Tyre direction.??

[steve92]

Whats peoples thoughts on using derectional tyres the wrong way around?

I turned my bt090 front around at yesterdays racing because it was well worn on the right hand side. Lots of mixed views on this, we where kind of thinking it would be ok in the dry.

First race came and the front let go on the fastest part of the circuit on the left hand side which was then the worn side. I'm lucky all i got was a little cut on my finger, think i was doing about 100mph.

Not sure if it was because the tyre was turned around or because it was just done. Any how i wont be doing it again or letting my tyres get so worn. lol

[hannakournikova]

Seen the pics on bake book. Unlucky mate.

[Neosophist]

Avon suggest the arrow is not only for water dispersal but due to the join of the tread.

Tires Directional Arrows Explained By Avon Tyres
Published by Cyril Huze August 23rd, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Wheels.

Before we can talk about directional arrows you must first understand a bit about tread patterns. There are many different tread patterns but there is one main reason to have any tread and that is to disperse water. (dust, dirt)

A tread pattern can be designed to disperse more water by making it rotate in only one direction. Thus, the need for directional arrows. The arrow tells you which way to mount a tire for maximum water dispersal. Another, less apparent reason for directional arrows is the tread splice.

What is a tread splice? When a tire is manufactured the tread portion of the tire starts out as a long flat strip. This strip is wrapped around the tire and the two ends are cut on an angle so one end overlaps the other rather than having square cut ends.

This overlapping point or splice offers a bigger surface area to bond together, rather than the small surface area provided by square cut ends. (Imagine gluing your fingertips together, as opposed to gluing along the entire length of your fingers laid on top of each other. Like an angled splice, the overlapping fingers result in a much stronger bond).

To further ensure the strength of this bond along the tread splice the directional arrow will show you which way to mount the tire so that when the rider is “on the gas”; the acceleration force on the rear tire is pressing the splice together, rather than peeling it back.

As for braking, 80 % of the braking should take place in the front on most bikes. Therefore, the front tread splice is run in the opposite direction than that of the rear, so when the rider is on the brakes, he’s not peeling the tread splice back.

If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation only and for some reason you want to put it on the front, make sure it is rotating in the opposite direction so you don’t aggravate the tread splice. Avon Tyres.

However, since this was already a run-in tyre that was worn quite a lot perhaps the tyre had worn unevenly, due to rider characteristics, bike setup etc. This may have left you some less grippy parts of the tyre that were being covered by the rest of the tyre, running it backwards may have exposed these weak areas.

Only speculation as ive never tried it myself but glad to hear your ok after!

[porndoguk]

unlucky Steve, hope your ok, i had some tyres or wheels on the wrong way round on my van and i aqua planed the back end into a corner which shouldn't have happend at the speed i was going,

I have an 090 which has plenty of meat on the sides ive been hanging on to for over 2 weeks for some noob and i think ill probally be let down, £30 +P&P?

[Drunkn Munky]

I personally wouldnt run a tyre backwards, i cant really see then point in risking a spill for the sake of getting a few more miles out the tyre yet ive seen some real fast guys not think twice about it at trackdays and it hasnt caused a problem