Why do they not make Rayon Belted Radial tires any more ?

[Laverda SF]

Rayon Belted Pirelli Phantom Super Comps for bikes and early BF Goodrich Radial T/A's for cars.

Rayon Belted Radial tires were GREAT, much lighter, ran Cool, lasted a hell of lot longer and did not unexpectedly fail like steel belted radials.

Why did they quit making them ?

In my opinion, Steel Belted Radials are dangerous due to internal friction heat that caused them to go outta round or blister and I would sooner run a Bias tire.

What is the development in steel belted radial tires that makes them so popular today that I don't know of ?

 

[1200ts]

I have ridden over 300,000 miles on BMW's with steel belted radial tires. I have yet to have one fail and more miles than this in cars also with steel belted tires.

There are millions of cars and motorcycles on the road today with steel belted tires. I have never seen one go out of round or blister ever.

The advantages of steel belted radial tires are over bias ply are:

Less rolling resistance.

Better contact patch to the road.

Softer ride do to decreased side wall stiffness.

Better puncture resistance.

Cheaper to make.

Longer tire life.


Disadvantages are:

Radial tires do not like being underinflated and will fail much faster than bias ply if this happens.

Heavy loads can be a problem do to decreased sidewall stiffness.

Impossible to fix sidewall punctures.

Fixing tread punctures can be a pain but can be done.

On a bike are more difficult to mount.


That's all I can think of for now.

 

[Laverda SF]

Unexpectedly hitting a pot hole a Rayon belted radial or a Bios tire will survive Vs a Steel Belted Radial ?

 

[chrisk]

There’s a good reason for using steel belted tyres. Most heavy duty timing belts use wire too, for the same reason…… cause it works better.

 

[wdietz186]

As I remember the Rayon belted tires would "heat set" and thump/shake after they cooled off from driving. Also the tread isn't as stable with the Rayon belts when compared to steel.

 

[Eurocycleguy]

I thought that the tree-huggers finally got Rayon on the endangered list, or caused it global warming...it was something like that.

 

[Diablo Loco]

I thought that the tree-huggers finally got Rayon on the endangered list, or caused it global warming...it was something like that.

You're right. Then they were fooled by the bamboo clothing manufacturers, claiming they were green renewables. For most, the fabric is like rayon using bamboo as the cellulose source for the synthesis. Just waiting for bamboo tyres to hit the market.

 

[rowdypat]

You're right. Then they were fooled by the bamboo clothing manufacturers, claiming they were green renewables. For most, the fabric is like rayon using bamboo as the cellulose source for the synthesis. Just waiting for bamboo tyres to hit the market.

 

[Legs]

Brown seat! Bloody hipsters everywhere

 

[rowdypat]

Looks like it belongs to C3PO

 

[Eurocycleguy]

maybe C3PO lost his head?