So my local motorcycle shop accidentally installed my front tire backwards on the rim. Hard to fault them because its sure to continentals retarded way of labeling rotation. Basically I'm about am hour north of highway riding from home (and the shop). I'm going to get them to fix it monday, but is it safe to ride hook he in the meantime?

 

Yes, just take it easy.

 

Since we are on this topic.....why is it that the front tread on a motorcycle usually looks like its going the wrong way? I mean compared to car tires. With car tires the "V" of a directional tread always points like an arrow going forward....but it always points against the direction on a motorcycle front tire...hmm.

 

Calling all tyre scientists! Good question Mav.

 

Simple.
With a car tire, the sipes push water away from the center of the contact patch. Everyone knows that.
On a bike, the contact patch is very narrow around the center of the tire when upright. The sipes don't touch the ground until you are turning. When doing so, the center of the tire becomes the outside edge, and in some cases, doesn't even make contact with pavement. The sipes push water towards the tire center, which is now the outside, away from the bike.