Uneven tire wear

[Sam Shlitz]

This topic was discussed before, more than once. However, the other day while looking at my tires, a little idea popped in my head. Is it possible to remount the tires on the same rim backwards? What will happen? I know some riders use rear tires on the front mounted backwards. Imagine, if this is possible, the tire life can increase significantly. Has anyone ever done it?
Please share you experience or share your theories.

[JaysGone]

I flip my fronts every 4K.
For whatever reason on both my bikes its the left front side that wears the most.
I have doubled the tread life this way and have 0 effect on water sheeding in the rains down here.
I do run directional rears on the fronts.

[Jabba]

I think it's because of the crown in the road.  that causes the left side tread to wear faster.

But those front tires are directional.  Do ya'll just ignore that?

Jabba

[Chrisj CMA]

Directional tires are directional for reasons.  Maybe tread, but maybe because of how the belts are constructed.  Either way its not a good thing th turn it backwards, but if you are going to do it.....Id research the belts, if they are butt jointed then its safer to run it bacwards than if its lap jointed. 

I suppose its much like darkside or running rears in the front....not recommended but seems to work........what you dont want to do is cause a delamination by running the wrong tire backwards especially after its broke in running the other way........and YES having the wrong tire turning backwards has caused delaminations on fronts of motorcycles so dont ignore the possiblilty

[Ricky-D]

That is utter nonsense!

Tires are directional because of tread design which is to enhance ability to shed water and avoid planing on wet roads.

There is no documentation regarding delamination caused by running tires in a particular direction.

It is all conjecture, designed to alarm the less informed.

Poor tire construction, bad batches of tire material, inadequate tire manufacturing inspections, and improper tire maintenance are the reasons for poor tire performance and failure.

Not assumption and puffery.

***

[Gryphon Rider]

That is utter nonsense!

Tires are directional because of tread design which is to enhance ability to shed water and avoid planing on wet roads.

There is no documentation regarding delamination caused by running tires in a particular direction.

It is all conjecture, designed to alarm the less informed.

Poor tire construction, bad batches of tire material, inadequate tire manufacturing inspections, and improper tire maintenance are the reasons for poor tire performance and failure.

Not assumption and puffery.

***

That's somewhat ironic. 

[Hoser]

Zing!     Hoser

[Sam Shlitz]

Question for Ricky-D:

What if I never ride in the rain, do you believe it is safe to run tires backwards?

[Ricky-D]

Question for Ricky-D:

What if I never ride in the rain, do you believe it is safe to run tires backwards?

Let those who criticize, post their answers to you question.

I have more than adequately, addressed the issue in my last post.

***

[John U.]

Question for Ricky-D:

What if I never ride in the rain, do you believe it is safe to run tires backwards?

I have more than adequately, addressed the issue in my last post.

***

Much more than adequately, as usual, your opinion strongly stated.

[JaysGone]

The directional debate is an ongoing topic in all Darkside forums these days and has been for years.
"We" have had no evidence of anyone having a delamination of a rear on the front under any circumstances.
Altho in theory it is possible.
The loads using a rear on the front are much less then when the tire is used as its made for pushing a rear wheel.

Any who the topic being my tires wearing on the left side.
Go to Europe and guess what??
They have wear issues on the right.
I have heard every reason under the sun.

My personal conclusion is this for me anyway.
Making left turns as opposed to rights there is more of a drag resistence. Due to distance wise making lefts then rights.
Most left turns are longer in duration and more looping of a turn for a longer distance then just making a right and being more upright and a much shorter radius involved.
Road crown may pay a small part too.
A crappy tire for me will show wear on the front by 4K miles tires useless by 7 or so.
Thats with a regular bike front tire regardless of brand.
Using rears on the front has more or less solved this issue for me.

Direction of the tread pattern has made no difference in handleing and stopping power for me in the almost daily rains I get cought in commuting both ways to work.
This has been true for me with almost every bike I have owned since moving down here.
It rains down here March through Oct almost daily.
I do after all live in the sub tropics and rains just a daily part of life here.