Rear Tire on Front

[Warlock]

I'm not that far down the road yet.  I don't need a front tire right now so I'm still in the research phase.  One thing I don't know is the width of the front wheel.  I don't want to install a tire that is designed for a wider wheel because the sides will bulge even more than normal.  I checked out the tire MarkT recommended and I like the specs; however, I don't like the white letters. 

Marty

Her's you a nice selection on the 130/90/17
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=221&osCsid=826adef5e7748a86b4289ab8ce7f5337
David

[X Ring]

Thanks David.  What are your thoughts on the subject?

Marty

[Warlock]

Thanks David.  What are your thoughts on the subject?

Marty

I was looking at the spitfire tire. It's blackwall also. It will be a while before I need a front tire. I have heard of several running a back tire on the front. If it works and grabs good looks like a good combo for my car tires. If you get one I'll watch for you opinion on it.
David

[Warlock]

Thanks David.  What are your thoughts on the subject?

Marty

Plus I think it will help correct our speedometers some too.
David

[daytona]

Any idea of the thread depth....9/32?

I see they don't say anywhere on their site! I measure in between 10 & 11 /32's center groove.

[MarkT]

If you didn't already notice this, size nomenclature like 130/90-17 is used for radials, whereas the MT90HB-17 style nomenclature is used for bias ply tires.  There's been discussion of this here before - some of our experts say bias is better for cruisers.  I note they last longer, give a softer ride (you use a bit less pressure) are more responsive in controlling a cruiser, have more & deeper tread with more aggressive void/rubber ratio - and last and maybe least - Harleys use bias tires exclusively on all of their cruisers (last time I checked).  Not to say HD is expert on motorcycles (at least not re: reliability and engineering) but they do know how to build cruisers that handle well.  I'd put a bias on the back too, if I could find one in a size I can live with.  But haven't seen one yet - I plan to look again before my next back tire purchase.

[Warlock]

If you didn't already notice this, size nomenclature like 130/90-17 is used for radials, whereas the MT90HB-17 style nomenclature is used for bias ply tires.  There's been discussion of this here before - some of our experts say bias is better for cruisers.  I note they last longer, give a softer ride (you use a bit less pressure) are more responsive in controlling a cruiser, have more & deeper tread with more aggressive void/rubber ratio - and last and maybe least - Harleys use bias tires exclusively on all of their cruisers (last time I checked).  Not to say HD is expert on motorcycles (at least not re: reliability and engineering) but they do know how to build cruisers that handle well.  I'd put a bias on the back too, if I could find one in a size I can live with.  But haven't seen one yet - I plan to look again before my next back tire purchase.

I've noticed the HD tires seem to last longer. The Spitfire tire I'm looking at is a bias ply tire. So it should be ok in the 130/90/17
David

[vanagon40]

I have the Dunlop K491 Elite II MT90HB17 mounted on the front and a 205/60HR-16 General Altimax HP mounted on the rear.  I rode 1300 miles with the rear car tire and OEM front tire before changing to the K491.  When I changed I immediately noticed that the counter steer from the car tire was eliminated.  However, I also noticed instability at speeds over about 85 MPH.  I think that at least two other riders with similar combinations had the same results.  I also know others who had no high speed problems.

I attribute both changes to the fact that the MT90HB17 (I believe the same dimensions as a 130/90-17) is narrower than the OEM tire, but I am by no means a tire expert.

I simple throw this out as something that I experienced.  I neither recommend nor discourage my combination or any other combination.

[X Ring]

If you didn't already notice this, size nomenclature like 130/90-17 is used for radials, whereas the MT90HB-17 style nomenclature is used for bias ply tires.  

All the tires I listed in my post yesterday are bias ply.  I didn't find a radial in that size.

Marty

[John U.]

After searching high and low for a Dunlop 491 Elite II  MT90B17, I struck out. Ron Ayers web site will allow you to order it but then you get an E-mail saying not available, either the black wall or the raised white letter version.
If anyone knows of a supplier for either of these tires....?

[Ricky-D]

Thanks David for posting that link to the AMT site. Just can't seem to get enough information about tires. Information is spotty and comparisons are difficult at best. Even among manufacturers there are dimensional differences when comparing like size tires.

Regarding that AMT site you will notice most all tires are listed as (R) for radial and (B) for biased ply, in the description somewhere.

It looks like you found the best available tire size to match up with the stock Dunlop front on the Valkyrie. It is somewhere around 1/4" smaller in diameter and close to 3/4" narrower in tire width.

Actually Dunlop's for the Valkyrie run a little larger than standard I have found and Metzlers run a little smaller that standard.

To finish, I don't think the "radial versus bias argument" makes much difference when mounting them on a motorcycle and additionally the conjecture regarding mixing the radial with the bias on either front or rear makes much sense either.

***

[Warlock]

Just about every tire for the Valkyrie is 5/32. The rear tire 130/90/17 is 9/32. A lot more meat. Like yourself I find the E-3 taller, but I don't like the tire. I like the Bridgestone a lot better. It has a more aggressive profile.  I have a Cobra on one bike and the Bridgestone on the other. I still like the Bridgestone over the Cobra. Thinking very serious about the Bridgestone 130/90/17 rear tire on the front. The only thing I have noticed is the load rating difference. The rear tire carries almost 80 lbs less load rating. I really don't know what safety factor they carry. Most time there is a 7 % safety factor. Loaded down I have no ideal how must weight is on my front tire. Would love to know.
David

[John U.]

Just about every tire for the Valkyrie is 5/32. The rear tire 130/90/17 is 9/32. A lot more meat. Like yourself I find the E-3 taller, but I don't like the tire. I like the Bridgestone a lot better. It has a more aggressive profile.  I have a Cobra on one bike and the Bridgestone on the other. I still like the Bridgestone over the Cobra. Thinking very serious about the Bridgestone 130/90/17 rear tire on the front. The only thing I have noticed is the load rating difference. The rear tire carries almost 80 lbs less load rating. I really don't know what safety factor they carry. Most time there is a 7 % safety factor. Loaded down I have no ideal how must weight is on my front tire. Would love to know.
David

Just as a guess, I'd say not more than 45% of the total weight of bike and rider. Of course that's at a steady speed. Under hard braking the front tire would take most of the load.
I read about a method of weighing a wheel's load. Jack the bike up, place a bathroom scale and a brick or something the same height,or a bit less than the scale. Set them a couple of feet apart under the front wheel. Place a board like a 2x8 on the scale and brick. If the front wheel is in the middle of the board the weight will be twice what the scale reads. This just reduces the weight to what the scale can measure. I'm sure it's not perfect but will give a good idea without an expensive setup.

[fudgie]

So why run it backwards? Plain english for I'm from Indiana. 

[X Ring]

The belts and tread are not butt connected.  They are connected at a steep angle.  The connection on the front tire causes braking forces to push the ends together while the connection on the rear tire causes acceleration forces to push them together.  If you put a rear tire on the front and run it the direction the arrow points, the braking forces will start pulling the connection apart and lead to premature tire failure. 

Marty

[Ricky-D]

So why run it backwards? Plain english for I'm from Indiana. 

Just as Marty explains it.

FlaJim supplied the link for the poop in reply #21. It's the angelfire link.

[Hoser]

Here is a rear tire for the front in the correct size. hoser It's a Shenko
712 REAR
STREET / CRUISER TIRE
The 712 Rear was designed for mileage and performance—without the high price tag. A staggered, positive ration tread pattern ignores highway rain and provides excellent wet weather adhesion. Other features include:

•H rated (130 mph)
•Tubeless, 4 ply nylon carcass
•Lateral grooves increase inline stability
•DOT approved
Size Retail Price
 
140/90-15 80.95
130/90-16 71.95
130/90-17 76.95
150/70-17 84.95 Xxx this one
110/90-18 58.95

This rear tire is the correct width for the front hoser

[X Ring]

Here is a rear tire for the front in the correct size. hoser It's a Shenko
712 REAR
STREET / CRUISER TIRE
The 712 Rear was designed for mileage and performance—without the high price tag. A staggered, positive ration tread pattern ignores highway rain and provides excellent wet weather adhesion. Other features include:

•H rated (130 mph)
•Tubeless, 4 ply nylon carcass
•Lateral grooves increase inline stability
•DOT approved
Size Retail Price
 
140/90-15 80.95
130/90-16 71.95
130/90-17 76.95
150/70-17 84.95 Xxx this one
110/90-18 58.95

This rear tire is the correct width for the front hoser

But it's almost 1.25" shorter and will cause the speedo to be off by 4-5 more mph.  You also have to look at height.

Marty

[Warlock]

Here is a rear tire for the front in the correct size. hoser It's a Shenko
712 REAR
STREET / CRUISER TIRE
The 712 Rear was designed for mileage and performance—without the high price tag. A staggered, positive ration tread pattern ignores highway rain and provides excellent wet weather adhesion. Other features include:

•H rated (130 mph)
•Tubeless, 4 ply nylon carcass
•Lateral grooves increase inline stability
•DOT approved
Size Retail Price
 
140/90-15 80.95
130/90-16 71.95
130/90-17 76.95
150/70-17 84.95 Xxx this one
110/90-18 58.95

This rear tire is the correct width for the front hoser

But it's almost 1.25" shorter and will cause the speedo to be off by 4-5 more mph.  You also have to look at height.

Marty

I was hoping the 130/90/17 would help the speedo error but hey what the heck, that's why I have a gps for. I like the 9/32 thread depth instead of the 5/32 thread depth of the stock tire.
David

[Hoser]

Here is a rear tire for the front in the correct size. hoser It's a Shenko
712 REAR
STREET / CRUISER TIRE
The 712 Rear was designed for mileage and performance—without the high price tag. A staggered, positive ration tread pattern ignores highway rain and provides excellent wet weather adhesion. Other features include:

•H rated (130 mph)
•Tubeless, 4 ply nylon carcass
•Lateral grooves increase inline stability
•DOT approved
Size Retail Price
 
140/90-15 80.95
130/90-16 71.95
130/90-17 76.95
150/70-17 84.95 Xxx this one
110/90-18 58.95

This rear tire is the correct width for the front hoser

But it's almost 1.25" shorter and will cause the speedo to be off by 4-5 more mph.  You also have to look at height.

Marty

where did you get that info?  Seems like a lot for the difference between a 70 series and an 80 series. I'd have to see them side by side to believe it. Here is a bridgestone that will fit   http://www.bikebandit.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt45-motorcycle-tire hoser

[Hoser]

Copied off the voai tech board. Another brand.  hoser:
I run a Kenda 150/70-17 Cruiser ST rear moto tire on the front of my Valkyrie.  Fits the stock wheel no prob.  Handles fantastic in the wet, or loose surfaces.  I've had it for over a year and a couple thousand miles so far and it doesn't seem to be wearing at all.  Should last forever (just like the Goodyear Assurance 205/60-16 CT on the back).

[X Ring]

Here is a rear tire for the front in the correct size. hoser It's a Shenko
712 REAR
STREET / CRUISER TIRE
The 712 Rear was designed for mileage and performance—without the high price tag. A staggered, positive ration tread pattern ignores highway rain and provides excellent wet weather adhesion. Other features include:

•H rated (130 mph)
•Tubeless, 4 ply nylon carcass
•Lateral grooves increase inline stability
•DOT approved
Size Retail Price
 
140/90-15 80.95
130/90-16 71.95
130/90-17 76.95
150/70-17 84.95 Xxx this one
110/90-18 58.95

This rear tire is the correct width for the front hoser

But it's almost 1.25" shorter and will cause the speedo to be off by 4-5 more mph.  You also have to look at height.

Marty

where did you get that info?  Seems like a lot for the difference between a 70 series and an 80 series. I'd have to see them side by side to believe it. Here is a bridgestone that will fit   http://www.bikebandit.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt45-motorcycle-tire hoser

Hoser, I use this program to compare tires because some manufacturers don't list specs beyond the size.

http://www.ajdesigner.com/fl_tire/tire.php

Marty

[CA ExhaustCoatings]

  Off topic 
I thought the Valk speedos, the IS at least, read a bit high? There have been some past postings about this.
[/quote]

motorcycle consumer news 7/96 issue has the std/tourer speedo indication as 68 mph for a true 65 mph.
odo is off 2.857% or 2/10 of a mile per seven miles. Or for each 100 miles add 2.857 miles.
This is based on the OEM dunlop D206 tire with a 26.90 OD.

So based on other posts it seams that a larger dia tire would help the above conditions.
Is that correct?

[X Ring]

Yes it is.  If you run a smaller diameter tire the speedo will show faster than normal and if you use a larger diameter tire the speedo will show slower. 

In my experience, the speedo runs fast but the odometer runs true.

Marty

[Rio Wil]

Has anyone come up with a rear tire of equal or one size larger than the oem (150-80-17) front tire size. I am still looking to extend the mileage of the front tire. 

So, to answer my own question, after this question has thoroughly been chewed on.....there is not a 17 inch rear tire with equal or slightly larger diameter than the 150-80-17 OEM....that's a real ducks quack, guess I will have to go with a 150-70-17 and just suck it up on the speedo thing.....whadda ya need a speedo for anyway...

Lots of good info though, thanks all...

[X Ring]

Rio, when I get a chance I'm going to drop my front wheel and get in there to make some measurements.  I'm still intriqued by the 160s.  Just need to figure out if it will work.  I'll keep you updated.  I've got a friend with a Beemer K1200LT that uses that size.  Next time he replaces his, I may just put it on my spare front and find out for sure.

Marty

[Warlock]

Rio, when I get a chance I'm going to drop my front wheel and get in there to make some measurements.  I'm still intriqued by the 160s.  Just need to figure out if it will work.  I'll keep you updated.  I've got a friend with a Beemer K1200LT that uses that size.  Next time he replaces his, I may just put it on my spare front and find out for sure.

Marty

I know the 130/90/17 comes closer to the height than the 150/70/17. The width not as wide. I like both tires. The Bridgestone has a deeper thread depth, but the Kenda is a 6 ply were the rest are 4 ply.
David

[Rio Wil]

I need to make up my mind soon....I am hitting the wear limit, maybe I should close both eyes and pick one.  Will post my decision as soon as I get a few miles on whatever it turns out to be..

[daytona]

Just A FYI 

Since my planned ride to Cedar Key has been canceled from this crap weather we have here! (compliments of you great white northerners) I'm checking to see if my camera still works, and show my stinko front tire. Mounted, it measures over 26" dia with just under 1" of clearance from the center to the front edge of the fender. 130/90 -17 230 tourmaster.

[daytona]

 



http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_29994/201_2583.jpg

[Rio Wil]

Just A FYI 

Since my planned ride to Cedar Key has been canceled from this crap weather we have here! (compliments of you great white northerners) I'm checking to see if my camera still works, and show my stinko front tire. Mounted, it measures over 26" dia with just under 1" of clearance from the center to the front edge of the fender. 130/90 -17 230 tourmaster.

What a wuss......I stopped by my "favorite" Honda dealer this afternoon while making  a Peet's coffee run. Danged if they were not having a blowout sale.  Looking through the tire rack found no rear tires that were a suitable size, just happened to glance at the very top rack and there was a Metz 880 in 150-80-17 with a date code of 4708 and a price of 90 bucks.......so I did what any valker would, whipped out the plastic and drove it home bungeed to the back seat and trunk.  So, my hunt for the rear tireup front  is postponed for now.....but will remain avidly interested.

[X Ring]

Hell Rio, any of us would have snapped that up.   

Marty

[CA ExhaustCoatings]

oem dunlop was D206 was an OD of 26.90, was because it has been discontinued.

the largest rear tire OD I have found is 130/90-17 by either continental or michelin at 26.85 OD.
however the michelin pilot active is a v-rated tire. continental offers two types, the one that has a nice tread pattern ContiGo! is as of this time not offered in a H-rating in the USA only as a v-rated tire (waiting on their email response to confirm). The other conti tire TK 17 has a tread pattern which IMO would not be good for a front tire. Would like opinions on the TK 17.
other 130/90-17 tires;
bridgestone spitfire S11 is 26.4 OD
dunlop D404 is 25.97 OD
metzler is 26.22 OD
kenda is 26.3 OD


maybe if enough of us email or call continental they will import the H-rated tire.

"Your recent inquiry was forwarded to the Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, Two Wheel division.
Your research is correct.  The 130/90-17 Conti Go! is only available in the U.S. in the V rated version.
There are no plans at this time to import this tire in the H rated version.

Thank you for your interest in Continental motorcycle tires."


Regards,
Janet DeCandia
Continental Tire the Americas, LLC
Coordinator, Operations/Administration
Two Wheel Tires
Tel: 973-471-8890
Fax: 973-471-8766
Email:  janet.decandia@conti-na.com