Which way do you mount KU36 tyres?!

gussy · Postby **gussy** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:34 pm

Right, I got some new KU36 tyres on my rims today which I am going to fit tomorrow. I was looking at the tyres and there is no directional arrow on the tyres - just an "inside" and "outside" marking. Pretty obvious, but it still doesn't clear up which way the thread should be facing as it doesn't have direction of travel.

I'm assuming from the thread as shown here that the direction of travel should be from "top to bottom" when looking at that picture. I have actually looked online and seen quite a few photos of cars that have them fitted different ways - surely wet weather grip would be lethal if mounted one way over the other?

Can anyone confirm the proper direction of rotation?

Kikuchi · Postby **Kikuchi** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:40 pm

From the tread it looks like it could be the tyre rolling towards you (as you are viewing the image) if you understand my meaning.
But I'm not 100% sure so maybe someone else can confirm or deny it.

lee · Postby **lee** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:42 pm

Asymmetrical tyres don't really have a direction of rotation. If you have a look at the tread pattern on the RE002s, the shark fins on one side contact the ground in the opposite direction to the other side.

I don't really know why though...

zero00 · Postby **zero00** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:54 pm

Gussy

As you look at the photo, the side with more tread is the inside and the single 'lines'is the outside, also that side has marked 'outside', just confirmed that in my garage with both NA and NB, and by now I will have rung you!!

Thanks mate hope that helped and understand what you were getting at

Now I can wave next track day as you fly past!!

gussy · Postby **gussy** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:30 pm

Cheers Roger,

It's kinda confusing, but the side with the single grooves which has the "outside" mark on it will always have the single grooves on the outside and the word "outside" will always be on the outside - no matter which way it is mounted - i.e. if you look at the tyre picture you could mount it on the front driver or passenger side and the single grooves will always be on the outside and the word "outside" will always be on the outside - however the direction of the threads would then be different.

If that makes sense. :lol:

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:40 pm

Outside is always outside and determines which way the tyre is going to rotate. It might look funky but that is how they work.

These Vredestein ultrac tyres will spin you out. This is exactly how they mount on the car.

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:44 pm

This confuses and infuriates me.

gussy · Postby **gussy** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:25 am

deviant wrote:Outside is always outside and determines which way the tyre is going to rotate. It might look funky but that is how they work.

These Vredestein ultrac tyres will spin you out. This is exactly how they mount on the car.

Man that does look weird!

No problem guys, if that's how they go then all good.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:38 am

Adrenalin RE001s are exactly the same in this respect. They are assymmetrical and non-directional. This means the treads on left and right sides of the car run in different directions. Doesn't make any sense to me in terms of water channelling, but it means you can put any tyre on any corner. Also the manufacturer only has to make one orientation of the tyre.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 9:27 am

Guran wrote:Adrenalin RE001s are exactly the same in this respect. They are assymmetrical and non-directional. This means the treads on left and right sides of the car run in different directions. Doesn't make any sense to me in terms of water channelling, but it means you can put any tyre on any corner. Also the manufacturer only has to make one orientation of the tyre.

2 reasons:-
1. Keeps manufacturers costs down, cheaper for buyer.
2. Increases tyre life, more buyer appeal.

Outside = outside, inside = inside. Dunno if you need a uni degree to figure that one out.

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:22 am

PaulF wrote:This confuses and infuriates me.

I would love to give a set to first day apprentice and watch him / her flipping the things over and over to try and get the channels all pointing the 'right' way.

Jace · Postby **Jace** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 3:17 pm

i swear RE001's used to be directional...

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 3:28 pm

Nope.

RE001 always was Asymetrical, but not directional.

If a tyre was asymetical AND directional it would be rather expensive as the tyre company would need to manufacture both a left tyre and a right tyre.

Double the manufacturing costs etc.
Not to mention the excess storage tyre shops would need.