Thoughts on running tires backwards

[MSRL]

Any thoughts on running Michelin PR-C's and PR-5's backwards after use to extend life?

Thanks

[EX_#76]

Any thoughts on running Michelin PR-C's and PR-5's backwards after use to extend life?

Thanks

I can not speak for the Michelins, but I have been reversing Pirelli tires for 4 years now and have not suffered any ill effects.

[Super Dave]

We've done it accidently and on purpose with Michelins. 

[Marsolais]

See that you learn something new everyday. I have never heard of this being done. How would you know when to reverse them and how would extend the life of the tire?

[benprobst]

some tracks only destroy one side of the tire. So say you have two tracks back to back that only hurt one side of the tire (same side), after the first weekend you could switch the tire and have the fresh side ready for the next weekend. Or if you go through at least one rear a weekend like most, you can just run it one way till its fairly worn then flip it. Ive heard it done with all types of tires, most mfg dont suggest it for DOT's and dont really comment on it for slicks, but like Dave said, lots of people have done it on accident and it rarely seems to have ill effect.

[Marsolais]

Thanks Ben.

[catman]

HEY BEN-as usual good advice-...I  made a poor choice last spring with my sv upgrades-setup   :finger:Speedwerks  :finger:bolted eveything on and left me to the (asked for turnkey setup)track with a dangerous weapon -:boink: - almost ending my racing- brakes locked up on my first time out in the rain on new 1st time slicks!- wont happen again - its at superbikeitalia in chicago  with K3 , Ken,and Holly almost done- just in time for the season end- been focused at work to pay for the poor choice in a "suspension /racing shop- but they can't stop me - I love this stuff too much- catman in NJ

[Xian_13]

Any thoughts on running Michelin PR-C's and PR-5's backwards after use to extend life?

Thanks

PR-Cs will Not run backwards.
The PR-C carcass does not flex properly and will destroy the tire if run backwards.
However...
PR-1s and PR-2s will work either direction.

I am not sure about the PR-5.

XIII

[benprobst]

+1, stay away from running the PRC backwards. Although its construction doesnt warrant eminent destruction (no directional overlap) I have heard nothing but bad experiences running them backwards. But flipping rears should be no problem. My next race weekend is at Nashville and it is absolutley brutal on tires. I can go through a soft rear in 1 race and a hard rear in 1 day. luckily it only really destroys one side of the tire so I can flip the tire I run in the 20 lapper on sat for practice sunday morning.

Its also imprortant to remeber that when a tire is "worn out" it doesnt necesarily mean the rubber is bad, as a tire thins it loses its ability to hold heat. so on a track like GIR where you dont touch the right side of the tire for 3/4 of the race track and the only 2 right handers are back to back, you really have to remeber that if you flipped a thin tire it will lose heat significantly faster on its thin side especially if the track isnt working that side alot. your results may very  , but I wouldnt be to worried about it.

One more thing, if you think modern DOT's suck in the rain, wait until you run one backwards and it starts drizzling, damn thing turns your contact patch into a puddle. 

[gntbldr]

PR-5 runs fine backwards. Have done it twice now along with the PR-2

at first the tires act like the pavement is cold and they seem to squirm a little until they wear in (about 3-4 laps depending)

I've aso ran the 1200/1800 reversed with no issues