Darkside front tires

[Skinhead]

Can those members running a rear MC on the front, please respond with the make/model/and size of the tire they are running?  I am currently running a dunlop D404, 130/90-17 correct rotation.  It is very noisy, some what cupped, and has always had some vibration to it.  It will soon be replaced due to wear and would like to know what others have tried and are happy with.  Thanks.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm happy with my Michelin Pilot Activ 150/70

[old2soon]

Not a D/S for the front but I have a Shinko 777 in W/W at 140-80-17. Also stead of the balancing beads I have used B/Bs in the front and rear tire. Currently have 21500 on it and gonna leave it on for Billings BUT I'll have a new one in my trailer In Case! Kinda curious to see How Far it will go!   I mentioned in another post just How much I'm liking this tire. A place on line has this particular tire on sale for less than $62 delivered. ANYONE interested P M me ad I'll give you the name of the seller. They are NOT a sponsor of our board and I do NOT want to upset Carl. RIDE SAFE.

[Hook#3287]

I'm running a D404 rear reversed.

I haven't noticed any excess noise, but haven't listened for it either.

How many miles did you get on your D404?

[Romeo]

Can anyone explain to me why, what benefits, to doing this? Or is there no reasonable explanation?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Can anyone explain to me why, what benefits, to doing this? Or is there no reasonable explanation?

For me it's getting some extra miles. Generally speaking the rears have 2 or 3 extra 32nds of tread. I've been able to get about 5,000 extra miles than a regular front tire.

[Romeo]

Thanks, that makes sense.

[Hook#3287]

Can anyone explain to me why, what benefits, to doing this? Or is there no reasonable explanation?

For me it's getting some extra miles. Generally speaking the rears have 2 or 3 extra 32nds of tread. I've been able to get about 5,000 extra miles than a regular front tire.

In the case of the D404 it's 3/32's difference between the front and rear.  With the fronts being 6/32's and the rear being 9/32, that's a 50% extra tread amount.

[Skinhead]

Gary you of all people should know the reason is'cause I'm a cheap Bayard.

[Mr Whiskey]

...would like to know what others have tried and are happy with.

I gotta give ya the other side of the coin Bro, seein' as I've only tried one, & it sux'd!
Avon AM26 Road Rider (in forward rotation) damn near scooted out from under me twice on the 2K/IS under what I would call "optimum riding conditions" (in other words, it was dry, & I was NOT hotdog'n)!
Ya know what they say, "third times a charm" right? Well the third time Sugar was on the back. I was doin' roughly 35 mph on dry pavement when I leaned maybe 5° left & I thought for sure we were goin' down! Took bike straight home, ordered new Metz 880, & waited for it to arrive. Didn't touch bike again 'till I had that "death trap" off my front end. AM26 had a whoppin' 3K on it when I trashed it. I'd avoid that one like the plague!

[RDKLL]

I am running a Bridgestone BattleAxe 170/60-17 and love it

[Jess from VA]

Whisky, I had pretty much the same experience with that Avon Roadrider bias rear on front (reversed).  It took fully 200 miles to scuff in (much of that in the rain, and it slipped several times scaring the crap out of me) and by then I was already wary of it.  I just backed off from my ordinary reckless abandon riding style until I got a new tire.  Metzler, naturally.   

Kind of put me off the whole rear on front idea too.

[Mr Whiskey]

Kind of put me off the whole rear on front idea too.

Yep, on the Wing board it's the BT45...
& I wont touch it

[Romeo]

Gary you of all people should know the reason is'cause I'm a cheap Bayard.

Wait, you're saying a real motorcycle is less money than a front one? That not been my experience.

[JC19]

I am running a Bridgestone BattleAxe 170/60-17 and love it

Does that tire fit under the fender? Thanks.

[cookiedough]

I was going to say something like that being 170 width vs 150 width being awfully wide as well for a front tire, pretty beefy for sure.

What about a michelin commander II rear tire bias ply in say size 130 or 140 / 80 / 17 size just being slightly skinnier width is all vs. a normal 150/80/17 size??  Anyone try that.

If so,  next question is do all rear tires mounted on the front have to be reversed to mount properly and if so, why, for better traction and handling?

[DarkSideR]

Gary you of all people should know the reason is'cause I'm a cheap Bayard.

Wait, you're saying a real motorcycle is less money than a front one? That not been my experience.

Front Metzler 150/80R17 - $150 (BikeBandit)
Rear Michelin Active Pilot 130/90R17 - $132 (BikeBandit)

In this case - Yup.

[MarkT]

Batlax Bt-45 130/90-17 rear - the narrower width provides lighter steering feel.