Getting ready to order a front tire and was wondering if anyone has installed a 140 mm tire up front? I'm wanting the widest tire that will fit inside the fender on an 09' RKC without rubbing issues.
I see the 140/150mm tires online but say "Rear" mount tire. Are they "rear specific only"? Is it safe to mount up front? Not sure why it wouldn't be, but gotta ask! Fire away....

 

Measure the front fender and forks to see if it is wider than the tire

 

A rear tire has a different profile than a front tire.

 

Rear specific tires have a flatter profile than fronts to accommodate the acceleration of the bike. They also carry the majority of the weight and are designed for that and will not perform well in the front. Also the rear does not turn in curves but instead leans so it has a flatter profile and more sturdy sidewall. The front tire is more triangular shaped for turning so when you put a flatter profile rear up front you will really notice in in turns. The fronts main purpose is braking so it has a thinner thread, put it on the rear and it will wear much quicker.

You can mount a rear tire on the front of your bike, that will not be a problem. A few minutes into the ride and you will notice it and see it was not a good idea

 

KnarleyHarley If you find out the answer please Post or PM me the results I would like to know as well

 

Not getting much action on this thread. Guess I shouda asked if "anyone knows who sells a front specific tire in WWW wider than a 130/90B16"??

I believe I read sometime back theres a member on here that has a 150 up front...They have a Badazz Orange RKC with Apes sporting a single seat if that helps any....thanks

 

i have been in the process of researching this so here is what ive found.

yes a 140 and even a 150 will fit inside standard fl frontforks.

the issue is will the tire fit and stay on the wheel.
so

for the normal 16, 17 18 x 3.5 wheels you can find 140s that will fit.

150s will fit but you may have to deflate them to get them between the forks. if you use a rear tire for the front it has been recommended that you mount it backwards, direction arrows going the opposite direction, to account for how the tire is built.

now for the bad news, www are the most challenging as not many sizes are made so if this is a requirement you may have limited options.

i just replaced my front tire on an 18 x3.5 wheel with a 140 tire developed by pirelli. its a stock Hd size and fit nicely in place of the 130

i did not go 150 as i did not want to run a metzler as i do not like their tires. larger than 150 requires a wider rim.

others have adapted a 180 for the front but it requires a 18 x 5.5 wheel.

i have had zero issues but im less than 100 miles. tire is virtually the same as stock just slighy wider.

stock = 130 x 70 x 18
now = 140 x 70 x 18

so not much different

the person on the forum that installed a 150 on the front was an op named gunny.

 

Thanks Bigsky! Thats what i'm finding about the www, that I'm limited to the size and the only reason I want a replacement www is because the rear is fairly new, replaced beginning of last summer.
My plans are to go eventually with the Native wide front tire kit, expensive but dig the look of it! So I figure I'm a 2-3 years away from that plan with current/new tires...

 

Here's a 330 on the front!

 

I don't get it. I just don't get it at all...