RA-1 - Running backwards OK? (no tread left)

VFR750 · 06-23-2010, 05:40 PM

Question,

Any concerns about running Toyo RA-1s in the opposite direction after the tread pattern has been worn off?

The tires are worn down to mostly just the two center grooves. I.e. Optimal traction. Down side is, the left hand side of all tires are worn down more than the right (dreaded clockwise track rotation!) I've already rotated the tires on the rims, but clearly there is more usable rubber on the right hand side.

If I run them "backwards" I should be able to get a a lot more days out of them.

Thoughts? Would I damage the carcass? With braking and acceleration forces, seems the rear tires see load in both directions, so the tire construction might not care/know which way it is going.

Tyson Schmidt · 06-23-2010, 06:08 PM

Yes, you can. Toyo even says so.

Once the tread is gone, they are no longer directional. I've been doing this for some time, without issue.

HarryD · 06-23-2010, 06:21 PM

Isn't the directional requirement largely for water evacuation? If I am not mistaken, tractionwise it does not matter.

andrew15 · 06-23-2010, 06:54 PM

I think you should find someone with a counter clockwise track and trade tires

Or as mentioned above, you can just swap sides if you find that easier.
AM

GrantG · GrantG's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryD

Isn't the directional requirement largely for water evacuation? If I am not mistaken, tractionwise it does not matter.

Exactly and when the tread is gone it REALLY doesn't matter. I've driven bald RA-1's in the snow too - requires all your concentration.

KTL · 06-24-2010, 08:22 AM

The question of direction is a valid one, regardless of tread direction. There's some tires that have tread splices in their construction and sometimes that splice can open up.

Tire Tech Information - Visible Tread Splices

I have seen my Kumho Victoracers do this. So you have to flip the tire around to rotate in the opposite direction and that helps close the splice. Or some tires have different tread compounds across the tread- Michelin Sport Cups are like this.

However the Toyo specs mention nothing about the tire construction or tread compound that would caution you from doing this. Flip 'em around and get as much life out of them as you can!

Speaking of Toyo RA-1, I got to experience the eery feeling of instability when running them new, unshaved. They suck bigtime at full tread! Anybody planning to use them for hot laps in the dry, i'd highly recommend you shave them. I bought mine with the intent of them being intermediate/wet tires for the racecar, so that's why I ran them full tread and simply wanted to scrub them in/get some heat in them to prepare them for eventual wet use.