Why a Rear M/T on Front?

O.k., didn't want to hijack the other thread, but it finally got my curiosity up. What is the advantage to having a rear tire on the front? Am I missing something? The obvious is that you have more tread on the road, but it seems like it would be too large, clunky, to give good handling. Please share.

Eric

The point isn't to have a wider tire, but rather, the same size tire with deeper tread. In order to make motorcycle tires wear out faster, manufacturers produce the front tires nearly worn out, with really shallow tread from the factory. Rear tires will last longer than front tires, assuming they're not being subjected to the forces of the drive wheel.

You will also want to mount it so it rotates backwards. The theory here is that the greater force will be in stopping and the tire is made for the work to be in the acceleration and by mounting it backward makes the tire work more as designed and that it will last even longer. Just what I have read. No experience yet.

See you out there
Smokey

smokey2255 wrote:You will also want to mount it so it rotates backwards. The theory here is that the greater force will be in stopping and the tire is made for the work to be in the acceleration and by mounting it backward makes the tire work more as designed and that it will last even longer. Just what I have read. No experience yet.

See you out there
Smokey

mount it backwards ? I never would have thought of that ...

how much trouble could you get into with the rotation reversed on a directional tire?

Roy

how much trouble could you get into with a car tire on a motorcycle? lol

wrongway wrote:
mount it backwards ? I never would have thought of that ...

how much trouble could you get into with the rotation reversed on a directional tire?

Roy

This was my exact concern when I first heard to mount a rear tire backwards. Since Metzeler specifically says to mount the tire in reverse direction, and makes no mention at all of reduced wet weather performance, it can't be too big of a deal.

Mount it backwards? What about the rooster tail in the rain shooting out in front of the bike?!

simpleman77 wrote:Mount it backwards? What about the rooster tail in the rain shooting out in front of the bike?!

Now thats funny........

Jerry

I have had a rear tire on the front of my bike(VT1100-T) for over 5000 miles now. All I can say is that I'll never go back to the stock Dunlop D206-F again, and when this one wears out I think I'll move up one size to a 140/80-18(stock is 130/80-18).

ROD