Rear Tire On The Front

[isaiahsdad]

Months ago I began down a road that lead to the Dark Side, now I am building a death star. (Hey, it could happen) Anyhow, I have heard of a small tribe in a remote commune in western north America that runs rear tires on the front of there motorcycles. They are a branch of the Dark Side tribe and my question is this, anyone do it here and if so, was it as eye opening as going to the dark side? Not planning on doing it myself as I just put an Elite 3 on the front and I love it, I am just curious.

[dank]

Nah, that big rear tire will just rub on the front fender.

Seriously, given how long front tires seem to last, for me well over 20,000 miles, what are you seeking to gain?

[isaiahsdad]

Rear tires on front will last longer than on the rear, physics dictates. Like I said, I know it is done, just wondering who has done it and if they like it.

[nomad561]

Interesting concept.I would be curious about that myself.

[macmac]

Usually a rear mounted on the front backwards means you can't buy the right size for the ft.. The reverse direction is to move away water a bit better, and has no other function that I am aware of..

[Cajunrider]

I'm staying where I am. No rear tire on the front for me...

[qdog]

I'm running the Dunlop Elite 3 160/80-16 rear tire on the front of my '03 Nomad. Got about 800 miles on it so far. It rides and feels great, lots of rubber on the pavement.

I put the Vredestein Comtrac 175/75-16 on the rear, and I like it too. For pics go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/Quinton..../NomadDSTires#

The writeup of my first ride is at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/DarkS...ges?msg=1318.1

BTW, I'm running 42 psi in both the front & rear tires.

[poppy]

Originally Posted by qdog

I'm running the Dunlop Elite 3 160/80-16 rear tire on the front of my '03 Nomad. Got about 800 miles on it so far. It rides and feels great, lots of rubber on the pavement.

I put the Vredestein Comtrac 175/75-16 on the rear, and I like it too. For pics go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/Quinton..../NomadDSTires#

The writeup of my first ride is at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/DarkS...ges?msg=1318.1

BTW, I'm running 42 psi in both the front & rear tires.

Hello QDog! I've seen and read your posts on the DS site. Great pictures too! What is the reason for installing the rear tire on the front? I haven't had the chance to search for additional threads on that subject yet.

Oh, and welcome to the best NOMAD site!! ;)

[dogdoc]

sounds like a bunch of crap to me, darkside is fine, this is ?;!#%^$

[dkdixie]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

sounds like a bunch of crap to me, darkside is fine, this is ?;!#%^$

Doc, does that mean you don't believe in ct's on the front either?

Trust me, there's quite a few doing it.....

[dogdoc]

Your correct, Im buying it on the rear so far, not on the front, just my opinion dudes.

[qdog]

What is the reason for installing the rear tire on the front? I haven't had the chance to search for additional threads on that subject yet.

Oh, and welcome to the best NOMAD site.
Poppy,

I copied this off another post on the darkside forum. It explains why you reverse the rear tire when you mount it on the front.

"From the Metzler home page:
Answers to the most frequently asked questions.

* Rear tires can be mounted at front wheels?

* When producing tires, the top cap is heated with an angle bump on the carcass. To prevent the detachment of the assembled edges the tire has to be mounted (concerning the main stress: acceleration force at the rear wheel or brake force at the front wheel) corresponding to the respective declaration.
Therefore the declaration of the driving direction at the tires� sidewall is a very important safety regard and has to be noticed absolute. It is not allowed to mount front tires at rear wheels.
In case you intend to mount a rear tire on a front wheel it has to be assembled contrary to the driving direction declaration (direction of the arrow at the tires� sidewall). Please observe the standards in your country. In any doubts we kindly ask you to consult your dealer."

BTW, I don't know of anyone mounting c/t's on the front of their bikes, only m/t rear tires on the front (reversed).

Poppy, thanks for the welcome!

[isaiahsdad]

Like I said, I heard about it, just wanted to hear from the crew. I think I am with you doc, not something I want to try. Just curious.

[jonsamson]

I have heard about rear tires getting mounted on the front. Usually becuase they want a certain size and can't find it in a front tire. I read somewhere the the rear tires have more tread on it. I saw a bike a yamaha roadliner that was stripped of all the extras, everything painted black and had the same size and tire type on the front and the back. Looked really good.

Now a CT on the front, no one has done it, ummm, getting near time to change my front tire. VW tire, ummm, I wonder......

[Jared]

I have a rear 150/80x16 metzler 880 on the front. It currently has 9.5K miles on it. It looks and handles like any other front tire except it come with 2mm more tread. If you turn the tire around like the metzler Q&A section says, it even has the same tread pattern.

It's odd to me that people would put a CAR TIRE on their motorcycle (I too have gone to the DS) but wont put a correct size motorcycle tire that has been tagged as a "back tire" on the front rim because it's too dangerous or radical? Even after the metzler Q&A says it will work just fine?? That's odd to me?

Honestly, my front tire (or back tire) handles and looks just like a front tire. It just has a little deeper tread.