car tire on front?

[deacon]

Does anyone run a CT on the front? Is it even a good idea? I think my front tire will pass but if it doesn't I'll need a front tire as well.

[Top Cat]

Why would you want to do that ???

[deacon]

LOL, because I'm cheap! I had read some where that it has been done and was just wondering if anyone here had done it :)

[trosco]

late 60's on Harley FLH is the last time I know of that a Mtrcycl mfgr put a car tire on front of mtrcycl. Front and rear tire and wheel were interchangable and you would actually rotate front to back and back to front every 3000 miles or rear tire would square off and front would round off. Don't think it is as good a system as using "made for front" and "made for rear" tires.

[Top Cat]

I don't know if any one on here has done it but if you look at the bikes in the 40's and 50's they look like they have the same square shaped tires on front and back.

[ringadingh]

Someone should try it and give a report. I don't think its something I'd be interested in.

[jims]

Might work on a CanAm Spyder but I think handling/cornering would have tragic consequences.

[lonewolf]

im running a rear pirelli on my front. gettin great wear out of it.

[cactusjack]

I wouldn't attempt it.

[VulcanE]

I am very happy with my GYTT on the rear, and Avon Cobra on the front.

[deacon]

I am very happy with my GYTT on the rear, and Avon Cobra on the front.

What is "GYTT"?

[Bull Durham]

I'm very happy with my motorcycle tires, front and back.

[deacon]

I am very happy with my GYTT on the rear, and Avon Cobra on the front.

What is "GYTT"?


I know! I know! Good Year Triple Tread!
The internet is a wonderful thing! http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Motorcycle tires work fine for me. Dunlop Elite 3 front and rear. Great tire and built in USA.

[Top Cat]

GYTT I though he ment Good Year Truck Tire.

[dank]

Interesting to see some of the darksiders injecting the same fears about handling etc. for changing to a CT on the front that were previously leveled at using one on the rear. Front doesn't have any greater lean angle than the rear, and the the increased footprint on the front could really help on braking distance. So why assume there is an issue just because you haven't tried this one? Especially when other posts at least claim that a CT on the rear makes the bike stop faster, accelerate more quickly, corner better, and have a smoother ride two-up. So why the sudden expression of blanket fears for putting one on the front?

[blowndodge]

I think its because Tim and Scott are Wimps??? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Bull Durham]

How can a CT corner better than a MT?

[blowndodge]

Ok,,, I'll play your silly game........... HOW????

[jims]

How can a CT corner better than a MT?
It can't. The handling differences between different brands of MTs is legendary on cycle forums. Guys argue hours over the handling nuances of MC tires much less the enormous differences a CT would exhibit. The difference between the construction of CT side walls to support the weight of a car alone would not allow the foot print to remain on the roadway while leaned over on a bike. It may decrease stopping distance in a straight line only. Might be a good idea on a bike with a sidecar though.

[drno]

Theres a video I saw on here or another kawa site that had a guy who mounted a camera on the underside of his bike and the car tire sure looked like alot more contact than any bike tire had, especially on a corner. This was rear only though.

[Bull Durham]

BD,

Not a silly game, I was asking how it is possible that a CT corners better than a MT, as I don't believe it can.

My understanding of how a cycle corners in the first place, is when a person leans and as MT's are curved, the reason it corners is because the circumference of the tire gets smaller so that makes it corner. Want to corner sharper, you lean more. It's all about the smaller circumference. That's why I've never understood putting a CT on a cycle, front or back.

Yes, I understand that it lasts a lot longer than a MT and probably provides better ride / cushion on straight riding, but that isn't the point of cycling, to me. To me, cycles are about cornering, that's the fun part.

[blowndodge]

I was just yankin' ur chain Bull. I myself don't consider the Nomad a cornering maching so I run a car tire. I've gone hot enough into a turn with the floorboards scraping and hammered it and there wasn't an ounce of grip loss....

Now if I had ZX1400 I wouldn't have a CT on it.

[Bull Durham]

Well, you're definitely right there, they're not much of a cornering machine. Still, I try and scrape the floorboards at least once a day.

Now, you want to talk about cornering! Back in 2000 / 2001, I was one The Dragon with my 1978 KZ1000 and scraped the rubber pegs a couple of times. To do that, the bike has to be almost laying on it's side, handlebar grip probably 6 - 10 inches off the pavement. Now, THAT was fun. Also, to do it on a bike that wasn't built for cornering that hard, unlike new bikes now, and you have a nice adrenaline rush. Use to be a type T personality, now not so often in my old age.

[sonny]

The 16" HD tires were the same front and back as late as '77. And they were square side wall tires. There were no handling problems. I do not remember rotating them front to back and visa versa. And we got a lot of miles out of both tires. I am presently looking for the old HD '16 tires to try one on the front to go with my rear CT. I know some one has to still make them for classic or antique bikes. I do not know what the rim width was, but still looking. I figure; If a rider started riding his/ her 1st bike with an inverted triangle tire, that is what they would learn to ride on and think it was the only way to ride safe. And would throw BIG rocks at any other style of tire. It is called familiar. I started riding straight side wall tires, the "new" round side walls make me crazy with the way they handle. To each his/ her own for what works.
Thanks for your time