In the past I have seen comments about mounting steer tires forward and backwards. Is there a difference? and what is best>? Thanks for replies.
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mounting Bridgestone BT46
In the past I have seen comments about mounting steer tires forward and backwards. Is there a difference? and what is best>? Thanks for replies.
There has been a lot of discussion on this on various boards I am on. Generally, it comes down to about a 50-50 consensus. I have had one installed both ways and it didn't make any difference in ride, water dispersion, or tire life.
Had my BT46 on for 13,000 miles now. I expect it to easily double the mileage as the original stock front tire. Mine is mounted in the correct forward rotation and I'm very happy with the handling and tread life.Originally Posted by Deplorable
The thought behind it is that the BT46 is actually a rear tire so it was designed that the greatest forces in it were during acceleration. Front tires experience the greatest forces during braking. So the idea is that since the forces are reversed when mounting a rear tire on the front wheel, by reversing it, the forces it experiences will still be the same on the tire.
But like was mentioned, it gets mounted by many both ways and doesn't seem to really affect it. It comes down to a personal choice.
Just mounted a BT46 standard forward rotation. Heavy snow coming and getting ready to raise trike up on lift. Getting ready to make major change I hope it will be for the better. Going to be several weeks before trike can be back out. Snow,ice, and salt. Trike in hibernation.
Looking forward to seeing what you have to say about this tire. Ive got one ready for spring to be mounted.
Got the BT46 on the trike. The tire looks huge. It gets a little close to the rear fender at the bottom. Now just wait for some rain to wash off the salt and take it for a test run.
Went out for ride couple of days ago. 400 mile day. Front tire BT46 seems fine. Trike also has front end rebuilt no more Strut suspension now just like factory with springs. Trike rides good and now handles fine. Just looking for nicer days and time to ride.
Since it is directional, and if a shops had proper training, they will only mount it in the direction of the arrow. Sometimes directional has to do with dispersing water, sometimes it has to do with how the tire is constructed, and sometimes both. If you call Bridgestone, they will tell you to only mount it so that it rolls in the direction of the arrow. Here we would only mount it as Bridgestone says.
Please keep in mind that anytime I share or give advice about a motorcycle, unless I state otherwise, I am always referring to GL1800's and no other.
Are you running the radial (BT46R) or the bias (BT46) 130/70-18?
Thanks, LJ
As far as I was aware, the BT46 was only available in bias ply in that size.
Ok, I think I know where the confusion comes in. The BT46 is only a Bias Ply in all sizes. Most of the time it will just be listed as BT46. But you may also come across BT46R and also may see BT46F. The extra letter in the end is just a designation for R=rear and F=Front. So the 130/70-18 may be listed as BT46 or BT46R but it is the same tire and is a rear Bias Ply tire.
LOL...OK....I thought it was available as a radial as well.It’s been awhile since I’ve had to shop for a front tire.
Anyway, I’ve been running the Avon Cobra Trike tire, and it’s starting to get a little long on the tooth; not so much from wear, but from age, so I’ve been kinda looking for an eventual replacement.
I’ve had no issues with the Avon and would run it again, but no one has it available so I was gonna fall back to my old standby: a Bridgestone BT45, but it’s been replaced by the BT46.
I’m gonna go ahead and get one on order soon.Thanks for the info and assistance.....ride safe.
LJ
When Gregg speaks ...................... " I listen"................ Thank you Gregg
Ronnie
3/26/23
(Captron on the G/W board)
I have about 2,000 on the BT46 now. Forward mount and I am happy with it. Ride is very smooth and seems quiet to me.
the next thing I am interested in is the mileage on it. I was getting 8 to 10 thousand on a G709 on it s a bike.
Yesterday I had a BT46 installed on my trike. Normal rotation. The ride improved greatly but then I had a near slick on the front when I bought this machine... Time will tell but many friends pointed me to this tire and so far so good!!!
2005 Honda Goldwing with Motor Trike Kit
Just so everyone knows, the Avon Chrome tire, that was designed specifically for the front of GL1800 trikes, is off BO and available.
Please keep in mind that anytime I share or give advice about a motorcycle, unless I state otherwise, I am always referring to GL1800's and no other.
And Avon is now owned by Goodyear. This was posted on another forum. I saw that they have to ship the tires from overseas to here. Earlier they sent a shipping container of the 16" bias ply Cobra Chrome Trike tires to the U.S. and another shipping container with the 18" in radial ones was due any day now.
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