I read a lot of articles about trikers putting rear tires backwards on front wheel of there trikes? have any one of you done this. and why? this old Lehman rides very rough and needs a frt tire anyway.
Rear tire backwards on frt of trike
- Thread starter kenvb
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Try a search (upper right of this page) for front tire, tire or similar. There are NUMEROUS discussions already available on this subject. Hope this helps... ThumbUp
Ken, I have never heard of one put on a 1200 trike.
Only 1800's.
It's a MPA rear tire mounted on the front in reverse.
We run it at 41 psi.
Only 1800's.
It's a MPA rear tire mounted on the front in reverse.
We run it at 41 psi.
John Luciano
One Of The Origionals
I thought everyone was doing it. Why would you not
pros. Logo wear. ( 25,000 miles has been reported)
better handling ( people have noticed improvement in 1st 1/4 mile ride from dealer )
no hopping in corners
cons . None.
I know 30 people that have done it to a 1500 and a dozen on a 1200
a few have experimented with Harley and the other makes
if you can match you front tire size to a rear tire size DO IT NOW. ,!!
pros. Logo wear. ( 25,000 miles has been reported)
better handling ( people have noticed improvement in 1st 1/4 mile ride from dealer )
no hopping in corners
cons . None.
I know 30 people that have done it to a 1500 and a dozen on a 1200
a few have experimented with Harley and the other makes
if you can match you front tire size to a rear tire size DO IT NOW. ,!!
Rosy
I just got back from a 2800 mile ride using the BT45 with beads - ran the tp at 36 instead of 41. Much smoother front end ride! I ran the tire at 41 psi for the first 2000 miles. Tire tread is wearing AOK! I'm going to continuing running at 36 and monitoring the wear! Can't notice any difference in handling. Also dropped the rears from from 28 to 26. My wife enjoys the smooth ride!
:GL1800::GL1800::GL1800::GL1800:
OK the real purpose of reversing the tire direction applies to radial tires, not bias ply. In a radial ply, the cords have a twist to them that opposes the resistive torque applied to the tires. On the rear tire, the torque is in a CW direction, the result of a tire at rest being forced to turn in a CW direction. The cords have a "wind" to them to resist this force. Now, on the front, it being a free wheeling tire, the forces are when you apply the brakes. This is a CCW torque, the brakes are trying to stop the wheel from rotating in a CW direction. Therefore the "wind" of the cords is the exact opposite of the rear tire.
So, what is the advantage of putting on a rear tire in the front? Well, if you have driven your trike for any kind of mileage by now you have discovered the rear tires hardly wear at all whereas the front wears out in no time or develops cupping due to the cornering forces on a tire that is designed to lean on a vehicle where the front does not lean! Unless you can find a car tire skinny enough to fit on your front rim the alternative is to go with a rear tire that has a lot more meat on it. Yes, you will still get cupping from the front tire trying to keep going forward while it is turning, but due to the design of the rear vs the front you have more contact area with the road, and the rubber is thicker.
I had a regular front tire last for about 1 season, whereas the rear tire now on the front is starting it's 3rd season...
So, what is the advantage of putting on a rear tire in the front? Well, if you have driven your trike for any kind of mileage by now you have discovered the rear tires hardly wear at all whereas the front wears out in no time or develops cupping due to the cornering forces on a tire that is designed to lean on a vehicle where the front does not lean! Unless you can find a car tire skinny enough to fit on your front rim the alternative is to go with a rear tire that has a lot more meat on it. Yes, you will still get cupping from the front tire trying to keep going forward while it is turning, but due to the design of the rear vs the front you have more contact area with the road, and the rubber is thicker.
I had a regular front tire last for about 1 season, whereas the rear tire now on the front is starting it's 3rd season...
John Luciano
One Of The Origionals
In the first place be sure the tire you use is a Bias ply. Not Radial.
Backwards or forwards has not gotten any better results. Been hashing this out for 8 years. I don't care what anyone says. Even if you are running a radial rear tire. Even if you motorcycle had a radial front tire. DO NOT PUT A RADIAL TIRE ON THE FRONT AGAIN ....
Backwards or forwards has not gotten any better results. Been hashing this out for 8 years. I don't care what anyone says. Even if you are running a radial rear tire. Even if you motorcycle had a radial front tire. DO NOT PUT A RADIAL TIRE ON THE FRONT AGAIN ....
Great. I like the ride with 41 psi. And with the Dyna Beads, you can't go wrong. They say, the beads will reduce the 40 mph wobble on a Goldwing. I think my Michelin Primacy in the rear are at 22 psi. Great ride, smooth, and good handling.
Let us know how you make out at 36 psi instead of 41 psi on the wear.
Rosy
Our GL1200 will be needing a new front tire soon so I started to look into this last fall. As far as I could determine, MPA rears are not available in the 130/90-16 size, BUT, Bridgestone BT-45's are.
I already have a BT-45 on our GL1500 and am very satisified. I also use beads in all three wheels.
Some day, tire companies will make a tire for the front of trikes. Ages ago, Avon said they were developing a front tire for trikes, but haven't heard a word since.
With the trike sales soaring, I am sure it won't be long before one of the companies will come out with one. Till then, rear tire reverse with Dyna Beads.
Rosy
With the trike sales soaring, I am sure it won't be long before one of the companies will come out with one. Till then, rear tire reverse with Dyna Beads.
Rosy
Hot Rod 1
3250+ Posts
I run Metzler rear on the front not reversed ran a lot of rain last year back of trike would brake free so much standing water but never lost the front end.
The rain issue is one that most do not bring up when discussing whether or not to reverse the front tire. The advantage to reversing it is: questionably longer tire life if you do a lot of hard braking. The disadvantage to reversing it is you get less traction on wet roads. The tread pattern on all tires is designed to cause the water on the road that comes under the tire to flow to the outside of the tires enabling the tire to stay with better contact on the road surface. When you reverse the tire, look at the tread pattern now, and you will see that it is now channeling the water to the centre of the tire, not away to the outside!
IMHO the safety factor of better traction in the rain is far more important than trying to get an extra thousand miles of life from your tire so I do not reverse it. As an added bonus for not reversing it, you do not get the slight buzzing in the handlebars from the tire that you will often get when running it in reverse direction. I ride with the front tire at 38lbs and the rears at 23lbs - this seems to give us (wife on the back) the most comfortable ride.
- Thread starter
- #16
thats what I was thinking about too. we have half of riding season in rain up here. so will just put on a good qaulity frt tire the right direction.the 1200 trike isnt very comfy for us anyway. so wont be keeping it. will find a 1500 Trike,
I had a thread a few months back about this subject.
I was the odd man out running a MPA at 36psi to make for a smoother ride.
Run it in any direction you like.
Most will run it backwards as that is the belts direction and it will toss rain in the proper direction being one reason.
The other being belt direction.
My argument was a rear on the front is under nowhere the strain on the front even under braking as it would be if used as it should be on a rear.
Also I see no need to run a tire at its maximum load requirements. 41psi gives for a much stiffer bumpy ride.
I have been Darkside on all my bikes 2 or 3 wheels for over 20 years with no adverse reactions at any time.
One tire was shot on my Yamaha RoadStar the front did did cup a bit.
It was the OEM front. It was cupped and shot at 8K.
On that bike Ive had a Kendra rear on the front for the last 20K running backwards at 36 psi and so far still has plenty of life.
My MPA has no wear to speak of as of now at about 10K on the 2010 trike at 36 psi.
Running reversed.
I was the odd man out running a MPA at 36psi to make for a smoother ride.
Run it in any direction you like.
Most will run it backwards as that is the belts direction and it will toss rain in the proper direction being one reason.
The other being belt direction.
My argument was a rear on the front is under nowhere the strain on the front even under braking as it would be if used as it should be on a rear.
Also I see no need to run a tire at its maximum load requirements. 41psi gives for a much stiffer bumpy ride.
I have been Darkside on all my bikes 2 or 3 wheels for over 20 years with no adverse reactions at any time.
One tire was shot on my Yamaha RoadStar the front did did cup a bit.
It was the OEM front. It was cupped and shot at 8K.
On that bike Ive had a Kendra rear on the front for the last 20K running backwards at 36 psi and so far still has plenty of life.
My MPA has no wear to speak of as of now at about 10K on the 2010 trike at 36 psi.
Running reversed.
John Luciano
One Of The Origionals
I see no reason y someone would replace their front tire with another FRONT tire. The REAR tire on the front is really the only choice. Can't be cost, you can get a rear tire for sometime less than the original front. Mounting cost the same. WIN WIN situation.
rmrc51
Lost In The 50's
I'm all for as smooth a ride as possible. I currently have my reversed MPA at 41 psi. Given your results regarding tire wear and additional comfort, I'll also try 36 to see how she feels. ThumbUp
- Thread starter
- #20
my Ex HD rider friend has a new FREE rear Dunlop white wall tire thats same size as my frt.will out that on and run in proper direction.
I have a simple question:
Why reverse the tire?
Why not the same MPA, Bias ply, and run it forward?
This gives you the larger tire and contact AND the water control?
Why reverse the tire?
Why not the same MPA, Bias ply, and run it forward?
This gives you the larger tire and contact AND the water control?
Whether you decide to change the rotation direction or not, do yourself a favour and DON'T put a regular m/cycle front tire on the front of your trike. The reason is, most (if not all) m/cycle front tires are radial tires. You do not want to put a radial tire on the front of a trike. Radial tires have too much flex in the sidewall - that's what you need on a m/cycle front wheel when it leans over on a curve - but on a trike, a flexing side wall on the front tire will cause unstable cornering and the front wheel will jump around when you are cornering. A m/cycle rear tire is almost always bias ply, which has stiffer sidewalls and this is what you need on the front of a trike to stop them flexing as you go around a corner.
Hope this is helpful.
bikerbillone
3000+ Posts
Good information I had not considered, but still I'm running the BT45 (rear) on the front of my RS, so I guessed right.
Just my 2 cents but other then for free.
A Dunlop 40x series tire isn't worth the rubber its made from.
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Its just a matter of preference actually.
On the front a rear reversed the water will be directed out the sides rather then back.
Some say the contact patch might be more sensitive to hydro glide??
I don't really know.
Direction has never made any difference to me here in subtropical Florida.
During rainy season which is more then half the year it rains daily.
Ive never felt a problem or had one. Direction hasn't been an issue for me.
John Luciano
One Of The Origionals
Y worry about Hydroplane front tire. You got 2 ) 9" wide tires on the Back supporting 600 lb. they float like pontoons. Ask me. I did a hula dance at 60 MPH when I went through a 2" puddle on the highway. If the front floated I don't remember. The back end almost came around. 
epper:
epper:
OK PEOPLE!! I have a Harley Triglide. Are you all saying that a NON-RADIAL REAR TIRE IN REVERSE should go on the front..? Is that the Consenous going on to this Subject?:gah:
John Luciano
One Of The Origionals
yup
Hello Members
This is what I use on the tires on my Trike. Better ride also. No nail flat worries.
Good day
doughboy
Motorcycle Dynamic Balancer & Tire Sealant
Stop Flat Tires Before They Stop You!
As tested in Rider Magazine! They put 9 holes in their tires ..... and kept on riding!
“At first I was skeptical about the product, however, it saves money and time, and keeps our riders upright and on the road. We go through tires like they’re water, so we are always on the look-out for products that maximize our tires’ efficiency. A quality, well maintained motorcycle is the most important thing EagleRider provides its customers. In 2010, EagleRider customers rode almost 28 million miles on their bikes. Incorporating the Ride-On TPS Motorcycle Formula high-speed tire balancer and sealant helps EagleRider mechanics become more efficient when working on bikes while also providing the customer with a better performing motorcycle. The sealant improves the bike’s fuel efficiency, extends tire life, mutes road vibrations, and seals punctures in the tire’s crown area.” Steve Sergi, Director National Corporate Service - EagleRider
This is what I use on the tires on my Trike. Better ride also. No nail flat worries.
Good day
doughboy
Motorcycle Dynamic Balancer & Tire Sealant
Stop Flat Tires Before They Stop You!
As tested in Rider Magazine! They put 9 holes in their tires ..... and kept on riding!
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