Reading tire wear

Ray Lovestead · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject: Reading tire wear

I've searched all over and can't get any good information about "reading tires".

I've heard talk of folks saying that they can look at the tire pattern and just tell what is wrong with the kart.

"Look at 'em tires. He's needs a new helmet."

That kind of thing. Anyone out there have information and photos showing examples of what the surface of the tire is "supposed" to look like?

Thanks in advance,
Ray
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"Karting Expert Since 2014"

TJ Koyen · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 1415

If the fronts have "cornrows", the kart is understeering. Feathering on the inside rears is from oversteer. If the rear tire rubber looks kind of bubbly and like it has been pulled straight up off the surface of the tire usually means the kart is stuck.

Smooth, even wear with minimal rubber build-up on the outside edge is usually good.
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T.J. Koyen
OKTANE VISUAL - Custom Helmet Paint & Graphic Design
www.oktanevisual.com
www.facebook.com/oktanevisual
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DB Motorsports
Exprit/Leopard

Jim Stine · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 11:32 pm Post subject:

How about tire graining?

Can you look at the graining pattern of the tire to tell if the tire is exceeding it's optimal temperature?

TJ Koyen · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 1415

Couldn't find a great picture but here:

Notice the front tire. It has graining across the surface (cornrows), showing that the kart is overworking the front tires and it's understeering.
_________________
T.J. Koyen
OKTANE VISUAL - Custom Helmet Paint & Graphic Design
www.oktanevisual.com
www.facebook.com/oktanevisual
--------------------------
DB Motorsports
Exprit/Leopard

marc-andre hubert · Joined: 10 Apr 2012 Posts: 174

how wide is your front end, im around 46 and inside tire looks like yours, gonna try a bit wider if not shorter hubs in rr but im at med right now

Ray Lovestead · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 12:46 pm Post subject:

How about being able to read the tire wear to tell the camber?
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"Karting Expert Since 2014"

TJ Koyen · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 1415

I shoot for fairly even wear across the tire out to the outer wear dots, but focus more on laptimes rather than how even my tire wear is. Even wear doesn't always = faster laps.
_________________
T.J. Koyen
OKTANE VISUAL - Custom Helmet Paint & Graphic Design
www.oktanevisual.com
www.facebook.com/oktanevisual
--------------------------
DB Motorsports
Exprit/Leopard