Tire ??????????

[BA80]

Tire question

I have a brand new (well, never been used) 130/90/16 tire but it says "For Front Use Only". I'm wondering if I could get away with using it on the rear.

[jetmechmarty]

Will it still be on there when you're riding the mountains of TN/NC? I don't think I'd be willing to go there.

[MPittma100]

Tire

I'm thinking that a call/email to Dunlop and/or a Dunlop supplier to ask this question might be your best option. That's what I would do. Tire's age may come into play?

Mike

[motoman]

I'm thinking that a call/email to Dunlop and/or a Dunlop supplier to ask this question might be your best option. That's what I would do. Tire's age may come into play?

Mike

Looks to be an IRC. Date code may be deciding factor.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Greg,

This is all that's on their site( www.irc-tire.com ) regarding safety information??

When you choose new IRC motorcycle tires, make sure they are the right fit for your motorcycle.

Double check the size and intended usage and make sure you have made the right selection.

TIRE MOUNTING

IRC recommends you permit only specially trained persons to mount your tires. Improper mounting can damage the tire and your motorcycle, and could cause serious injury.

Only mount front tires on the front and rear tires on the rear of your motorcycle.

Your photos don't say what MODEL it is, but I found in their cruiser section the GS-23 in the 130/90-16 FRONT style.

Due to their high performance and high rigidity, the GS-23s are original equipment on the SUZUKI VL800 VOLUSIA and VZ800.

As to the Front/Rear situation, it's probably due to the tread patterns, the front being designed for the heavy braking stress pushing against the tread patch in a rearward direction, whereas with the rear tire the accel stress pushes against the tread in a forward direction of stress...and only rearward during decel, engine and regular braking ?!

T.C.

[crazy steve]

Two things I'd look at; one, is the load rating adequate? Front tires for bikes are designed differently, and the load at the front is generally less. The OEM rear load rating was 650 lbs, so you want to see at least that amount. Second, I've been told that if you do run a front on the back (or vice versa), turn the tire the other way or opposite the marked rotation. This because the tires are supposedly optimized for traction in one direction; the front for braking, the rear for traction (rear braking is less important).

The tire age IMO isn't major factor if the tire has been stored properly. Those 'magic' expiration dates are for tires that have been in 'normal' use and exposed to environmental conditions. But of course, YMMV...

[jjz28]

If it were me, I would buy a new one, they aren't that much. I would think that putting a front on back may not be able to take the weight of the bike plus rider.

[BA80]

Yeah, I would just use it around home. I really hate to let a new tire just sit and rot.

[rdmcguy]

Giant smoky burnout

Instead of letting it go unused you could always take it to a local Hardley meet and do a Giant smoky burnout ...For some dimwitted reason they seem to think that is impressive!!! pour a bit of bleach under it so it really burns their eyes!!!

[TopCatGr58]

Yeah, I would just use it around home. I really hate to let a new tire just sit and rot.

Hey Greg,

After reading the KNOW HOW TO READ A TIRE on the AMA site, I forgot that the tire will have it's LOAD RATING on it's sidewall along with it's born on date.

Interestingly, IF it's the GS-23...the IRC site says that it came in both TT tube type, and TL Tubeless formats....the TUBELESS part # is 112559. Hopefully it's say Tubeless on the sidewall?

The GS-23 is rated at 67H, the 67 is load of 675 lbs, the H is 130 mph max speed. Sounds strong enough to me for our bikes, but like Steve said, I would mount it with the direction arrow going backwards.

T.C.

PS, I just looked at your first photo, and there it is....Load rating 677 lbs!!