Front Tires

[skuuter]

Yes, I'm the "World's Worst" about not usin' the Search Button......my 2010 Gold Wing Trike has the "standard issue" Dunlop on the front. I now have a tick over 4000 miles on it, and can already see appreciable wear. My 2008 Gold Wing 2-wheeler had the same tire, and I got 12,000 miles out of it usin' 40 lbs of air. The Trike seems to handle best with 39 lbs. I know with the "extra steering/scrub" of the Trike, and a smaller useable contact patch (center only) that I will not get nowhere near the mileage experienced with the 2-wheel Wing, but what kinda' mileage should I reasonably expect out of this Tire. Lookin' like maybe 6000 to 7000 Tops if that.

Anyone else used a Tire They feel is as good or better in the hadling department, but can squeeze out more mileage. I ride lotsa' mountain twisties, so handling/traction is a must, even if I sacrifice long Tire life.....THANKS.....

 

[Nana]

skuuter, this list is by no means all the discussion that has been done on front tires, but maybe reading over some of this will help you a bit:

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/maintenance/2971-when-using-rear-tire-front-backward-explained.html

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/honda-trikes/2785-new-pirelli-tire-trike-front-end-review.html

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/honda-trikes/2659-michelin-distributes-pilot-activ-tire.html

 

[skuuter]

THANKS Nana......"Sorry" about the "SEARCH non-use"....I just gota' work on that.....

 

[Comanche]

Skutter,<br />
<br />
A long time triker and a good friend suggested I buy the Michelin Pilot Activa <b>REAR TIRE</b> and mount it backwards on the front wheel. Checking with many other trike riders on another forum they, for the most part concurred.<br />
<br />
This tire has according to all I have spoken with has a 30% longer life than the standard Dunlop that comes with the basic motorcycle.<br />
<br />
I am now deciding whether or not to put centramatic wheel balancers on the fron wheel for more stabilization and this according to <i>their ads<img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" /></i> says you will receive another 30% less tire wear.<br />
<br />
I do not have the Centramics yet, but do have the MPA tire and it after 5000 miles has shown no wear.

 

[skuuter]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Comanche</strong>
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<div class="message">Skutter,<br />
<br />
A long time triker and a good friend suggested I buy the Michelin Pilot Activa <b>REAR TIRE</b> and mount it backwards on the front wheel. Checking with many other trike riders on another forum they, for the most part concurred.<br />
<br />
This tire has according to all I have spoken with has a 30% longer life than the standard Dunlop that comes with the basic motorcycle.<br />
<br />
I am now deciding whether or not to put centramatic wheel balancers on the fron wheel for more stabilization and this according to <i>their ads<img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" /></i> says you will receive another 30% less tire wear.<br />
<br />
I do not have the Centramics yet, but do have the MPA tire and it after 5000 miles has shown no wear.</div>

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</div><b>THANKS...I ran across this....This may be the very option I try next.....:yes:<img src="images/smilies/cool.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Cool" class="inlineimg" /></b>

 

[TRIKERBOB69]

Just got back from alaska on my MPA tire mounted in the correct rotational direction, total of 12k on the tire, some cupping but not much, will still get another 5k out of it so me thinks its the way to go, no beads, snake oil is for kids, just have them balanced well and you will be fine, remember when they rake the front end in the trike process it shifts considerable amount of weight forward, that causes more wear, the MPA rear tire is also much stronger and will hold up to road collisions with rocks, handled the ALCAN with flyin colors,,,I suggest MOTORCYCLE SUPER STORE as a cost effective source:yes:

 

[Comanche]

Bringing life back to this thread. I have been very pleased with the ride and lack of wear on the front tire since putting the MPA on the trike. While I was in Branson a few weeks back I got a good deal on the Centramatics wheel balancer. It was $200.00 installed. <br />
<br />
I like the wear and ride of the MPA I just ordered a 2nd one for a spare. $96.99 delivered from Motorcycle Superstore.

 

[trikes4ever]

whether or not to put centramatic wheel balancers

You might want to take a look at Dynabeads. They're an awful lot cheaper. I'm using them front and rear with no external wheel weights and they're working for me.