Everyone has that special voodoo that they do. From those special driving gloves, to making your significant other take off their shoes, to the fuzzy dice handed down from your grandpappy, we all have our little quirks that we think help our vehicles perform better. Sometimes you heard about it from a buddy over cards, sometimes someone at a show told you they heard it from their brothers’ sister’s third cousin twice removed. We are going to address one of those quirks right now. The main difference between radials and bias-ply tires is in the construction. Radials are built with cords basically running at right angles compared to each other when compared to the tread pattern center, and have reinforcing belts of either cording or steel. Bias-ply tires are constructed using overlapping cords placed in a crisscross pattern of 30°-40°. Due to the respective construction, the bias ply tire will have significantly less sidewall flex than the radial. The contact patch will be less, and in result you will not be able to transfer as much power to the ground.

The tire is also less flexible when mounted, which provides for the major disadvantage of a bias tire, as more feedback is transferred back to the car on rough surfaces. Radial tires will have more sidewall flex, allowing for more efficient transfer of power to the ground. Increased efficiency in power transfer means better fuel economy. abus motorcycle lock priceRadials also last longer than their bias-ply counterparts, and are more resistant to punctures and tears. abus motorcycle lock priceYou will also reap the major benefit of the radial tire: better steering responsiveness.motorcycle shop owensboro ky What this means is that at highway speeds, the bias-ply tire will heat up and actually lose traction. kawasaki vulcan for sale new zealand

While it is not recommended that you not mix radials and bias-ply tires on the same vehicle, some do in race applications. If you so choose, be certain that the radial tires are placed on the rear axle, and the bias-plys on the front. In a race situation with bias-ply tires on the front axle you will experience under-steer. motorcycle shop in mitchell sdBe aware that the difference in construction will make the tires react very differently, and result in the vehicle being very unstable.motorcycle rental new zealand queenstown In the end, we will leave you with one last bit of advice. Tires of different sizes, constructions, and wear history can and will affect the stability and handling of your vehicle, and potentially endanger you and those around you. We say don't mix them.

Bias (or diagonal) tyres The carcass of a bias tyre is made from ply cords in layers arranged at an angle. The layers are placed so that the cords create a criss-cross pattern. The whole structure is uniform throughout; the crown and sidewalls of the tyre have similar mechanical properties. With a radial construction, the ply cords radiate out from the centre of the tyre. In addition, the crown is made from layers that form a belt. As a result, the crown and sidewalls have their own particular characteristics. Two kinds of tyres for specialised performance Due to their soft sidewalls, the crowns of radial tyres stick to the road on contact. Their imprint, shorter but wider than that of a bias tyre, provides added grip when leaning in heavily on corners. The pressure of the air in contact with the tyre surface is distributed more effectively with radial tyres, which results in more even tread wear over time. Radial tyres also provide greater comfort at higher speeds, once again as a result of their soft sidewalls, which absorb the impact of imperfections on the road surface.

On the other hand, bias tyres are able to carry a greater weight because their sidewalls are more rigid. At high speeds, bias tyres can become so deformed that their performance is affected. Ultimately, bias tyres are suitable for vehicles travelling at moderate speeds, with small to medium-sized engines and flexible chassis. They are also suited to heavy motorcycles or those that are heavily loaded. Radial tyres are needed for more powerful vehicles with very rigid chassis and for more sporty purposes. They allow you to reach ZR speed ratings, above 240 km/h.1. Continental ClassicAttack: Developed specifically for Seventies and Eighties sport bikes, the new ContiClassicAttack might be the single biggest handling improvement you can make to your bike. We put a set on editor Backus’ 1983 Laverda RGS, and the improvement in handling was nothing short of astonishing. Other motorcycle tires had left the RGS disappointingly uncertain in corners, but the V-rated (149mph) Contis grip like nobody’s business and the RGS now handles as Backus always thought it should.

Continuous Compound Technology promises high mileage and maximum grip, and Traction Skin ensures safe and short tire break-in thanks to new mold-coating technology that eliminates tire release agents. Continental says their 0-degree steel belt design eliminates tire growth at speed, which on bias-ply tires can be as much as 2cm, almost an inch. The new radials are also available in the race compound ContiRoadAttack 2CR, which has been dominating European classic racing. As tested, $175 front, $185 rear. UPDATE: Several readers have correctly noted that the Conti ClassicAttack isn't available in a 100/90 x 18in front, the suggested fitment for my Laverda RGS. Several Laverda owners say the 110/90 ClassicAttack fits fine, but to stay with the original spec I went with the 100/90 Road Attack on the front, with a ClassicAttack at the rear. The two share almost identical handling traits, with the Road Attack being stickier and likely to wear out a bit faster. See the comments section below. 

2. Vee Rubber TT Victory: Thailand-based Vee Rubber has been manufacturing car, truck, bicycle and motorcycle tires since 1977. The company has been aggressively expanding its U.S. presence and now offers everything from modern sport bike tires to tires specifically for classic bikes. Like other tire manufacturers, Vee Rubber produces a few tried and true tread patterns familiar to enthusiasts, including the H-rated (130mph) TT Victory street tire, a visual clone to the venerable Dunlop K81. We shoed a set on the rims of a 1974 Yamaha TX500 and think they’re the perfect period tread pattern for our vintage Yamaha. Vee Rubber notes the 3.60 x 19-inch front we used as appropriate to replace a 3.00 x 19-inch, so the final fit is actually narrower than stock. We found the TT Victory to be a great street tire, with solid grip and excellent handling thanks to the use of modern rubber compounds. A V-rated (149mph) race compound version is also available. As tested, $68 each; race compound $88 each.

Bridgestone BT-45: If you’ve been around motorcycles for any length of time you know somebody who’s riding on a set of Bridgestone BT-45 BATTLAX tires. Designed for Seventies and Eighties sport bikes, the BT-45 is considered by many as one of the best performing bias-ply tires on the market, with excellent traction wet or dry thanks to a tread design that pushes water out for solid contact and Bridgestone’s Dual Tread Compound, which is harder in the middle for long wear and softer on the edge for better grip. Available in H- (130mph) and V-rated (149mph) versions, the BT-45 has earned a deserved reputation as the perfect tire for performance-oriented riders. We put a set on a 1973 Honda CB350F four, and they look perfect. Carburetor trouble kept us from testing the Honda, but prior experience says we won’t be disappointed. As tested: $101.58 front, $105.27 rear.4. Avon AM26 Roadrider: Longtime Brit bike riders tend to have a fondness for Avon Tyres, which made its first motorcycle tire way back in 1911.

Avon tires took John Surtees and a host of riders to victory in the Fifties and Sixties, cementing Avon’s reputation as one of the most respected manufacturers of high performance motorcycle tires in the industry. Editor Backus ran Avons exclusively on his Norton 850 Commandos, so he was particularly interested to try out a set of Avon AM26 Roadriders on a 1976 Suzuki GT185. Featuring modern rubber compounds and effective siping to quickly displace water for excellent wet weather traction, the V-rated (149mph) AM26 is a great choice for everything from a Norton 850 to a smaller bike like the GT185. Quality is predictably excellent and performance on the street is top notch, with great grip and a very smooth ride. As tested: $99.30 front, $110.90 rear.5. Kenda Challenger K657: Kenda, which has been making tires since 1962, has built a reputation for high-quality, affordable tires. We originally hoped to check out a set of Kenda’s newly announced Retroactive K676 tires, designed specifically with Seventies and Eighties sport bikes in mind.

We couldn’t secure a set in time for our review, but we did get a chance to sample Kenda’s Challenger K657 tires when we slipped a pair onto the Motorcycle Classics/Dairyland Cycle Race to Rebuild 1974 BMW R90/6. An H-rated (130mph) 6-ply bias-ply tire, the Challenger is touted as a top choice for sport-touring motorcycles. Our set spooned on easily, although the 100/90 x 19-inch front was a tight fit compared to the stock 3.25 x 19-inch Continental. The contemporary tread design looks great, and the little bit of riding we got in before parting ways with our BMW showed the Challengers to be smooth rolling, confidence-inspiring tires. As tested: $73.99 front, $80.99 rear.6. Duro HF314: Duro Tire has been manufacturing car, truck, scooter and motorcycle tires since 1945, so they know a thing or two about rubber and the road. In addition to a full line of tires for modern bikes, Duro has a comprehensive catalog of tires specifically for classic motorcycles, including its Dunlop K81 clone, the HF314.