REAR Tyre on the FRONT?

[stirlinggaz]

Hi,
this may sound like a stupid question...but are tyres front/rear specific?
as in, i see a tyre advertised as a rear tyre, but the size just happens to be exactly the same sizes as a front tyre i need. 17 inch, same width/profile & speed rated to something silly like 150mph.

will i be thrown off & be killed instantly?

tyres are 1 thing i dont do myself (on road bikes), always seems to involve too much effort, unless you have a tyre changer machine thingy.

its a decent brand,& at a price i like, even considering paying someone to fit it.

cheers,
GAZ

[Lord Percy]

Why not ask the seller? It might be advertised as a rear just because rear tyres are replaced more regularly. They might also have the same tyre advertised as front elsewhere.

Just ask them I guess? If it's a reputable dealer they'll surely have some clue.

[P.]

Some are. Problem is front tyres are usually "backwards" with their tread so it channels the water to or away from the rear wheel. Can't remember which, far too early.

Some people do it and just put them on backwards. MOT guy will likely spto a mile off

[c_dug]

The difference is supposed to be with the direction of the forces through the tyre, with accelerating through the rear and braking through the front.

How much difference it makes in reality I have no idea.
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[davebike]

If it is state by the manufacture as a rear and you use it on the front

1 MOT fail
2 Get stopped it is same as a bald tyre 3 points £100
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[Rogerborg]

[Minty]

Mate has a custom v-max that has a rear on the front and has had no probs. Had one Mot garage refuse to put it through the test and another that was fine with 'lots of places don't know the rules properly'.
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[Rogerborg]

It's not specifically mentioned in C&U

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/part/II/chapter/C/made

But I wouldn't fancy your chances arguing that it's "[suitable] having regard to the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put"

The MOT manual, very curiously, requires a fail for "a tyre specifically designed for front wheel use fitted to the rear wheel;" but not t'other way around. I know which one I'd rather have fail.

It does insist on the direction arrow being correct though.

https://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m1s04000101.htm
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[Iain.]

[stirlinggaz]

hi,
thanks guys, you have given me a few things to think about
i'll need to find out if it is indeed marked anywhere as a rear & if said mark can "fall off"
i know its directional, so i'll get it put on with the arrow pointing "right" way.
its needed specifically to pass an mot. bike hasnt done much since last mot, but got advisory for front tyre being close to limit.
by my measurements, its now on the limit & the f*ckin anal mot tester round this way (the only one btw) wil take great delight in failing it. he seems to go over my bikes particularly more than most. i know he knows i do 99% of work myself & usually re-build my bikes from the ground up & he just doesnt like it.

bike probably wont be ridden in anger after mot, its just a wee 125 toy 2t & i really dont see the point in paying for premium rubber, until such times its actually gonna be ridden,

cheers,
GAZ

[Rogerborg]

[stirlinggaz]

[rubyhorse2]

as some have mentioned, i think the treads are directional.

[stirlinggaz]

[Kickstart]

Hi

How safe the tyre is for this probably also depends on how close to its limits it is. Ie, a ZR rated tyres with a high load index being used occasionally at low speed on a light weight 125 is probably fine.

I would be desperately hoping the tyre is for front and rear fitment.

All the best

K
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[stirlinggaz]

[Kickstart]

Hi

My guess is for an Aprilia AF1 .

All the best

Keith
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[Ariel Badger]

The tread is designed to be direction in relation to maximum load, on the rear this is obviously in a forward direction under acceleration. the front wheel is not driven so there is no significant load under acceleration but as most braking is done on that wheel the loading is in the opposite (rear) direction to the front.
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[Rogerborg]

See, my understanding is that the tread on a road tyre is only about stopping aquaplaning by squishing water into the grooves, and the actual tread pattern doesn't really mean much beyond 1980s TV adverts. The "maximum load" issue is about the construction of the tyre, and not unpeeling the radial ply.

Could very well be wrong though, this is just intardtubes wisdoms.

[iooi]

[stirlinggaz]

[Shaft]

Sounds like you need to learn how to fit your own tyres, it's not exactly rocket surgery.
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[Shaft]

[stirlinggaz]

[SQL]