R3T tyres

[travellingman]

I'm thinking of trying the Michelin commander 2 as it seems to be getting good reports especially as regards longevity. Rear is no problem - R16 180. Problem is they don't do a front in the right size - requires a 150 and the biggest they do is 130. They do however do a rear tyre of the right size for the front.

I contacted Michelin to ask if it was okay to fit the rear to the front and not unexpectedly they do not recommend it. However there are people who do this and there seem to be differing views. Does anyone here have any experience of this and be able to offer some advice?

 

[zenbiker]

So many tire (tyre) threads. I have been running the stock Metzlers and love them. Wear is about what I've come to expect from a heavy hi po motorcycle, they handle well and are good in the rain. What am I missing here?

 

[ade]

wow let me read this right your putting the huge rear tyre of a rocket onto the front? i never heard or thought of that and how does it help going round bends?

 

[travellingman]

If you put a "rear" motorcycle tyre on the front then you have to mount it backwards. i.e., the rotation marks will point the wrong way. This is because the main force on the tyre is braking - not accelerating as it is on the rear.

There is a thread on this subject somewhere from a year or two back and I (think I) posted a link to a page from a manufacturer's site saying the same thing. I was also at my local dealer the other day and he commented that a lot of GoldWing guys were doing that and getting phenomenal mileage from them. Many of them were also running Dark Side.

So the bottom line is - it shouldn't be a problem. However, rear tyres often have a flatter profile and may be a bit heavier. So if you are trying to beat the sport bikes around tight corners it may not be the tyre you want.

Thanks for this Ian. Really helpful. I've found the thread you refer to and it clearly links to Metz saying you can use a rear on the front, though not vice versa of course.

So many tire (tyre) threads. I have been running the stock Metzlers and love them. Wear is about what I've come to expect from a heavy hi po motorcycle, they handle well and are good in the rain. What am I missing here?

I agree that the stock Metz is fine in terms of handling but the Michelin Commanders are being rumoured to cover in excess of 20k miles at the rear. I find that the front tyre on the R3T actually gives out before the rear, at around 6k, and thought I'd try the commanders and see if they match the claims.

wow let me read this right your putting the huge rear tyre of a rocket onto the front? i never heard or thought of that and how does it help going round bends?

Oh no, this is not what I'm intending. Just trying to see if I can keep the same R3T configuration of 150/16 up front and 180/16 at the rear using Michelin commanders, which don't have a front in this size, just a rear. Having said which I saw a recent post where someone did have the 240 up front!

 

[Tripps]

So many tire (tyre) threads. I have been running the stock Metzlers and love them. Wear is about what I've come to expect from a heavy hi po motorcycle, they handle well and are good in the rain. What am I missing here?

I don't hate the Mettzlers either. Only real complaint is that the front cups quickly. I'm not sure if it's the tire or the bike, but I plan to check alignment and headstock bearings. I put Avon Cobras on about 1000 miles ago, only differences I've noticed so far is a little quicker turn in, and you feel tar snakes a lot more, never noticed them much with the Metz, maybe more road feel with the Cobras? Too soon for a verdict on comparative tread life yet.

 

[zenbiker]

I tried Michelins on my Harley stroker and hated them. About the worst MC tires I've ever used and I have 20 plus bikes under my belt over the years. Never again a Michelin!
Handling was squirmy and they wore no less than the Dunlops they replaced. Metzelers have never let me down and neither have Avons.
If your front tire is cupping, it needs a balancing.
Also, I would be VERY surprised if you come close to 20 K miles on the rear tire unless you never accelerate quickly and drive only within the speed limit. Why have an R3 then?
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Tripps]

.
If your front tire is cupping, it needs a balancing.

3 dealer installed tires in a row? Seems unlikely.

 

[zenbiker]

If it is cupping then it needs more air. Keep it at or near the maximum pressure on the tyre.

 

[xguidojr]

Don't know about their m/c tires, but had a bad experience with Michelin auto tires a few years ago. Paid a hefty premium for what were supposed to be "super-long wearing" tires, and they were shot in half the time of the Coopers they replaced. Personally, I won't buy Michelins again.