front tire selection

[whizzer]

Before picking up my finished trike, I would like to change out the front tire to gain the most out of the handling. What are most Harley riders using for the front 16 inch tire?

[harvey]

you can use the existing tire but, due to the change of wear you will need to keep a close eye on the tread. If you need a new tire, I have used the elite III and got about 12,000 mi.on it and still going.

[berngren]

Most people are using a back tire for the front. Find a back tire with the same measurements as the front. You will get more mileage out of the back tire. Plus, the back tire is more flat than a front tire. The front is round for leaning on two wheeler.<br />
<br />
I just installed a back tire on the front of my trike. (2009 Venture) There are good tires out there. You will get your answer in this forum. Good luck shopping.

[drumdoctor]

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After reading hundreds of posts, the 2 favorite tires for trikes are the <br />
Michelin Pilot Active and the Bridgestone BT45 Battle Ax.<br />
Like the previous poster said, buy a REAR tire.<br />
Also, a LOT of trikers are having their tire mounted BACKWARDS and getting some incredible mileage from the front tire.<br />
<br />
Good &amp; safe riding!!!<br />
<br />
<img src="images/smilies/wave4.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wave4" class="inlineimg" />

[427dave]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>drumdoctor</strong>
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<div class="message"><img src="images/smilies/wave4.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wave4" class="inlineimg" /><br />
<br />
After reading hundreds of posts, the 2 favorite tires for trikes are the <br />
Michelin Pilot Active and the Bridgestone BT45 Battle Ax.<br />
Like the previous poster said, buy a REAR tire.<br />
Also, a LOT of trikers are having their tire mounted BACKWARDS and getting some incredible mileage from the front tire.<br />
<br />
Good &amp; safe riding!!!<br />
<br />
<img src="images/smilies/wave4.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wave4" class="inlineimg" /></div>

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</div>I have been looking at all the Michelin Pilot tires and can NOT find one for a 16" wheel. I have a 2011 Triglide and it has a 16" front wheel. Did Michelin quit making it for 16" wheel or is everyone changing the front wheel also. Now the Bridgestone BT 45 is available in 16" What is the tire size everyones using for the rear tire on the front? My factory front tire is MT90B16 72H Thanks. Dave

[427dave]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>427dave</strong>
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<div class="message">I have been looking at all the Michelin Pilot tires and can NOT find one for a 16" wheel. I have a 2011 Triglide and it has a 16" front wheel. Did Michelin quit making it for 16" wheel or is everyone changing the front wheel also. Now the Bridgestone BT 45 is available in 16" What is the tire size everyones using for the rear tire on the front? My factory front tire is MT90B16 72H Thanks. Dave</div>

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</div>No one knows what size they used????

[Nana]

Dave, it is my understanding that the MPA will NOT fit the harleys (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). Harley trike owners are using good quality, non-radial, REAR bike tires on the front wheel----Dunlaps, Bridgestone, etc.

[Hawkeye]

I'm on my second Harley trike; 45,000 miles on the first one and almost 65,000 on my current ride. I always used the standard Harley Dunlop on the front. I'm very careful to keep them properly inflated and maintained. I've always gotten around 30,000 miles out of them. As they say, your mileage may vary.

[BinIdaho]

I'm on my second Harley trike; 45,000 miles on the first one and almost 65,000 on my current ride. I always used the standard Harley Dunlop on the front. I'm very careful to keep them properly inflated and maintained. I've always gotten around 30,000 miles out of them. As they say, your mileage may vary.

\
Hawkeye...I changed my front tire on '09 TG at 15K and looks like I'll need a replacement before riding season 2012 (have 16K and starting to wear center tread). I've got front tire pressure at 36* and rears at 30*. You are getting 30K on front tire? Wow!

[drumdoctor]

Dave,

The Bridgestone BT 45 Battle Ax comes in 130-90-16 (Rear tire)
I got mine from Rocky Mountain MC Supply for $99.99 and free shipping.

[427dave]

Dave,

The Bridgestone BT 45 Battle Ax comes in 130-90-16 (Rear tire)
I got mine from Rocky Mountain MC Supply for $99.99 and free shipping.

Thanks for info..

[Nauga Mok]

The 130 width is a bit narrow for optimum performance. I'm presently running a Metzler 880 in MU85x16 size. Some tire shops say it won't fit because it's too wide, but it does on my '06 Ultra/Roadsmith. The MU has 3/32 more tread depth &amp; the next higher load rating. Only have about 6,000 miles on this tire as of yet, so can't say as to it's longivity, but it DOES have a good bite in the corners. My origional Donlop standard front tire (MT90 which is a 130 width) went 24,000 after spending it's first 12,000 as a 2 wheeler. The Metzler MU85 has a wider foot print than the Dunlop MT did when it was worn out. Dunlop MU85 would work too. Don't forget to mount it with rotation reversed. This recomendation comes from Avon due to the way the tread rubber is joined on rear tires vs front tires.<br /><br /><br />
<br /><br /><br />
There was a post a while back about Avon developing a new front tire just for trikes.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Has anyone heard any more of it's development?<br />
<br />
To the best of my knowledge, Avon doesn't make the MU85 yet.

Michlin does make Harley tires, but not in the Pilot Active. Their rear Harley tire is a 140 width, so it should perform well too.<br /><br /><br /><br />
<br /><br /><br /><br />
NM

[KRUZR]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Nauga Mok</strong><br /><br /><br />
<a href="showthread.php?p=86078#post86078" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a><br /><br /><br />
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<div class="message">The 130 width is a bit narrow for optimum performance. I'm presently running a Metzler 880 in MU85x16 size. Some tire shops say it won't fit because it's too wide, but it does on my '06 Ultra/Roadsmith. The MU has 3/32 more tread depth &amp; the next higher load rating. Only have about 6,000 miles on this tire as of yet, so can't say as to it's longivity, but it DOES have a good bite in the corners. My origional Donlop standard front tire (MT90 which is a 130 width) went 24,000 after spending it's first 12,000 as a 2 wheeler. The Metzler MU85 has a wider foot print than the Dunlop MT did when it was worn out. Dunlop MU85 would work too. Don't forget to mount it with rotation reversed. This recomendation comes from Avon due to the way the tread rubber is joined on rear tires vs front tires.<br /><br /><br />
<br /><br /><br />
There was a post a while back about Avon developing a new front tire just for trikes.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Has anyone heard any more of it's development?<br />
<br />
To the best of my knowledge, Avon doesn't make the MU85 yet.

Michlin does make Harley tires, but not in the Pilot Active. Their rear Harley tire is a 140 width, so it should perform well too.<br /><br /><br /><br />
<br /><br /><br /><br />
NM</div><br /><br /><br />
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</div>You mentioned the 130 with is to narrow for optimum performance. I'm planning on using a Metzler but need to know more on optimum size??

[Nauga Mok]

In the Metzler 880 tire, MU85x16 SIZE is as big as you can go without interferance problems. Even then it'll scrape the rubber "Front bumper" insert a little -- or it did on my 06 Ultra front end. After a few miles, it "clearanced" itself. <br />
NM

[Burnerboy]

I was told by my trike builder that the Avon tire is the best for a trike....
I'm talking Goldwing here, not sure if it's the same for Harley....Give Avon tire a call............. just thinking here for you...

Ronnie

[ol' school]

Avon makes a MT90B16 in there Trike tire. It will work fine on your Harley. I have the same tire on the front of my CSC Kruze/Kawasaki Nomad trike and it rides and handles well.