Front tires on the rear?

[Duane Ausherman]

I can tell you for sure that if you value neutral steering, then you don't want a front tire that is triangular. Dunlop used to make a tire that was just awful. I think it was the K81, but it was so long ago that I could easily be wrong.

Instead of a gradual lean, it had a portion of the lean where it would just fall over into the turn. Many found it very unnerving. All of my mechanics hated that tire on the front of the /2.

[barryh]

I can tell you for sure that if you value neutral steering, then you don't want a front tire that is triangular. Dunlop used to make a tire that was just awful. I think it was the K81, but it was so long ago that I could easily be wrong.

Instead of a gradual lean, it had a portion of the lean where it would just fall over into the turn. Many found it very unnerving. All of my mechanics hated that tire on the front of the /2.

Dunlops triangular tire was the K81. They called it the TT100 - first production tire to lap the TT course at over 100mph so I expect they sold a lot of them on the back of that.. When I tried them on T140v in the mid 70's I didn't like them either but was probably not smart enough or experienced enough at the time to readily admit it.

[jtoml]

I've done this, and it's high on the list of "Dumb Things I Have Done". A couple of years ago, I ordered a pair of Dunlop D404s from the local Honda dealer, ordered as a front and rear pair with sizes corresponding to the original 3.25 x 19 and 4.00 x 18. I installed and balanced these, noting the direction of rotation arrows. Handling was fine.

After about a year, the rear tire was worn to the point where it needed to be changed. Since this was less than 3K, I was definitely not going to get another one. I looked at the tire to confirm the size, and read the fine imprint "for front tire use only"! I've gone back to a Metzler 4.00 x 18.

Moral of the story - just because it looks like a rear tire, doesn't mean it is, and, always read the fine imprint......

[Garnet]

Rob wrote:

So after I snapped a brake cable, I panicked and bought a used set of R65 flakes and the complete used front brake system from the same R65.

I was going to make a wise ass remark about R65s and flakes but then we'd have to move the whole thing over to the speakeasy.

MS wrote:

but the big question is: what direction do you run it? Many modern tires have carcasses which are designed to best deal with forces in only one direction - especially front tires. So, it may be best to run the front tire in the opposite direction when placed on the rear, as front tires deal primarily with braking force while rears primarily with acceleration forces. However, many modern tread designs are designed to only go one direction for water shedding....

The Avons I run now have "front mount" and "rear mount" arrows on them. But when I look at the pic now I see that the tread pattern runs the same direction.


So I wonder if that is just the way the pics where taken, and if the same applies to the Contis.

khittner1 wrote:

Heidenau, as well as some of the Asian tire makers, still make "universal" front/rears in a 3.50 x 18 size.

I have tried some Asian tires and the don't hold a candle to the Avon's performance. Heidenaus are tough to get in Canada.

Barry pointed out:

Also front tires tend to have a lower load rating than rears so it worth checking you have enough head room there.

The Conti front has the same load rating as the Roadrider universal.

Duane stated:

I can tell you for sure that if you value neutral steering, then you don't want a front tire that is triangular. Dunlop used to make a tire that was just awful. I think it was the K81, but it was so long ago that I could easily be wrong.

I test rode a /7 with those on it. I thought something was bent.

jtoml summed it up:

Moral of the story - just because it looks like a rear tire, doesn't mean it is, and, always read the fine imprint......

Till I see a Conti in the flesh I think I'll stick with the Avons. They are not bad tires, short of slicks I raced on in the 70s, they are the best tires I've had. I was just looking for something newer and better.

[Major Softie]

I was just looking for something newer and better.

I believe, sir, you are riding the wrong motorcycle.

[Roy Gavin]

TT 100 's are still made, in three grades, Stock, GP, which claim to have the GP race compound, and Race, which actually have the race compound.
The profile on the stock and GP's is not triangular

I have a set of 18" GP's on my B44 and the profile is rounded, similar to most tyres of this sort, and turn in is nice and progressive.

I have the stock TT 100'S on my /7 as they don't do a 19'' front in the higher spec tires, and they suit me and the bike very well - same rounded profile and progressive turn in as the GP's.

Probably work better for me than my old favorite Mac's.

Better than you have any right to expect on loose gravel too.

They suit either front or rear, with the arrow for rear fitment pointing the opposite direction to front fitment.
This also makes them first choice for Rosines Royal Enfield which has a narrow 19" rear, and they work much better than the flatter Avons usually fitted to the Enfield's

I think it is mandatory for tires to have the fitment details on the sidewall.
So if it doesn't say on the tire rear, or front or rear then don't fit them to the rear - simple as that.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

I was going to make a wise ass remark about R65s and flakes but then we'd have to move the whole thing over to the speakeasy.

You sound like the definition of a gentleman (which I think I heard here).

"A gentleman is a man who can play the accordion--and chooses not to."



Ken

[jagarra]

I have run 2 front tires models that were Bridgestone Spitfires and did not notice any handling problems. But what did happen is the the tire mounted to the rear wore out very quickly. If you consider the wear from braking on the front tire and the wear associated with acceleration you realize they wear in differnt directions. If I was faced with that decision I would mount the tire mounted on the rear in a direction opposite of the front.

[ME 109]

You sound like the definition of a gentleman (which I think I heard here).

"A gentleman is a man who can play the accordion--and chooses not to."



Ken

I believe it was our Airbear bought that to the table.

[Garnet]

You sound like the definition of a gentleman (which I think I heard here).

"A gentleman is a man who can play the accordion--and chooses not to."



Ken

I believe it was our Airbear bought that to the table.

I didn't realize he bought that table, I thought he made it.