Front Trike Tire

[mgwtrike]

I understand trikes have a different tire that's recommended then regular tire used on two wheel ride.
What does a trike tire offer over a OEM?

 

[3 for 2]

I understand trikes have a different tire that's recommended then regular tire used on two wheel ride.

What does a trike tire offer over a OEM?

It is my understanding that a trike specific front tire will last much longer than a stock bike front tire. It also seems to grip the road better. JMHO.

 

[Gold Rush]

I understand trikes have a different tire that's recommended then regular tire used on two wheel ride.

What does a trike tire offer over a OEM?

Tomatoes, Apples, and Oranges are all fruit. Elite II, Bridgestone BT 45/Michelin Pro Activ, and Avon Cobra Trike are all tires that fit on the GL1500/1800.

The Elite II is a normal OEM Touring class radial tire. The BT 45 and Michelin Pro Activ are bias ply sport bike rear tires often used on trike front wheels. The Avon Cobra Trike is exactly what it appears to be; a radial tire specifically designed for trikes.

OEM tire will ware out much faster and provide very poor handling characteristics. The two bias ply tires will behave much better but because of their design give a more harsh ride. The trike specific radial handles far better and performs far better while giving the rider the best comfort level.

No question which tire I now use and will continue to. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Avon Cobra update anyone ??

I have directed my customers to the Avon Cobra Trike tire because of the positive feedback I have seen here. But no one with over 20,000 miles has chimed in regarding the real world wear they are experiencing. Everyone says they are great after 5,000 miles, but what after that ??

The BT45 and the Pilot Activ would get 25,000 miles plus if you could handle the cupping.

Just asking !!!:cxtv:

 

[JaysGone]

I have directed my customers to the Avon Cobra Trike tire because of the positive feedback I have seen here. But no one with over 20,000 miles has chimed in regarding the real world wear they are experiencing. Everyone says they are great after 5,000 miles, but what after that ??

The BT45 and the Pilot Activ would get 25,000 miles plus if you could handle the cupping.

Just asking !!!:cxtv:

My MPA is severely cupped after 14k miles and it will stay cupped till its totally worn out. More then likely the 20K mark. If I flip it might get some more miles out of it, but is it worth it?? Naahhhhh.

A regular front begins cupping at 4k shot by 7K. That's just life on the roads here in my part of the world. Not the tires fault. Every front tire regardless of whos or what bike cups here.The left side just seams to disappear.

I guess I don't make enough right turns....

right?? They wont let me ride on the wrong side of the road half the time after all to even things out.

Next tire will be the Avon trike tire. Im willing to bet it too will be cupped long before its tread life is up.

Ill let you all know when I get there.

Seams enough have switched to it. But its still too new to accumulate the miles we want to hear about.

We have to give it some time yet.

 

[Gold Rush]

I have directed my customers to the Avon Cobra Trike tire because of the positive feedback I have seen here. But no one with over 20,000 miles has chimed in regarding the real world wear they are experiencing. Everyone says they are great after 5,000 miles, but what after that ??

The BT45 and the Pilot Activ would get 25,000 miles plus if you could handle the cupping.

Just asking !!!:cxtv:

I think the most miles I've heard thus far was one of our members that rides the twisties A LOT. He got in the 11,000 mile mark. I believe a flatlander what was not aggressive could get in that 25K range. To most that have switched it is not about the total miles we will get but the HUGE difference in performance and comfort.

I have averaged around 14K per tire since I first converted in 2010. If I get even 12K from the AVON Cobra Trike tire I will consider it a major success! :xszpv: :xszpv: I'll post photos when it comes time to put a new one on...

 

[FRR]

Just a comment. Two years ago I bought at BT-45 and after much research decided to mount it backwards. Cupped in 10k miles and wore out in 14. Bought another one and now have 9k on it with no cupping and it seems to be wearing better, although I didn't measure the depth recently. There are dozens of threads on this subject that have been posted here, but no definitive answer on which is best and why. Too many variables I guess

 

[slug]

I have been installing a lot of Eurowing front ends on non-Eurowing trikes lately. Handling and tire life are greatly improved. Just another option!

 

[Lucky]

I replaced the last MPA at 32,000 with no cupping.41 psi mounted in reverse. RIDE SAFE

 

[mhgoldwing]

I am on my second Avon Cobra Trike tire with no cupping. I have the Traxxion cartridges on the front along with Centramatic balancers. I also have checked and reset the stem head bearing torque. Cupping, IMO, is due to stock front suspension design coupled to poor maintenance such as fork bushings, springs, and fork oil. YMMV

 

[Baldy_54]

I have the MPA in reverse. Had it put on at approx. 10.5 K now have 48.3K. There is practically no indication of cupping. That puts me in the neighborhood of 38K on the tire. Does it ride hard, you betcha. It was put on in 08 so it is time to replace it. If I had put more miles on it before it reach this age, I have no doubt it would have gone upwards into the 50K range. The majority of my mileage is highway and long. Since I lost my co-pilot, my yearly average has slipped considerably. Love those Dyna Beads. Guess I am getting soft in my old age, so a softer ride is inorder.

 

[JaysGone]

Im guilty of running a much lower pressure then most.
36 psi . As you can see Im paying for it with comfort over tire longevity.
At 40-42 psi the tire is way to hard and I don't care for the ride quality.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I ran MPA's rear tire (mounted in reverse) for a front tire for years.
Always change it at 25,000 mile with miles still left on it.
I put on the new Avon Trike Front Tire this spring and love it. Smoother ride and very happy with it !!!.
I'll continue to use this brand from now on!!

 

[CrystalPistol]

Had a M-50 rear tire, then a MPA rear tire .... both wore like iron (though the MPA was maybe harder) ...... rode like iron as well. Even with harder ride they were a better alternative when compared to a fast wearing standard Bike frt tire.

Last year I removed the MPA with over half it's tread left to try out the new Avon Cobra Trike Radial in it's place .... if the Avon gives me half the tread life of a MPA you can color me "happy" and looking for the next Avon C T R.

That MPA will likely hang on the wall ..... like an old iron horse shoe. :Shrug:

 

[mgwtrike]

We all talk about wear on tires by miles driven.
How much effect is weather and sun light on tires, if any?
Many riders in the sunbelt don't always garage their rides sitting idle.

 

[mhgoldwing]

We all talk about wear on tires by miles driven.
How much effect is weather and sun light on tires, if any?
Many riders in the sunbelt don't always garage their rides sitting idle.

From what I've seen I think the type roads, road construction and riding style play a much biiger role on tire wear than weather and sunlight. My trike gets the garage while thr two cages sit outside and their tire milage is just fine

 

[JaysGone]

I am on my second Avon Cobra Trike tire with no cupping. I have the Traxxion cartridges on the front along with Centramatic balancers. I also have checked and reset the stem head bearing torque. Cupping, IMO, is due to stock front suspension design coupled to poor maintenance such as fork bushings, springs, and fork oil. YMMV

Since Im quoting my own reply. Yes my trikes front end rides like a rock. Im not the OP of this bike nor have I checked to see if the springs are Progressives or not. When the time comes they will be replaced with OEM springs.
But the front end has been gone over for function and deemed proper by 2 different dealerships.
I added a fork brace and in my opinion its a useless option.
My 99 Valkyrie had about the same feel. My 2005 Yamaha Road Star rides like a Cadillac in comparison to my 2 Hondas. Every bike Ive owned since coming to Florida the front tires regardless of whos make all have cupped. Specifically the left side. Thats about a dozen different front tires.
My opinion is one that for Hondas top line bike. The front suspension as they make it. Is in a word CRAP!!!!!!

 

[mhgoldwing]

The front suspension as they make it. Is in a word CRAP!!!!!!

That's why I have the Traxxion cartridges and springs. If I was a two wheeler I would also install their triple tree. Honda really needs to improve this system on the next generation.

 

[TexasGuy]

Bridgestone

Just a comment. Two years ago I bought at BT-45 and after much research decided to mount it backwards. Cupped in 10k miles and wore out in 14. Bought another one and now have 9k on it with no cupping and it seems to be wearing better, although I didn't measure the depth recently. There are dozens of threads on this subject that have been posted here, but no definitive answer on which is best and why. Too many variables I guess

I put a Bridgestone Battlax BT45R on my Wing 18 months ago. I do not know if it is running forward or reverse; I cannot find a directional arrow on it. However, I have right at 20,000 miles on it and it shows very little if any wear and no cupping that I can detect. Not sure about riding "characteristics." It goes straight when I want to go straight and turns when I want to turn. I ride a mixture of twisties and sweeps, not overly aggressive but I don't creep through the turns either. I don't ride on wet roads unless I have no choice so I can't comment on that aspect. I do have the Centramatic balancers on it.

 

[Gideon]

I ride a 2003 Valkyrie CSC Trike. It’s front tire is a Dunlop 404 Rear Tire with backward rotation and 40 to 42 lb. air pressure. It has 18,000 miles on it with no cupping.

My last front was a Brigestone Battlax Rear Tire with backward rotation and 40 to 42 lb. air pressure. It started to cup on the left side at 13,000 miles. I replaced it at 14,000 miles because I did not like the ride.

Happy trails,
God bless

 

[Shimpy]

I've got a BT45 on front with over 31,000 miles and no cupping. I run 41psi and now getting near the wear bars and plan to try the Avon trike tire mainly because of the reports of such better handling.

I should add that the BT45 was run in normal rotation.

 

[TexasGuy]

I've got a BT45 on front with over 31,000 miles and no cupping. I run 41psi and now getting near the wear bars and plan to try the Avon trike tire mainly because of the reports of such better handling.

With mileage like that I'm surprised you want to change.

 

[Haste Maker]

With mileage like that I'm surprised you want to change.

I found that the BT45 got very high mileage for riders in the flat land...but for those that ride the roads that have curves...17,000 is the best I got from 2 of them...

 

[Cruiser1800]

I have about 6000 miles on my Avon trike tire, with no cupping. I figure I will get about 12000 miles out of the tire.

 

[Lucky]

9000 on my current MPA ( mounted in reverse ) no cupping. Hoping for 30000 from this one also.

 

[Trail Blazer]

front tire on trike

I am running a Brigestone Batttlax 45, tire reverse rotation . I have 17,000 on it now and it is cupped and sings pretty good, lots of tread left. I ride mostly flat land with a few trips to texas hill contry, Ark. NC when I can. I run 41 lb in the front all the time, harsh ride but better mil. my guess the cupping is from the kind of roads here at home. I am looking at the Avon Trike tire for my next tire.

 

[ricksurratt2]

I can't find a Honda dealer that will install the Battlax in reverse or forward on my trike. Thinking about just doing it myself but they probably won't even balance it for me. I've been told by a few people that you don't need to balance the front tire. Can anybody give me some words of wisdom on this situation? I sure can use some help!! Thanks, Rick

- - - Updated - - -

9000 on my current MPA ( mounted in reverse ) no cupping. Hoping for 30000 from this one also.

Hey Lucky,

What brand and size is the MPA tire you are running on your trike? I bought the Battlax tire for the front end of mine but can't find a Honda shop that will mount it for me. Thanks, Rick

 

[TexasGuy]

I can't find a Honda dealer that will install the Battlax in reverse or forward on my trike. Thinking about just doing it myself but they probably won't even balance it for me. I've been told by a few people that you don't need to balance the front tire. Can anybody give me some words of wisdom on this situation? I sure can use some help!! Thanks, Rick

Rick,

First, you can get by without balancing the front tire but the miles you get out of the tire will be reduced considerably. I have Centrimatics installed on my front end; they make a huge difference in the ride and handling, and I think they have made a great difference in the miles I get out of it. I am running a Bridgestone rear tire in the forward direction. I have over 20,000 miles on it with very little wear and no cupping.

If you want to go that far, there is a dealer in Beckley, WV, who will install your tire. Beckley Trike Sales, 132 Cook Ave, Beckley WV (304)222-2114.

The guy's name is Jim Bostic.

He's about 70 miles from you.

Sounds like it would be worth the trip. If you want to see a little of his operation, take a look at this:

And to put your mind at ease, I have no ongoing relationship with him. I have neither seen nor spoken to him since the day I made this video.

 

[redjetty]

I have about 6000 miles on my Avon trike tire, with no cupping. I figure I will get about 12000 miles out of the tire.

I just turned over 6k on my avon trike tire today and I will be lucky if I get 8 to 9k total out of it. (40 psi) I live in the twisties of ark, no straights for me less I go to kansas.