front tire

sprt220 · Jul 24, 2008

Since the front tire doesn't go on edge when in a turn does it wear out mostly in the middle of the tire?Will they wear out more quickly than a 2 wheel bike? 
Thanks, Ken

Yellow Trike · Jul 24, 2008

I can only give you my experience with a GL1800 trike....I have the rear tire for a GL1800 mounted in reverse direction. I have OVER 40k miles on this tire and it has plenty of tread remaining. I pay lots of attention to the air pressure - always a good tire gauge and using the same one each time. 
 
So the answer would be for this trike and this tire set up I get far more miles than a 2-wheeled motorcycle does.

The Wolf · Jul 24, 2008

Rotational direction

I have been reading the emails from a lot of the guys in relation to this rotational tyre business. I put it to the test by asking the same questions as was asked on the forum. What a responce from the British Goldwing Owners!!!! They are up in arms that I would try such a thing. How dangerous it is etc.etc. The police would stop you and would not allow you to ride your trike until it was changed, what if there was an accident then you would not be covered as the tyre could have been a factor in the said accident.<img src="images/smilies/mad.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Mad" class="inlineimg" /> 
It looks like our nanny state has put the kybosh on me trying the rotational idea out. One thing though I will try the Michelin Pilot Activ out. The proof is in the pudding!!!

katfish16 · Jul 24, 2008

Hello Wolf, I have a Macadme (sp) on the front of my 1500 and it has about 15K on it now. It is in reverse rotation. I am still alive and have not killed anyone yet due to the tire being in reverse rotation. Some I might like to run over but have not yet. When I get a new tire which will be soon it also will go on in reverse rotation.

The Wolf · Jul 24, 2008

Nanny State

Hi Katfish, 
I am with you guys but it looks like the long arm of the BRITISH LAW stops me from doing as you are doing. If it works why don't they allow it?????<img src="images/smilies/mad.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Mad" class="inlineimg" /> 
 
What they are no doing in our police state is pulling bikes/trikes over and checking the vehicles licence plate giving an on the spot fine if your plate is too small (get a life...) We try to get as much fun whilst on the road but everyday there is always something to p..s you off

Good luck with your efforts and trials of the backward rotation as it will never happen over in Britain or Europe.

W7AX · Jul 24, 2008

Wolf, I am surprised that the Brits would be that far off. You could win this one. The Michelin site says that when this tire is mounted on the front of a motorcycle , it should be run in reverse rotation. Regardless of somebodys pipe dreams about rotation, I'll take the manufacturers word for it. The reason is simple. When it's on the rear it is being driven. When it's on the front it isn't. The forces on the tire are exactly opposite when braking. Beside all that , it happens that the tire rain gutters are correct according to other front tires when it's mounted in reverse on the front. BTW, mine has 36K on it and is just getting to the wear bars now.

I figure another 5K before changing it.

Buzzard · Jul 25, 2008

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by W7AX 
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<div class="message">Wolf, I am surprised that the Brits would be that far off. You could win this one. The Michelin site says that when this tire is mounted on the front of a motorcycle , it should be run in reverse rotation. Regardless of somebodys pipe dreams about rotation, I'll take the manufacturers word for it. The reason is simple. When it's on the rear it is being driven. When it's on the front it isn't. The forces on the tire are exactly opposite when braking. Beside all that , it happens that the tire rain gutters are correct according to other front tires when it's mounted in reverse on the front. BTW, mine has 36K on it and is just getting to the wear bars now. 
 
I figure another 5K before changing it.</div> 
 
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</div>W7AX, could you direct me to the location in the Michelin site where they state this?

If you could just cut and paste the URL I'd be in you debt. 
 
Thanks 
 
Buzzard

Buzzard · Jul 25, 2008

Good Morning Trikers, Buzzard here. 
 
Below is an email exchange between myself and Kevin Hunley of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC. 
 
As you can see, Bridgestone does not recommend the running of their tire/tyre in reverse mode. Of course, they, because of product liability, cannot. 
After the email exchange, Mr Hunley called me and we had a very long and informative discussion on the issue. The results of the conversation follow: 
 
1. Because of product liability, all who use their product in this manner do so at their own risk. The warranty will be voided. 
2. The main problem with the reverse application on the Bridgestone is that the rain grooves on the tire will also be reversed and direct water forward and into the middle of the tire. This substantially increases the possibility of hydroplaning on wet roads. 
3. I asked him if, not withstanding the rain issue, he felt the construction of the tire run in reverse was adequate to attenuate running, turning and braking dynamic loads and he indicted he felt like the tires were. 
4. He indicated that tire pressure was very important and when I suggested between 32 and 42 PSI, he seemed to indicate mid-range between the two was a good place to start depending on the motorcycle. 
 
Based on my conversation with Mr Hunley, I personally am comfortable with and will be running a rear tire in reverse for my Trike front. Each of us has to come to our own decision on this and I have no doubt this opinionated group will do just that. 
 
Buzzard 
 
 
 
Hi Buzz, 
We are aware of this however this is NOT our recommendation. There is a reason the tire is marked “rear use only” by the directional arrow, one of the main issues is the wet weather capability of the tire which isn’t as critical on a trike but still an issue. Using the tire in this way will void the warranty. 
Thanks, 
Kevin Hunley 
Customer Service/PDIC Manager 
Motorcycle/Kart Products 
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC 
 
From: Buzz Whittle [mailto:bwhittle@centurytel.net] 
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 8:07 AM 
To: Hunley, Kevin 
Subject: Using Rear tire on front of Motorcycle Trikes. 
 
Morning Kevin. 
 
I've noticed with great appreciation that many Trike owners are now using one of your rear tires on their front and are running them in reverse. I understand the rational for doing so and would like to hear from you on your thoughts concerning this use. 
 
I might add that these trikers are getting outstanding results and mileage. 
 
Thanks for your help. 
 
Buzz Whittle 
 
870-257-3556 
870-847-1900 
<a href="mailto:bwhittle@centurytel.net">bwhittle@centurytel.net</a> 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. -Thomas Jefferson</div>

W7AX · Jul 25, 2008

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by Buzzard
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<div class="message">W7AX, could you direct me to the location in the Michelin site where they state this? If you could just cut and paste the URL I'd be in you debt. 
 
Thanks 
 
Buzzard</div>

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</div>I had called their representative at Michelin ( <a href="http://www.michelinman.com/contact/" target="_blank">Contact Us: Michelin Tires</a> ) He told me that Michelin had published it but there are about 500 Michelin sites to look at. In fact he is the one who told me that running a rear tire on a motorcycle was not uncommon but that the stresses on the rear tire mounted on the front were exactly opposite. Others have gotten the same reply and probably 8 out of ten users with a trike have it on in reverse with no notable loss of traction . We are talking about the Pilot Activ here of course.

Buzzard · Jul 25, 2008

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by W7AX
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<div class="message">I had called their representative at Michelin ( <a href="http://www.michelinman.com/contact/" target="_blank">Contact Us: Michelin Tires</a> ) He told me that Michelin had published it but there are about 500 Michelin sites to look at. In fact he is the one who told me that running a rear tire on a motorcycle was not uncommon but that the stresses on the rear tire mounted on the front were exactly opposite. Others have gotten the same reply and probably 8 out of ten users with a trike have it on in reverse with no notable loss of traction . We are talking about the Pilot Activ here of course.</div>

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</div> 
 
Thanks my friend. I've again been talking with the engineers at various manufactureres and you'll note the above post with current results from Bridgestone. I have an email in to Michelin and I'll report what they say. 
 
When I originally talked with them some months ago, they were a little reluctant to commit to the idea and I didn't push the issue. 
 
The reason I started with Bridgestone is because of their use of new compounds and manufacturing technology that might enhance wear on our application. 
 
Again, thanks for the help. 
 
I sure would welcome a declarative statement from Michelin though. 
 
Buzzard

W7AX · Jul 25, 2008

Yes it is true that in the case of a manufacturer that they usually do not commit to anything that could be seen as controversial. It's sort of like all the guys that use car tires on the back of Goldwings. The fact is that they wear better and longer, they have better traction and if you ever ride a goldwing on gravel roads you will change too. Theres that much difference. But no manufacturer will print anything that will recommend this practice. It's the old syndrome of 'It's a lot easier to say no than to deal with it realistically" So at end of the day it is up to us bikers to discover what works good or even better than the engineers who build it. I can think of lots of cases where this has been ultimately shown to be true. That's progress even though we may stumble at times.

Buzzard · Jul 25, 2008

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by W7AX
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<div class="message">Yes it is true that in the case of a manufacturer that they usually do not commit to anything that could be seen as controversial. It's sort of like all the guys that use car tires on the back of Goldwings. The fact is that they wear better and longer, they have better traction and if you ever ride a goldwing on gravel roads you will change too. Theres that much difference. But no manufacturer will print anything that will recommend this practice. It's the old syndrome of 'It's a lot easier to say no than to deal with it realistically" So at end of the day it is up to us bikers to discover what works good or even better than the engineers who build it. I can think of lots of cases where this has been ultimately shown to be true. That's progress even though we may stumble at times.</div>

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</div>Well stated and true from my perspective. I am by nature a tinkerer on whatever I'm riding at the time and I don't expect any manufacturer to buy in to what I do. I ride a VTX1800C on a Motortrike kit and have added everything from an automotive cruise control and 6* Rake to an extended range tank.

It isn't a "comfortable" ride and if you look at my profile, you will notice I ride with a little different crowd than most on this forum. 
 
I also don't feel many of us here are going to fall into lock step for what the "Government" wants us to do and I truly feel for the Brits. Of course, it seems we Yanks are headed in the same direction. 
 
I'll resist....... I like the idea of having a rear tire running backwards on the front of my bike. This is an attitude I developed in Vietnam. I hope you folks don't mind.<img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" /> 
 
Buzzard

Buzzard · Jul 26, 2008

Below is an e-mail I received this morning concerning the use of the Michelin Active rear tire on the front of our Trikes. As stated earlier, Michelin simply cannot buy into what many of us are already doing. There are just too many lawyers. 
 
I called their Consumer Care Department to discuss the issue with one of their engineers, but no motorcycle expert was available today. I'll follow up on Monday. 
 
As previously stated by W7AX, one can expect to get verbal concurrence with the practice of using the Rear "Active" on the front, but nothing will be in writing to support this practice. 
 
Regardless, I will repeat my position and I think that of W7AX that we are on the leading edge of this issue and many other technical issues and we will have to define the questions for the engineers of, not only tires, but also suspensions, steering, weight distribution, lateral dynamic forces, braking and a host of other uniquely "Trike" idiosyncrasies. 
 
That is why we all must air even the most mundane question about out machines and explain every incident we experience while operating our machines. As a former aircraft crash investigator, I can't impress upon every one of us that the simplest thing can ultimately be the cause of a catastrophic event. 
 
EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT. 
 
 
 
Buzzard 
 
 
 
Thank you for your email. We welcome the opportunity to serve you. 
 
Concerning your question, we do not have a tire that we recommend for a 
Honda 1800 bike or trike. We are aware of the Active being used but that is 
not condoned by Michelin. We appreciate your interest in our products. 
 
It is our goal to ensure that your issue has been resolved or your question 
answered to your satisfaction. If we can assist you further, please respond 
to this email or call us at 1-800-847-3435 (toll free) between 8:00AM and 
8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday or between 9:00AM and 5:00PM 
Eastern Time on Saturday. 
 
Eddie Styles 
Michelin North America 
Consumer Care Department

front tire

sprt220

Yellow Trike

The Wolf

TOI - Scotland

katfish16

The Wolf

TOI - Scotland

W7AX

Buzzard

Road Rider - Contributing Member

Buzzard

Road Rider - Contributing Member

W7AX

Buzzard

Road Rider - Contributing Member

W7AX

Buzzard

Road Rider - Contributing Member

Buzzard

Road Rider - Contributing Member

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