Time To Change Front Tire?

[JTJersey]

I changed my original factory Dunlop at 11,768 miles with another identical Dunlop prior to a 2 week trip in August of 2022 (just because I thought I should.) I've now got a hair over 17,000 miles on that front tire, but I'm still seeing 3/32" on tread depth and they don't really look much different than the new bikes I was just looking at on my HD dealers showroom. Would it make sense dollar wise to replace that tire anyway?

 

[Jack Klarich]

I would save the money and ride that tire some more miles JT

 

[Blueraven]

I’m with Jack.

 

[GARYD]

I sure wouldn't just yet. Give it another few thousand miles.
I just replaced my front tire with 19341 miles on it. I had a bagger rear tire (Dunlop D402MT90-16) installed on the front with the rotation reversed, for a much longer tread life. I got that recommendation from members on this forum.

 

[Zammy]

JT, I think your good for a couple of K yet

 

[Burnerboy]

I sure wouldn't just yet. Give it another few thousand miles.
I just replaced my front tire with 19341 miles on it. I had a bagger rear tire (Dunlop D402MT90-16) installed on the front with the rotation reversed, for a much longer tread life. I got that recommendation from members on this forum.

Gary,
NOT disagree'n with you here, in anyway BUT just a question, only for my own curiously, and knowledge ..
BUT what does mount'n a tire in reverse direction do... (???) If there's a true meaning for this, I'd love to learn..
Thank you!
Again, NOT disagreeing I've been reading much about reverse mount'n lately, and sound like I got some learn'n to do here...
Thank you
Ronnie
6/30/24

 

[ctdair]

Reverse direction means take a rear tire of the correct size to fit the front and mount it with the direction arrow pointing what would be the wrong way. This has to do with tire splice and tread direction. There are also plenty of others who have done a rear tire and mounted the direction arrow to point correctly. I just mounted my front tire with a rear tire going reverse direction. Handles great so far.

 

[pwhoever]

Gary,
NOT disagree'n with you here, in anyway BUT just a question, only for my own curiously, and knowledge ..
BUT what does mount'n a tire in reverse direction do... (???) If there's a true meaning for this, I'd love to learn..
Thank you!
Again, NOT disagreeing I've been reading much about reverse mount'n lately, and sound like I got some learn'n to do here...
Thank you
Ronnie
6/30/24

On trikes, it is popular to find a rear tire in correct size of the front rim because rear tires have a deeper tread than front tires. And since a tire mounted on a trike spends its entire life on the center of tire, having the deeper tread should help make it last longer.

But the idea is that the front tires are designed to have the most stress in them when braking. Now on rear tires, the majority of stress on them is said to be during acceleration, so opposite stresses.

So it is thought that when mounting a rear tire on front rim, by mounting that rear tire in reverse, you are compensating for the different stresses.

I am not an engineer so I can only answer in what I believe. I have done it both ways and truly not seen a difference. The one camp says reverse mounted is the way to go. The other camp says that the siping on tire is more important and it needs to be mounted correctly to help in wet conditions to help move water away. I think it really comes down to a personal choice and which way you feel comfortable doing it. Just MHO.

 

[Marc H]

Rear tires also have a flatter profile so they have more contact with the road.

 

[Old Road Dog]

Last winter I ran a Dunlop AE front tire down till it was a slick. This was for testing purposes just to see what would happen. I would NEVER do this on a two wheeler. The circuit I run is 10 miles of two lane paralleling a 4 lane. Then 10 miles on the 4 lane. The tire "held" and never broke traction on curves in rain, dusting of snow, and dry pavement. Then onto the NoMar tire machine for a fresh new AE. There did not appear to be any internal damage- but thats hard to tell. Heat buildup is a tires worst enemy.I DO NOT recommend anyone wear your tire down this far and keep going. So what's the point of all this? These tires are tougher than we know. The only limiting factor on a trike is the law and peace of mind. I wouldn't start out a trip long without putting on a fresh tire. I suspect other name brand tires will behave the same.

 

[Zammy]

Kevin made a video some time ago


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[Unclebill]

Help me make an educated choice guys.
I have read many posts, and watched Kevin's video, but I am torn.
The oem front tire on my Tri Glide is shot at only 6,500 miles.
Mind you, whether on 2 or 3 wheels I really enjoy riding, and when there are curves available I ride pretty 'enthusiastically'.
I have found a Shinko rear tire (140/90-16 77V) that is rated for 928 pounds up to 180mph. Theoretically superior to any Dunlop in a size that works.
Would you mount it normally or reversed?
I understand the reasoning of both camps, but I'm leaning towards not mounting it reversed.
Anyone who has run a rear tire not reversed please share your experience and insight!
Thanks!

 

[Unclebill]

Oops! Wrong tire.
V is 149 mph.

 

[Noodles107]

I never see any interesting rear tire sidewalls like the throwback “Red Stripe” or anything with “Raised White Letters” Is there a reason for this? Anyone running a unique “sidewall”

 

[Jack Klarich]

I have the Wheel and Tire protection I purchased when I bought Stella, I will take advantage of that when the time comes for a new tire/s

 

[RKplus10]

I never see any interesting rear tire sidewalls like the throwback “Red Stripe” or anything with “Raised White Letters” Is there a reason for this? Anyone running a unique “sidewall”

I was thinking about that, too. I think the white letters would give my Freewheeler a cool vibe. What about the front, though? Would it look okay with a blackwall in the front? I don’t want to hand paint the front so I’ll just have to think about it.

 

[Noodles107]

I was thinking about that, too. I think the white letters would give my Freewheeler a cool vibe. What about the front, though? Would it look okay with a blackwall in the front? I don’t want to hand paint the front so I’ll just have to think about it.

You never see these and I thought there must be a reason … The “Red Line” you can get for the front if you like. And with the raised white letter rears I would put a white stripe version up front??

 

[Jack Klarich]

II like the

You never see these and I thought there must be a reason … The “Red Line” you can get for the front if you like. And with the raised white letter rears I would put a white stripe version up front??

I like the stripes, but I am too lazy to keep them clean

 

[Unclebill]

JTJersey,
If the tire in your picture has 17,000 miles, I NEED that tire!
Which Dunlop is it?
The tread is very different from the one one my Tri Glide.

 

[Notgrownup]

Help me make an educated choice guys.
I have read many posts, and watched Kevin's video, but I am torn.
The oem front tire on my Tri Glide is shot at only 6,500 miles.
Mind you, whether on 2 or 3 wheels I really enjoy riding, and when there are curves available I ride pretty 'enthusiastically'.
I have found a Shinko rear tire (140/90-16 77V) that is rated for 928 pounds up to 180mph. Theoretically superior to any Dunlop in a size that works.
Would you mount it normally or reversed?
I understand the reasoning of both camps, but I'm leaning towards not mounting it reversed.
Anyone who has run a rear tire not reversed please share your experience and insight!
Thanks!

I wouldn’t run a rear Shinko reversed on the front, I hear the compound is very soft therefore it would wear fast. I would run a D402 or an American Elite reversed. That’s my opinion.

 

[JTJersey]

JTJersey,
If the tire in your picture has 17,000 miles, I NEED that tire!
Which Dunlop is it?
The tread is very different from the one one my Tri Glide.

D408F. I did just replace it with 19,000 on it. It was getting under 3/32" tread depth and I'm heading out of town soon.

 

[Unclebill]

I can only find the D408F in a wide white sidewall.
Do any of you know a source for one with black sidewalls?
I really need a tire that will last more than 6,500 miles.

 

[JTJersey]

I can only find the D408F in a wide white sidewall.
Do any of you know a source for one with black sidewalls?
I really need a tire that will last more than 6,500 miles.

All mine came from the Harley dealership.

 

[Unclebill]

I have scoured the Internet and talked to HD dealers, and that tire is now only available in wide white sidewall.
So, at this point I need you to please let me know your experiences with other tires suitable for this application,(2023 Tri Glide Ultra) especially if you know a tire that will last way more than 6,500 miles.
Thank you all!!

 

[DandyDoug]

Lot of interesting anecdotal info .
I would really like to hear from an " actual trained tire engineer" just to hear what they have to say about this issue.

 

[JTJersey]

I have scoured the Internet and talked to HD dealers, and that tire is now only available in wide white sidewall.
So, at this point I need you to please let me know your experiences with other tires suitable for this application,(2023 Tri Glide Ultra) especially if you know a tire that will last way more than 6,500 miles.
Thank you all!!

Hard to believe you wore out the factory front tire in 6,500 miles. I replaced my original tire at about 11,000 miles because I was leaving on a two week trip and it looked worn. After getting a tire tread depth gauge, that I learned how to read, I realized that tire was probably just fine. You can't really tell by just looking at them. They only have 5 or 6/32nd of an inch when new.

 

[Unclebill]

Good idea.
I have a depth micrometer that I will check it with when I get home from work later.

 

[DandyDoug]

If you want an actual tire depth tool, you can usually find them at your local tire store and at better auto parts stores. They only cost a couple $$ and don't wear out
I have had mine for at least 50 years and it still works fine. Can't say the same for me though

 

[Unclebill]

I'll measure one at home later, but 'they say' that the distance from the top of Lincoln's head to the edge of a cent is about 3/32".
Cheap, easy go,no-go gauge!

 

[LD-Ordie]

There is a Face Book group called the Dark side. Very active with riders running car tires on the rear and rear MC tires on the front. 17 years ago, I had a car tire on a 05 FJ 1300. I was changing tires out at 5K before. Getting ready to put one on my 08 Ultra. My Freewheeler will be getting a rear 402 up front when the times comes