High psi in a rear on the front.

[JaysGone]

Wondering what will happen if you run tire pressure low so more of the rubber meets the road? The center of my tire is wearing very fast and the outside still looks brand new. Any suggestions.

I can only speak for a car tire here.
A tire that is underinflated will wear out on the edges first.
In the case of a front tire, cup or scallop the edges.
Middle wear usually is overinflated.

 

[JaysGone]

ThumbUp your post reflects RIGOROUS honesty and i ADMIRE that in you my friend but lets stop at BRUTAL honesty?:Shrug:


I don't care if puts it on two different posts if he feels he needs further assurance.
Thats what this forum is for.
Some of us arrive at the point of being teachable sooner than others.
When people get tired of repeating themselves the poster will know it by not seeing responses to his thread.
Take it easy, breath and let the members decide?
I hope you see this as a gentle chastisement! :Shrug:

I didn't ask, nor start any thread over there.
I had 2 entries.
The first response was my personal experience with X brands of tire on my 2 wheelers.
And not having much experience on 3 wheels on the issue.
Nothing negative in my view.
The other reply was to cupping.
Stating how Ive run my fronts, what I run and why.
I did say I don't comprehend why I should run a front tire at max psi.
Didn't imply anything, just what Im doing.
I did however ask here, a place I respect the opinions of more.
A question. brought on over the reasons that had been given there.
After all my thought pattern was simple.
If you were running a regular motorcycle tire up front.
Most Id think would be at 36 psi.
I don't know of anyone who would max out a regular tire.
So my thoughts were why are you maxing out a rear and here is where I asked it basically.
I think in my opening thread starter I asked it in a proper manner.
To me a forums place is to share, not criticize anyone for asking an opinon on something.
Right or wrong.
Its not like Im asking what oils best.......................

 

[JaysGone]

I asked.
You mostly all answered and for that thanks.
I now have some thinking as to whats correct for me.
Im sorry I had to defend myself over some Poindexter here.
Its tiresome.
It has no place for it here.
Kind of reminds me of the kid who got beat up all the time in Elementary School..
Now as an adult is a Lawyer or Politician getting back at us.

Apologizing to most of you out there that might be a lawyer:qpnmt:

Again Thanks mostly all of you.
This has for the most part been helpful.

Next: to play with rear shock settings on a MotorTrike IRS system or not???
I will need some answers before spending 2 cents on a spanner as I don't happen to own one.
I always though spanners were cheap.
They aren't.
Not for an adjustable one anyway.

 

[Blackwillow]

Can see the heads shaking and the eyes be rolling over this one but here goes. Just checked the size of my original rear tire Dunlop E3, 180/60R16 (only had 800miles when purchased on bike) and also checked the front tire on the trike Dunlop E3, 130/70-18. Jus so I am clear, do you guys go out and replace the front rim to install the rear on? Will the rear fit under the fender? What does this do to trike being level? Inquiring minds need.....

 

[07BlueCSC]

Can see the heads shaking and the eyes be rolling over this one but here goes. Just checked the size of my original rear tire Dunlop E3, 180/60R16 (only had 800miles when purchased on bike and also checked the front tire on the trike Dunlop E3, 130/70-18. Jus so I am clear, do you guys go out and replace the front rim to install the rear on? Will the rear fit under the fender? What does this do to trike being level? Inquiring minds need.....

This has been covered many times. You replace the front tire with a BIAS-PLY tire the same size as the FRONT tire. In your case a 130/70-18. The most popular replacement tires are MICHELIN PILOT ACTIV, BattleAx BT-45 and AVON AM-26.

 

[Blackwillow]

Thanks 07 Blue, So you are not installing the rear tire to the front rim but rather purchasing a new tire, so where does the rear tire aspect come in to it albeit mounted forward or reverse? I guess it is all as clear as mud to me now.:xzqxz:
By the by checked my current front tire pressure and it is at 32#. Me thinks I will pump up to 41# and look for a difference.
Thanks for the thread. Still learning. Get the fork brace aspect but on a hobby budget. Its on the list. Jus spent a wack on Gopro stuff so the wallet has politely ask me to slow down as she concedes we need to take a 10 week bike trip and live cheap. She is my CFO and I listen.
Take care all.

 

[SMSgt]

Thanks 07 Blue, So you are not installing the rear tire to the front rim but rather purchasing a new tire, so where does the rear tire aspect come in to it albeit mounted forward or reverse? I guess it is all as clear as mud to me now.:xzqxz:
By the by checked my current front tire pressure and it is at 32#. Me thinks I will pump up to 41# and look for a difference.
Thanks for the thread. Still learning. Get the fork brace aspect but on a hobby budget. Its on the list. Jus spent a wack on Gopro stuff so the wallet has politely ask me to slow down as she concedes we need to take a 10 week bike trip and live cheap. She is my CFO and I listen.
Take care all.

Front and rear tires have different rubber compounds. You will buy a rear tire the same size as the front one and mount it in whatever direction you choose. You will still what to run it at 41 PSI to take the flex out of the sidewall. There are several threads on tires and such so you should be able to spend several nights up reading all about tires until you are so confused you won't even be able to spell tires.
One last thing don't buy a radial tire they have too much flex in the sidewall.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[pcombe]

Can see the heads shaking and the eyes be rolling over this one but here goes. Just checked the size of my original rear tire Dunlop E3, 180/60R16 (only had 800miles when purchased on bike) and also checked the front tire on the trike Dunlop E3, 130/70-18. Jus so I am clear, do you guys go out and replace the front rim to install the rear on? Will the rear fit under the fender? What does this do to trike being level? Inquiring minds need.....

My harley had the front and rear tire the same size.
so i had a rear tire the exact same size as my front tire and used the original front rim to mount it backward rotation on on the trike.
If you dont have one, buy a rear tire the same size as your front tire .

 

[Blackwillow]

Tanx for the input.07 Sorry it has been done before ,newish here, cut sum slack. never dealt with tires be 4, all about cc size?
If you want to go on a forum, be prepared to help the brothers and sisters and not be snarky.

 

[bikerbillone]

Snarky? Was someone snarky on this forum? This forum is very calm, you want snarky, try the other one. Need a thick skin over there.

 

[07BlueCSC]

Tanx for the input.07 Sorry it has been done before ,newish here, cut sum slack. never dealt with tires be 4, all about cc size?
If you want to go on a forum, be prepared to help the brothers and sisters and not be snarky.

This thread was about TIRE PRESSURE. You changed the subject(Rear tire on front). There is a SEARCH option that can be used if you have problems and questions.

 

[msrvpeig]

This thread was about TIRE PRESSURE. You changed the subject(Rear tire on front). There is a SEARCH option that can be used if you have problems and questions.

Actually, the first post on this thread asks for the following: "Id like some of your opinions on why I should run a rear on the front at max psi...........Id like to hear why some of you do what you do".

So perhaps you were being "snarky". JMO

 

[pcombe]

:Shrug:
It kinda looks to me like this thread has dissolved into a self defense and justification issue?

I weighed in on the moral issue and i apologize for my part in it.
I should have kept my mouth shut to begin with, I don't have to attend every fight I'm invited to.

I believe i will unsubscribe from this thread now and let bruised feelings heal before the entire forum takes on the nasty tones i have seen on other bike forums.
I have dropped those other forums and i would hate to loose this one, as i enjoy the people and general attitudes presented in the past, and hope this rift heals itself?:Coffee:

 

[suvcw04]

Tanx for the input.07 Sorry it has been done before ,newish here, cut sum slack. never dealt with tires be 4, all about cc size?
If you want to go on a forum, be prepared to help the brothers and sisters and not be snarky.

My turn to be snarky. Your post looks like a cross between a twitter post and a cell phone text message. Do you think you could put a huge amount of effort in your posts, and do them in straight English?

 

[msocko3]

Snarky? Was someone snarky on this forum? This forum is very calm, you want snarky, try the other one. Need a thick skin over there.

:Agree: One of th reasons TT is my go to forum is the great folks here. When I have the desire to roll around in the dirt I check out one of the other forums to fill that need.

 

[JaysGone]

Look blame me if this went south.
I did ask the question here.
I have my own preconceived notions on how and why to run a tire.
I did ask for opinions and got them here.
Why some have a need to bash, change subjects and do what they do is to me incredulous sometimes.

With out rereading my own 1st post.
I think I made it clear I wanted opinions.
Not for anyone myself included to be a negative Nelly.
Some just don't read from the beginning of the posts. They jump in the middle and away it went.

So to those of you here, who I think are more riders then just followers.
Thanks.

To the Poindexters, <a person who is intelligent but socially inept; a nerd>.:qpnmt:
Put me on ignore.

I do plan on asking a lot more opinions here in the future as they come up.

In ending this post.
The vast opinion seems to be to reduce sidewall flexing.
Sacrificing a bit of comfort for more control.
This isn't something that has or is happening in my case.
Or I just haven't felt it yet.
I did how ever for the remainder of the week do my daily commute at 41psi.
No real biggy, but the ride quality for me did suffer a lot.
So for now, for me Ill stay at a lower psi and see how long the MPA lasts.
Thanks guys for the good responses as always.

 

[uralowner]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I don't know of anyplace one could go for more purely honest field test reports than a forum or thread like this. None of it is profit motivated. This kind of sharing plants the seed of thought that leads to more research or in the least better decisions by we who have far less experience. (40 miles so far on a home build/in progress, would like to survive at least another 400,000 or more, then you can give me my wool blanket an send me to the woods)
I do searches and most times can find enough information as to not have to bother anyone, but do ask questions sometimes. Even novice questions can change a train of thought and may cause the experts to rethink, improve and share.
Being retired for 14 years the "FUN" budget needs to be protected but not at the cost of safety. Following those with experience, but not blindly,
that is asking for clarification when needed, goes in that direction. I thank you all for sharing. Perry

 

[Calgary]

Well said Perry - I share your thoughts. I have learned so much from Trike Talk and look forward to more of the same! :10:

 

[JaysGone]

.................not at the cost of safety. Following those with experience, but not blindly,
that is asking for clarification when needed...........Perry

This is why I ask what to some might be a dumb question.
I get an answer and some reasoning behind it.
Not at all like some other forums.
Where
Just because so and so does it you should too.

 

[Calgary]

This is why I ask what to some might be a dumb question.
I get an answer and some reasoning behind it.
Not at all like some other forums.
Where
Just because so and so does it you should too.

JaysGone

I agree that asking questions and getting reasoning behind the answers is a good thing.

BUT, I've never got the impression that I didn't truly have a choice as to how I used the information. My primary interest is always about how I benefit from a 'safety' perspective - and not everyone will always view the same things as safe or less than safe. I appreciate diversity in thought and application. In the end, my choices have to 'work' for me! :GL1800::GL1800:

 

[JaysGone]

JaysGone

I agree that asking questions and getting reasoning behind the answers is a good thing.

BUT, I've never got the impression that I didn't truly have a choice as to how I used the information. My primary interest is always about how I benefit from a 'safety' perspective - and not everyone will always view the same things as safe or less than safe. I appreciate diversity in thought and application. In the end, my choices have to 'work' for me! :GL1800::GL1800:

In my case for comfort reasons I have been running rear tires for the past 10 years on the front at as low as 30 psi. This is on 2 wheels.

I kept seeing posts over the last year in trike forums saying I run my so and so tire at 41 psi which is the fully loaded recommended psi for a front tire. When on a trike the front is nowhere under maximum load or stress so why are you folks doing this??
I never saw a reply anywhere with a reason stated.
I tried it at 41 psi it rode like rocks and jarred the heck out of my front end even on tar strips at 70mph. So already, I was in my mind questioning this wisdom.

I asked why here and got the best responses of anywhere.
Main one being sidewall flexing. Even now maybe its still a safety related argument.
But one I haven't had any experience with.
Sidewall flexing on a front with 3 wheels that is.
On the rear of a 2 wheeler running CTs I have 100% had flexing. We call it the "Wobbles" in Darksiding.
Not a pleasant feeling.
Im my case on my bikes Ive cured that not by running very high pressure but by using Light Truck tires as rears instead of passenger car tires.
Much stiffer sidewalls used not higher psi and it is eliminated.

So I gave it some thought to myself is this the same type of flexing or wobbles happening in your front tires here on 3 wheels???

Maybe.
But my 2 wheel experience doesn't apply very much to 3 wheels.
Most of my daily commute is on the highway and 4 lane secondary roads. I make all of 4 turns leaving my house to my stores door.
I have never experienced any flexing and will continue to run my MPA at 34-36 psi max. I might even go lower. The lower one runs it the more comfortable I find the ride to be.

Comfort, but not at the cost of my safety is the goal.
Tire life and miles used doesn't enter into my thought patterns.
Im very used to replacing regular fronts of any kind at about 8K miles on 2 wheels. Using bike rears on the front 12-15K.
This is with 2 wheels.
Having to do the same on 3 wheels isn't a big deal to me.
So far 15K miles at 34-36 psi cold with no issues and plenty of tread life left in my MPA. That is actually 38 to 42 psi HOT in my case. Im leaning towards trying 32 psi cold. That should be 36ish hot. And seeing how that goes for the remainder of the tires life.

On this forum folks seem to have a more independent chain of thought.
Not the I do this because so and so with X amount of experience says so.
And I for one appreciate that diversity.

 

[bikerbillone]

Good post. The most jarring part of the ride is from the front tire, therefore I instinctively try to miss those 'things' in the road with the front tire, catch on the rear if I can't miss it entirely. On my BT45 (rear tire) on the front I'm running 41 psi, not sure exactly why, just because it was 'recommended' maybe, or I read not as much flexing on the side walls, or reduces cupping. Think I might try 36 psi as you have on the MPA, see how it goes. I'd like to see more input on this thread......

 

[JaysGone]

Good post. The most jarring part of the ride is from the front tire, therefore I instinctively try to miss those 'things' in the road with the front tire, catch on the rear if I can't miss it entirely. On my BT45 (rear tire) on the front I'm running 41 psi, not sure exactly why, just because it was 'recommended' maybe, or I read not as much flexing on the side walls, or reduces cupping. Think I might try 36 psi as you have on the MPA, see how it goes. I'd like to see more input on this thread......

Id like to see a heck of a lot more responses too.
15K views. 50 responses. Not a lot of reader input actually.
We have here folks with years and thousands of miles worth of experience.
Myself not so much 1 year on a trike.
What Id like to be able to glean from this is in the end.
"Is what Im doing unsafe............" If so why??
I know that is not how or what I stated in opening this thread.
I realize what Ive asked is a loaded question.
But that's also my point.
Not to argue, not to have to justify myself.

I asked to learn.
What is your personal experience (opinion)? Why do you run it this way?
Might have been a better way of putting it, in after thought.

 

[bikerbillone]

Hang in, Jay, maybe we will get more 'eyes' and more input. I find not so much back and forth serious argument over here on what's right and what's wrong that venture over into personal conflicts. Not that I'm opposed to the 'other forum' I read it daily for nuggets of information, as I do this forum. If folks like BMWs, or Harleys, or GWs, that's fine with me. I mine the threads for information, so I read it all.

 

[JaysGone]

I read 3 Trike forums a day. Mostly to learn.
Searching doesn't get me much of what I need at the time I need it.
Asking does.
My background with bikes goes back to my 1st. A 59 BSA 1 banger.
Ive had them all. Except for the Italian bikes. I guess a Vespa doesnt count.
1 bangers to inline 4s. I settled on V-Twins for the most part since the late 70s. Then bought and rebuilt a 99 Valk over the past 2 years and sold it in August. Hardest bike to work on Ive ever owned. But for lack of a reverse gear. That would have been my trike. Not being able to find a builder down here to work on metrics got me to the GW.
I promised myself no tearing this one apart.
I broke that promise the 1st week I owned it..........sigh.
But I do have a need to know.
Im just not the kind that can accept it works this way because.
I have to know how and why.

Ive learned quite a bit here.
Ruffled a few feathers in the beginning here and probably will a few more in the future..

 

[uralowner]

This has been a great thread to follow. The discussion has included comfort, side wall flex, handling in curves, longevity of the tire, and one post one water performance concerns. It has all been very informative. A very interesting read. To bad the tire manufactures can't weigh in due to liability concerns. They have to restrict their opinions on $$$$$$$$$$$ of research, design and testing that directs the recommended/approved use of each of their products to very limited parameters, only as tested for. We are on our own beyond that.
The only thing not covered is response of the tire at certain air presser, rotation direction, or firmness in an emergency/severe avoidance situation. That's something none of us should try on purpose, but could happen. I guess if most of us get clear of a close call we're probably not in the mood to evaluate the performance of our front tire. Could be something to think about. Ride safe, get home

 

[Blackwillow]

Good responses Jays and Ural, Gleaned a lot out of this thread. pepper I personally like how threads switch back and forth, kinda like a conversation with a friend. We do change topic at will.

And so to Snarky, that had trouble understanding my text/cell post. Step back from your smart meter, (google, smart meter dangers) cuz dude you need to get a grip, this is all about sharing info. If you wish to bash any bike or anyone, head on over to the "other forums" and do your scraping there. This site has a well established moderator, whom, has not contacted me regarding any of my posts nor to my knowledge removed any.
Personally I have not had good results in the search area for my queries, so thought jus (just) ask!!!

Definitely do not need to read your anxiety. :xszpv:

Have a good one.......... what ever that maybe.

 

[Old Fard]

I want to commend most folks for keeping this thread civil. Having observed the experience that many have had with front tires, there is a consensus not based on physics or engineering but rather empirical data based on individuals testing on their own. So what have we gleaned from all these threads?

1] There are two tires that are the most popular based on increased overall mileage over the original manufacturers front tire.
2] Rear tires have substantially improved wear performance when mounted on the front.
3] Some are mounted in reverse and some are not without issues.
4] Some tires are noisy when run in reverse.
5] Most are more satisfied with bias ply tires on the front rather than radials. (Stability)
6] Higher front tire pressures (41-43 psi) ride slightly stiffer and are slightly easier to steer in hard turns.
7] Most trikers use higher than 32-36 psi on the front tires.

I'm sure that I've missed some things here but these forums are as good a "trade study" as some engineering meetings that I've attended.

What I found interesting was that on most threads that I've read spoke to one manufacture's tire whining, or buzzing as some have put it, compared to others when the tire is mounted in reverse. I wonder if any one out there has reversed the tire direction to see if the noise went away.

Tread depth and high durometer (hardness) of some rear tires will account for improved wear.

There is good data that came in from all these forums and nothing trumps theory like facts.

Humbly submitted.
Blue side up, have fun and ride safe.

 

[JaysGone]

I have to say I got what I asked for out of this thread.
Folks opinions why they do what they do.
That's all I asked for and that mostly what I got.
Some knowledge of the hows and whys.
Thanks to you all for being civil............

PS: tried 33psi today.
Not so good cold.
Had a little bit of movement side to side in the handlebars at slow speeds.
As soon as the tire warmed up, it went away.
So in the end Im more or less going back to where it all began.
36psi cold.

Again folks thanks for the answers.

Jay

 

[MDGeorge]

What Id like to be able to glean from this is in the end.
"Is what Im doing unsafe............" If so why??

Jays, maybe you're asking a question that can't be answered on a forum.
OR...
Maybe you have the answer. "I don't know"
OR...
It's subjective. Do whatever you like. What rides good to you.

I run 38psi. Happy medium between rough ride at 41psi and too soft at 36psi.