Tire Question

Feb 13, 2012
190
1
Maquoketa,Iowa, US
I have a MPA mounted reverse. I was going to get the trike out for the season and the front tire is flat. It's only got 3000-3500 miles on it. Anyhow riding last year with this tire I thought when cornering it slid or skipped as you went around the corner. The BS oem didn't do that, it just bit and turned. Does anyone else with a MPA tire have this problem? Hopefully today I can find out why it's flat. I run 41psi and centramatics, but I had this vibration after this tire was mounted. Could never find anything wrong.
 
The vibration is normal for this tire IMO. It's caused by the tread design. It came through the handlebars as a high frequency vibration.<br />
That is why I changed to a BT45.
 
Check for a bead or valve stem leak. I have a MPA with Centramatics and I have no vibration. I probably loose 2 to 3 Pounds of air in a month. Over the winter the tire could go flat.
 
RR SCOTT

Like MH Goldwing said, the Michelin MPA has, at least in my experience, a small but noticable vibration that transmits to the handle bar grips. I just pulled my MPA off and replaced it with a Bridgestone Battlax BT-45.

I got 30K trouble free miles from my MPA, and found the grip to be very good in day or wet conditions. The only complaint I have with the MPA would be for the slight vibration.

Also, having just changed from the MPA to the BT-45, I was quite amazed how much the BT-45 absorbs road bumps/offsets compared to the Michelin MPA. The BT-45 has really smoothed out the front end bumps. I run 40lbs up front, and 20lbs in the rear.

Time will only tell how the tire will wear and handle compared to the MPA.

As a side note, I use Dyna-Beads in my trike tires with excellent results. I checked the beads that came out of the MPA after 30K miles, and all the ceramic beads looked like new, but I did replace the old with new.

Hope this helps.

'08 GL1800 CSC Cobra XL
Eagle Man
 
That Briddgestone Battlax BT45 tire you guys are talking about is it a rear tire mounted on the front? Also is it the same size of the Michelin MPA 130-70H-18. I plan on going to Alaska this year and want to start with a new tire.....Thank you, Zorro
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Zorro</strong>
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<div class="message">That Briddgestone Battlax BT45 tire you guys are talking about is it a rear tire mounted on the front? Also is it the same size of the Michelin MPA 130-70H-18. I plan on going to Alaska this year and want to start with a new tire.....Thank you, Zorro</div>

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</div>The BT45 is a rear tire that folks mount on the front. It is the same size as the normal front tire "130-70H-18". It is recommended that it be mounted in reverse rotation. Make sure you get the bis-ply not the radial.<br />
<br />
Have fun on your Alaskan trip. Great roads and lot to see.
 
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Zorro</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=157300#post157300" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message">That Briddgestone Battlax BT45 tire you guys are talking about is it a rear tire mounted on the front? Also is it the same size of the Michelin MPA 130-70H-18. I plan on going to Alaska this year and want to start with a new tire.....Thank you, Zorro</div>

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Yes
 
Not sure if I understand it completley, but I have heard, the rear tire cord structure is made to handle the stress of acceleration, while the front is built to handle braking stress. The reason to reverse a rear tire mounted on the front, is so that braking stress won't tear the cord, belt structure apart. The only reason not to reverse it would be that, if the tread pattern would channel water to the center of the tread, instead of out the sides, and may apply to tires with a V shaped tread pattern. Hope this helps. On a side note, high tire pressure, will prevent cupping, but will also reduce traction, and allow the tire to skid in hard braking.

Take a look at the following picture....
On the Left you have a Michelin Pilot activ
In the middle you have a Standard gl1800 tire
notice how the tread lines are reversed
On the RIGHT you have the Michelin Pilot activ with the threads REVERSED...
Notice how they NOW match the directionality of the Honda OEM tire
 

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I have ran the Battlax on my 94 Champion and just changed the stock front tire on my 2010 Motor Trike to the BT45 yesterday. I am using Dyna beads and love the whole shootin' match!
 
Awhile back i had a chat with the folks over at Diamond Back Classic Radial Tires regarding a WW for my front. My OEM tire just seemed to wear outfaster than i like Yet it always rode smooth ( thanks to Ride-On).. All tires seem to be made the same but different and after getting more info than i could ever retain i settled for a Metzler.. Seems that the Metzler will hold up better on a trike as our trikes wear out the very center of the tire due to just thats how it is...Once i got the tire and mounted it man what a difference. Never noticed any vibrations before but this tire was absolutely perfect. I use Ride-On on the trike as an added protection against punctures plus it keeps the tires balanced..... Yes i have used Centamatic and Dynabeeds and both work fine. Centramatic is $$$.... My main reason for Ride-On is that i do not want to deal EVER with a holed tire while on the road>>
 
Which Metzler did you use?

The 880.

I dont know squat about the composition of tires nor what makes one brand or model within a brand wear better than another. So when i talked to " Tad Chapman" over at DB Tires his opinoins and expertise was needed.

I had them make me a couple of custom WW for the rear of my trike before and they just did a great job. bt reatr tires on the trike dont wear out as there is virtually no weight nor stress on them. NOT like the front that takes all of the wear and tear due to us steering thru corners.
 

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