|
|
Post by anchovysundae on Jul 23, 2008 21:53:56 GMT -5
How important is the direction of the tire rotation? I just got a new rear tire for my Bali (10" Pirelli P26), mounted at the local motorcycle shop. As I was installing the wheel back on, I noticed that it had been mounted in reverse. Is it safe to ride?
|
|
|
|
Post by realitycheck on Jul 23, 2008 22:04:34 GMT -5
If its bias ply, not so much. If its a radial you need to get it remounted.
|
|
|
|
Post by anchovysundae on Jul 23, 2008 22:14:29 GMT -5
It doesn't mention radial anywhere; it says 'PLIES TREAD' on the side. I'm assuming it is a bias ply tire? Thanks for the replies, guys (and gals)!
|
|
|
|
Post by dean on Jul 23, 2008 22:23:56 GMT -5
Even radials may have a rotation direction arrow stamped on its sidewall and should be mounted accordingly. This, because tread patterns were designed to take advantage of the direction of rotation, not because of bias belt orientation.
|
|
|
|
Post by yarddogbbq on Jul 24, 2008 4:02:53 GMT -5
tire is made and plys are put on and if you put the tire on with the arrow to front, the plys have a tendence to tighten up it you put backward they have tendency to unwind. so arrow is important. and for tread pattern to get rid of rain too.
arrow to front and the spot on sidewall is for alignment with tire valve.
yarddog
|
|
|
|
Post by earlwb on Jul 24, 2008 6:19:26 GMT -5
Well you are probably OK. Normally like mentioned above the rotation direction is important. The tire plys buckle under power accelleration and as you brake. So the arrow rotation is different from front to rear because of it. But a 250 isn't developing a lot of power, and it is doubtful you could go 100 mph plus very easily. So accidentally getting the tire on in reverse shouldn't hurt anything. If you had this on a 250 with a clutch and manual shift it would be more critical.
One of the more critical marks on a motorcycle tire is the rotation arrow, or arrows. Today's specialized tires generally have a tread pattern that must go in only one direction. Some manufacturers even state that their tread patterns are designed to disperse water, and by mounting the tire backwards, they won't work.
The other big reason for noting wheel direction has to do with the manufacturing process. The tread rubber is initially a flat strip that's cut to length, at an angle, and then spliced together with the two ends overlapping, creating a hoop. Under acceleration, a tire mounted backwards will try to peel back this splice. The opposite is true for the front wheel, where directional forces are reversed under hard braking.
|
|
|
|
Post by bike4miles on Jul 24, 2008 10:48:47 GMT -5
If you never ride in the rain, you are probably fine to just leave it. Your wet weather/dirt road traction will probably suffer as a result of impoper direction but dry pavement performace should not change. They shop should change it for free since it was there screw up so I would bring it back.
|
|
