zakenjanei

i just bought me a set of avon m500 asymmetrical tires.
i found interesting that though these tires are asymmetrical,
they are not directional. this means that the large blocks
will be on the outside but the direction of the thread will
rotate opposite on the left and right.

does anyone else have asymmetrical but not directional
tires? how has your experience been with the threads
being different from left to right? how's the handling
on wet and dry?

joe
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Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (25)

Asymmetrical tire tread differs from left to right, rather than pointing in one direction like a directional tire. The tires opposite each other are not rotation rotating against one another. Its like a reflection in a mirror. As long as you have the tires mounted on the wheels with the words "Mount This Side Out" you can rotate them anywhere on the vehicle.

zakenjanei

Neal:

Thanks for your reply. Actually, as you might have imagined,I bought
the tires from you guys at Tirerack.

I still don't understand how the tread pattern will look
the same on the right and left if they are asymmetrical.

For example, looking the tire from the top:

Mounted on the left:

tread
outside / \ / \ inside

same tire mounted on the opposite side with the same outside will look

Mounted on the right

inside \ / \ / outside


I realize the thread blocks will be consistent on the inside/outside
but the direction of the tread will look different on the left vs.
right. The only way you could have a direct mirror would be
to have right and left tread patterns....

Am I totally confused?

Joe

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (25)

Sounds crazy I know. Its one of the hardest questions to answer, but the tire is mounted just fine.

Tread patterns vary, some giving particularly good dry grip, some have characteristics designed to enhance wet performance. An asymmetrical tire offers the best of both worlds by combining the two patterns across the width of the tread.

The outside of the tread pattern consists usually of larger stiffer tread blocks that help with cornering performance while the inner blocks are suited to wet performance. Very often, asymmetric tires feature a continuous central rib in the pattern that aids straight-line stability. Only tires that are both directional and asymmetrical have a specific left and right side. The tires can rotate in either direction with the correct side facing out as indicated on the sidewall. If installed with the wrong side facing out, the tire will not perform its intended function.