Asymmetric tyres

[Lyons]

Firstly, apologies for another thread on tyres.

RedRobin mentioned in a thread a few weeks ago about asymmetric tyres giving better grip in the wet. Now, i know bugger all about tyres but do most nowadays not have asymmetric tread? To be honest its only a new word to me, and id never heard of it in relation to tyres until last week.

Im looking at something like the Kumho KU31- are they asymmetrical for example, or is it just the Goodyears etc that roll them out?

[JPC]

I had it my head that assymetric meant that each side of the tyre surface differed. As in its not symetric. Which I guess would mean water might Chanel out of the tread easier. But entirely depends on the tread pattern

[Janner_Sy]

i think by assymetric it mens that tread is designed to go in a certqin direction, so the tire have to be fitted to suit it. 

you have the
goodyears eagle F1
vredestein ultrac sessantas
toyo T1Rs
are the ones i know of off my head.  wouldnt reccomend the toyos though, they were poo

[RedRobin]

....

It so happens that I'm in the middle of writing a requested feedback report to Goodyear Dunlop about their asymmetric tyres.

Although I'm neither a professional tyre tester nor someone who drifts my car at 85º to find their limits, it appears that I have something to contribute of interest to them.

It's quite detailed and I hope to finish writing it tonight-ish. If you bear with me I'll then extract and post something here in the next day or two, though don't expect anything scientific!

Or perhaps I should structure and expand it into an Asymmetric Tyres Review here (which will take longer) - It wouldn't be especially expert but I think it might contain some possibly helpful info.

When people ask me what job I do, I find myself saying that I don't have time to work!

[JPC]

Asymmetrical tyres are those which have a tread pattern that is different from one side to another - ie non symmetrical. Tread patterns vary, some giving particularly good dry grip, some have characteristics designed to enhance wet performance. An asymmetrical tyre 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 whilst the inner blocks are particularly suited to wet performance. Very often, asymmetric tyres feature a continuous central rib in the pattern that aids straight-line stability. Asymmetric tyres must be fitted with the correct side facing outwards - this is marked on the sidewall of the tyre - to get the best performance. Some asymmetric tyres are also directional and in these cases the vehicle will have specific "left" and "right" handed tyres. Tyres such as this are usually only found on ultra high performance vehicles.

[danishmkvgti]

Asymmetrical tyres are those which have a tread pattern that is different from one side to another - ie non symmetrical. Tread patterns vary, some giving particularly good dry grip, some have characteristics designed to enhance wet performance. An asymmetrical tyre 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 whilst the inner blocks are particularly suited to wet performance. Very often, asymmetric tyres feature a continuous central rib in the pattern that aids straight-line stability. Asymmetric tyres must be fitted with the correct side facing outwards - this is marked on the sidewall of the tyre - to get the best performance. Some asymmetric tyres are also directional and in these cases the vehicle will have specific "left" and "right" handed tyres. Tyres such as this are usually only found on ultra high performance vehicles.

X2 

[Lyons]

Perfect, thanks JPC.

Next question: before i phone round looking for prices tomorrow, how does one pronounce Vredestein?!

[Janner_Sy]

vred  es  tine

[maxp]

...  wouldnt reccomend the toyos though, they were poo

While T1R's arent as good as F1's or Vredsteins, they are a good all-round tyre, especially for the money.
Having said that, ive never worn them on a wet track.

Afaik T1R's are directional, whereas F1's arent, think there are pros and cons for each tread pattern.

[Gene Hunt]

Got the Vredesteins on mine.For the money there great.   

[Lyons]

Where did you get them?

[JPC]

I had them on my 18s as well. Pretty good for the price!

[Frodo-anni]

Camskill

[Gene Hunt]

Where did you get them?

...........got mine froma local garage.Inc all the fitting etc about the same as the online places.

[RedRobin]

Where did you get them?

...........got mine froma local garage.Inc all the fitting etc about the same as the online places.

....Same here - My VW dealer matched Camskill's online price and fitted for free, also including the 29-point inspection. They also successfully sourced a pair of Dunlop Sport Maxx TT's which, together with the sister Goodyear asymmetrics are totally out of stock, and got a van from Kent to the SouthWest to deliver them in time for my trip to Nurburgring. Can't ask for more than that.

I always use my VW dealer for tyres - They take great care and I know the guys who do it. The extra free 29-point inspection is a nice bonus. They also match low prices. In fact, it's difficult to see how they profit except that there are substantial profit margins in rubber which the consumer isn't so aware of.