Has anybody here ever put a 130/80/17 rear tire on the front of a sport bike? I hate not being able to take the 120/70 180/55 shod beast on gravel roads. I'm thinking one sharp edged pot hole at speed would kill the front rim. Looking at 130/80 180/55 Conti Attack 2 tires.
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Sportbike. Rear tire on front?
- Thread starter inreb
- Start date
I feel that I do. I ride at least 50% gravel. I've taken some wicked hits on wire wheeled bikes I would not feel comfortable taking on a lightly cushioned mag.The bigger cushioning of 130/80 can only help the mag wheel and softened rake/trail can't hurt.
The trail attacks have reinforced side walls if that helps, they are designed for heavier adventure bikes....chance you could get away with a narrower profile. I like mine...reasonably deep tread lugs for some off-road and very sticky on paved. Not sure how long they will last though, they are single compound tires heat treated to be more durable in the centre area. Was looking at the tire pressures on the tire walls the other day and the front had a 42psi weight bearing rating on it....I'd never run that though.
Well... the only two issues I can think of would be some tire designs rely on the front clearing water for the rear, and that some multi-compound rears might be a bit too stiff. If you're talking the Trail Attack 2 (Continental calls everything Attack, apparently), then it looks like neither are an issue.
I think it's safe to do but what's in it for a manufacturer to say so? All I need to do is crash and have a manufacturers blessing via email? BTW, I'm running a tire backwards right now on another bike. I just wanted to know if anybody else has done it and specifically on a sport bike.
Not sure if the TKC80's have 17" fronts now but a few years ago I don't think they did. People were putting them on street bikes. They had an email from the manufacturer saying to put a rear on the front in reverse. If a 650R is a "sport bike" in your opinion, that is the bike, specifically, I am referring to. So yes, it has been done.
Iceman
Well-known member
I know a couple guys on the Versys forum are running that tire on the front of the versys. Only issue I've heard is that they had to raise the front fender.
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