[Grizz Rider]

I searched but can't find anything on this, but I have a set of 26" ITP Mudlite XL's. My question is, have you guys ever seen anyone or heard of anyone flipping the direction on two of the tires? I have had people always tell me on my mud trucks that with a directional tread pattern I should have the rear going one way and the front going the opposite! I have not tried this, bt wondered if you all knew if it helps in the mud or not? ???

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

I can't comment on how it gets handled in the mud, but it works well in the snow. I flipped both sets though.

 

[Grizz Rider]

Interesting!!! I may try flipping one set and then both sets and see if I can tell a difference. I just know that on my last ride I got hung up and shouldn't have and all the tires were doing was digging down, so I was hoping that maybe this would help me and either give me some forward digging traction or at least allow me to back out a situation like I was in! Thanks GW, I will also remember that when we get snow, if we get snow!

 

[BATTLEGUN]

Someone please splain this one to me. :-\
The directional tires I have had SUCK in reverse. I can't comprehend how they would do better mounted backward in any terrain. ???

 

[Grizz Rider]

That is why I was thinking I could change the direction of one set, to give me some traction in reverse, but I have had people tell me that directional tires dig better when they are flipped! ??? I dunno that's why I start the post, so I could understand a little more, too!

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

Someone please splain this one to me. :-\
The directional tires I have had SUCK in reverse. I can't comprehend how they would do better mounted backward in any terrain. ???

It's simple...Geometry and physics.

 

[BATTLEGUN]

It's simple...Geometry and physics.

Well that don't help much. So you're implying that if I turn around the same tires that won't do squat in reverse around they will go better in mud and snow?

This calls for some testing.

 

[Grizz Rider]

Ditto! Next ride I go on I am going to run one set the opposite and see if it helps me through the same trails we ride on normally. If anyone else has a chance to ride with their flipped, do it so we can compare results! Thanks

 

[1Bad1000Xxc]

This just doesn't even make sense to me.

Tire companines spend god knows how much dollars in R&D before they produce the tires. If they work better going forward with the tread reversed, wouldn't logic tell you that they would build them with that intent and put a "tire rotation" arrow on the sidewall?

My tires certainly grip better going forward than in reverse and mounted in the proper direction.

I'm thinking those folks that THINK they're doing better with the treads flipped are really just trying to convince themselves that they have just done something really cool when really they haven't. You know, kinda like spending $40 for a "power tip" for the exhaust and trying to convince yourself you can actually feel more power. It's that placebo effect. So, to those folks, here's your sign.... :bs:

Just my thoughts.

B

 

[Grizz Rider]

I even saw a Grizz at a dealer that they put some mudlites on and they had all of them on backwards, I thought they just were dumb and didn't put them on right, but that was before everyone told me about this idea.

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

FWIW when I tested a set of Mudlight XL tires a few years back in the snow they did very well. Only in snow! The handled horrible in areas where there was not any snow and I am sure that the tires will not clean when in a muddy situation.

Now...As for the reverse thingy, it has to do with 1 part COG, 1 part drivetrain, and 1 part gearing. To prove that theory why does the Maxxis Bighorn or the ITP terracross do poorly in reverse? They are a unidirectional design. My tires ususally did better in reverse when I had a more proportionate weight closer to the rear of the quad.

 

[1Bad1000Xxc]

Well that's cuz you had your big ba-donk-ee-donk sitting over tires and forcing better traction. Kinda like a front wheel drive car having the motor over the driving tires. ;;s;;

My tires ususally did better in reverse when I had a more proportionate weight closer to the rear of the quad.

I'd have to place my bet on the installer being stupid rather than it being intentional.

I even saw a Grizz at a dealer that they put some mudlites on and they had all of them on backwards, I thought they just were dumb and didn't put them on right, but that was before everyone told me about this idea.

 

[Grizz Rider]

FWIW when I tested a set of Mudlight XL tires a few years back in the snow they did very well. Only in snow! The handled horrible in areas where there was not any snow and I am sure that the tires will not clean when in a muddy situation.

Now...As for the reverse thingy, it has to do with 1 part GOG, 1 part drivetrain, and 1 part gearing. To prove that theory why does the Maxxis Bighorn or the ITP terracross do poorly in reverse? They are a unidirectional design. My tires ususally did better in reverse when I had a more proportionate weight closer to the rear of the quad.

That is interesting, too! I have not had any major issues with the mudlites, they are ok in the mud, have been good on the trails, and will pull you through the sand(not very well)! As far as the non-directionals that baffles me, if they are non-directional there should be no difference in forward or reverse, except for the quad's power to them. If I can't get out before it, I will definately try this out on my new year's day ride, and let you all know if I had any luck! This is a good conversation topic though!:beer"

 

[3TV]

Directional mud tires will work better in mud when used in the proper direction. The directional tread is a "chevron" pattern, like a tractor tire, and is designed to sweep the mud out of the tread lugs as the tire spins. If you turn the tire around the tread lugs will bite more the first time they dig into the mud, but as they spin the mud is actually packed into the tread pattern instead of being swept out of the tread pattern, and the tire becomes a racing slick because all of the tread lugs are packed full of mud.

Turing a mud tire around backwards can improve traction on surfaces other than mud though. This is primarily the case in sand, because the sand does not pack into the tread lugs. This also can be the case with snow, depending on the snow conditions. Running mud tires backwards in sand and snow can turn them into semi-paddle tires, and they can hook up very good. Unfortunately, they can also dig a grave in a big hurry. Sand tires work better in sand than backwards mounted mud tires do. Snow tires work better in snow than backwards mounted mud tires do. And mud tires work better in mud, when they are run in the proper direction.

3TV

 

[1Bad1000Xxc]

Man, you are a wealth of knowledge Phil!

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

What he said!

 

[BATTLEGUN]

3TV made sense to me. I still want to do some testing.

 

[Grizz Rider]

I agree that everything 3TV said makes sense, but I am still with BG on this and think that it needs some testing before it is put to rest, maybe in that grave the tires will dig..HA HA!! Thanks for all the input, I am anxious to ride with the tires again to see what happens!

 

[3TV]

There are several variables that will affect performance of the tires. If you are in sticky clay mud the tires are going to turn into slicks in a hurry, and wont work very well at all in the backwards direction. If you are in wet sloppy mud there may not be too much difference in traction, and perhaps they may work slightly better. Horsepower and tire speed will also help fling the mud out of the tread. Look at the unlimited class mud racers that are running gigantic scoop style paddle tires, but with several thousand horsepower spinning those tires they have no problem flinging the mud off the tires.