forget the ez steer

[docweb]

i just put on a michelin activ ( rear tire on the front in reverse) and i can't believe the difference in steering. i'm sure someone knows why this is. but its great. now to see what kind of tire mileage i can get on these rough texas roads.

[Big_Steve]

What were you running before, and how worn was it?

[skuuter]

Totally different cross section contour on it's footprint. After usin' it a while, You'll notice there is more of the tread face bein' used. I noticed the lighter steer just leavin' my Dealer turnin' onto the highway. I now have 2600 miles on mine (only got 5000 out of the stock Dunlop with wear showin' at 2500).....no visible wear yet, and much quicker turn-in in the twisties. I mounted mine straight up though......:wtg:

[Big_Steve]

Why did you mount it straight up instead of reversed? That's not a loaded question. I'm just interested.

[1550vt]

Obviously, it all depends on how the trike is set up, the kit model and where/how you ride, brake, etc. I live in flat country, but do get to the mountains and curves at least twice a year for a few days. I finally changed the original Harley front Dunlop tire (the one that was on the Ultra as a 2-wheeler before I kitted it) after 21,000 miles just because I was tired of looking at it and now have 23K on the replacement stock HD front Dunlop and it still has plenty of tread. I will likely change it before the next riding season just because I am getting tired of looking at this one now. I am mainly a back-brake user and that has a lot to do with it. I don't "baby" the thing....they just seem to last forever on my particular trike set-up. I am confident that I could easily get close to 30K out of the one I have on here now.

[John Luciano]

I do think this is more of a Gold wing issue. it take a while to convince people on GW that this tire will really change the bike that much. I even went to a bigger series . You can do it on the 1500 . and on some ( not recommend0 1800 GW . some 1800 said it rubbed thru the rear of the fender . I now have an 80 series on the front. YES i too noticed a remarkable difference in the first turn out of the dealers drive way. My friend (who i just taught to ride a trike is 130lb 5'2 6? years old woman and she can keep up with me on her 1800 GW with this tire on the front. I ride a lot of twisty roads and most I can ride with only one hand .

[tfdeputydawg]

i just put on a michelin activ ( rear tire on the front in reverse) and i can't believe the difference in steering. i'm sure someone knows why this is. but its great. now to see what kind of tire mileage i can get on these rough texas roads.

What size???

[skuuter]

Why did you mount it straight up instead of reversed? That's not a loaded question. I'm just interested.

I just feel better about it this way because of the direction of the Tread Pattern for squeezing water away from the tread.....havin' experienced hydroplaning several times on several bikes over the years (including the present trike with the stock Dunlop on it), I'm not too fond of the "feel".....

[Big_Steve]

I just feel better about it this way because of the direction of the Tread Pattern for squeezing water away from the tread.....havin' experienced hydroplaning several times on several bikes over the years (including the present trike with the stock Dunlop on it), I'm not too fond of the "feel".....

You know, I feel the same way, but I have no experience to back it up. I've asked two different pros about that. One said put rear on front, but not backwards. The other said rear on front is silly, and his shop won't even do it for me. He added that if I did it myself, it was imperative that I reversed the orientation. He cited the forces on the splice as the reason.

It's so hard to decide, because I know both of these guys are good at what they do, and have been doing it a long time. I still have some meat left on front, so I don't have to change it out quick. Will see what the future holds.

[skuuter]

You know, I feel the same way, but I have no experience to back it up. I've asked two different pros about that. One said put rear on front, but not backwards. The other said rear on front is silly, and his shop won't even do it for me. He added that if I did it myself, it was imperative that I reversed the orientation. He cited the forces on the splice as the reason.

It's so hard to decide, because I know both of these guys are good at what they do, and have been doing it a long time. I still have some meat left on front, so I don't have to change it out quick. Will see what the future holds.

Yep, I'll run mine this way, then compare mileages, traction, handling, etc., and if I have reliability issues with several Members here with the Tire mounted backwards. I'm generally pretty hard on Tires anyway. I ride fairly aggressive often, and mostly on very twisty roads. I requested some Michelin Tire Engineer info, and was promised some, but, so far, "zippo". I am doing a Ride/Handle/Traction Thread on the Tire very soon....Long Term, we will see......:wtg:

[triwinggirl]

Hi just got here. So the car tire on the front works that much better. Also from what i see it lasts longer, and is cheaper? They talk about this a lot on another site i visit. First i heard about it here though.

May have to try that next tire change. Those pesky cycle tires just don't last. So if I can get something that will handle better, last longer, and be cheaper. Heck sign me up. What do I get. I see some mount it reversed some don't WHY? Also what tires fit, and which one grips the best.

I'm assuming the car tire is used because of better compounds, and constuction. Also can you use speed rated tires?

For my 2 cents. This issuue had feathers, then a bill, now webed feet. So it's time to concider this as a possible fix for an existing problem.

[Nana]

triwinggirl, there has actually been a lot of previous discussion on the front tire topic. Do a search for "front tire". But here is one that will get you started: http://www.triketalk.com/forum/gener...ront-tire.html

[Big_Steve]

Hi just got here. So the car tire on the front works that much better. Also from what i see it lasts longer, and is cheaper? They talk about this a lot on another site i visit. First i heard about it here though.

May have to try that next tire change. Those pesky cycle tires just don't last. So if I can get something that will handle better, last longer, and be cheaper. Heck sign me up. What do I get. I see some mount it reversed some don't WHY? Also what tires fit, and which one grips the best.

I'm assuming the car tire is used because of better compounds, and constuction. Also can you use speed rated tires?

For my 2 cents. This issuue had feathers, then a bill, now webed feet. So it's time to concider this as a possible fix for an existing problem.

The OP was talking about running a rear motorcycle tire on the front, not a car tire.

[Big_Steve]

Yep, I'll run mine this way, then compare mileages, traction, handling, etc., and if I have reliability issues with several Members here with the Tire mounted backwards. I'm generally pretty hard on Tires anyway. I ride fairly aggressive often, and mostly on very twisty roads. I requested some Michelin Tire Engineer info, and was promised some, but, so far, "zippo". I am doing a Ride/Handle/Traction Thread on the Tire very soon....Long Term, we will see......:wtg:

Did you see this thread? It links to an article about rear on front, orientation flipped. At first I thought it was written by a blogger, but when I looked again, I noticed it claims to have been written by Avon Tyres. Interesting........

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/maint...explained.html

[John Luciano]

Yes it is a Motorcycle Tire that would normally be used as a rear tire on a 2 wheel motorcycle , not necessarily your bike. All you need to do is find a rear " BIKE " tire that is the same as the tire you now have on the front of your trike. Look at the # on the side wall example: 130X70X18 Now order a 130 X 70X 18 rear tire . when you get it you will notice deeper thread and flatter profile and it MUST be a Bias PLY not a radial ( VERY important ) THIS WORKS TRUST ME

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I have the MPA rear tire mounted in reverse with EZ Steer.
Wouldn't ride any other way!

[skuuter]

Did you see this thread? It links to an article about rear on front, orientation flipped. At first I thought it was written by a blogger, but when I looked again, I noticed it claims to have been written by Avon Tyres. Interesting........

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/maint...explained.html

Yep, I read this and more on the subject...THANKS for the Link.....I even asked some Michelin Reps (two of em')....They seem to think this isn't necessarily the way the Tires are built anymore. They seemed to think the Michelins are both (Front & Rear) laid up the same in the molds. Really wish the Michelin Engineer would respond.....anyway, I've NEVER had a seperation issue with any Tire runnin' it straight up, but have had hydroplaning.....I'll keep Everyone posted along with any issues I might encounter...:wtg:

[triwinggirl]

Ok a mc rear tire, sorry I got it wwwwrronngg.

Still sounds better than what I'm using now.

[katfish16]

I have one on our 1500 Goldwing, and it is mounted backwards.. I have about 22K on it and it still has good thread... I do keep the tire pressure at 41 lbs. and it is checked quiet often...
(nothing is worse than a fat man rolling down the street)

[skuuter]

(nothing is worse than a fat man rolling down the street)

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