Speaking of Tires

[FRR]

My BT-45 on the front of my 2012 Trike is howling like crazy. Between 50-60 it sounds like a truck tire. Mounted in reverse, 41 Lbs of pressure. Has only 12,000 miles on it. I wanted my tech to reverse it back to normal mounting but he said it wasn't good to do that after riding it in reverse for so many miles. Anyone else have this problem ever?

Remember how those old Avons sounded years ago when they came out in the late 1980's Lasted forever but howled like crazy. Well, this tire sounds the same way.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Sounding off about tires

Please folks, don't misunderstand me, I am laying out a persistent and unavoidable fact.

Most TRIKE owners do not realize that their front tire is INSUFFICIENT for the following reasons:

The TRIKE now outweighs the motorcycle by 300 pounds.
Most trike owners pack out their trikes to well over 1500 pounds ignoring the manufacturers posted maximum passenger weight of 400 plus pounds.
The OEM FRONT TIRE is only rated for 600 pounds @41psi and unfortunately there are no options including a CT.
Most TRIKE OWNERS consider that the maximum inflation cold.
INCREASING THE PSI INCREASES THE RESISTANT STRENGTH OF THE TIRE.

Why would the trike owner ignore Honda's weight recommendation but consider the tire manufacturers recommendation the word from above ?

Low tire pressure coupled with the extra weight when braking and cornering causes heat fatigue to the carcass of the tire and eventually cracks in the tread area. I have suggested 45psi cold pressure for my customers for years and although they experience cupping whether they use the MPA or the BT45, they have no tire carcass failures.

I run 50 PSI cold in my own TRIKE with almost 30,000 miles on a MPA and I ride it like I stole it.

 

[Canuck]

Trike rear tire pressure

Will rear trike tires overheat if air pressure is too low? If so then 26lb for the rear is too low and not safe?

 

[Mick]

Will rear trike tires overheat if air pressure is too low? If so then 26lb for the rear is too low and not safe?

Ive been running 21 lbs in my rears for years now. I always figured considering how little a trike weighs compared to a car ,at 21 lbs Im still not stressing the tires. But thats on my Lehman.

 

[pcombe]

Will rear trike tires overheat if air pressure is too low? If so then 26lb for the rear is too low and not safe?

CHAMPION RECOMENDED 26 LBS. ON THE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN I BUILT MY TRIKE.

Keep something in mind your rear tires are part of your rear suspension and makes the ride more comfortable.

Under inflation on any tire creates heat so 26lbs. is a reasonable compromise.

Over inflation on a front tire will result in cupping, under inflation results in bad handling.

I run my front tire at suggested max inflation as read on the tire sidewall.

I run a rear tire of the exact same size as the old front tire in reverse rotation.

It makes sense if you run a radial tire one way and turn it the other way it will eventually cause the tire belts to come apart.

A rear tire is made of a much harder rubber compound and a trike doesn't lean so you will naturally get more mileage out of a harder rubber compound.

Take a look at the tire tread of the tire you buy, If its designed with trail type tread it's gonna howl. just like a knobby tire.

The reason a front tire is made of a softer rubber compound is because a two wheeler needs a little side flex in corners.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Paul,

During the Firestone SUV Recalls in 2007, the manufacturers got together and decided that air pressure lower than 26 PSI was the cause of the failures. Owners of SUV's would lower tire pressure to get a satisfactory ride and heat fatigue the tire that then failed.

As far as a trike application, most trikes weighing in at 1100-1200 pounds would adequately be served with air pressure of 20-22 pounds in a car tire designed for a combined weight of at least twice the trike. 26 PSI might cause quicker wear in the tread center and added wheel spin in wet conditions.

 

[pcombe]

Paul,

During the Firestone SUV Recalls in 2007, the manufacturers got together and decided that air pressure lower than 26 PSI was the cause of the failures. Owners of SUV's would lower tire pressure to get a satisfactory ride and heat fatigue the tire that then failed.

As far as a trike application, most trikes weighing in at 1100-1200 pounds would adequately be served with air pressure of 20-22 pounds in a car tire designed for a combined weight of at least twice the trike. 26 PSI might cause quicker wear in the tread center and added wheel spin in wet conditions.

thanks Lee, Admittedly my trike rides a bit rough in town but smooth's out on the highway. I have been Leary of lowering the psi for fear of it breaking the seal on the rim.

 

[Trikindan]

Just hit the 3K mark today since installing the Avon Trike tire. Still to early to give long term results but at 3K it still looks brand new and handles and rides like a dream. Still VERY pleased!!ThumbUp

 

[Marc H]

Paul here what Champion says put in the install instructions for the GL1500. Tire Pressure: 20-25 PSI

 

[FRR]

I think part of the problem is that I think my trike need an alignment since it is only cupping on the right side of the tire.

 

[Solidbob]

That is a worn out front end problem, my bike now trike had it at 3,000 miles and Honda would not address the collapsed front end and just gave me a new tire that did the exact same thing. I opted for the AK20 Traxxion fix and have never had another cupping problem / bike or trike.... I tryed all pressures but that doesn't cure the GL1800 Front end / Read here from Traxxion, not my words:

[h=2]Goldwing[/h]It's true the Honda Gold Wing is the most sophisticated motorcycle ever created in history. I am sure every Wing owner is baffled as to why their suspension works so poorly. If you are tired of the bouncing, wallowing, bottoming, chattering, wobbling of your stock forks, thenTRAXXION DYNAMICS has the CURE!!!
See what our customers have to say!!
Many people ask, "Why are my stock forks so bad?"
Your stock Showa forks have a "damper rod" in one side and an extremely low quality cartridge in the other side to control the movement of the wheel. The damper rod side is basically useless. This style of fork is used for cheap production parts. Trying to compare a damper rod fork to a proper cartridge fork is like trying to compare a carburetor to fuel injection. There simply is no comparison. The damper rod fork is the cheapest, poorest performing system of damping, and has been around the motorcycle business for so long nobody seems to be able to remember.
The "cartridge fork" came along about 20 years ago in sport bikes, and since has been highly refined. Unfortunately for Wing owners, none of that refinement has made it into the cartridge on the ONE side of your bike!
The next problem is your stock fork springs. The stock springs are so weak and wimpy that they can't even hold the bike up; never mind that they are completely unable to hold you up when you get on it, or take a passenger along. Just pick your bike up off the side stand sometime and watch it collapse before you even get on!.
The result is a fork that bottoms over large bumps, wallows in high speed turns, dives dramatically when you pull the brake, cups and tears up your tires, and leaves you generally feeling uncomfortable and lacking confidence in the feel of your bike.
Complete dissertations have been written by Gold Wing tuners and enthusiasts on the internet on the subject of wobbling Gold Wings and what to do to fix them. At best, the solutions offered are "work arounds" to the real problem. "Overtighten your steering bearings" seems to be the best known cure to date.
Gold Wings wobble because of bad front suspension. That's it. No rocket science. No expert required. Just fix the ill-performing stock fork, and your problem will be solved.
The kit you see in these photos is absolutely STATE OF THE ART. It was introduced in February of 2005. It is custom spec'd to suit your needs, and comes with springs matched to your weight and your intended use. And best of all it WORKS!

​

The AK-20 Axxion Cartridge Kit DRAMATICALLY transforms ill-handling Gold Wings. Immediately you will feel a smooth, controlled ride. The bike will not dive under aggressive or panic braking. You will have a confident feel even in high speed sweeping turns. Your tire wear will improve dramatically. Your pegs and floorboards will stop dragging the ground in turns. You will have great control and stability at low speeds, such as moving through a parking lot. Even your passenger will notice the difference! Overall, you won't recognize your own bike!

 

[FRR]

That is a worn out front end problem, my bike now trike had it at 3,000 miles and Honda would not address the collapsed front end and just gave me a new tire that did the exact same thing. I opted for the AK20 Traxxion fix and have never had another cupping problem / bike or trike.... I tryed all pressures but that doesn't cure the GL1800 Front end / Read here from Traxxion, not my words:

Goldwing

It's true the Honda Gold Wing is the most sophisticated motorcycle ever created in history. I am sure every Wing owner is baffled as to why their suspension works so poorly. If you are tired of the bouncing, wallowing, bottoming, chattering, wobbling of your stock forks, thenTRAXXION DYNAMICS has the CURE!!!
See what our customers have to say!!
Many people ask, "Why are my stock forks so bad?"
Your stock Showa forks have a "damper rod" in one side and an extremely low quality cartridge in the other side to control the movement of the wheel. The damper rod side is basically useless. This style of fork is used for cheap production parts. Trying to compare a damper rod fork to a proper cartridge fork is like trying to compare a carburetor to fuel injection. There simply is no comparison. The damper rod fork is the cheapest, poorest performing system of damping, and has been around the motorcycle business for so long nobody seems to be able to remember.
The "cartridge fork" came along about 20 years ago in sport bikes, and since has been highly refined. Unfortunately for Wing owners, none of that refinement has made it into the cartridge on the ONE side of your bike!
The next problem is your stock fork springs. The stock springs are so weak and wimpy that they can't even hold the bike up; never mind that they are completely unable to hold you up when you get on it, or take a passenger along. Just pick your bike up off the side stand sometime and watch it collapse before you even get on!.
The result is a fork that bottoms over large bumps, wallows in high speed turns, dives dramatically when you pull the brake, cups and tears up your tires, and leaves you generally feeling uncomfortable and lacking confidence in the feel of your bike.
Complete dissertations have been written by Gold Wing tuners and enthusiasts on the internet on the subject of wobbling Gold Wings and what to do to fix them. At best, the solutions offered are "work arounds" to the real problem. "Overtighten your steering bearings" seems to be the best known cure to date.
Gold Wings wobble because of bad front suspension. That's it. No rocket science. No expert required. Just fix the ill-performing stock fork, and your problem will be solved.
The kit you see in these photos is absolutely STATE OF THE ART. It was introduced in February of 2005. It is custom spec'd to suit your needs, and comes with springs matched to your weight and your intended use. And best of all it WORKS!

​

The AK-20 Axxion Cartridge Kit DRAMATICALLY transforms ill-handling Gold Wings. Immediately you will feel a smooth, controlled ride. The bike will not dive under aggressive or panic braking. You will have a confident feel even in high speed sweeping turns. Your tire wear will improve dramatically. Your pegs and floorboards will stop dragging the ground in turns. You will have great control and stability at low speeds, such as moving through a parking lot. Even your passenger will notice the difference! Overall, you won't recognize your own bike!

I've read a little about this but they are a pretty pricey fix, aren't they? What was the cost, if you don't mind

 

[dirtdobber]

I have been using 22 psi for years on our trikes. Never had a problem. I dont sweat rear tire mileage on a trike. You get plenty even with one that doesn't wear so good.
I run the max on the front by the tire makers.
I do a lot of window shopping on the net. You would be surprised at what good deals that are out there if you pay attention and look often enough. I usually pay 50 to 70% off.

 

[Solidbob]

I've read a little about this but they are a pretty pricey fix, aren't they? What was the cost, if you don't mind

In 2004 it wasn't bad considering what the time and cost to rebuild the stock forks as is was, time + 185.00 Parts... Traxxion was 950.00 with me sending the forks in and putting them back on.... Have changed fluid once...... compared to all the tires it has saved from cupping and the gained mileage it seemed like a no brainer for us..... you have to look at the big picture!! I am not a bike or trike trader, meaning I maintain what I ride and unless it breaks I'm not looking for an upgrade. Now for someone who wants something new every time it comes out I don't put them in our maintance class... I do it all myself and keep it ready to go at all times. I don't break down and I carry spares of some items...riding many miles a year / on one front tire maybe for two or three years depending on heat & wear...

 

[schiel1]

I've read a little about this but they are a pretty pricey fix, aren't they? What was the cost, if you don't mind

Found this on their web site.
The price for the AK-20 Kit for your GL1800 is $1199.95 plus shipping and installation.
When I had my conversion done they replaced the bearings with ball bearings along with the rake kit. It feels like a whole new front end. Feels very tight and handles bumps and holes like never before. I also installed the Superbrace before the conversion.