Will tires develop a flat spot from trike parked too long?

[Big G]

Read that ATC tires could develop a flat spot on them if left sitting for too long with the weight of the machine on them. They recommend placing something under the rear end to lift up the tires off the ground. At first I thought this was B.S., but then the more I thought about it, the more I thought there could be some truth to this. My trikes usually don't sit for more than 6 weeks between rides, but even at that, could they be developing a flat spot? Should I be jacking up the rear end after every ride? How many guys do this? Anyone have any insight on this?

[SGabe]

Yes absolutely BUT usually if it sets for LONG periods of time. I would say over a year. If planning on letting it sit for awhile jack it up!

[Flyingw]

Ya dont wory about it. Just make sure the tires are full of air.

[ezmoney1979]

US90 balloons are the worst flat spotting tires. The more modern sport tires aren't so bad. A bike stand per machine probably isn't a bad idea if they sit for months.

[El Camexican]

If you want to store anything for over a month there are a lot of other considerations besides the tires. I try to do the following every few weeks on my toys.

- Roll the vehicle a few inches to move the tire off the flat spot. This also moves the wheel bearings, chain and half of the transmission
- Bounce on the vehicle to lubricate the shock and fork seals
- Pump the brakes to displace accumulated water and keep the pistons or cables from seizing
- Work the clutch lever
- Turn the engine at least one revolution to keep rings, valves and bearings from corroding and moves the other half of the transmission.
- Leave the piston near TDC when you are done, this leaves the valves closed and the springs at maximum extension. Seals 2 stroke top ends as well
- Keep the battery charged.

[dougspcs]

My Big Red with the Bear Claw has a major flat spot and it's only been sitting for about 2 months..

When I was out this past weekend ice fishing it was really noticable on the smooth ice..mind you it was pretty cold.

I'm sure once I get in out in the warmer weather and ride it long enough to get the tires to temperature it will settle..

I like my Canadian amigo's check list..I might start using it. Good common sense..

[atc007]

Can I hire you to come and take care of all of that for me El?? Seriously,,I have some 3 wheelers that haven't been ridden in over 31 years. Ohhh I see the gears grinding doing the math,,,,yep .. Tires are round. Flat tires are,well,,, flat..

[El Camexican]

Can I hire you to come and take care of all of that for me El?? Seriously,,I have some 3 wheelers that haven't been ridden in over 31 years. Ohhh I see the gears grinding doing the math,,,,yep .. Tires are round. Flat tires are,well,,, flat..

Yea, just owning a parked toy can be a PITA, not as bad a real-estate, but still a lot of work. Just imagine the support staff a guy like Jay Leno or Reggie Jackson has on the payroll to make sure those museum pieces are kept in good order. Yet another reason I continue to avoid the winning lotto numbers…:lol:

[atc007]

Yea, just owning a parked toy can be a PITA, not as bad a real-estate, but still a lot of work. Just imagine the support staff a guy like Jay Leno or Reggie Jackson has on the payroll to make sure those museum pieces are kept in good order. Yet another reason I continue to avoid the winning lotto numbers…:lol:

If ONLY you knew ,,,lol.. They are a liability,,but SOOO nice to look at : )))

[kb0nly]

Just need to ride more!! LOL..

I know i know... Not that easy sometimes.

[IronBear]

This is a good post. My Big Red has flat spots from sitting a long period of time. I'm going to use it in a couple of weeks for an annual ATV ride up a mountain! Well, it's the auto road but the trike will be over 6000ft above sea level :) Like I do with my Tecate, I'll put something underneath the frame to keep the bike elevated so the tires won't develop flat spots.

[Name Brand]

My SX sat on its Bear Claws and Goodyear front tire for nearly a year and half while I was deployed and for part of the winter. No problems with flat spots remaining after a short ride.
Look at how many ATV tires are shipped. They get banded and smashed into themselves to save space. I'd imagine for long periods of time too. I've never had a problem with a tire returning to its original shape. It does help for mounting if you leave them in a hot car trunk for a few hours though!
If one is that concerned; block up the machine to take the weight of the tires (and unload the suspension) or just put a set of junk tires on.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Only time I have ever noticed flat spots is the first 10 minutes or so if riding in extremely cold weather. I don't have a heated garage, so if/when I get a machine out on a cold winter's morn, there are definitely flat spots. But they have always gone away after a few laps around the yard.

Neither of my R's get ridden all winter long. I just make sure the air pressure stays up in all the tires and start them up and get them good and up to temp every couple weeks during the winter months... Haven't had any problems yet.....

[Dirtcrasher]

I've never had the issue with tires but I buy good tires and move them around from time to time. 300lbs versus the weight of a car or truck makes a big difference, but yes, they can develop flat spots if low on air and sitting for a very long time period.

[honda atc guy]

Does someone make the stands to put under the 3 wheeler which will lift it off the ground completely? It goes under the motor.

[dougspcs]

Does someone make the stands to put under the 3 wheeler which will lift it off the ground completely? It goes under the motor.
Milk crate..cheap, strong and just the right height for most machines!

[El Camexican]

Does someone make the stands to put under the 3 wheeler which will lift it off the ground completely? It goes under the motor.

Yes, I got mine from the local milk distributor. Both Coke and Pepsi made them back in the days of glass bottles as well.;)

[honda atc guy]

Milk crate..cheap, strong and just the right height for most machines!
Great idea! Thanks