symmetrical/asymmetrical

[Tundra]

Most run symmetrical C/T here correct?  I found a nice looking C/T in my 205/60/16 C/T search although this tire is asymmetrical. Will asymmetrical work?

[Disco]

Yes, but after 32,627 miles on an asymmetrical Continental Vanco, I like my symmetrical Falken Ziex 512 much better. 

[Tundra]

Yes, I have searched hard for the Falken Ziex 512 in 60 series, just not available anymore.

[Michvalk]

I have a asymmetrical tire on my I/S and it works good. Never had a symmetrical tire on yet, so I don't know the difference.

[Thrud]

I'm getting ready to mount my very first CT, a Yokohama AVID ENViigor V-rated tire in 205/60/16 size.  Very nice symmetrical tread pattern with rounded sidewalls.

Steve (Flat6)

[CajunRider]

I'm getting ready to mount my very first CT, a Yokohama AVID ENViigor V-rated tire in 205/60/16 size.  Very nice symmetrical tread pattern with rounded sidewalls.

Steve (Flat6)

I have a Yokohama Avid H4S... the predecessor of the Avid Envigor. 

The tread doesn't last very long (20-25K miles)... but it handles and grips well, wet or dry. 

[Ken Tarver]

asymmetrical = the tread pattern is not the same all the way across the tread face, the outer portion of the tread has a different pattern than the inner portion, like on a corvette. And they most likely are directional also.

symmetrical = the pattern is the same all the way across the tread (inner and outer), if you stand over a symmetrical tire and look at the pattern then spin the tire 180 degrees the tread pattern will look exactly the same.

directional =  like a goodyear assurance tripletread, or motorcycle tire, made to rotate in a certain direction.

I have the Goodyear on the Valkyrie, directional. Have a firestone symmetrical on the GW.

Ken

[Ken Tarver]

Oh Tundra
Most probably run a "directional"

Ken

[Disco]

Interesting post, Ken, but here's what I mean by symmetrical v asymmetrical.  In my mind, I draw a line (axis) down the center of the tire and look at each side.  Mirror Image from axis = symmetrical / Not Mirror Image from axis = asymmetrical.  Although all symmetrical tires would be directional, I don't believe all directional - with the arrows on the sidewall - tires would be symmetrical according that definition. 

[Ken Tarver]

directional tire
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+TripleTred

symmetrical tire
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+LS

asymmetrical tire
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+F1+Asymmetric+2

[Valkpilot]

directional tire
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+TripleTred

symmetrical tire
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+LS

asymmetrical tire
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+F1+Asymmetric+2

Like Disco, I have always defined symetrical as one half of the tread as being a mirror image of the other.  Apparently this definition has to include "directional" to be completely accurate.

It's my opinion that a directional, symetrical tread, such as found on the GY ATT, the General Altimax, and the Falken Ziex 512 will work best in DS applications for our bikes.  I think the popularity of these models is something of a testament to this. 

A symetrical tread that is not directional can have sipes on the shoulders and/or tread blocks across the face of the tread that point in opposite directions.  I believe that this condition contributes to "wandering" of the back end as the sipes and tread blocks push side to side in opposite directions.  I would expect that the more neutral the pattern, the less this is noticable, as on Disco's Continental Vanco.

[Ken Tarver]

 
by definition in the tire world a directional tire isnt the same as a symmetrical
you have the theory correct in your head of the differences as do I
the technical definition of asymmetrical, symmetrical, & directional is different in the tire world though
a directional tire can't be criss-cross rotated on a car unless remounted on the wheel
it can only go front to back or vice versa
a symmetrical tire can be criss cross rotated without being remounted
i have a "non-directional" symmetrical tire on my gold wing, it doesn't "wander"
i have a GY ATT on the valkyrie, it doesn't "wander"
we are all correct in theory, i was just bouncing off the "technical definition" of each
http://blog.tirevan.com/2011/10/24/tire-tread-patterns-%E2%80%93-symmetrical-asymmetrical-and-directional/
no harm i hope, i'll have nothing else to say about it

ken

[Disco]

Here are the visual aids (until tirerack pulls the linked-to images) stacked in the same order as in Ken's post.

Goodyear Assurance Triple Tred


Goodyear Eagle LS


Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2