Front Tire ultra

[ZED]

Okay the kit is getting ready to be shipped to Me, The next thing is do I change the front Tire to a "Square Profile" or just stay with the stock tire???.

I have been told in the past that as You are no longer leaning into corners it is better to have a square profile tire & it also helps with the steering on a Trike.
Thoughts/Opinions please.

[msocko3]

I'd run the stock tire and see what kind of mileage you get from it. With my dads Triglide he's been seeing 18,000 - 20,000 miles before needing to change it. The front tire on the Triglide is the same tire they use on the front of the 2 wheel touring bikes.

[ridinrigid]

if you search this forum you'll find several suggestions regarding tires. I'm new to trikes myself, just finished a Frankenstein conversion on a 03' road king. I understand the use of "biased " vs. "radial" due to sidewall issues. Running a rear on the front and some recommending to run it backwards has me confused. My concerns are not tire mileage but the tires breaking down at 70mph and coming apart. I've seen some two-wheelers running car tires on the rear but wouldn't try that on a front due to the differences in rim and tire bead designs. maybe someone more informed on tire design will chime in and help us both.

[trikermutha]

I'd run the stock tire and see what kind of mileage you get from it. With my dads Triglide he's been seeing 18,000 - 20,000 miles before needing to change it. The front tire on the Triglide is the same tire they use on the front of the 2 wheel touring bikes.

I agree..The stock tire works fine for me too>>>

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

if you search this forum you'll find several suggestions regarding tires. I'm new to trikes myself, just finished a Frankenstein conversion on a 03' road king. I understand the use of "biased " vs. "radial" due to sidewall issues. Running a rear on the front and some recommending to run it backwards has me confused. My concerns are not tire mileage but the tires breaking down at 70mph and coming apart. I've seen some two-wheelers running car tires on the rear but wouldn't try that on a front due to the differences in rim and tire bead designs. maybe someone more informed on tire design will chime in and help us both.

Running the rear tire on the front in reverse has to do with how the layers of rubber are layed for a rear tire before the tire goes into the mold.

The rear tire layers are layed in reverse to handle the stress the rear tire will see due to the power from the drivetrain as we take off or accelerate when riding. This keeps the stress from tearing apart the seams.

The front tire layers are in reverse to the braking stress forces it will encounter so it will not tear as well.

[ZED]

I'm thinking more of handling than milage

[Shriner Jim]

For the front of my trike, I use a rear tire mounted backward. That was recommended to me by some Honda Trikers years ago. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

[CRBandit]

Has anyone tried the new Metzler ME888 Ultra tire (front or rear) on their trike? I just picked one up (front for the front) and will be having it put on next Wed when I do my 20,000 mile service. 20,000 out of the original front tire on my TriGlide (2010).

[Sloufoot]

Has anyone tried the new Metzler ME888 Ultra tire (front or rear) on their trike? I just picked one up (front for the front) and will be having it put on next Wed when I do my 20,000 mile service. 20,000 out of the original front tire on my TriGlide (2010).

All I have read on the Metzler tires report great performance as far as traction, rain,comfort. But short on millage. Some report cupping also. Don't know how the reports would read for trikes tho. All the reports were on two wheels.

[Geezzer Glide]

I replaced the stock front tire on my 11 Tri Glide at a little over 16,000 miles and it wasn't shot yet. Still had tread left. I replaced with the same tire. The Tri Glide has the same front tire on it as the other touring bikes do.

Dan

[Trent]

I wore out my stock front tire in 15,000 miles. Replaced it with a reversed rear tire. Now have 15,000 on it and it has 6/32nds left. When new, it had 10/32nds. Only wore 4/32nds in 15k miles. So....I will prob get another 8 to 10 k before needing replacement. Rear tires have more rubber and if you reverse 'em, they last longer also. Mine is the first one my dealer has done, and they are quite amused by these results. They now recommend this to other TG owners also. I have taught them a lot of this kind of stuff thanks to all the info from all of you!
Also wore out my rear tires at 30k..down to the wear bars. Replaced 'em yesterday with the same size but put on 70k warrenty'd Toyo's from Les Schwab Tires. Really nice tires.

[ZED]

So is it okay to put rears on the front???.

[GARYD]

YES!