Trike Front Tire Failure

[durango9]

Being a 2 wheel biker for over 40 years the aging process has forced me into 3.
Last year I purchased a NEW 2012 GL 1800 with a Lehman Monarch II kit solid axle with 5% rake.
I did not get a chance to ride the bike but 200 miles last year since I had some surgery, but spent the winter reading the many threads on the MPA rear tire mounted in the front in a reverse direction. The Threads were impressive and the logical so I went out and brought a brand new Michelin Pilot Active and had it mounted. I really felt good and couldn't wait to try it out but the bad winter in the Northeast didn't allow me to do that until the end of April.
At best I was only able to put 200 miles on the tire and agree that it felt good.
Yesterday on June 12 my wife and I left for a 8 week cross country trip which we have done many times on 2, but this was the first on a Trike.
We got 40 miles from home and I had a failure in the front tire that revealed a 8" split in the carcus inside and blew a bubble in the tire resulting in a road side pancake flat.
A tow truck picked us up and took us to a local shop of my choice where the tire was replaced with a Dunlop Touring Elite III since a new MPA was not available. The Failed MPA was examined and it was determined e a manufacturing defect.
I really would have liked to take this trip with the MPA and I'm very troubled by the failure so not sure that I want to try a new one when we get back home

HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH THE MPA:Angel:

 

[Gold Rush]

The MPA has a very good reputation. I don't remember ever hearing of this issue before. You'll find the Elite tire will ware quickly and not give you the best performance. Most find between six and eight thousand miles and the Elite will be used up.

If if you decide not to put a MPA back on I suggest the Bridgstone Battle Axx BT 45. I've had a few BT 45s and have gotten very good service....

Hope you and your bride have a safe and enjoyable trip. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[Mick]

Probably just a manufacturing fluke. About 3 years ago I had a Bridgestone BT45 all of a sudden get splits parallell with the tread line at the bottom of the tread. Went looking online and it seemed there was a bad batch out there. Mine was mounted on a trike so good luck complaining. If you look up even car tires issue online youll see it happens. Luckily for motorcycles it happens a lot less!

 

[pcombe]

" You'll find the Elite tire will ware quickly and not give you the best performance. Most find between six and eight thousand miles and the Elite will be used up. "



:Coffee: My Dunlop touring elite has 15,000 miles and I am confident I can run it a whole lot more, still plenty of tread depth left and no cupping should at least last me the season.:Shrug: has lasted two already and I rode it 5,000 miles on the back of my two wheeler before conversion.

Not trying to Diss ya!
Kinda blows that theory out of the water, but everyone has their favorite tire!

 

[Solidbob]

I also run MPA's and have never had a problem.... but I have got a bad tire on occasion generally one that had sit a little to long in a hot warehouse....

Something to think about is the new Trike Tire by Avon that is a Radial, links to it on this Forum.... Just FYI

You will be needing a new tire sooner than later... but it will make your trip....

 

[Gold Rush]

" You'll find the Elite tire will ware quickly and not give you the best performance. Most find between six and eight thousand miles and the Elite will be used up. "



:Coffee: My Dunlop touring elite has 15,000 miles and I am confident I can run it a whole lot more, still plenty of tread depth left and no cupping should at least last me the season.:Shrug: has lasted two already and I rode it 5,000 miles on the back of my two wheeler before conversion.

Not trying to Diss ya!
Kinda blows that theory out of the water, but everyone has their favorite tire!

I know you weren't Paul. From personal experience and many many reports from others your extended life on the Elite is the exception instead of the rule. Another reason might be if you have a bias ply Elite.... That would give you basically the same as a BT 45 or MPA... Radial tries on trikes just don't have a good track record..

 

[mhgoldwing]

If it were me, since you need to order a tire anyway, I would give the Avon Cobra Trike tire a try. It is a radial designed for trikes and so far the ride and handling seem much improved. I think the tire mileage will be at least comparable to the bias ply rear tires I was running; MPA & BT45.

 

[pcombe]

I know you weren't Paul. From personal experience and many many reports from others your extended life on the Elite is the exception instead of the rule. Another reason might be if you have a bias ply Elite.... That would give you basically the same as a BT 45 or MPA... Radial tries on trikes just don't have a good track record..

Your correct about the bias ply elite tire.

here is a question and it has probably been asked?
I know you cant mix a radial with a bias ply tire on a car, why does this work a bike?:Shrug:

From all the posts on the new Avon I am interested because the harder rubber compound on my Dunlop makes my front end ride a bit harsh in town riding. isn't so noticeable on the highway.

 

[Pegasus1300]

I had an MPA fail on the front of a 1500 Goid Wing trike. However the root cause was the fact that the valve stem had failed and allowed the tire to run soft and this caused a seperation in the carcass. Since your tire sat for so long could this have caused your problem?

 

[Gold Rush]

If it were me, since you need to order a tire anyway, I would give the Avon Cobra Trike tire a try. It is a radial designed for trikes and so far the ride and handling seem much improved. I think the tire mileage will be at least comparable to the bias ply rear tires I was running; MPA & BT45.

Dang, I forgot about the Avon!!!! Just haven't gotten that one burned into my brain yet... :xzqxz::xzqxz:


Good question Paul. I hope someone here has an answer this time. I've seen the question asked before but nobody seems to know. Maybe it has something to do with less tires on the ground..... :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[kwputt]

Friend of mine went to the local Honda dealer last week to purchase the MPA for his GL 1800 trike and they would not mount it in reverse. Claimed they had a letter from Michelin advising them that the tire would not be warranted and the dealer would be liable for any damages incurred.
Currently have the Avon trike tire on our GL 1800 trike with about a thousand miles on it. The ride is noticeably smoother and have noticed that the low speed vibration is gone.
We'll be departing on the 27th of this month for Glacier Park and Yellowstone. Guess I'll find out how the tire wears by the time we return in three weeks.

 

[bikerbillone]

I run the BT45 (rear) on the front with RideOn for flat prevention, balance, and/or whatever else it does, you can read about it here if you're all interested, I don't sell the stuff and have no interest, I just use it. Some riders wouldn't use if if were free, however, it's all a matter of choice. Some say it will damage the rims, the information says "no", I haven't expereienced any rim damage, maybe others have, seems there has been ongoing upgrades in the formulation. The stuff is biodegradable and washes away with hose and water. http://www.ride-on.com/

My BT45 (rear) on the front has over 20K miles now, and looks like there's at least another 2K or more, who knows, maybe 5K, I've read of some high mileages on these tires.

Most trikers have their own ideas about tires, and that's good, that why we have a good forum.

 

[mhgoldwing]

"My BT45 (rear) on the front has over 20K miles now, and looks like there's at least another 2K or more, who knows, maybe 5K, I've read of some high mileages on these tires.[/QUOTE]

I wish I was as lucky with the tire mileage. Around here in the Arkansas twisties all the trikes average 11-13,000 miles on the front tire if we stay in the area. We rip them off on the curves! That's the good news. I'll trade the tire mileage to have the riding we do.

Note: Jury still out on Avon Cobra Trike tire I'm running now. Only have 3,000 miles on it.

 

[bikerbillone]

Oh yes, I have a riding buddy and his wife just returned from a trip to Mountain Home, they can't stop raving about it.

 

[durango9]

The MPA has a very good reputation. I don't remember ever hearing of this issue before. You'll find the Elite tire will ware quickly and not give you the best performance. Most find between six and eight thousand miles and the Elite will be used up.

If if you decide not to put a MPA back on I suggest the Bridgstone Battle Axx BT 45. I've had a few BT 45s and have gotten very good service....

Hope you and your bride have a safe and enjoyable trip. :xszpv::xszpv:

Gold Rush,

I'm hoping that I can get the trip out of the Dunlop as I would hate to buy 2 tires for an 8K mile vacation.
I really would like to tray another MPA, or Battle AX. I plan on also doing some research on the Avon. Love to hear more road facts from those that are now running on the Avon.

Thanks for all the reponses

 

[dirtdobber]

We just went to the bt45 on our roadsmith trike.
Just got back from a short trip and I was very impressed with the handling and with no vibrations at any speed. Slow or interstate riding.
i would still turn it in for warranty. With that low of mileage what argument can they give you any way.

 

[Pegasus1300]

We just went to the bt45 on our roadsmith trike.
i would still turn it in for warranty. With that low of mileage what argument can they give you any way.

Unfortunately warranties do have time limits besides mileage limits.But you could still try if you have the tire. Worse they can do is say "no" .

 

[Hocky]

Avon Trike Tire

Since someone on here asked!
Running the Avon "Trike" specific tire. Only about 1000 miles on it so far & I am very satisfied. Much smoother ride but don't feel any difference in the curves. I'd buy it again. orag: