ran for 24,860 miles with no cupping and no Buzzing in bars, I had previously tried a BT45 at the same pressure and it still cupped and toward its end it was buzzing hence I changed to the MPA Rear Bias and it works for me with great mileage and a fair price. For me the jury is still out on the AVON Trike Tire based on price and performance if it gives the same mileage why do I want to pay more for a Radial vs Bias when the Radial may shred like all Radials do when their flat, plus with the Bias Ply if I do get a fixable flat I can get to the next town easily by fixing my own tire..

 

[bikerbillone]

Thank you Bob, I'm on it. Not interested in the Cobra at this time. Be checking out the MPA on your tire source.

 

[CobraXL]

New to triking this summer. My front Commander II from the 2-wheeler was cupped so I had the MPA installed as that was what my installer recommended--that was their standard tire for the conversions they'd done. I was interested in trying the Avon Cobra Trike tire but went with the MPA as I knew so many trikers had been running it with good success. I have a Traxxion front end and I think this MPA is excellent compared to the Commander II that was on when the bike was converted. It is sure-footed and you really have to push it hard before it starts to skip in the tight curves. I can't comment on the wear as I only have about 4k on it but it is well-behaved at all speeds with the Centramatics at 40 PSI.

No reason for me not to try the Avon Cobra trike tire next time--it may well be superior in ride quality but I've got no complaints with this MPA so far. As a wise man once said "The best you know is the best you've ever ridden."