Found best Front tire for Trike

[bassj]

I have now put on a Pilot Activ 130/17/70 rear tire in reverse on the front and it rides GREAT. I got 11,000 miles out of the pilot front tire but after talking with the rep he reccomends the rear tire up front so will keep you posted.

[Wallley]

Mr. J. Bass,

It has been a considerable amount of time since you posted "Found best Front tire for Trike", but I only ran across it today. By now you can really testify to the performance of the Pilot Activ 130/17/70 installed in the reversed direction on your trike. I triked mine out in Jan 06 and my bike came with a 120/70/17 ME-88, which I assume yours did too. Therefore can I assume that the 130/ 17/70 will fit mine also with no problem. Pilot Activ doesn't make a 130. One other question, can I replace it with a 130/17/80 or wouldn't it be worth my time or make much difference.

Hope you are still enjoying your ride,

Steve Walley

[ben1364]

I have the same questions and am looking forward to more info based on Mr. Bass's experience.
Ben White/The Hills, TX

[bassj]

I am in Belfast N.ireland my wife in hospital so can't write much on phone. But tire now has 15000 & still looks great

[ben1364]

I am in Belfast N.ireland my wife in hospital so can't write much on phone. But tire now has 15000 & still looks great

That sounds like good tire life whether in kilometers or miles! Have any of you sorted out what rear Pilot Activ tire (size and construction type) we are talking about? Hannigan tells me that they understand that most are using a 130 but I didn't ask the aspect ratio or determine if it is a front or rear tire. The Gold Wing crowd seems sold on the Pilot Activ tire (rear) on the front mounted in reverse and claim better wear as well as handling?

Thanks in advance.

[ben1364]

Mr. J. Bass,

It has been a considerable amount of time since you posted "Found best Front tire for Trike", but I only ran across it today. By now you can really testify to the performance of the Pilot Activ 130/17/70 installed in the reversed direction on your trike. I triked mine out in Jan 06 and my bike came with a 120/70/17 ME-88, which I assume yours did too. Therefore can I assume that the 130/ 17/70 will fit mine also with no problem. Pilot Activ doesn't make a 130. One other question, can I replace it with a 130/17/80 or wouldn't it be worth my time or make much difference.

Hope you are still enjoying your ride,

Steve Walley

Michelin doesn't list the K LT on their web site, or if they do, I couldn't find it. I am wondering if the 130/70x17 (rear) has ample load rating for the K LT.

I hope we can nail this down fairly soon as I will need a front tire by Summer! Thanks to all.

[ben1364]

Michelin doesn't list the K LT on their web site, or if they do, I couldn't find it. I am wondering if the 130/70x17 (rear) has ample load rating for the K LT.

I hope we can nail this down fairly soon as I will need a front tire by Summer! Thanks to all.

Hannigan suggested that a 120/70 x 17" rear tire mounted in reverse/backwards is the hot setup for the Hannigan/K LT trike. The problem is that I haven't found one in that size with an adequate load rating. Have you had any luck? Any recommendations? Thanks much.

[bassj]

Read my first post you need 130/70/17 not 120 as you mentioned. Believe me it works GREAT

[HubLT]

Three years ago when I had my LT triked, I asked Hannigan what tire they recommend for the front--my original tire had 6,138 miles and it was more than half worn. He said, the best they found was the bias-belted ME 880; so I changed it after I trailered it home. I was truly convinced, this tire was not going to last 5,00 miles. Wow, was I wrong; I changed it at 24,530 miles. 18,400 and I kept thinking "how long will it last"--it seemed to last forever.
You would think that all that pressure on front-end you would scrub that rubber off in no time; not my experience, and I can't explain it. However, I totally recommend the ME 880's!

Frank

[PePa]

wow. 24K on the 880. I have about 12K on my 880 and it will need to be replaced in a month or so. I am going with John's recommendation of the Pilot, already checked with my shop on getting in when the time is right. I had a Bridgestone on it when I triked it that had about 4k on on it, it was worn out at 7500 so I went back to the 880 and will double that. I guess we'll find out which one wears longer.

[HubLT]

Sorry PePa, you misunderstood what I said, I got 18,400 miles--I had changed it at 6,138 on the od, and it lasted until 24,530. I was amazed; it wouldn't wear out. My original tire was also a Brigdestone and I got 6,138--5,000 as a 2-wheeler, about 1,000 as a trike. That's why I was very skeptical about the ME880 on the trike. Was your ME880 a bias-belted tire; it should be. Anyway, good luck with what ever you try!

Frank

[dickkonarska]

We have recently converted our 05 LT to a Trike by Hannigan and really like it. However, I find it wanders in rain grooves and wind. Does anyone have an update on the Pilot Activ for the front tire? I would guess that this would help cure the wandering problem but would like some input.