How many miles on your front tire?

[NHBAGGER]

I had 15,000 on my stock Dunlop and replaced it with a Dunlop American Elite MT Rear tire turned around, running backwards at 36psi. I now have 10,000 miles on this set up and it still looks new. Guessing 25,000 to 30,000 miles. Ride a lot of Blue Ridge Parkway, Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway plus back and forth to work (75 miles round trip).

Why do you have to run them reversed?

 

[bikerbillone]

Now there's a really good question.

 

[Fearless]

The Splice

It is determined by the splice not tread design front tires have splice to be trailing for braking and rear tires are constructed for driving with power applied. Splices are different that is why they are marked. Running a rear tire on front you must mount it in reverse to keep the splice as to would be a front tire. I can't find the thread about this but this is why. ride safely fearless.

 

[Lucky]

Why do you have to run them reversed?

Never heard that they had to be ran in reverse. I have ran them both ways and really can't tell any difference. I have ran MPA'S & BT45'S. Got better mileage from MPA. Although not by much. 41# in all of them.

 

[Sidecar Barbie]

I've had really good luck on my Sidecar Wing rig running a rear tire mounted backwards. I've run it that way for almost 80,000 miles. The rim is the regular way, just the tire is backwards. I run 46 PSI and get much less cupping than I used to at the 36 that Honda recommends.

I think it has something to do with tread pattern. I never have hydroplane issues in the rain and I ride aggressively in the twisties.

 

[HarleyPap57]

Rear Front Tire Update:

Turned 7K this morning and when I got home I noticed the front tread is looking pretty thin. I think this is a bit early to do a front tire but maybe not on these trikes? Pressure is normally 36 lbs.

I just took Blue III in for service and now have 15,000 miles on the front tire (Dunlop American Elite Multi Tread Rear Tire mounted backwards) and the front still looks almost new. The rear tires have a flatter profile than the normal front does so I'm getting a wider contact patch and running 38psi with no cupping. I'm extremely happy with the tire wear and handling with this set up.

Last week a friend on his 2014 Ultra Classic and I rode Hwy 58 in VA from Abington to Mouth of Wilson and I kept with him with no problems. I fact a few times he slowed more than I did in the curves. This road make the Tail of the Dragon look like a dragstrip. When it's time to replace it I'm definitely sticking with the same set-up.

 

[Moe55]

Why do you have to run them reversed?

This is from Avon and explains why it is reversed.


http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/08/23/tires-directional-arrows-explained-by-avon-tyres

 

[Texan]

I've got 11K on my 2014 ... and expect to change it out for a rear Michelin Commander II (mounted reverse) around 13K.......

Bob orag:

Okay, here's my dumb question of the year !!! Several have indicated mounted "reversed". Why reversed ? I use to mount my white walls on my street rods reversed but that was to put the white wall inside, not showing.

8~\o

 

[Fearless]

Easy Splice direction

Front tires are spliced for strength for braking, Rear tires are spliced for power.

 

[coronetracer65]

Just change the front tire on my 2014 at 23,180 miles still not to the wearbar ! Was in for warranty work on parking brake and decided to do the tire . Probably could have gotten a few more miles , had them check it with their fancy guage and it was in the yellow zone. Went back with Dunlop OEM ! Ebert

 

[BinIdaho]

I had 15,000 on my stock Dunlop and replaced it with a Dunlop American Elite MT Rear tire turned around, running backwards at 36psi. I now have 10,000 miles on this set up and it still looks new. Guessing 25,000 to 30,000 miles. Ride a lot of Blue Ridge Parkway, Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway plus back and forth to work (75 miles round trip).

Have a (dumb) question.....do you get the Dunlop American Elite MT rear tire at the HD dealer? I've heard nothing but great results and longer-life (miles) by reversing the front tire.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Not that I noticed. The cupping never went totally away. My fault for starting out wrong with it.

I have since replaced it with a Dunlop American Elite (that was balanced correctly from the get go) and have 4000+ miles on it. Looks new, handles great in dry and wet. It has LESS tendency to hydroplane than the stock tire.

Doubt I'll ever go back.

btw, Barbara, I did not get mine at the HD Dealer, I got it from Tucker Rocky.

Kevin

 

[bikerbillone]

Been there done that. Wanted my dealer to mount a rear tire on front, same size as the front, what a hassle that was.

 

[HarleyPap57]

Have a (dumb) question.....do you get the Dunlop American Elite MT rear tire at the HD dealer? I've heard nothing but great results and longer-life (miles) by reversing the front tire.

Sorry it took so long to respond but yes, I had the local HD Dealer order the tire for me and then they installed it.

- - - Updated - - -

Not that I noticed. The cupping never went totally away. My fault for starting out wrong with it.

I have since replaced it with a Dunlop American Elite (that was balanced correctly from the get go) and have 4000+ miles on it. Looks new, handles great in dry and wet. It has LESS tendency to hydroplane than the stock tire.

Doubt I'll ever go back.

btw, Barbara, I did not get mine at the HD Dealer, I got it from Tucker Rocky.

Kevin

I now have almost 15,000 miles on my American Elite Rear riding up front and still looking new.

 

[DK Custom Products]

No, I got it mounted at a local automotive tire shop that is also set-up for doing motorcycle tires. They do a good job, take more pride in their work than any of the local dealers, and are about 1/2 the price.

Kevin