Front Tire mounting on Honda GL1800 trike

[Fordstar7]

Forum:

I have a 2006 Honda GL1800 Roadsmith trike conversion that I have been mounting the front tire against the direction arrow (in other words backwards) on the advice of earlier posts by trike owners stating longer wear as a result. I have been using Michelin Pilot Activ tires
size 130/17-18 63H and am wondering if other brands or tires respond to the same way as a result of backward mounting.

All comments or suggestions from other trike owners appreciated.

Thank you

Bart G

[Andy Cote]

Welcome to the forum.

Avon and maybe another company make trike specific front tires. Regardless, any front tire mounted on the front wheel should be mounted in accordance with the proper directional arrow. Should be no need to consider otherwise.

The reverse rotation is usually associated with using a rear tire on the front. Bridgestone makes a rear tire that is the correct size for the Goldwing front tire and is often used by trikes or Double Darkside "outlaws." The theory is that rear tire construction is designed to withstand acceleration torque whereas the front only sees torque upon deceleration therefore the reverse direction is more in keeping with how the tire is engineered. Others believe that this theory is passé and that modern tire construction methods are quite capable of supporting either and that having the tire tread in the correct direction is necessary for water removal. This is a choice you will need to make because you are working "outside the norm."

[Fordstar7]

Andy: Thank you for your reply, I suspected as much about the backward mounting. I am going to go with Bridgestone normal mounting.

Bart G.