Front tires mounted backwards?

I've always read the reason for the apparent reverse tread pattern between front and rear is due to the torque forces at each end being different. The front needs the reverse V pattern to facilitate better braking since 70% of braking is on the front tire. The rear needs the forward pointing V pattern to facilitate the torque of accelerating and driving the bike forward. This is what Google AI comes up with...

The tread pattern is reversed on the front tire because the primary forces it experiences are different from the rear: the front tire handles braking and steering, which requires shedding water efficiently, while the rear tire handles acceleration, requiring it to dig in and transfer power. A reversed V-pattern on the front tire helps push water away from the contact patch as you brake, increasing grip in wet conditions. The rear tire's forward-facing V-pattern, however, channels water away from the center and is designed to prevent hydroplaning while providing traction for acceleration.

Front tire (reversed pattern)
  • Braking: The front tire is responsible for about 70% of the motorcycle's braking force. The reversed tread pattern is designed to displace water forward and outward during hard braking, preventing the water from being trapped under the contact patch.
  • Steering: The pattern helps provide stability and control for steering.
  • Wet conditions: By channeling water away from the center, the reversed pattern improves grip on wet roads.

Rear tire (forward pattern)
  • Acceleration: The rear tire is responsible for driving the motorcycle forward. Its forward-pointing tread pattern is designed to push water away from the center and towards the outside, providing better traction for acceleration.
  • Weight transfer: The rear tire handles the weight of the bike and rider, and the tread is optimized for this role.
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rjs987 said:
I've always read the reason for the apparent reverse tread pattern between front and rear is due to the torque forces at each end being different. The front needs the reverse V pattern to facilitate better braking since 70% of braking is on the front tire. The rear needs the forward pointing V pattern to facilitate the torque of accelerating and driving the bike forward. This is what Google AI comes up with...
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BS AI. Coefficient of friction is what creates the stickiness or grip of the tire to the surface not the tread design. In actuality tread design reduces a tire's grip on the road surface as it creates areas where the tire does not touch the road. Grooves and sipes on street motor vehicle tires are just there for water evacuation from under the contact patch to prevent hydroplaning. The stickiest of performance tires are slick have no grooves or sipe at all in order to maximize tire surface area.
 
Not BS. This is consistent with what I have read from many reputable sources about mc tires. I normally take what the AI says with a big grain of salt but this time that quote is consistent with what I've read from experts and presented more concisely than from some other sources. COF is somewhat the same on dry pavement regardless which way the tread pattern points since it is mostly about the rubber between the tread groves. The rain performance is what the groves provide and that is designed to work with the need for the different requirements of front or rear tires.
 
This same principle is why, when going double dark, a rear mc tire is put on the front but turned around with the direction arrow pointing opposite the normal direction of travel.
 
rjs987 said:
COF is somewhat the same on dry pavement regardless which way the tread pattern points since it is mostly about the rubber between the tread groves. The rain performance is what the groves provide and that is designed to work with the need for the different requirements of fron
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This is saying the same thing as dduelin. It's the rubber on the road and not the grooves that provide contact with the pavement. Grooves lessen that contact. But the grooves are necessary on street tires to prevent hydroplaning in occasional wet weather. Street tires on the wet need the grooves. Even F1 drivers have had treaded tires available for heavy - not light or moderate - rain. In dry weather it's slicks that rule the track. In heavy rain races may be cancelled.
 
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