My Michelin Pilot Activ Rear/Front Tire Opinions

[skuuter]

The test result above stated about water being thrown back towards the trike is exactly what is supposed to happen, you want the water to be funneled behind the tire(ie around & towards the bike), you don't want the tire to throw the water back up in FRONT of you where the tire will run over it again. So you experience of the spray being sent back towards the trike is what is supposed to happen

The water should be dispersed to the sides/edges of the Tire, and sent toward the Trike in small amounts, being sent past the outside edges of the fender. Exactly what happens when mounted Straight Up....the point I tried to state, is when I ride Trikes mounted in Reverse, is the Fender packs with water....the Tire does a much poorer job of cleaning the water away from it's tread. I'm assuming, like me, You've done thousands of miles of actual "Ride Testing" in every condition...I average 30,000+ miles per year on Trikes, Motorcycles, and Scooters for 0ver 44 years. "Most" Riders are never going to know the differences in which way the Tire gets mounted except the longer mileage....Reverse Order will give more mileage, but in performance, Straight Up wins out in every condition I've personally ridden in......Best way to evaluate is simply mount one each way, ride them until they wear out, evaluate each one......ThumbUp

 

[skuuter]

Folks, there's no reason to keep dragging this Discussion out over and over again...It's a "Dead Horse", no use beating it to death over and over.....there is Tons of INFO and Personal Use Testimonies in this Thread.....

Simply Read, make Your Decision, Mount Your Tire...Post Your "LONG TERM RIDE RESULTS" in this Thread...don't try to make a point out of Your Personal Findings, just state Your Ride Opinions and Results for Other Members to read for Their Information Purposes.... READ...!!!!!...epper:

Thanks...skuuter...ThumbUp

 

[cjmitch]

Exactly what happens when mounted Straight Up....the point I tried to state, is when I ride Trikes mounted in Reverse, is the Fender packs with water....the Tire does a much poorer job of cleaning the water away from it's tread.

Im sorry again you are missing the point of the pictures...
If you compare the tread patterns of BOTH of the tires (OEM and MPA) in normal rotation (the LEFT 2 pictures) then ONE of them is WRONG. they can't both be correct when one of them is 180 degrees out of phase with the other.

Can you explain this in any way other than the fact that ONE of them needs to be reversed to accomplish the same goals as the other?
They cannot BOTH be correct, when they are exact opposites of each other.

And HONDA, as the entity that designed the thing, says that the way THEY mount the tires is correct, soooo which one are we to believe?
The way the manufacturer mounts the tire or the way you recommend to mount the tire???

I'm assuming, like me, You've done thousands of miles of actual "Ride Testing" in every condition...
I average 30,000+ miles per year on Trikes, Motorcycles, and Scooters for 0ver 44 years blah blah blah....

There is no need to be condescending; I submit your extensive knowledge, but what is pictured here does not jibe with your hypothesis / knowledge, acceptance of visual evidence in front of you, or just plain common sense.

In other words...
Who are we to believe you, or our own lying eyes?

...don't try to make a point out of Your Personal Findings, just state Your Ride Opinions and Results for Other

Isn't making a point out of your personal findings exactly what you are doing???
I am presenting visual evidence to support my hypothesis. Please... Please refute my evidence with same/similar.

I will submit to the more knowledgeable evidence when that evidence is presented, so far I see none

 

[skuuter]

Im sorry again you are missing the point of the pictures...

If you compare the tread patterns of BOTH of the tires (OEM and MPA) in normal rotation (the LEFT 2 pictures) then ONE of them is WRONG. they can't both be correct when one of them is 180 degrees out of phase with the other.

Can you explain this in any way other than the fact that ONE of them needs to be reversed to accomplish the same goals as the other?

They cannot BOTH be correct, when they are exact opposites of each other.

And HONDA, as the entity that designed the thing, says that the way THEY mount the tires is correct, soooo which one are we to believe?

The way the manufacturer mounts the tire or the way you recommend to mount the tire???

There is no need to be condescending; I submit your extensive knowledge, but what is pictured here does not jibe with your hypothesis / knowledge, acceptance of visual evidence in front of you, or just plain common sense.

In other words...

Who are we to believe you, or our own lying eyes?

Isn't making a point out of your personal findings exactly what you are doing???

I am presenting visual evidence to support my hypothesis. Please... Please refute my evidence with same/similar.

I will submit to the more knowledgeable evidence when that evidence is presented, so far I see none

[/SIZE]

(1) I wasn't being condescending with my amount of Ride Time...simply verifying that I'm not a "newbie" by any means, and capable of doing equipment evaluations...(2) No. I did not, and have not made a point of my personal findings....I simply stated them ALWAYS using the term "My Personal Observations", and finishing with "You might want to experiment with Both Options".....I never push Straight Up or Reversed as right for ANY Member here...I ALWAYS recommend reading the "Testimonies" here in this Thread, and there are many, and make a choice. Riding Both Long Term is the only real way for Anyone to form an opinion for Themselves...

(3) Trying to compare one type Tire to another, such as Your photo becomes an "Apple and Orange" Comparison. Tread Design, Cleaning Grooves, Tire Carcass Shape, etc. differs greatly among Brands. We have reversed Race Car, Racing Motorcycle, and Race Kart Tires for various reasons over the years (reversing tires is not new to me) to achieve various performance results. (4) Your Photo is not absolute conclusive fact, no more that my Personal Ride Opinions are, to have Members mount Their Michelin Pilot Activs in either order. This can be discussed endlessly (and has been)...this will never be a conclusive thing based on ANY presented opinion...it's subjective, and best way to "form" a "Personal Opinion" is to ride the Tire Both Ways

I'm sure I'm not the only Member here that has spent miles of road time with both directions..."but"...real world road time opinions using the Same Tire, are helpful, and I have done this and stated "My Opinions".....(5) I'm not going to continue an argumentative point with You because it serves no meaningful purpose, and wastes the Members time that have come here to read Information.....You made Your original post...I will finish up "again" with what I have originally said......

MEMBERS: Read all of the Posts in This Thread, then decide how You want to mount Your Tire. Mount It, Ride It Long Term, Post Your "Personal Opinions".....better yet, try Both Methods, Ride Them Long Term and Post Your "Personal Opinions"........Thanks, skuuter.....ThumbUp

 

[irmagoo]

I have no experience with the bias rear tire on front of trike... but
if avon comes out with the new trike front tire I would buy one to try
has anyone head a solid release date for the avon trike tire ??
all they would tell me is mid summer
if I'm ready to test trike and avon is still waiting to put tires on the market I will buy mpa..
many thanks for all those who contributed to this tread as I am learning from the brain trust that's called "trike talk"!!
magoo

 

[skuuter]

I have no experience with the bias rear tire on front of trike... but
if avon comes out with the new trike front tire I would buy one to try
has anyone head a solid release date for the avon trike tire ??
all they would tell me is mid summer
if I'm ready to test trike and avon is still waiting to put tires on the market I will buy mpa..
many thanks for all those who contributed to this tread as I am learning from the brain trust that's called "trike talk"!!
magoo

Ever since Avon announced the coming availability of a "Trike Specific Tire", I too have been extremely interested in trying one as soon as possible....the MPA, "some day" will be extinct. If I had to bet without knowing, it's market now is primarily Trikers. The One we use on Gold Wing Trikes right now, was originally a Kawasaki 250 Ninja Rear Tire on the "old version" of that Bike. Not that many of those still running around either.....Yes, Avon or Some Company needs to step up to the plate on this one.....ThumbUp:10:

 

[cavie]

All the tire research I've done on tires (auto and motorcycle) shows 90% have up and out tread pattern for water displacement. I know which way I'm running my tires.

 

[cjmitch]

All the tire research I've done on tires (auto and motorcycle) shows 90% have up and out tread pattern for water displacement. I know which way I'm running my tires.

Actually I have seen that also. My Michelin Hydroedges on the back are that way...

But how do we jibe that with the tread orientation on the OEM tires...

I have to ask, what models of tires were the other 10%. I'd like to see them

 

[cavie]

I have a picture of a Continental with arrows going in both directions for front and rear!!!

 

[skuuter]

I have a picture of a Continental with arrows going in both directions for front and rear!!!

I have no doubts.....ThumbUp

My view on Tires is "Mount Em', Ride Em', Evaluate Em', Share Your Personal Opinions with Forum Members and Friends.....actually riding a Tire is an "Informed Opinion".....ThumbUp:10:

 

[msocko3]

I have no doubts.....ThumbUp

My view on Tires is "Mount Em', Ride Em', Evaluate Em', Share Your Personal Opinions with Forum Members and Friends.....actually riding a Tire is an "Informed Opinion".....ThumbUp:10:

:Agree: You hit the nail right square on the head. Right now I'm running a MPA mounted reverse rotation, going to mount the next one normal rotation and figure out which one I like the most.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Been following this thread, and the same subject in the past. (I seem to remember the first front tire question was sometime in late 2008) A lot of good information, and I believe Skuuter has it - do the research, try different combinations and decide for yourself.

Please know I am not trying to be offensive, but it seems we are now beating the pot of glue that dead horse was make into.

 

[Rosy]

You are correct. What works for one rider doesn't nesesarly work for some one else. Your riding style, bike/trike set up, loads, conversion, balance of tires, psi, rake, and road conditions all make this tire specific for you and you only.
So, try it, see the results, try it another way, see the results, then you can see what fits your style.
As I have said before, no two trikes are alike, close but never exactly the same.

Rosy

 

[Texas2010MT]

4000 miles on mine so far and still looks brand new. Can't believe it, but it still looks brand new. Much better ride than the stock dunlop.

 

[skuuter]

4000 miles on mine so far and still looks brand new. Can't believe it, but it still looks brand new. Much better ride than the stock Dunlop.

Yep....I wore my original Dunlop completely out in 4500 miles.....almost didn't make it home on it from the 2010 TRIKE TALK RALLY IN THE VALLEY in Maggie Valley, NC.....ThumbUp

 

[meredog]

Just installed my pilot yeasterday (backward)
Instant noticable difference (improvement) in ride and handling. Oem 5100 miles cupped and worn bad

at 31000 now and still not showing hardly any wear

 

[07BlueCSC]

Right now I have about 22,000 miles with little to no cupping. This is the 4th Pilot Activ on the trike. Some have cupped and one had a sidewall leak. Anything is better than a original equipment Bridgestone. At the rate the Bridgestone wore, I would need 3 to 4 tires a year.

 

[tom w]

A general rule is:
You will go thru 2 pairs of front brakes to 1 pair of back brakes on a car.
So I guess a car is like a bike............on cars most of the stopping power comes from the front brakes!
So why is a bike different then a car? :Shrug:

on a car there is one pedal for the brakes. the pressure applied sends hydraulic fluid to a proportioning valve built into the brake system that applies 70% of that stopping power to the front brakes and 30% to the rear (as a general rule)
on a trike you control how much braking effort is applied to front or back. I find I use more pressure on the front brake than the rear as it is more affect on slowing the trike down. so, that being said , I can understand why if using a directional tire that mounting it back wards would make sense. the only force applied to the front tire would be during braking and would pull the cords inside the tire in the direction of that applied force. :wave4:

- - - Updated - - -

great deal for a Honda . now I wonder what the options are for a Harley ? I'm getting close to replacing my front tire and would like to get a little more mileage
from the next one.

 

[Crawford]

My Trike shop recommended the MPA and I really like it. They put it on forward and recommended 26 psi rear and 36 psi front on an 1800 with CSC.

 

[John Luciano]

JMHO. The rear tires at 26 lb are WAY to hard. Drop to low 20s. Start at 23. I run 22 and we ride 2 up 98% of the time. Front tire may be ok at 36 lb. I run 40lb. Tire now has 27,000 on it. Will need new in the spring. It is an old Macadam 50. Not sold anymore. Wish I could get a new one.

 

[Crawford]

I thot the 36 lbs front was a little low but had no idea about the rears....I've only had the trike a few weeks. I'll try the lower pressure.

 

[Crossroads Trikes]

At the risk of flogging that poor dead horse, I would like to add a small bit of info/experience to this long but very informative thread...

We have mounted a lot of rear Michelin Pilot Active tires on the front of Goldwings. We have had very good success. Tire longevity has been exceptional and we are not aware of any actual problems.

When we have talked to the tire manufacturer they recommended against mounting a rear tire on the front. They say the tire just isn't designed to run that way. That feedback certainly should be considered.

We ALWAYS mount the rear tire backwards when mounted on the front. The rear tire is designed for the major stress coming from acceleration. On the front the major stress comes from deceleration. Mounting the tire backwards aligns the tire to best deal with the actual stresses and is a safer alternative than mounting the tire frontwards.

In summary, we have had great success with mounting a rear MOA on the front of Goldwings but strongly recommend mounting them backwards.

 

[skuuter]

At the risk of flogging that poor dead horse, I would like to add a small bit of info/experience to this long but very informative thread...

We have mounted a lot of rear Michelin Pilot Active tires on the front of Goldwings. We have had very good success. Tire longevity has been exceptional and we are not aware of any actual problems.

When we have talked to the tire manufacturer they recommended against mounting a rear tire on the front. They say the tire just isn't designed to run that way. That feedback certainly should be considered.

We ALWAYS mount the rear tire backwards when mounted on the front. The rear tire is designed for the major stress coming from acceleration. On the front the major stress comes from deceleration. Mounting the tire backwards aligns the tire to best deal with the actual stresses and is a safer alternative than mounting the tire frontwards.

In summary, we have had great success with mounting a rear MOA on the front of Goldwings but strongly recommend mounting them backwards.

Are You referring to "Gold Wings", or "Gold Wing Trikes" with this post...???....Thanks.....ThumbUp

 

[bikerbillone]

Good question Skuuter. I've always used rear tires, same size oviously, a BT45 now, because there is 9/32 of tread new and designed to last. Why do tire companies recommend not using rear tires on the front, well for one thing, they sell tires, they prefer the tire wear out sooner than later.

 

[Shimpy]

We ALWAYS mount the rear tire backwards when mounted on the front. The rear tire is designed for the major stress coming from acceleration. On the front the major stress comes from deceleration. Mounting the tire backwards aligns the tire to best deal with the actual stresses and is a safer alternative than mounting the tire frontwards.

In summary, we have had great success with mounting a rear MOA on the front of Goldwings but strongly recommend mounting them backwards.

I see you're point about stress on the tire, but I only use my front brakes for quick stops and prefer to have the tread oriented as designed to dispel water. I've had good success with BT45 mounted in normal rotation. Also, rear tires are of course designed for acceleration stresses but they also have to be able to brake in the rear. Has there been any reports of a rear tire failing on the front mounted in normal rotation?

 

[skuuter]

I see you're point about stress on the tire, but I only use my front brakes for quick stops and prefer to have the tread oriented as designed to dispel water. I've had good success with BT45 mounted in normal rotation. Also, rear tires are of course designed for acceleration stresses but they also have to be able to brake in the rear. Has there been any reports of a rear tire failing on the front mounted in normal rotation?

Not that I remember reading, and we have a really large Membership...I wore out two mounted straight up, one mounted in reverse (just to personally check this out). Mileage was virtually the same from all three with no failures..."but"...straight up cleaned water better in the rain, and ran much quieter...the reverse mounted Tire also cupped about 3000 miles sooner.....just my "Personal Usage Observations".....ThumbUp

 

[Lucky]

I see you're point about stress on the tire, but I only use my front brakes for quick stops and prefer to have the tread oriented as designed to dispel water. I've had good success with BT45 mounted in normal rotation. Also, rear tires are of course designed for acceleration stresses but they also have to be able to brake in the rear. Has there been any reports of a rear tire failing on the front mounted in normal rotation?

Like Skuuter I have ran them in both rotations and I really can't tell much difference. Never heard of a failure in the normal rotation. RIDE SAFE

 

[Crossroads Trikes]

At the risk of flogging that poor dead horse, I would like to add a small bit of info/experience to this long but very informative thread...

We have mounted a lot of rear Michelin Pilot Active tires on the front of Goldwings. We have had very good success. Tire longevity has been exceptional and we are not aware of any actual problems.

When we have talked to the tire manufacturer they recommended against mounting a rear tire on the front. They say the tire just isn't designed to run that way. That feedback certainly should be considered.

We ALWAYS mount the rear tire backwards when mounted on the front. The rear tire is designed for the major stress coming from acceleration. On the front the major stress comes from deceleration. Mounting the tire backwards aligns the tire to best deal with the actual stresses and is a safer alternative than mounting the tire frontwards.

In summary, we have had great success with mounting a rear MOA on the front of Goldwings but strongly recommend mounting them backwards.

My apologies for not stating that all of the front tires I referenced were on trikes, not two wheelers.

 

[skuuter]

This is MY PERSONAL OPINION and obviously not backed up by an engineering department, etc. .......

(1) If I was a Tire Manufacturing Company, I would NEVER verbally or in writing, recommend mounting ANY Tire in a direction or Front or Back mounting other than it's specified, intended use because I assume the Manufacturer Liabilities for Defects

(2) Real Life on the road sometimes dictates REAL solutions to Real Problems that crop up, such as massive Tire wear after converting Motorcycles to Trikes. It's like Racing (something I did in a lot of forms for years) where Everyone subjects Tires to air pressures, loads, etc. that even the Race Tire Manufacturers don't recommend, but has to be done in the Real Racing World

(3) Motorcycle Tire Manufacturers haven't spent much (Most have spent none) time, money, or research on investigating the differences in the requirements for Tires, especially Fronts, between Motorcycles and Trikes...if They had, we would have several choices by now in actual Trike Specific Tires. Even Scooter Riders get many, many choices now from every Major Tire Manufacturer...Trikes steer, not lean on the front and add higher side loads to a Tire, thus the extra strength in the carcass and side wall, and extra rubber of a Rear Motorcycle Tire works well when put into play as a Front Trike Tire

(4) Because of the above Personal Observations and Assessments, I personally feel the Best "Experts" on this Topic, are most likely the High Mileage Members of TRIKE TALK that pilot Their Trikes day in and day out, changing Tires, Air Pressures, Directions, etc. and post confidently here about Their successful ventures, and or not such good results with various Tires

I revisit This Thread and read all of the additions posted very frequently....Lot of Info and varying opinions represented here....once again, this represents my "PERSONAL OPINIONS".....Keep the straight up or reversed rubber, front or rear down, and the paint and shiny bits up.......skuuter.....ThumbUp

 

[07BlueCSC]

In 94,000 miles of riding --GL1800 ABS California Sidecar -- I have had 6 tires on the front. Running 41/42 PSI.

1)Stock Honda Bridgestone -- Bald at 7500 miles -- would not pass inspection.

2)Michelin Pilot ACTIV -- 18,500 miles -- changed tire because of planned trip.

3)Michelin Pilot ACTIV -- 20,000 miles -- changed tire because of planned trip.

4)Michelin Pilot ACTIV -- 14,000 miles -- changed tire due to sidewall leak (still a lot of tread left).

5)Michelin Pilot ACTIV -- 25,000 miles -- changed tire because of planned trip (at least 5000 miles left on tread).

6) AVON AM26 -- This is NOT the AVON Trike tire -- 8000 miles plus and showing little wear. I changed to this because I liked the TREAD pattern a little better than the Michelin. When you hit the front brakes, this baby will stop.