Reverse tyre rotation

[koba]

I know it is common to run a front on the rear of a bucket (for instance) but fitted reverse.
I may have misunderstood the science, but I thought that directional tyres are fine either way UNTIL they've run through a heat cycle, at which point their molecular structure aligns to the directional forces it's been subjected to.

That sounds fancy.

I think the tyres I use probably aren't flash enough to come with a molecular structure.

[Deano]

You can see this quite often. Sometimes it's a mistake, but often it's deliberate.
Lots of guys running Proddy tyres at National level do this so that they can run the stickier compounds, and still make it through on the one front tyre.

Possible problems would mainly occur with the overlap of the compound. Basically this is where the big sheet of compount overlaps itself when they make the tyre.
This part is normally designed to deal with longditudinal stress in one direction only, and can suffer distress if used the wrong way around.
In practice though, most modern tyres have a stable enough overlap to allow reverse use without problem - but you should still keep an eye on them if you run them backwards.
Any problems will show as a "delamination" radially across the tyre - kind of like a smily face.

The second minor issue is that treaded tyres can wear a little faster when not run in the correct direction.

Pirelli and Continental now use a zero degree overlap, so it's not an issue with new new new tyres.

As far as wet weather performance goes, it's just not a big deal.
Tread pattern has exactly stuff all to do with wet weather performance on race compound tyres, and only really has about a 5% influence even on normal road tyres.
It's all to do with flexibility at low temperatures, and a slick with good temp will hold a damp track the same as a treaded tyre of the same compound.

If you want some extra life from a tyre that is worn on one side, then turn it over. Just watch for any signs of a smily face across the tyre - this is what indicates distress at the overlap.

You get the chocky fish for the best response.

Cheers

[sugilite:Me]

Ok I've done a limited search but couldn't see much about this.

While in Auckland at a Puke test day, I saw a zxr600 with the rear supercorsa on backwards. I.e. reverse rotation.

So, is this correct or are their other risks involved with running a tyre backwards ? Like delamination....ouch !

Yep, as Chanceyy mentions, I've done it a few times. I also know a distributer backed rider who was deliberately running a particular front tyre backwards from new as he swore they worked better reversed! At the 06 Nats I had limited tyres, so I qualified, did race one, then reversed the rear for race 2 and averaged a second a lap faster than race one. Though, I was getting used to the tyres with that meeting being my 1st on pirellis on a proper race track.

On some treaded tyres, you may get more braking squirm on the front due to running the tread pattern backwards.

Yes, I've had some tyres start delaminating, or tearing away from that join a previous poster mentions, but in all those cases I had the tyre running the right way around.

My opinion is that different brands will respond differently to each other when reversed. Personally, I'm not so keen to experiment with fronts, but rears I'd give a go with initial caution.

[Owl]

I thought rotation > was due to the tyre constuction? Fronts designed to handle braking forces and rears to handle acceleration.

Didn't some of the older tyres have "Front wheel rotation" stamped on them and were supposed to be reversed if put on the rear?

[koba]

Some of them fancy new michelins have a soft compond on one side and super soft on the other and are constructed so you can run it either way, cool aye!

[Mishy]

Take a look at a pair of Conti Road-Attacks. The tread pattern on the front is the reverse of that on the rear.

Yes, and they even reversed the rear tyre tread pattern some time ago to get better durability - and with no effect on wet weather performance.

[Mishy]

You get the chocky fish for the best response.

Cheers

Cool !
I like chocolate fish's

[Kickaha]

I thought rotation > was due to the tyre constuction? Fronts designed to handle braking forces and rears to handle acceleration.

Didn't some of the older tyres have "Front wheel rotation" stamped on them and were supposed to be reversed if put on the rear?

That is to do with the tread splice

[mouldy]

I thought rotation > was due to the tyre constuction? Fronts designed to handle braking forces and rears to handle acceleration.

Didn't some of the older tyres have "Front wheel rotation" stamped on them and were supposed to be reversed if put on the rear?

You are correct . More important in cross plies then radial . Some slicks have no direction arrows on meaning you can run them either way . Zero degree belt winding .

[engineer002]

In the UK running tyre in the wrong direction is an MOT failure and if you stopped by the cops they will on the spot fine you !!