Directional Tyres / Asymmetrical Tyres ?

SCH · 9th March 2005, 13:06

Can anybody guide me as to what is meant by "Directional" Tyres??
Is there a difference in rotation of tyres for directional and non directional. (it is mentioned in the New Honda City booklet ).
What type of tyres are present in the New Honda City??

Shan2nu · 9th March 2005, 13:32

If you look at our normal tyres, they have the same pattern throughout the contact patch and can be run in any direction and can thus be fitted on either sides of the car, they can be called multi directional.

But tyres that have 2 diff patterns on the contact patch or have a pattern that is directed toward one side can be rotated in one direction only, they are called uni-directional tyres.

Take the Eagle F1 GS D3 for example

This tyre can't just be fitted on the other side (as our normal tyres) as the pattern doesn't allow the tyre to be rotated in both directions. You will actually have to remove the tyre off the rims,rotate them and thenfit them, so that they can be fitted on the other side of the car.

Here's a tyre with multiple tread pattern

Shan2nu

guptaravi2k · 9th March 2005, 13:33

Designing a tyre tread which will operate equally well rotating in either direction inevitably involves compromises which limit ultimate performance in some respects. Directional tyres, on the other hand, are designed to rotate in one direction only; so performance - wet grip, directional stability and handling - far from being compromised, is optimised.

Rehaan · 9th March 2005, 14:30

Hey SCH,

Sh2nu has aldready explained about directional tires, and guptaravi2k's post further explains them.
Just thought i would also mention that there are tyres which are asymetrical (unlike most tyres which have a symmetric tread pattern.)
On the assymetrical tyres, they have an indication on the sidewall for which is the outside (facing away from the car) sidewall and which is the inside sidewall.
These tires usually have more support and a different tread pattern on the outer edge (which takes most of the load during cornering), while the rest of the tire deals with comfort, aquatread etc etc.

Notice that even though asymetrical tires have treading on them that may APPEAR to be directional, they are actually not.

If you had a Asymetrical & directional tire, it means you would have to buy a different set of 2 left tyres and 2 right tyres! lol....i dont think asymetrical&directional tyres exist....anyone?

cya
R

aveek · 9th March 2005, 15:12

So, um, what the heck does one recommend for a honda 2nd Gen City (Like Shan2nu's avatar)...? Unidirectional, or Assymetrical...?

P.S. whats better - Pirelli P6000 of Michelin Pilots? I plan to put 15'' alloys on my City...

Shan2nu · 9th March 2005, 15:26

The tyres on Rehaan's accent provide a lot of cornering grip but, i was not all that happy with it's braking performance, especially in wet conditions.

I feel for channeling water in wet conditions, the directional tyres will be better. I'm going in for directional tyres for my car.

Shan2nu

Rehaan · 10th March 2005, 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by aveek

P.S. whats better - Pirelli P6000 of Michelin Pilots? I plan to put 15'' alloys on my City...

Which "Michelin Pilots"? - Pilot Preceda i am guessing?

I would vote for the michelins.

cya
R

aveek · 10th March 2005, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Which "Michelin Pilots"? - Pilot Preceda i am guessing?

I would vote for the michelins.

Yup... Only, do you get them in 15''?? And how easily available are they?

sonic · 10th March 2005, 15:57

Pilot Precedas are readily available at all leading tyre shops......just got a set of 5 last week for my new Baleno. They cost 4050/tyre for 195/60 R14....

~Sonic

sonic · 10th March 2005, 15:58

Since you are from B'lore, I suggest you check out Hot Tracks on Residency Rd.

~Sonic

aveek · 10th March 2005, 19:28

Thanks dude! Do I get any discount if I swap for my old tires? For rubber, or steel, or anything??!
(I know, I can be completely 'canjoos' sometimes, but hey, I gotta save somewhere...)

sonic · 10th March 2005, 20:10

You can get 60-70% of the actual price for your stock tyres from the same chap, but provided you've not used it for more than 100Kms....

~Sonic

v1p3r · 10th March 2005, 20:15

michelins definitely have better wet weather grip, supposedly the best, but i somehow think pirellis are better to drive all round. besides, they have much better street cred. just ask ferrari, maserati, or lamborghini.

aveek, you'll need a set of 15" rims too!

Rehaan · 10th March 2005, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic

You can get 60-70% of the actual price for your stock tyres from the same chap, but provided you've not used it for more than 100Kms....

~Sonic

More like 1500-2500Rs.

Quote:

michelins definitely have better wet weather grip, supposedly the best, but i somehow think pirellis are better to drive all round.

Well actually that is debatable. I have heard very knowledgable people say that Pirelli's handle brilliantly in the wet. In the end, wet weather traction depends a HUGE amount on the tread pattern, and needless to say there as large variations from tread to tread on the pirellis, or any tires.

From the point of view of an Indian consumer, i would definitely go with Michelin. However, if i was in some other market, i would have a tough time between Mich and Pirelli...

cya
R

coloneljasi · 10th March 2005, 23:31

I haven't seen Pirellis last as much as Michelins out here in Moon crater India.Pirellis have real good grip and cornering abilities while Michelins seem more comfort oriented,relativey speaking.My old Accent DLS used up two sets of Michelin Certis' before being sold off.Each lasted more than 35K.Considering the speeds I did (yeah,okay.It took a decade to get there!) that's really good mileage.Let's see how long my CRDi is able to keep them on.

9th March 2005, 13:06	#1
SCH BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kashipur Posts: 162 Thanked: 3 Times	Directional Tyres / Asymmetrical Tyres ? Can anybody guide me as to what is meant by "Directional" Tyres?? Is there a difference in rotation of tyres for directional and non directional. (it is mentioned in the New Honda City booklet ). What type of tyres are present in the New Honda City??
	() Thanks

9th March 2005, 13:32	#2
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	If you look at our normal tyres, they have the same pattern throughout the contact patch and can be run in any direction and can thus be fitted on either sides of the car, they can be called multi directional. But tyres that have 2 diff patterns on the contact patch or have a pattern that is directed toward one side can be rotated in one direction only, they are called uni-directional tyres. Take the Eagle F1 GS D3 for example This tyre can't just be fitted on the other side (as our normal tyres) as the pattern doesn't allow the tyre to be rotated in both directions. You will actually have to remove the tyre off the rims,rotate them and thenfit them, so that they can be fitted on the other side of the car. Here's a tyre with multiple tread pattern Shan2nu Last edited by Shan2nu : 9th March 2005 at 13:39.
	() Thanks

9th March 2005, 13:33	#3
guptaravi2k Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: delhi Posts: 1 Thanked: 0 Times	Designing a tyre tread which will operate equally well rotating in either direction inevitably involves compromises which limit ultimate performance in some respects. Directional tyres, on the other hand, are designed to rotate in one direction only; so performance - wet grip, directional stability and handling - far from being compromised, is optimised.
	() Thanks

9th March 2005, 14:30	#4
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,046 Thanked: 34,080 Times	Hey SCH, Sh2nu has aldready explained about directional tires, and guptaravi2k's post further explains them. Just thought i would also mention that there are tyres which are asymetrical (unlike most tyres which have a symmetric tread pattern.) On the assymetrical tyres, they have an indication on the sidewall for which is the outside (facing away from the car) sidewall and which is the inside sidewall. These tires usually have more support and a different tread pattern on the outer edge (which takes most of the load during cornering), while the rest of the tire deals with comfort, aquatread etc etc. Notice that even though asymetrical tires have treading on them that may APPEAR to be directional, they are actually not. If you had a Asymetrical & directional tire, it means you would have to buy a different set of 2 left tyres and 2 right tyres! lol....i dont think asymetrical&directional tyres exist....anyone? cya R
	(1) Thanks

9th March 2005, 15:12	#5
aveek BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 294 Thanked: 2 Times	So, um, what the heck does one recommend for a honda 2nd Gen City (Like Shan2nu's avatar)...? Unidirectional, or Assymetrical...? P.S. whats better - Pirelli P6000 of Michelin Pilots? I plan to put 15'' alloys on my City...
	() Thanks

9th March 2005, 15:26	#6
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	The tyres on Rehaan's accent provide a lot of cornering grip but, i was not all that happy with it's braking performance, especially in wet conditions. I feel for channeling water in wet conditions, the directional tyres will be better. I'm going in for directional tyres for my car. Shan2nu
	() Thanks

10th March 2005, 15:57	#9
sonic BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 97 Thanked: Once	Pilot Precedas are readily available at all leading tyre shops......just got a set of 5 last week for my new Baleno. They cost 4050/tyre for 195/60 R14.... ~Sonic
	() Thanks

10th March 2005, 15:58	#10
sonic BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 97 Thanked: Once	Since you are from B'lore, I suggest you check out Hot Tracks on Residency Rd. ~Sonic
	() Thanks

10th March 2005, 19:28	#11
aveek BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 294 Thanked: 2 Times	Thanks dude! Do I get any discount if I swap for my old tires? For rubber, or steel, or anything??! (I know, I can be completely 'canjoos' sometimes, but hey, I gotta save somewhere...)
	() Thanks

10th March 2005, 20:10	#12
sonic BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 97 Thanked: Once	You can get 60-70% of the actual price for your stock tyres from the same chap, but provided you've not used it for more than 100Kms.... ~Sonic
	() Thanks

10th March 2005, 20:15	#13
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	michelins definitely have better wet weather grip, supposedly the best, but i somehow think pirellis are better to drive all round. besides, they have much better street cred. just ask ferrari, maserati, or lamborghini. aveek, you'll need a set of 15" rims too!
	() Thanks

10th March 2005, 23:31	#15
coloneljasi BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: KL-11 Posts: 686 Thanked: 251 Times View My Garage	I haven't seen Pirellis last as much as Michelins out here in Moon crater India.Pirellis have real good grip and cornering abilities while Michelins seem more comfort oriented,relativey speaking.My old Accent DLS used up two sets of Michelin Certis' before being sold off.Each lasted more than 35K.Considering the speeds I did (yeah,okay.It took a decade to get there!) that's really good mileage.Let's see how long my CRDi is able to keep them on.
	() Thanks