When using rear tire on front backward explained

[rmrc51]

Here's another interesting article that explains using a rear tire in reverse on the front;

Tires Directional Arrows Explained By Avon Tyres at Cyril Huze Blog ? Custom Motorcycle News

 

[John Luciano]

Well that puts a new SPIN ( no pun intended ) on the front tire rev rotation.

 

[Gorilla]

Now that is an explanation that makes sense.

 

[Boscoporp]

Thanks for the explanation. i have been running Michelin Piolet Active reverse for over three years. I have always got over 25,000 miles on both of them!

 

[Big_Steve]

Had to read it twice before it clicked............

 

[skuuter]

I'm running a Michelin Pilot Activ on the front of my Gold Wing 1800 Trike right now (...after shredding the Stock Dunlop in 5000 miles), but running it straight up. I'm supposed to be getting an E-mail from a Michelin Tire Engineer one day (...not yet though). Only Person I've talked to so far from Michelin since putting it on, is the Regional Company Rep at the Honda Shop last Wednesday. He's not an Engineer, but stated that the rain sipe grooves are made to squeeze the water out from under the Tire and clean it away, and they too, are directional (My main reason for straight-up mounting). He is supposed to try to speed up a Company Engineer for a response for me. If I ever get one, I will pass it on.

In the meantime, I have been testing the Tire under various conditions/road types/ and speeds. Having only had it on 2 weeks, and 1400 miles, I'm waiting a "tick" longer to do a write up...this much I will say...The Trike responds much better/quicker corner turn-in/ better "studder-bump" control....Great Tire...Write-up comin' soon......:wtg:

 

[Yellow Trike]

The owner of Motortrike conducted a seminar during Wing Ding about the new IRS trikes.

Someone in the audience asked about front tires - mostly why do installers leave the stock tire on a trike. That answer was - not up to the installer to change out someone's perfectly good tire.

On the reverse rotation question - he said it does not matter one way or the other.

 

[skuuter]

The owner of Motortrike conducted a seminar during Wing Ding about the new IRS trikes.

Someone in the audience asked about front tires - mostly why do installers leave the stock tire on a trike. That answer was - not up to the installer to change out someone's perfectly good tire.

On the reverse rotation question - he said it does not matter one way or the other.

Great to hear.....

 

[Gorilla]

Sounds like sound answers

 

[Big_Steve]

Dumb question of the day, but here goes.....

Why use a rear tire on the front anyway? Is it thicker/stronger?

 

[Gorilla]

Steve it does have more thread.

 

[John Luciano]

It is flatter . This is a 2 fold question actually 1) we want to get rid of the Radial on the front too much side wall flex. 2) the rear tire has a flat surface more tire patch we don't need the rounded area , because the tire never lays down or rolls . As stated the fist thing you will notice is how easy it turns , the next thing is no bump and hop in corners . so may refuse to do this Why i don't know but once they do it they really understand . and on the + side it will wear 75% better . 20,000 miles is an easy est . stock tire is maybe 7,000. It is your money .

 

[Big_Steve]

Thanks. I have the stock (??) Dunlop on front, just shy of 9k. Wearing evenly, no cupping. But that's unusual for the Dunlop Honda supplies, or so I'm told. Perhaps the prev owner already replaced it.

When I first read to install back on front, reversed, I couldn't help but wonder about the tread design. Makes you think it would attempt to draw water in, or hydroplane.

I assume many will stick with it reversed, and some will take into account what MT said (mentioned above) guess you really have to try it both ways.

 

[John Luciano]

Mine is REV but I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference . I am pleasd with it that way it is wearing great , feels great, No hoping in corners anymore , no cupping . I would put it on again that way . i have gone through some PONDS on the highway at 6o MPH and had the back end float but not the front . the rears are more prone to float i would think no weight and 8" wide .

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I have the MPA rear tire mounted in reverse on the front of my Champion.
Stock tire lasted 3,000 and showing a lot of wear.
Bought a chrome front wheel and MPA from my dealer. Now have over 20,000 miles on it and it's like brand new.

 

[John Luciano]

Let me see 100 people tell you to do it and people still don't want to. This is what you do there is no question about it. EVEN if it sounds wrong to you 100 people can't be wrong. Or you can continue to wear out your front tire that works on a 2 wheeler , that you no longer have, and spend $165 a year ( 5,000 miles) for a new one. Do we still have questions ?????

 

[Big_Steve]

Let me see 100 people tell you to do it and people still don't want to. This is what you do there is no question about it. EVEN if it sounds wrong to you 100 people can't be wrong. Or you can continue to wear out your front tire that works on a 2 wheeler , that you no longer have, and spend $165 a year ( 5,000 miles) for a new one. Do we still have questions ?????

You talking to me?

 

[skuuter]

It seems to work, and work well.....

 

[John Luciano]

That is for the 20 people that will be going to the archives over the next 2 years asking the same question over again. When the person in PA told me about the rear Bike tire mounted on the front worked I went the next day and ripped my front tire off and had it replaced I NEVER LQQKED BACK one of the best choices I ever made . Like having a min Rake

 

[BlueTrinity]

Let me see 100 people tell you to do it and people still don't want to. This is what you do there is no question about it. EVEN if it sounds wrong to you 100 people can't be wrong. Or you can continue to wear out your front tire that works on a 2 wheeler , that you no longer have, and spend $165 a year ( 5,000 miles) for a new one. Do we still have questions ?????

"EVEN if it sounds wrong to you 100 people can't be wrong"????:blahblah:

Sorry John, but if that's supposed to make me feel guilty for not running my front tire backwards, it ain't gonna work.

I find it a bit condescending that you feel you and your 99 friends are right and the rest of the trike world is totally wrong and wasting money using the proper tires mounted in the proper manner and that we are stupid for not acknowledging your brilliance and following your instructions.

 

[Capt Chaos]

It's time to get you guys thinking about something else. Has anyone discussed if the front tire trick works on a outrigger type of set-up? I have a Triax that had a uncontrolable head shake above 30mph to the point that you have to slow down to get it to stop wobbling. I just purchased a Battlax BT45B rear tire and will be mounting it backwords, I am also going to have the steering head bearing packed and everything torqued to spec. Any other things I should address. I have set the outrigger tires at 20lbs the pre-load is 3/4 and the rear air shocks are at 20lbs main tire are 32 rear and 40 front, which is pretty worn.

 

[Capt Chaos]

Looks like no one wanted to comment on my last comment. Seems like that happens a lot to me. Any way I will add one last thing. It looks like they don't make a MPA for my bike 150/80/16 so I went with a Bridgestone Battlax BT45V Sport Touring Rear, mounted backwords on the front. While the front was off I had them grease the steering bearings. I would say I have about a 90% improvement overall, and I can live with that. Reason I went backwords was the AVON Tyre article. With my set-up I have a single disc brake in back and a duel disc in front. So alot of my breaking will be coming fron the front brakes. I wll report later on the Battlax for info sake.

 

[John Luciano]

WOW Blue .. I don't care how you mount your tire . As long as it is a rear tire (Any brand non radial )<br />
I have said it before the JURY is still out on weather it makes any difference backwards or forward . If I got to the shop and he mounted it the right way I would leave it. <br />
You are reading toooooo much into this . Sorry if you are offended I didn't mean to offend anyone . Just pointing out that the front tire on a trike should be a rear non radial tire PERIOD. You can do it anyway you want . and 99 % of the people have . I think it is probably a 50 /50 split.

It still works .

 

[Muleskinner]

<div class="bbcode_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>

<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>rmrc51</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=30650#post30650" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">Here's another interesting article that explains using a rear tire in reverse on the front;<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/08/23/tires-directional-arrows-explained-by-avon-tyres/" target="_blank">Tires Directional Arrows Explained By Avon Tyres at Cyril Huze Blog ? Custom Motorcycle News</a></div>

</div>
</div>
</div>After reading all these posts and especially this very well written article by Avon Tyres, I still have a question to throw out there. <br />
<br />
The article finishes by saying, <i>"As for braking, 80 % of the braking should take place in the front on most bikes. Therefore, the front tread splice is run in the opposite direction than that of the rear, so when the rider is on the brakes, he’s not peeling the tread splice back. If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation only and for some reason you want to put it on the front, make sure it is rotating in the opposite direction so you don’t aggravate the tread splice. "</i> <br />
<br />
Since my trike (and I'm sure yours as well) has dual automotive grade (Honda Civic in my case) disc brakes on the rear, probably 85 - 90% of my braking is done with the rear brakes only. I usually am only lightly feathering my front brake or just using it while standing at a stop light. The only times I find I am really hitting the front brake is when I have to make a hard stop, such as evasive action or a stop at the bottom of a steep hill.<br />
<br />
With that in mind, what is the consensus out there about reversing the front tire. Is it more important to protect the tread splice when braking or to get the most benefit out of the tread patterns for channeling water? <img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??"

class="inlineimg" />

 

[John Luciano]

If U R not locking up the brakes i don't it matters at all. my wifes Acura came with tires that cost $239.00each, They said for cornering and High performance high speed driving and braking ,,, Oh year worn them suckers out in 14,000 miles , Dealers said you need them, I bought a different tire I notice no difference at 60MPH and they were $120.00 each. So for all this MAX this and MAX that just do what you feel is best some on here are forward some backward and I have not heard anyone complain about tires ripping , wearing funny , not stopping or floating in water .

 

[Big_Steve]

<div class="bbcode_container"><br />
<div class="bbcode_quote"><br />
<div class="quote_container"><br />
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="bbcode_postedby"><br />
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Muleskinner</strong><br />
<a href="showthread.php?p=38355#post38355" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="message">After reading all these posts and especially this very well written article by Avon Tyres, I still have a question to throw out there. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
The article finishes by saying, <i>"As for braking, 80 % of the braking should take place in the front on most bikes. Therefore, the front tread splice is run in the opposite direction than that of the rear, so when the rider is on the brakes, he’s not peeling the tread splice back. If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation only and for some reason you want to put it on the front, make sure it is rotating in the opposite direction so you don’t aggravate the tread splice. "</i> <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Since my trike (and I'm sure yours as well) has dual automotive grade (Honda Civic in my case) disc brakes on the rear, probably 85 - 90% of my braking is done with the rear brakes only. I usually am only lightly feathering my front brake or just using it while standing at a stop light. The only times I find I am really hitting the front brake is when I have to make a hard stop, such as evasive action or a stop at the bottom of a steep hill.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
With that in mind, what is the consensus out there about reversing the front tire. Is it more important to protect the tread splice when braking or to get the most benefit out of the tread patterns for channeling water? <img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??" class="inlineimg" /></div><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div>I don't know that anyone who isn't involved in the design and/or manufacturing of tires can really do your question justice.<br />
<br />
Since Avon Tyres has actually gone on the record recommending the reverse rotation in front, I'm wondering if they will answer that question for you if you ask them.

Worth a shot. But then you have to remember that their answer may only pertain to the way AVON manufacturers tires.....<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Two pros that I trust said opposite things about reversing the front. So, what's that mean? Beats the hell out of me. What you might want to ask in another thread is whether or not anyone knows of a forward rotational mounted rear tire actually coming apart?

 

[John Luciano]

<div class="bbcode_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>

<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>John Luciano</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=36305#post36305" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">Mine is REV but I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference . I am pleased with it that way it is wearing great , feels great, No hoping in corners anymore , no cupping . I would put it on again that way . i have gone through some PONDS on the highway at 6o MPH and had the back end float but not the front . the rears are more prone to float i would think no weight and 8" wide .</div>

</div>
</div>
</div>Let me see 100 people tell you to do it and people still don't want to. This is what you do there is no question about it. EVEN if it sounds wrong to you 100 people can't be wrong. Or you can continue to wear out your front tire that works on a 2 wheeler , that you no longer have, and spend $165 a year ( 5,000 miles) for a new one. Do we still have questions ?????<br />
07-22-2010 12:16 PM<br />
So now where does it say that I said 100 people have mounted their tire backwards.

 

[Big_Steve]

LOL, are you arguing with yourself, John? Because you quoted yourself.....

 

[skuuter]

<div class="bbcode_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>

<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>BlueTrinity</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=36510#post36510" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message"><i><font color="purple">"EVEN if it sounds wrong to you 100 people can't be wrong"????</font></i><img src="images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="huh??" class="inlineimg" />:blahblah:<br />
<br />
Sorry John, but if that's supposed to make me feel guilty for not running my front tire backwards, it ain't gonna work. <br />
<br />
I find it a bit condescending that you feel you and your 99 friends are right and the rest of the trike world is totally wrong and wasting money using the proper tires mounted in the proper manner and that we are stupid for not <font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">acknowledging</span></font> your brilliance and following your instructions.</div>

</div>
</div>
</div>Whoa....might wanna' ease up a tick. I think John was mostly tryin' to get out the fact that usin' the non-radial Sport Bike Tires on the front of these Trikes help get You mileage. I mounted mine straight up, have already done a 3000 mile ride Thread on it, and will be reporting along for comparison on Tire Life as compared to the reverse mounted Folks as the mileage increases. Straight up or Reversed doesn't really matter as much as the increased mileage. The more Folks that do this, and the more Members that use the two mounting methods, we will all benefit with Genuine Information at later dates as we all do Our comparisons and add mileage. I simply went with straight up for reasons of having hydroplaning issues over the years with various tires. I recieved no negativity for doing this from any Member...it's Everyone's personal choice on the mounting...main thing is the mileage gain...I personally have gotten quicker/lighter steering from the change also. We need to all get along...Great Buncha' Members here...."Blue Screen Talking" is never as "warm-n-fuzzy" as personal conversations....I prefer facial expressions in real life...Computer "Talk" doesn't always get "interpreted" as the Typer intended......<img src="images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/cool.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Cool" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Big_Steve]

Had an MPA rear installed on the front reverse rotation this AM. Rode home. Didn't feel any different <u>what so ever</u>. Even on the one road with twisties here in town. I had a stock Dunlop (for front) with 9k miles on it.<br />
<br />
What a disappointment. At least it's not a real expensive tire.