Can you switch tires left to right?

mountainbiker2 · 05-21-2004, 12:07 AM

I have Kumho MX tires. Seems like I do more right hand turns fast. The outside edge is wearing more then the lefts. So can I just switch sides? The Kumho mx would be running reverse now. I don't care about rain traction. Is the tire safe now running oppisite direction? The wheel sensors I would have to re-program. Thanks. Steve

leadfoot4 · 05-21-2004, 05:48 AM

Just my $0.02 worth.... You might be "safe", but I think that the performance would probably be compromised.

Luke@tirerack · 05-21-2004, 08:49 AM

it would be fine in the dry but it would have serious issues in the wet when running in the wrong direction ...... the tread pattern is designed to pump water out from under the tires contact patch and when you reverse the pattern it will pull water under the tire causing the tire to hydroplane

ST-rider · 05-21-2004, 12:56 PM

what about dismounting the tires and remounting on the other side
so as not to change the direction?

mountainbiker2 · 05-22-2004, 10:07 AM

Yes I can dismount them, but then I have to pay $80 for doing that. Thanks. Steve

ArmyVette · 05-26-2004, 04:52 PM

Not sure I agree with the above posts. The tires are marked on uni-directional. Installing them incorrectly may also impact braking performance in addition to the degraded wet performance mentioned above.

That's also why your owner's manaul says not to rotate your tires.

Just my $.02 worth!

rocco16 · 05-27-2004, 07:07 PM

Other than compromised wet performance, I did not notice any difference in running directional tires "backward". (AVS ES100's on my VW)

Larry
code5coupe

MrBill · 06-03-2004, 05:08 PM

I rotate mine left to right, but I dismount/remount to keep them directional. Not because I turn to the right harder, but because the camber makes the insides wear faster. I keep them directional 'just because.'

rocco16 · 06-05-2004, 09:04 AM

Doing it Mr. Bill's way is the 'correct' way.
But I would not be leery of running my MX's backward.

Larry
code5coupe

[Modified by rocco16, 8:06 AM 6/5/2004]

Too Tall Z06 · 06-08-2004, 01:28 AM

Yes, you can run them backwards, dry without issue. The tread is only for moving water away.

However, if you just go left to right, then you will still be wearing on the outside of the tire. The $80 might save you a couple of hundred in premature tire replacement.

mountainbiker2 · 06-08-2004, 05:16 PM

Looks like my next set I will try to determine which is better. To dismount or just switch left to right. Thanks again for the reply's.
Steve