Is my tire on backwards?

[RicoChet]

I was recently just playing around with my bike when I had a closer look at my wheels, and I noticed that the arrow was facing backwards? This is a used bike which I purchased so I assumed the wheel was facing the right way but... appears that is not the case.

I guess my question is, is it safe to continue riding like this? The tread pattern does seem the other way around compared to the rear tire. Should I have it swapped around or would that feel weird? Recommendations?

Thanks!!

 

[alzride]

Sorry, but it totally is. I'd go back to whatever shop mounted that for you. Never done it, but I imagine you can can also fix it by taking the wheel off, flipping and remounting.

 

[RicoChet]

Sorry, but it totally is. I'd go back to whatever shop mounted that for you. Never done it, but I imagine you can can also fix it by taking the wheel off, flipping and remounting.

I never had the tire mounted, I assume I bought the bike that way... I've only had brake work done and nobody has noticed, unless the whole wheel has to come off for brake work but Im not sure about that. Is there a risk to flipping the tire again if its been ridden like this for months?

 

[alzride]

IMHO, probably less risk flipping it than continuing to ride an improperly mounted tire. It's gotta be loud as hell or ride awkwardly ??? There's little brake work that requires removing the wheel; only a disc swap to my knowledge. If they just changed brake pads or messed with the calipers they would not have removed the wheel. I really think it's as easy as flipping the wheel around, but I'd call a trusted service dealer for their opinion. If you've never done it, flipping the wheel would be dead easy.

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

Umm? Flipping the wheel around isn't dead easy but flipping the tire around is. The ABS sensor is on the left side so both sides of the wheel are not the same and must be mounted so the ABS parts are on the left. You will have to have the tire remounted.

Just swing by my place up here in ND. I have a lift, a tire changer and balancer, we can have that done in no time. ;D

 

[RicoChet]

IMHO, probably less risk flipping it than continuing to ride an improperly mounted tire. It's gotta be loud as hell or ride awkwardly ??? There's little brake work that requires removing the wheel; only a disc swap to my knowledge. If they just changed brake pads or messed with the calipers they would not have removed the wheel. I really think it's as easy as flipping the wheel around, but I'd call a trusted service dealer for their opinion. If you've never done it, flipping the wheel would be dead easy.

I've rode the bike like this since the day I brought it home so I honostly have no idea what the difference was.. handling seems fine, no road noise I noticed!! But I will get it reversed just in case.

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

Umm? Flipping the wheel around isn't dead easy but flipping the tire around is. The ABS sensor is on the left side so both sides of the wheel are not the same and must be mounted so the ABS parts are on the left. You'll need to have the tire remounted.

Just swing by my place up down here in ND. I have a lift, a tire changer and balancer, we can have that done in no time. ;D

 

[DryRider]

I just had some tires installed and they put the rear tire on backwards. It made a big difference in how it handled. You might notice a difference in the rain because the tire is designed to displace that water out the back of the tread pattern. My bike tracked funny, followed the cracks in the road and became unstable at high speeds 80-90. Might be best to have it corrected.

 

[RicoChet]

I just had some tires installed and they put the rear tire on backwards. It made a big difference in how it handled. You might notice a difference in the rain because the tire is designed to displace that water out the back of the tread pattern. My bike tracked funny, followed the cracks in the road and became unstable at high speeds 80-90. Might be best to have it corrected.

I believe you, I think when I was riding on the highway on a grooved surface it tracked funny... thankfully I have not had to ride in the rain much so I will get the tire re-mounted properly

EDIT: Booked an appt at the dealership to have the tire re-mounted and balanced next week. Thanks for the advice!

 

[alzride]

Umm? Flipping the wheel around isn't dead easy but flipping the tire around is. The ABS sensor is on the left side so both sides of the wheel are not the same and must be mounted so the ABS parts are on the left. You will have to have the tire remounted.

Ya good point. :exclaim: Assumed ABS sensors were on both sides.
Sounds like the OP is getting it resolved right. I'd be curious to hear back how much of a difference you notice after the correction.

 

[Checkswrecks]

It's not a belted ply tire, which you absolutely want to run with the directional arrow mounted correctly.

The physical construction of most - not all - radials can run either way. Michelin is a top brand and I'd be really surprised since you haven't had a problem over the last year that anything would suddenly give you a problem. However,

The rain sipes (grooves) are cut to move water away from the tread contact patch and yours won't do this as efficiently. When the tread is getting really worn is when it should be most apparent.

If the tread is in good shape and it were my bike I'd simply flip the tire on the wheel, but it's not something I'd worry about as an immediate issue.

 

[Boris]

Not the standard size tyre either.

 

[RicoChet]

Not the standard size tyre either.

Holy crap.. what was this previous owner thinking lol!! Can you confirm the tire sizes I should ask for??

 

[DonB]

Sure looks like the back tire on the front :question: :question: :question: :question: :question:

 

[Roge]

Is the arrow showing the rotational direction of the tyre?

 

[Checkswrecks]

Not the standard size tyre either.

True but if stuck and there were no more standard 110/80-19 and this 100/90-19 was on the shelf, you'd never notice the difference. It's .4 inch in width and -.2 in diameter. The speedometer will only be .4 mph off.


http://www.ajdesigner.com/fl_tire/tire.php

 

[RicoChet]

Yeah just confirmed. It is a 100 tire not 110. So it's the wrong size and direction. Is it worth getting new tires for the proper size? My back tire seems to have a lot of tread but is pretty flat in the middle. Should I just change the from tire alone or should they be changed at the same time?

 

[Pterodactyl]

My recommendation..... get a new set of properly sized, properly mounted and properly balanced tires.

 

[Don in Lodi]

LOL, what size is the rear tire?

 

[Checkswrecks]

Yeah just confirmed. It is a 100 tire not 110. So it's the wrong size and direction. Is it worth getting new tires for the proper size? My back tire seems to have a lot of tread but is pretty flat in the middle. Should I just change the from tire alone or should they be changed at the same time?

You've lived with them for a year and the size different is negligible. There's zero reason to change them till you functionally need to.