[Kenny Sagawa: Webike News Chief Editor]

Focusing On the Performance of Tires on Wet Roads

This week there was a test ride held for the press and I had a great time on the circuit in the rain. It wasn’t a tire test but it was a rare opportunity to try the tire out on wet surface to the limit.

So today I’m giving you a report focused on tires before the wet season ends.

Same Kind of Model with Different Grip

*Picture was taken at another test ride. (Original Source: Webike Bike News))　

It was pouring rain on the day of the test ride and the course was fully wet. I first made a test ride with middle class touring models one former model and one new model. I was surprised to find that although the two models were similar the tires had totally different grip.

The tires were from different brands but were touring tires that seemed to be classified in the same category. The first one could be tilted but the other started to slip at small angle due to narrow contact with the ground.

I challenged several times but kept getting the same results which was stressfull and made it difficult to drive accurately. There were other motorcycle journalists and professional racing riders on the course and they all had the same opinion.

Sagawa’s Remarks ”The Difference is the Grip”

Luckily I broke through but was eager to know what had caused it. Tires were new, maintained with applicable air pressure and tire treads with good condition. Then why?

I made a little investigation later and found out that tires that have narrow contact with the ground are designed by vehicle and were classified in the trail tire category. They appear to be on road tires but were dual purpose tires that offer both on and off performance.

Previously I heard from a developer at a tire manufacturing company that ”Even if the treads look the same, on-road tires offer good drainage, on the other hand, trail tires offer good traction on uneven dirt roads.

Which means that depending on the type or category the tire is classified, it may be incompatible with wet surface even on a perfect road surface of a circuit. I ended up with a decision that tires with grooves are not necessarily strong on wet roads.

When I recall the feeling I had at the time, I felt as though I was constantly driving on a thin layer of water. Which of course is only a personal point of view.

Improving Tire Performance and Evolution of Electric Control/Enhanced Performance in Wet Conditions

*Picture was taken at another test ride. (Original Source: Webike Bike News))　

Picture was taken at another test ride. (Original Source: Webike Bike News)

Tires without grooves carved on the edge used to be said to be useless but lately compound of the tire makes contact with the road surface at molecular level and offers wet performance without relying on grooves.

Recent two wheel motors are equipped with electrictronic controls like Cornering ABS and Traction Control which help avoid accidents. In other words, the machine will take care of tire grip to its limit. The level of wet surface performance has raised with electronic controls combined together with tires with improved performance.

However, all tires have a limit. So be sure to keep enough distance and enjoy careful riding when you’re on the road.