Bias vs Radial tires

[BLW]

Just wondering if anyone has ever noticed a difference in handling between radials and bias ply tires, I had a 63 Impala 30 years ago that came with bias plys on it and I switched it over to radials and it was a night and day difference, the car tracked much better and was smoother all around. I know motorcycles arent cars but bias ply just seems like ancient technology that is just used on trailers and motorcycles anymore.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[WJBertrand]

The only direct comparison of the same bike with radials vs. bias tires I have is my Honda ST1100. OEM tires were bias, but I tried several brands of radials and found the bike was more stable, especially in turbulent air, and handled better on the OEM bias Bridgestone Exedras.

Later, ‘96 and newer, Honda started equipping the ABS II models with radials but fitted a 1/2” wider front wheel along with a wider, lower aspect ratio front tire and larger diameter fork tubes to go with. The non-ABS models continued with the thinner wheel and fork along with bias tires.

So I guess, regarding bikes at least, it depends on what kind of tire it was designed to use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Sierra1]

It's always been my understanding that large block off road tires are often bias, because of cheaper manufacturing cost on a tire that's not designed for high speed. The bias tire has more flex, which enhances it's off road capabilities. For street, and especially highway, there's no way I would ever use a bias ply. They are going to cost more though.

 

[Tenman]

In the 70's before radial mc tires came out. We ran bias on our bikes till they were cheater slicks. We were poor. Wide open (120 mph) a lot on my RD350's. Got lucky and never blew one at speed. I blew a rear doing a burn out on a 2 stroke gt 750 triple riding double. Was puckered up sliding sideways. I've run my S10 wfo a few times with Midas E07 and Heidenau K60's. Not smart. I know. It was stable as it gets at 130. MyCr 500 has seen 95 mph a buncha times on bias knobbies.

 

[Eville Rich]

I've got bias-ply tires only '87 K75S. I put on a set of Michelin Pilot Active and have been very impressed. I've only run bias ply tires in this bike and the Michelins really feel like a good radial tire. No issue at freeway speeds, track, and grip great. Not saying I'd run them on the S10 - no purpose doing that for a street oriented tire. But for bias ply tires these Michelins have been really really good.

Eville Rich
2016 S10

 

[OldRider]

Here's a good comparison of bias vs radial. Both are good.

Comparing Bias Ply to Radial Tires by Trent McGee | Interco Tire

There’s no question that radial tires dominate the tire industry these days.

www.intercotire.com

.

 

[Skytower]

The Dunlop Trail Missions I have are bias. Max speed rating is 113mph. I like them better than the stock Battlewings, as they don't squirm in the corners. They also perform better off-road than I expected.
I love carving twisties, with an occasional off-road trip, so the loss of top end is no big deal to me.
The Dunlops also tip into corners much easier than stock, but are still stable on the highway.