Back tire up front and mounted reverse

[Duck]

I have a 97 Wing Trike and it’s time to replace the front tire. I keep reading about having a rear tire install with it mounted in reverse. I have searched but can’t find all the WHYS. I think it’s because the back tire will last longer and having the tread pattern reversed will make it grip better in the rain. So, why a back tire and why mounted in reverse, are theses the only reasons? Or have I missed the point in doing it?

 

[Lucky]

Duck
I wish you had looked at mine the other day at Fort Mitchel.It has 25000 and change on it.Don't know all the ins and outs,but when it comes time I will do it again.Mine is MPA but bridgestone has one that looks just like it.Gary's Hobbie Shop in McDonough,Ga.did mine.Good folks.RIDE SAFE

 

[jackpoet]

A rear tire is built for acceleration. There for if it is put on the front, it goes on reverse as that will make the braking effects on the tire, the same as the acceleration would if on the back. A ply tire is overlaid. A rear tire one way a front tire the reverse. Many are runniing it without being reversed with no problems to date that I have heard of. Mine is in reverse. Also running the MPA, but have heard great things about the Bridgstone "45". That is about it. Long milage, 20,,, - 30, miles. go for it.

 

[SMSgt]

A couple of the previous posts mention MPA, what does that mean?
Also you are talking about putting a rear tire on the front and running it reverse. Are there any negatives to that?
What size tire are you running or would you run on an 06 Wingsmith? How much air pressure?
Thanks
Kent

 

[dalelj]

MPA (Michelin Pilot Activ) I run mine reversed with 41 pounds of air. I have 10,000 miles on the tire and it looks like the day I put it on. I run the same size 130/70-18 bias ply, it is not a radial tire.

Dale

 

[Nana]

Here is just one of the great threads here that may give you all some help with this question... :

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/honda-trikes-8/my-michelin-pilot-activ-rear-front-tire-opinions-3566/

 

[John Luciano]

This subject has been discussed since 1999. Everyone puts a rear tire on the front now even installers. If you are afraid to do it don't. I know it sounds strange and I know you can't believe it. The tire has to be the same size tire you have on the bike now. Any other size won't fit. After all you are using the same front rim. This is not the old rear tire off of your motorcycle. This is a tire use as a rear tire on some other motorcycle. Rear tires are flatter in design. They have more aggressive thread. The most important thing is it as to be BIAS PLY. I have heard people putting on cheap Chinese tires from JC Whitney and having them last longer than the original tire. Just think of it this way. Once your original tire wears out the only choice is to get yourself a rear tire that fits the front of your trike. Its your Only option. Can't believe you have not seen this explained in any searches you have done.
Longer wear
Better handling
Smoother in the corners ( no hopping )
That is enough reasons for me.
Reverse or not reverse that is up to you. I really do not think that is a deal breaker.

 

[ibsteve]

I went to my Goldwing Trike shop here in Portland last month to set up some service on my 1500 trike. I also said I wanted to replace the worn front tire. He said no problem as he carried what is recognized as the best replacement tire for GW trikes in stock at all times. He went on to state the reasons why it was the best and that his GW trike customers have been extremely satisfied for years. The tire?... an MPA! I told him I already purchased an MPA based on TT recommendations but would buy from him the next time. He laughed and said that was fine but it would be a while as I will get 18-25K miles or so miles out of the MPA. BTW he always installs them forward and uses 'Ride On' for balancing.
His shop is the most successful non dealer shop in Portland. The reason? expertise, experience, and honesty.I trust him. :10:

 

[Pegasus1300]

The rear tires sized the same as your current front tire will have a thicker tread, a flatter profile, and a higher load rating then the same size front tire. I found when I went to the Pilot Activ that the handling improved,I had greater traction going into corners and easier steering ( I do not have a rake kit installed yet) and I expect greater mileage.I don't have mine mounted backwards and so far it seems to perform just fine.

 

[icedad]

When I stuck my Bridgestone "Battle-axe" 45 on the front, I had it mounted in the reverse way also. I found it took care of the wobble I had, and it steered easier around turns. My 2 cents. :vxtyaq:

 

[FrostBite]

You have gotten good answers. The reason it is run in reverse is that the plys are cut at an angle. Reversing the tire places the angles in the correct position for the forces experienced.

 

[Duck]

Okay guys, once again I have learned something and will be going with the MPA mounted backwards.

 

[Teal]

rear tire on front yes -Reverse no.
any (2 wheeler) rear tire is generally used a lot for slowing (so u gona reverse it), in fact most people do use the rear brake first.
a few will say they use the front for most braking.
So, why reverse? on a trike i use the rear for most braking - therefore I dont reverse the front anymore- tried it once.

 

[cjmitch]

HOWEVER there are 2 reasons for mounting a tire backwards

Here they are as quoted to Cyril Huze noted motorcycle blogger quoting Avon Tires corporation;

Tires Directional Arrows Explained By Avon Tyres at Cyril Huze Post
August 23rd 2009

[size=8pt].
Before we can talk about directional arrows you must first understand a bit about tread patterns. There are many different tread patterns but there is one main reason to have any tread and that is to disperse water. (dust, dirt)

A tread pattern can be designed to disperse more water by making it rotate in only one direction. Thus, the need for directional arrows. The arrow tells you which way to mount a tire for maximum water dispersal. Another, less apparent reason for directional arrows is the tread splice.
What is a tread splice? When a tire is manufactured the tread portion of the tire starts out as a long flat strip. This strip is wrapped around the tire and the two ends are cut on an angle so one end overlaps the other rather than having square cut ends.

This overlapping point or splice offers a bigger surface area to bond together, rather than the small surface area provided by square cut ends. (Imagine gluing your fingertips together, as opposed to gluing along the entire length of your fingers laid on top of each other. Like an angled splice, the overlapping fingers result in a much stronger bond).

To further ensure the strength of this bond along the tread splice the directional arrow will show you which way to mount the tire so that when the rider is “on the gas”; the acceleration force on the rear tire is pressing the splice together, rather than peeling it back.

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.[/size]

And consider the following

Take a look at the following picture....
On the Left you have a Michelin Pilot activ
In the middle you have a Standard gl1800 tire
notice how the tread lines are reversed
On the RIGHT you have the Michelin Pilot activ with the threads REVERSED...
Notice how they NOW match the directionality of the Honda OEM tire
That, and the above reasons are why you reverse the tire when you put it on the front.

 

[FRR]

Is the standard GL1800 tire that you show here normally for the front.

 

[cjmitch]

Is the standard GL1800 tire that you show here normally for the front.

Yes, the tire in the middle is a standard Gl1800 front tire.

 

[Bill Reber]

Backwards frontwards with exception of rain direction they are both the same as far as life.

 

[Teal]

if you are new to trikes and get confused about tire direction of rotation.

1. install by following the arrow direction on the tire (and you will be warranted)
2. use common sense when braking. ie dont rely only on the front to stop
3. if its raining and ur concerned about how the front tire is shedding water... ur probably driving too fast anyway.

 

[cjmitch]

if you are new to trikes and get confused about tire direction of rotation.

3. if its raining and ur concerned about how the front tire is shedding water... ur probably driving too fast anyway.

Using that logic we could should all be driving racing slicks, because after all they are the best on dry roads, and if we are...

"concerned about how the front tire is shedding water... we are probably driving too fast anyway.

 

[gwl]

On my 3rd MPA with 1 mounted forward and 1 reverse: both lasted >25k and performance seemed the same with each. 3rd performs as the first 2.