Versys owners checkin

[BuffWv]

Originally Posted by jdrocks

mounts with the arrow.

Crap I was told by an old street racer when using a rear on the front you change the direction of the tire

[BuffWv]

Just did alot of raeding on this subject. All articles say that the rear tire up front needs to be reversed due to when the tire is made its for the force put against the carcuss and sidewalls. We will see Gonna go break them in

[rpeterk]

Originally Posted by BuffWv

Just did alot of raeding on this subject. All articles say that the rear tire up front needs to be reversed due to when the tire is made its for the force put against the carcuss and sidewalls. We will see Gonna go break them in

Yes power put thru the rear tire is way more then any braking force at the rear. When the rear tire is put on the front the arrow is reversed as a similar force is only generated during braking and non at all any other time. Since a bike does mose of its braking with the front it would be important to consider.

[BuffWv]

Originally Posted by rpeterk

Yes power put thru the rear tire is way more then any braking force at the rear. When the rear tire is put on the front the arrow is reversed as a similar force is only generated during braking and non at all any other time. Since a bike does mose of its braking with the front it would be important to consider.

Thats what I wanted to hear.

[BuffWv]

200 miles today and I love the tires.

[jdrocks]

Originally Posted by BuffWv

200 miles today and I love the tires.

from my post 2 months ago...

"this tire question has been kicked around since forever. when i ran a 130/80 Tourance on the front, it was always with the rotation arrow, TKC the same.

when the question was asked of Metzler, here's what they had to say back in 2010...

From: Metzeler B2C Moto, US [sa.motobc01us@pirelli.com]
Sent: Fri 3/12/2010 8:17 AM

Subject: tourance tire - rear mounted on front

Hello
One should never run a tire backwards. The exception to this rule is if the tire is marked (at the sidewall arrow) as a dual rotation tire. This happens typically only with scooter tires but virtually never with a motorcycle tire.

Tire's have a tread pattern and tread cap (compound) orientation that is important to the safe handling of the application and by running the tire backwards one could help fester a future problem with the tire..."

i wore out a couple 130/80 fronts running with the arrow, something like 16000 miles, but to each their own.

[BuffWv]

Originally Posted by jdrocks

from my post 2 months ago...

"this tire question has been kicked around since forever. when i ran a 130/80 Tourance on the front, it was always with the rotation arrow, TKC the same.

when the question was asked of Metzler, here's what they had to say back in 2010...

From: Metzeler B2C Moto, US [sa.motobc01us@pirelli.com]
Sent: Fri 3/12/2010 8:17 AM

Subject: tourance tire - rear mounted on front

Hello
One should never run a tire backwards. The exception to this rule is if the tire is marked (at the sidewall arrow) as a dual rotation tire. This happens typically only with scooter tires but virtually never with a motorcycle tire.

Tire's have a tread pattern and tread cap (compound) orientation that is important to the safe handling of the application and by running the tire backwards one could help fester a future problem with the tire..."

i wore out a couple 130/80 fronts running with the arrow, something like 16000 miles, but to each their own.

Hey JD cant I just flip the rim since its a dual rotor set up...

[lowflyer43]

OK, I just looked to make sure, I thought I had noticed it, but the rims are directional. There is an arrow on the wheel up where the spokes and hub merge behind the rotors. I would be more concerned with the wheel direction, because of wheel loading during braking. A tire coming apart is one thing, a wheel failure could be catastrophic.. I would think twice before attempting to flip it just to solve a mounting issue.

I didn't mean to jump in on JD's question, this is just my input on the subject.

[outsidein]

Tires are directional primarily because of the tread pattern. Tread patterns are designed to evacuate water to the outside of a turn when the bike is leaned. There may also be issues with the way the belts are oriented but this would be secondary to the tread pattern since rear tires have to take loading in both directions (brake and engine). If you reverse the direction you are going to hydroplane in rain.

I have not seen any directional markings on my stock front rim. Did I miss them? Where do I look for them?

[motopreserve]

There is definitely a small arrow, as mentioned earlier, on the front rim. Just been mounting a new set of wheels and noticed it for the first time. Fortunately, the place that mounted the tires took it into consideration (or got lucky!) and got the tires and wheel direction correct.

[jdrocks]

Originally Posted by outsidein

If you reverse the direction you are going to hydroplane in rain.

really?

in your specific case, with the 130/80 Shinko mounted on the front, or any other similar tread pattern tire in 130/80 mounted on the front of your Versys, did you mount with the arrow or backwards? let's assume you run these tires backwards, and have no experience or miles running the same tires mounted forward, or with the manufacturer's direction arrow.

if that's the case, why make an evaluation based on zero usage?

two of the longest range Versys riders i can name offhand both have run 130/80 fronts from the outset, and both mounted the tires with the direction arrow. one rider runs the Shinko 705 and the other one Tourance, multiple sets of tires, combined miles must be over 150,000 at this point. when asked the question directly, both said they would continue running this exact setup. no tire performance issues were reported by either rider, and both reported exceptional front tire life.

in 150,000 miles, it might have rained on them a time or two.

i had no problems with my 130/80 Tourance either, all roads, all conditions.

i know how i would mount these tires, how anyone else mounts them is their business.

[BuffWv]

Ok so there is an Arrow on the front rim. I looked and I found it so thats put to rest. I went back and looked at the web site and the Front tires of the 705 make is actually in the reverse pattern as in the rear make. Saying that the tire is a Radial not a bias make reversing the tires direction will have no adverse effect on the tire itself. Sorry I opened up the Tire Thread again

[ashex]

Another Versys rider here, Been riding an '08 for a little over a month now (put about 1k on it so far).

Has anyone switched from a Two Brother juice box to a PCIII? I disconnected the juice box on mine as it kept backfiring when I let up on the throttle, planning to get a PCIII in the spring.

[Baron650]

Originally Posted by ashex

Another Versys rider here, Been riding an '08 for a little over a month now (put about 1k on it so far).

Has anyone switched from a Two Brother juice box to a PCIII? I disconnected the juice box on mine as it kept backfiring when I let up on the throttle, planning to get a PCIII in the spring.

Are you running a slip-on? U.S. Bike?
I think you may need to block off the air injection, check the Versys Forum for good tech info.
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/

[RedRockRider]

Kolob Reservoir Road of Zion National Park.




Old Highway #91 on backside of Utah Hill.




Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park.




Highway 93 in eastern Nevada.




Near Lund, Utah.




Dry lake, near Parowan, UT