Riding around on your bike is possibly one of the most simple things you can do, with maintenance and repair far out of your mind. Unfortunately, your motorcycle tires will eventually become worn out, and you will have to decide whether or not to rotate or replace them.
You can use a motorcycle’s rear tire on the front if it accurately indicates that it is not a rear use only tire. The side of the tire will indicate whether or not the tire can be used as the front tire for your motorcycle; your front tire will also indicate whether or not it can be used in the rear
Understanding why a tire may not be capable of being used on the front or rear of your motorcycle is important. We always recommend that you properly understand how to rotate the tires on your bike and why it may be better to leave the tires alone.
How Do You Know If You Can Switch The Tires Of A Motorcycle?
You need to know three things before deciding to simply put the rear tire of your bike on the front. Not only does the size of the tire matter, but tires on motorcycles are often made to respond in different ways to the forces that are being applied to them.
We must always ensure that you understand how to determine what tires can be switched out on your motorcycle and why there are so many arguments. Many people have found themselves on the dark side of motorcycles without understanding all the dangers involved.
Check The Rear Tire Of The Motorcycle
The most obvious and first step to seeing whether or not you can use the rear tire of your motorcycle on the front. On the sides of all motorcycle tires, you will be able to read all the specifications of the tire, as well as the indication on where on the motorcycle it can be used.
Suppose the tire indicates that you can only use the tire on the rear or the front, then you cannot simply use the tire interchangeably. You will have to take special consideration of the pressures put on the tire and how the tire’s internal structure has been made to handle these.
Check The Wear Levels On The Motorcycle Wheels
We always recommend that people do it whenever they are doing anything with the tires on their motorcycles. Sometimes, it may be good to rotate the tires when the rear and front tires have experienced massively different wear and tear.
If you have already rotated the tires before, the wear on the tires will show that you need to replace the tires instead of just rotating them. Further, we always recommend that you ensure the tires are still rounded when rotating them; flat motorcycle tires are extremely dangerous when turning.
Ensure The Tire Can Be Used As A Front Tire
If the tire can be used as a front tire, the rotation will be easy and quick to do, with the unbolting and bolting taking the longest. However, if the tire indicates that it cannot be used as a front tire, you will need to make a few changes to the tire you are moving into place.
The arrows on the tire will need to be the opposite of the wheel turning forward, the brake systems will have to be changed, and the forces will need to be checked. Rear tires are made to accelerate a lot more than front tires, while front tires are made to handle breaking force much more.
Are Front And Rear Motorcycle Tires The Same For Bikes?
No, front and rear motorcycle tires are not the same as they are made to handle different forces and are often different sizes. Only certain motorcycles have the same tires on the front and rear, usually specialized motorcycles like motocross or rally.
You will have to ensure that your motorcycle tires can fit interchangeably, with some rear tires being too thick to fit on the motorcycle’s front. If you are unsure, it is always best to take the motorcycle to a shop to check the best possible option.
We recommend replacing the tires if you are not always sure; not only is this much safer, but it will also ensure that the motorcycle can be driven for much longer. If you are driving a motorcycle that has been built for everyday use, it is much more likely that your tires are not at all similar.
Which Tires On A Motorcycle Wear Faster, The Front Or Back?
The rear tire on a motorcycle is the one that will be worn out faster because it is both the driving tire and the engine breaking tire. You will usually find that the tire is worn out further because more weight is also placed on the rear of the motorcycle.
You will have to consider how the tires are used, with many people with speed bikes placing a lot more wear on the rear tire than anything else. Whereas tourer bikes will have more wear on the front tire as it is usually the first to hit rocks and obstacles while riding.
We recommend keeping constant track of how your tires are worn when riding on your bike. Check each week to ensure that the wear is not causing a flat tire and that there are no obvious bold spots that could cause damage over time to the wheel.
What Can Cause Excessive Tire Wear On Your Motorcycle?
Several things will cause excessive wear on the tires of your motorcycles, each one affecting the tires in different ways. Usually, the most excessive wear to a motorcycle tire is caused when driving long distances on straight roads, causing the tires to become flat.
A common way that tires are also worn down faster is by having the wheel spin or lift the motorbike’s front when showcasing. This naturally causes bald spots on the tires and can cause the tire to be the only thing touching the ground.
The tires of a motorcycle are not always capable of withstanding the punishment that they are put through. Often, tires are given slow punctures or are worn down faster simply because the motorcycle is being driven through areas of the road that not many cars are driven.
Conclusion
Your motorcycle rear tire can be used in the front of the motorcycle if it shows that it is only a rear tire. You will have to check the wear on the tire and how well the tires will fit in different spots, allowing the tires to be changed with ease.
Remember, you will have to rebalance the wheels whenever you rotate them, or else the motorcycle will wobble!
