Is it possible to use front tyre on rear?

[nathaniel2910]

Hi guys been miss sold a tyre on eBay
It was a brand and new tyre and cheap.

It's a Avon storm 2 ultra, 130/70-17 so the correct size for the rear, my own fault for not checking Avon's website for sizes.

So I've been thinking about fitting it to the rear, I know there not made for the rear but I just don't have a option to buy another tyre ATM, I don't do silly millage and don't do any spirited riding,
Usually either 30mph around town or short stints of 60mph on motorways.
I've had uni directional tyres before that look and have front tyre profile on the rear but the manufacturers specified they can be used front or rear.

The problem is Avon don't, I understand construction is totally different but has anyone done it before?
I know it's something not reccomended and I will be trying my best to sell it on to get a correct tyre, just wanting to know if anyone has done it before.

Cheers for all replys guys.

[gsJack]

FAQs
From Avon UK site:
Can I fit a front tyre on the rear and a rear on the front?
Avon would not normally recommend this fitment. If you do this however, due to the way tyres are manufactured, you should reverse the tyre's direction of rotation if you fit a front tyre on the rear or a rear tyre on the front of your bike. During tyre manufacture, a length of tread rubber is wrapped around the carcass and joined together with an angled bevel type joint. This joint is orientated so that as the tyre rotates, this joint stays shut. As the rear tyre provides drive and the front tyre provides braking, the joint is made one way for the rear tyre and the opposite way for the front. Fitting incorrect tyres could cause potential MOT/insurance issues and may affect the bikes handling capabilities.

Many have done it and I wouldn't be too concerned about it with your usage.  As noted above the direction of rotation should be reversed when using a front on the rear or a rear on the fromt.  Not sure if inspections could be a problem in UK?  Tread depth is less on front tires so the life of a front on the rear would be less than a rear on the rear of course.

[gsJack]

Your usage above refers to the torque that can be applied to the tire by the road and not to your riding habits.  A GS500 used to it's max could not apply the braking and/or driving forces to the tires as some of the supersport bikes they are used on do.  We don't have much of a problem with tire scrubbing power on the GSs or with almost too powerful front brakes.   

[sledge]

So I've been thinking about fitting just wanting to know if anyone has done it before.

Fitting a tyre designed specifically for the front on the rear is illegal in the UK. The offence being one of the tyre not being fit for the purpose to which it was being put. Expect a FPN, 3 points and a rectification notice if plod or VOSA catch you. If they are in a real bad mood they will say its unroadworthy and impound the bike!!

Your insurance company will also have something to say if a claim is ever made against you.

Unless you can do it yourself you will probably have great difficulty finding someone to actually do it. Professional tyre fitters are wary of trading standards setting them up and they don't want to damage their reputation by fitting tyres incorrectly and illegally.

Its also a MOT failure under section 4.1.1 along with that other old favourite.........`Directional tyres being fitted not in accordance with manufacturers instructions`

See here... http://www.motuk.com/bike/4-1.asp#Menu_Top

Want my opinion?......don't even think about it.

[nathaniel2910]

cheers for all the repleys guys, managed to get a part worn rear with 6mm of tread
just got to try and sell this bloody front now haha