The Tire Thread / Answers Questions / Gives Options / Use at your own risk.FYI - ONLY

[keepinon]

I have a 2000 Valkyrie I/S with a Motor Trike kit on it. It has a MPA 150/70/17 rear tire on the front, and it throws my speedometer off by 4-5 miles. Is there anything I can do to get closer to the correct speed. Right now, when I am showing 70 on the speedometer, I am actually only doing about 65-66(according to my gps).

I've owned (& ridden for myself) a '97 Tourer & a '98 Triked Standard. I also re-habbed (bought/repaired/sold) four others. Every one of them had the same speedometer discrepancy. Even when dark-sided, I never went short enough on the tire to make much difference.

I just had to learn to ride, figuring in the 5 mph fast reading.

 

[Mike in Ar]

I've owned (& ridden for myself) a '97 Tourer & a '98 Triked Standard. I also re-habbed (bought/repaired/sold) four others. Every one of them had the same speedometer discrepancy. Even when dark-sided, I never went short enough on the tire to make much difference.

I just had to learn to ride, figuring in the 5 mph fast reading.

I either heard or read about something that could be added to the speedo to set or adjust it to the right speed. Or maybe I dreamed it. lol I do figure the 5mph fast when riding, but it makes it a little harder to figure out what kind of gas mileage I am getting. I am just trying to get some ideas on maybe a different tire that is closer to the oem, or something else. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Gold Rush]

I either heard or read about something that could be added to the speedo to set or adjust it to the right speed. Or maybe I dreamed it. lol I do figure the 5mph fast when riding, but it makes it a little harder to figure out what kind of gas mileage I am getting. I am just trying to get some ideas on maybe a different tire that is closer to the oem, or something else. Thanks for the reply.

There is a unit called yellow box speedo recalculatior (GOOGLE IT) that is suppose to do the job. There are other recalibrators out there also..:xszpv::xszpv:

 

[Mike in Ar]

There is a unit called yellow box speedo recalculatior (GOOGLE IT) that is suppose to do the job. There are other recalibrators out there also..:xszpv::xszpv:

Thank you for information. After reading several articles about these type of units, I think I am going to pass on them. I am looking at a Metzeler Me 880 Marathon 150/80/17 in a bias ply tire. That is the oem size, just not a radial. It should correct my speedometer problem.

Thanks for all the responses.

Mike

 

[Gold Rush]

Thank you for information. After reading several articles about these type of units, I think I am going to pass on them. I am looking at a Metzeler Me 880 Marathon 150/80/17 in a bias ply tire. That is the oem size, just not a radial. It should correct my speedometer problem.

Thanks for all the responses.

Mike

You are correct Mike. I didn't look to see what you were riding. Since the speedometer is driven off your front wheel, you have options GL1800 owners do not. You can even play with different size tires as long as they will fit.:xszpv: :xszpv:

Good Luck!!

 

[cinjeff]

tire

Great information here. My two cents worth is had Dunlop elite 3 on my 07 Wing with 2015 Roadsmith and could only muster about 5000 miles on Ky backroads. Went to the Michelin back tire for Wing and have right at 13000 miles on it. This tire is now cupping and will need replacement soon so this time I will try the Avon tire. I hope to do even better after reading some reviews. The Michelin seemed to be a very hard ride so hope the Avon provides a much smoother ride.

 

[triwinggirl]

Anyone using the new front trike tires

ANYONE USING THIS TIRE YET?

Avon AV71 Cobra Trike Tires

or any other front trike tire

 

[Gold Rush]

ANYONE USING THIS TIRE YET?

Avon AV71 Cobra Trike Tires

or any other front trike tire

Many of us are now running the AVON Cobra Trike tire and love it. Use the forum search function and feast you eyes on all the chatter. :xszpv:

 

[rodekyll]

I see a lot of reference to running radials on the rear and a bias ply on the front. I see nothing about the opposite -- radial on front and bias on the rear. I currently run all bias, but am looking ahead to my next front tire change. I'm toying with the idea of the 18" Avon trike tire on front (it fits), but will it give me problems with the 19" bias m/c tires on the rear?

Comments welcome!

 

[triwinggirl]

thank you I see that, wow cant wait to get one. I hate the back tire thing it wears good but rides horrible

 

[6X3]

20,366 Miles on Cobra Trike

Many of us are now running the AVON Cobra Trike tire and love it. Use the forum search function and feast you eyes on all the chatter. :xszpv:

I was at my dealer today and he just took off a Cobra Trike tire with 20,366 miles on it. I have 10K on mine, and it looks pretty much new.

 

[cinjeff]

Avon Cobra tire

Since putting on the Avon tire, I have noticed that my trike is much more responsive in the twisties and the ride is much smoother than the bias ply tire I was using. If the wear factor is good, I will put this tire back on again.

 

[jeads1]

Avon Trike Tire

I have tried two Avon Trike Tires in the past 9 months on my 2010 Honda Goldwing with a Hannigan Trike Kit. The first one lasted 6500 miles and the second one lasted 4500 miles. I ride mostly back roads in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. I liked the way the tire rode and handled but not the mileage. I just went back to the Michelin Pilot Activa tire that I have used in the past and got anywhere from 15K TO 20k out of. The Michelin is also a lot cheaper.

 

[Bullishwwd]

Front tire orientation on Trike & air pressure?

Does anyone mount their front tire on a trike to roll in opposite direction than specified? My Honda dealer suggested that it rides and performs best if mounted backwards (opposite direction of travel) ... anyone else ? Also, insisted that I run a minimum of 41 lbs of air on front and as little as 20 lbs on rear tires. What do others run? I have a 2003 Goldwing 1800 with a Roadsmith Trike kit.

 

[rhino 2]

Welcome to Trike-Talk, Wallace...:wave4:

And Yes there are a lot of people that reverse the rotation of the tire...Do a search on and you'll find tons of info on that...

Again welcome....:wave:

 

[Bullishwwd]

WHY place rear tire on front and reverse orientation?

I am new to TRIKEs and don't understand the logic of putting a 'rear tire on front' of Trike, 'reversing tire direction' and running 41 psi in front tire while only 20 psi in the big rear tires. Can you explain so that a newbie can grasp 7 understand? My Honda Dealer had suggested this and I agreed. My 2003 Honda 1800 Goldwing with a Roadsmith Trike kit is set up this way now. The Pirelli Sport Demon - 30 / 70H X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire is what I run now.

I really appreciate your posting on tires, sizes, etc and all the research required. Excellent job mate. Thank you.

Wally

As I had another day with my foot up I thought to make use of it with a little computer time , so here is what I have found on tires...

Below is a List of Bias Ply Rear Tires available in 130 / 70H X 18 to fit the front of a GL1800 Trike - these are listed in no certain order but with correct tire spec numbers as I just typed:

Pirelli Sport Demon - 130 / 70H X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire

Michelin Pilot Activ - 130 / 70H X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire

Bridgestone BT45H Sport - 130 / 70H X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire

Kenda K671 Cruiser ST - 130 / 70H X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire

Metzler Lazertec Sport - 130 / 70H X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire

Contiental Conti Go - 130 / 70H X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire

IRC RX - 01 Road Winner - 130 / 70H X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire

Avon AM 26 - 130 / 70V X 18 - Bias Ply Rear Tire

Pirelli Night Dragon - 130 / 70B x 18 - Bias Ply Front Tire (also avail as a Radial 130 / 70R x 18)

Contiental Milestone - 130 / 70B X 18 - Bias Ply Front Tire (also avail as a WhiteWall 130 / 70BWW X 18)

Now for you BT45 Bridgestone guys & gals on the Bridgestone site if you want a Front Radial in 130 / 70 X 18 they show (2) tires available for that size the G851 and the G709 no BT45 is listed as a Radial / All BT45 tires on the Bridgestone site are shown as Bias Ply Rear Tires in this size.

I have also posted the Tire Designation Chart:

There are about 10 different Radial Tires available in 130 / 70R X 18, nearly all Bias Ply Tires use the H (Designation) now for Bias Ply

I have tried to verify all information by checking numerous sites to verify, not just taking one sites word for it...

remember when you are ordering tires be specific and direct with what you want, tell them Bias Ply or Radial and give them the correct number not just tell them to put a tire on like what you have. It's your money, use it wisely!! I know of no bike shop that will not mount a tire that you bought elsewhere ( Motorcycle Superstore, Bike Bandit, Revzilla, Etc) they may charge a little more but they are working for you, if you want it mounted Reversed they are not liable (BS) these are mostly Bias Ply tires and they will go either direction. For those of you that are old enough to remember nearly all automotive tires years ago where Bias Ply construction and when you got a rotation it was mix & match not front RH to rear RH that only started when automotive tires started going to radial construction. Now Radial tires are fronts & rears and only go on in tire arrow direction, you reverse them and you will get even less mileage and possibly unravel the bonded directional tread... if you can't read down this far then you didn't get all the information. I'm not hear to preach, that occurs on that other board, just providing mfgr. information. I hope you find it of some use, print it and save it for later.... JUST FYI.....

Bob

 

[KYBubblehead]

Having just gone from a GL1800 (2 wheel) to a Motor Trike conversion, I have a general question:

Are radials, generally speaking, softer/smoother riding than bias ply tires? I was a dark sider on my 2 wheeler, liked the run flat Michelin I had...

Thanks!

JohnFTCS(SS)

USN Ret.

 

[Burnerboy]

thank you........ Just copied for my own knowledge...........

Ronnie

 

[CrystalPistol]

Since putting on the Avon tire, I have noticed that my trike is much more responsive in the twisties and the ride is much smoother than the bias ply tire I was using.

That's enough alone for me .... even if wear is only nearly as good as iron hard MPA.

 

[Retired Army]

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation two wheel beginners course teaches the principals of traction (amount of tire contacting the road) and gyroscopic precession (tendency of a wheel to maintain a straight line). Changing the direction of two wheels requires leaning and a curved side wall to aid in maintaining contact patch during the turn. Adding a third wheel to the mix changes the dynamics by eliminating the lean and holding the machine in the turn. Tire size of the front wheel is a product of distance between the forks. I am of the opinion the tire that provides the best contact patch is the one to have on the front of a trike.