Tire care from Bridgestone

[MDGeorge]

This is a very informative article by Bridgestone Tires’ T.J.Tennent.
There is a part about running the tire in the opposite direction, as some do on their trike.

The Dos and Don'ts Of Motorcycle Tires | RideApart

[trikeleader]

Why does Michlen tire company advise running the Pilot activ in reverse rotation when using a rear tire in the front of a trike? This is
stated on their web site.

[MDGeorge]

I have not been able to see where Michelin advises that.

[GARYD]

I have seen recommandations about rotating rear tire on front from a mfg - just don't remember which one.

I don't know if this guy is very informative. 3700 miles is great for a front tire and 1800 miles for a rear tire??? HUH! I'd be replacing tires every month.

....and the contact patch of a motorcycle tire is much larger then a car tire. HUH!

Because of the different loads on a tire, front is different then the rear, is the reason you can reverse a rear tire for the front due to the direction of the diagonal splice and the load on it.
There is a great post somewhere that goes in great depth explaining it.

[MDGeorge]

"On average, a sport motorcycle’s front tire can last 3,700 miles and 1,800 miles for a rear before both need to be changed"

Sounds like he is trying to sell tires.

[Gold Rush]

Over the last couple years I've picked these statements off various bulletin boards. I think is speaks pretty well for the reverse theory. I'd like to add one point of interest though. GL1800 linked brake system provides 30/70 percent distribution to braking force. If your trike maintained the linked system reversing the tire rotation when installing a rear tire on the front may not be as important.

Here is the information:

George Patrick has post this answer.

Many discussions on this on forum. Just about everyone that has a Goldwing trike has done this and gets over 30,000 miles from their MPA or Bridgestone tire. However, read some of the replies and that should give you a better understanding why the front tire is reversed.

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From Metzler Tire Company..
The reason for mounting the tire backward is actually two fold. First off, the stopping force is correct for the tire because it's really designed for rear use. Secondly, when the tire is manufactured, the outside layer of rubber is laid on regarding the tire rotation. It has a beveled edge where the rubber starts on the tire and ends with a reverse bevel that overlaps the first bevel. If mounted with the force scrubbing the tire in the wrong direction ,it may be possible to break the rubber lapjoint . So says the Metzler site.
__________________
Lee St.Clair


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From Michelin Tire Company:

September 08, 2010

Mr. Lebaux,

Per our phone conversation regarding the Michelin Pilot Activ, this tire can be used on the front of a trike mounted to run in reverse.

Many consumers use a rear tire and turn it around (tire is mounted opposite to the directional arrows on the sidewall of the tire) to be used on the front.

The rear tire tread pattern is designed for acceleration while the front tire tread pattern is designed for braking and stopping. So the tread pattern must be reversed to change it from acceleration to braking and stopping.

The rear tire is used in these applications because it provides longer wear.

Thanks for choosing Michelin. We appreciate your business.

It is our goal to ensure that your issue has been resolved or you question answered to your satisfaction. If we can assist you further, please respond to this email or call us at 1-800-847-3435 (toll free) between 8:00AM and 8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday or between 8:30AM and 4:30PM Eastern Time on Saturday.

Sincerely,
Dale
Michelin North America
Consumer Care Department
Certified Michelin Product Expert

Privacy Policy – Michelin Privacy | Michelin Tires

(Please Do Not Delete the line below)
Case number: 2492147
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From Avon Tire Company
Tires Directional Arrows Explained By Avon Tyres
Published by Cyril Huze August 23rd, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Wheels.

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.
Avon Tyres.

[keepinon]

The author of the article is an engineer for Bridgestone/Firestone. Their reputation kinda went to hell a few years ago when the tires they manufactured caused so many roll overs from sudden decompression (blow-outs) on the new Ford SUV's that came stock with them.

Last tires I would buy, last place I'd get information from.

[bayoudave]

I have been running a rear tire on my trike (in reverse) for years with never a fail. I get 28,000 - 35,000 out of a tire vs 8,000 - 12,000 out of a front tire. If there were a real danger you couldn't get anyone to put the tire on in reverse due to liability issues however many motorcycle tire installers here recommend it. Everyone I know installs a rear tire in reverse on the front of their trikes. If you don't feel safe don't do it but for me the ride and mileage is so much better.

[skuuter]

This is a very informative article by Bridgestone Tires’ T.J.Tennent.
There is a part about running the tire in the opposite direction, as some do on their trike.

The Dos and Don'ts Of Motorcycle Tires | RideApart

Interesting Read.....

[msocko3]

Interesting Read.....

I found it quite interesting.

[skuuter]

I found it quite interesting.

I don't "exactly" agree with every single word, but "interestingly informative"....."never too much knowledge".......