John Luciano
One Of The Origionals
Still happy with the front tire? It is so hard to get someone to believe it is true.
My Michelin Pilot Activ Rear/Front Tire Opinions
- Thread starter skuuter
- Start date
skuuter
One of the Origionals
- Thread starter
- #32
Oh Yes, definetly Happy with it. I tend to be fairly hard on Tires anyway due to my Yearly Mileage, and almost constant Twisties Riding. The minute cupping probably wouldn't show up for Someone that doesn't spend as much time on Mountain Roads as I do......the Pilot Activ is definetly the way to go.......ThumbUp
I don't know the exact mileage on mine ,but it still looks just like new.Completely satisfied with it.RIDE SAFE
Comanche
Contributing Member
As soon as I said everything is smooth, I am getting a wobble at very low speeds. Rear tires 22, front tire MPA reversed 41.
Any idea why I am getting a wobble. This only occures at 10 MPH or lower.
Any idea why I am getting a wobble. This only occures at 10 MPH or lower.
Scalp Hunter
TOI - Texas
Commanche:
Just happened to talk to a Honda mechanic yesterday about the same thing. He stated that this is a common occurance with GW trikes, and it does'nt matter what brand conversion. He stated that there is really nothing that can be done about it as it is a factor of the weight distribution (front to rear of a trike. I asked about the use of different mods such as fork braces etc, and he stated they really won't make any difference. they all develope the same wobble between 5 to 25 mph, dependent upon the weight distribution. I'm prone to think that the problem might be due to the handlebar weights, which are used as a dampner on GW trikes.
I noticed when I took mine off to add more comfortable grips, my problem started. I also talked to Randy a couple of weeks ago, and he suggested tightening the steering head on any trike that has been raked. Don't know if that is a solution, as I have not tried it yet, because I don't currently know what the max torque is, but I will, and I'll let you know. the good thing is it(wobble) only happens on decelleration, and only a extremely low speeds. I also noticed it is more prone to happen going up hill rather than on a flat surface or going downhill. I know this does'nt solve your (our) problem, but there has to be a solution, it's just a question of finding it.
John
Just happened to talk to a Honda mechanic yesterday about the same thing. He stated that this is a common occurance with GW trikes, and it does'nt matter what brand conversion. He stated that there is really nothing that can be done about it as it is a factor of the weight distribution (front to rear of a trike. I asked about the use of different mods such as fork braces etc, and he stated they really won't make any difference. they all develope the same wobble between 5 to 25 mph, dependent upon the weight distribution. I'm prone to think that the problem might be due to the handlebar weights, which are used as a dampner on GW trikes.
I noticed when I took mine off to add more comfortable grips, my problem started. I also talked to Randy a couple of weeks ago, and he suggested tightening the steering head on any trike that has been raked. Don't know if that is a solution, as I have not tried it yet, because I don't currently know what the max torque is, but I will, and I'll let you know. the good thing is it(wobble) only happens on decelleration, and only a extremely low speeds. I also noticed it is more prone to happen going up hill rather than on a flat surface or going downhill. I know this does'nt solve your (our) problem, but there has to be a solution, it's just a question of finding it.
John
Larry
John hit around it pretty good. There is a good chance that your stem nut has loosened slightly. Very common, and is the reason that after 12 to 1500 miles it should be checked and re torqued. You just put the rake on this past summer I believe. Did you have it checked after a few months or miles for looseness. From the Installation instructions for Ezsteer.
This nut should have 30 lbs of torque. Put your lock washer on and then your top nut. Tighten your top nut good and snug, not too tight, and make sure the slots line up. Bend the tabs up on your washer.
I use 30-32. and to finish it off :
Since the bottom installation is complete, go ahead and torque your top plate down to 78 lbs. Make sure it will still turn freely.
John hit around it pretty good. There is a good chance that your stem nut has loosened slightly. Very common, and is the reason that after 12 to 1500 miles it should be checked and re torqued. You just put the rake on this past summer I believe. Did you have it checked after a few months or miles for looseness. From the Installation instructions for Ezsteer.
This nut should have 30 lbs of torque. Put your lock washer on and then your top nut. Tighten your top nut good and snug, not too tight, and make sure the slots line up. Bend the tabs up on your washer.
I use 30-32. and to finish it off :
Since the bottom installation is complete, go ahead and torque your top plate down to 78 lbs. Make sure it will still turn freely.
I have the Michelin Pro Active on the front of mine in reverse. Yes, it sings some but I have become a great believer in DynaBeads and reccommend them to anyone as I have them in each tire on my Champion Trike.
ran 20k on mine last year, changed it due to some minor cupping, no issues driving but I had a backup sittin in the basement so I mounted forward THEN ran 3k to key west and back and the new one looks like the day I had it installed,,,,ITS A GREAT TIRE,,,ThumbUp
Blondie Gal
Gone but not forgotten.
With all these riders having such good experiences, we should hit Michelin up for some discounts on our next tires!!!
yup right on the mark, but after 20k with a trip to fairbanks under its belt it was retired to the garage wall as an ALCAN TROPHY!!! You will get another 10k probably, mine gave me no issues on the road as far a vibration goes, actually couldnt tell the difference in ride when I install the second one,,,hope to run one off every summer,,,
THATS RIDIN!!epper:About your wobble: I have a 2005 Goldwing Trike, MP tires running reverse. Don't worry about tires as long as they are in good shape. Jack-up the front of the Trike and see if the tire swings to the right or left. If it swings either way, take it to your mechanic and have him tighten the front end. There is a big nut that holds the front-end to the handle-bars. There is a locking device around the big nut that must be removed and re-installed that is why I say take it to your mechanic. This "big nut" should be tightened until the front wheel, or handle-bar, doesn't swing to the right or left.
Been there done that.
- Moderator
- #44
Welcome aboard ICU2
I installed a MPA on front yest on my Goldwing 1500 Hannagin, installed the ride on tire sealant today.Tire seems to handle better, but new always does, Ride on Tire sealant time will only tell. Will keep you updated.
skuuter
One of the Origionals
- Thread starter
- #46
Increased the Air Pressure to 46 lbs, and have ridden it about 600 miles like this on twisty roads....the cupping/feathering has smoothed itself back out to almost perfect. This is not a "comfy" feeling air pressure, but I wanted to see if the stretched effect would "sort-of-buff" the Tire back into a smoother condition.......Seems to have worked somewhat.
We have the TENNESSEE TOI CHAPTER RIDE #2 this Saturday, March 12th to Pikeville, Alabama for "BURGERS-n-TWISTIES"...I will go back to the 39/40 I normally run on those type roads......ThumbUp
Well, I have an HD Ultra and just yesterday replaced my front Dunlap tire with an MPA. I noticed a big difference in handling immediately riding home, then again my Dunlap that was the original tire when new was worn out after 14,214 miles (9,641 as a bike and 4,573 as a Trike). Hope I get the same results or better with the MPA. Will keep posts as miles get added.
After reading all the positive post about the MPA tire, looks like that is what I am going to install on mine. I am on my second dunlap, each one had 8 to 10 thousand miles on them. Just have not decided install frontwards or backwards. Both sounds good. Hopefully will double my milage if not better.
I wrote to Hannigan about a front tire (altho I have a new Avon Cobra on my bike now). I figured I would start planning ahead for when the conversion is done and I need a new tire on the front.
Here's what they said:
We do not suggest using an automotive tire on the front of your trike. We do suggest replacing it with a rear compound motorcycle tire when your current one is in need of replacement. The ones most used are the Michelin MPA, the Metzler ME880, and the Bridgestone Battlax. These will provide the increased wear and safety and performance you will need.
Here's what they said:
We do not suggest using an automotive tire on the front of your trike. We do suggest replacing it with a rear compound motorcycle tire when your current one is in need of replacement. The ones most used are the Michelin MPA, the Metzler ME880, and the Bridgestone Battlax. These will provide the increased wear and safety and performance you will need.
Hi i had a mich.m50 on my 2002 goldwing trike ran backward --put 20000 miles on it still looked new sold the trike and now the trike has 29000 miles on her and still looks great --i dont think it really matters runnin forward or backward on a trike but everone said run it backward --if its good on a 2 wheeler it should be good on a trike runnin forward --i wonder what the tire maker would say --they should make a front tire for trikes i bet they come out with somethin soon --there is alot on the road and more are commin !!!!
Just had the Michelin Pilot Activ tire put on 2008 Goldwing Trike. hope it does perform like everyone is saying. On the two last Dunlop elite 3 tires I have had 9300 on one and 8089 on the on the other, if I can at least double the milage I will be happy. Hope to get the milage everyone else is. Thanks for all the good info on this forum. Great place for a lot of good info from good people.
skuuter
One of the Origionals
- Thread starter
- #53
OK.....I got 16,000+ miles out of my Michelin Pilot Activ Tire...A new all-time record for me with "ANY" Tire on a Motorcycle/Scooter/Trike.....Leadin' the VFR Interceptor Sport Bikes around this past weekend did it in...Wear Bars were already wearing away before headin' to Franklin,NC for the VFRD T-Mac Event...ordered a New Michelin Pilot Activ today.
If my mileage doesn't sound as impressive as some of the 20+ thousand and still counting Users at TRIKE TALK .com, don't panic....I ride mostly very twisty roads constantly, and sometimes with Cruisers/Sport Bikes very aggressively, being the only Trike along on the Ride.....Tryin' to gradually wean myself off this "Bad Habit"......ThumbUp
"REALISTICALLY"... I probably should have switched the Tire around the 11,000 mile mark. The "Ride Quality" fell off at this point in some ways, but I wanted to see "Total Mileage"...I will take and post Pics later of it's present condition.
If my mileage doesn't sound as impressive as some of the 20+ thousand and still counting Users at TRIKE TALK .com, don't panic....I ride mostly very twisty roads constantly, and sometimes with Cruisers/Sport Bikes very aggressively, being the only Trike along on the Ride.....Tryin' to gradually wean myself off this "Bad Habit"......
ThumbUp"REALISTICALLY"... I probably should have switched the Tire around the 11,000 mile mark. The "Ride Quality" fell off at this point in some ways, but I wanted to see "Total Mileage"...I will take and post Pics later of it's present condition.
I still have a buzz with my michelin pilot active mounted backwards on our 1800 gold wing motortrike after 3000 miles. Is this buzz ever going to quit???
If your tire is like the two I have and now own the answer is no. If anything, it will get worse. At least both of mine did. I have a pilot activ on my trike now and it is cupped to the point that I am ready to change it. The one I had on my 1500 did the same. I also ran a BT45 on my 1500 for over 20,000 miles with only slight cupping and no buzz. The 45 is what I am putting on my 1800 and taking the Michelin off. I have several miles left on the pilot activ but the buzz and cupping is not worth the extra miles.
skuuter
One of the Origionals
- Thread starter
- #56
Yes, the Pilot Activ is fairly noisy (Less so mounted straight up than mounted in reverse, as I have ridden two Other Trikes mounted backwards), but until the Cupping started, I have been thoroughly pleased with the Tire. Better Traction, Quicker Steering, Better Road Feel. These are things that came with the Tire unexpectedly, as I was originally buying it solely for the "Mileage Experiment".....New Pilot Activ should be on by Thursday, scuffed in just in time for the TRIKE TALK RALLY IN THE VALLEY IV in Maggie Valley,NC...My New Michelin and I hope to see You there.....ThumbUp :beerchug:
I have an MPA on my front wheel. Just turned over 20K miles on it and it is about half worn with little cupping or buzz. I ride aggressively. Started to get a little vibration in it, so I put some orange Ride On tire sealer/balancer in it. Now no vibration
I like what I've read so far I'm almost convinced some reserch has pointed me towards the bridgestone 45 backwards. Any thoughts?
skuuter
One of the Origionals
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