Manufacturers driving the latest tyre technologies

Manufacturers driving the latest tyre technologies

The amount of advanced technology that goes into today’s premium branded car tyres is often not appreciated. Tyres, after all, are usually a distress purchase and to most consumers are simply “black and round”.

Tyre technology, however is continuously evolving, driven to a high degree by the technical demands of the vehicle manufacturers but also, to a degree, by the requirements of an increasingly demanding aftermarket.

Tyre performance can be affected by three things - by changes to the tyre structure, by altering the tread pattern and by varying the rubber compounds used in the tyre, particularly in the tread. It is not surprising to see that the leading tyre manufacturers have a variety of proprietary technologies covering all these areas.

Take Bridgestone for example. Currently, the world’s largest tyre manufacturer lists 14 key technologies covering, casing, tread pattern design and compounding. Some of these, such as the use of unidirectional tread patterns, silica compounds and rim guards to protect against kerbing damage are commonplace but some are unique to Bridgestone. Examples of the kind of technologies highlighted by Bridgestone are:

Diamond Bead - A new construction method for the bead coil, which increases the torsional stiffness of the bead coil to create a more uniform contact patch and therefore improved handling.

Flat Force Block - A new tread block design, which varies the angle of the block edges in accordance with their size. This provides a more uniform contact pressure and therefore a smoother ride.

Key Hole Sipes - These narrow slots in the tread increase in width as the tyre wears helping the tyre to maintain performance as it gets older.

Multicell Compound - An advanced and unique foam rubber based compound, the high porosity of which anables water absorption and an increased “edge-effect” to improve grip on ice.

Riblet - These are circumferential micro-grooves located on the surface of multicell compound tyres. These aborb a film of water on icy surfaces for improved grip when the tyres are new and before the multicell pores become visible.

If tyre manufacturers are continuing to evolve their tyre technology with a view to gaining a competitive advantage over their rivals, there are certain areas of technology, which are coming in for particular attention. One of these is undoubtedly the area of run-flat tyres and the associated area of tyre pressure monitoring systems. The leading manufacturers differ to some degree in the tyre technology they are using for their run-flat systems.

Michelin’s PAX system, for example incorporates a special wheel with an asymmetric profile, which allows a support ring to be inserted, which bears the vehicle’s load and allows it to be steered at zero pressure.

However, their Michelin ZP system functions by means of more robust sidewalls, reinforced with a special rubber compound to carry the vehicle weight. An innovative bead area, delps the deflated tyre stay on the rim.

A further example of the use of compounding to obtain a stiffer sidewall is Goodyear’s Run-On Flat system. This system incorporates reinforced sidewall inserts using Goodyear’s own compounding technology in order to create higher sidewall striffness. In addition, rim guards and tensioning devices on the outside of the sidewall are used to help maintain tension in the case of a flat.

Continental, like Michelin has two systems. The ContiSupportRing is a metal ring on a flexible support directly mounted on the rim, whereas the company’s SSR self-supporting run-flat tyre incorporates a special rubber reinforcement in the sidewall, which takes the vehicle weight after pressure has been lost.

Bridgestone has also taken the support ring route with its Bridgestone Support Ring system.

So where next for tyres? We wait with interest to see how the tyre manufacturers can further innovate their products and keep improving tyre technology.

About Author : Article produced by <a href="http://www.BlackCircles.com">BlackCircles.com</a> - discount <a href="http://www.blackcircles.com/">tyres</a> for cars, 4×4s, and motorbikes in the UK. Tyres can be ordered online and fitted at your local garage.

The Secrets To Getting The Best Motorcycle Insurance Quotes!
Protecting your property from theft and damage is a very important part of life. Why? Quite simply because you have a lot of time, money and love invested into them, and so securing them (at least from a financial perspective) makes a lot of sense. So, buying insurance should be one of your main priorities each time you add a home, change jobs etc.in your life. Equally, it is not just your home and life that needs insurance. That little (or big!) two wheeled beauty sitting on your driveway also needs it. Motorcycle insurance protects the investment that you make in your new Harley or other bike so that you can drive it down the road and park it in your garage without worrying about wrecking it or having it stolen. It also can stop you from experiencing punitive financial problems if you involve someone else in an accident. So, whilst getting a bargain on your motorcyle insurance is not a topic that will neccessarily be as ‘Gripping’ as riding the bike. It is nevertheless an essential aspect of owning a motorbike.

Motorcycle insurance can usually be purchased from the same company that insures your car, home, etc, which can help to make the process a little easier. Many times, you can get a discount by buying all of your insurance from one company (home insurance, life insurance, medical insurance etc - You can find more general insurance resources at http://www.insurancerebel.com). But you should still research the cost with other specialist vehicle and motorcycle insurance companies to make sure that you are getting the best price available. Here are some things you need to know when you purchase your motorcycle insurance.

1/ Make sure you know who is underwriting the insurance.

The underwriter is the guy (or gal! ;)) who pays up if you need to use the insurance due to a wreck, theft, or vandalism. So you will want to ensure that you have a dependable underwriter for your motorcycle insurance. If your underwriter is not dependable, you could end up with no motorcycle to ride and no money to replace it!

2/ Compare rates as well as policy details.

Just because one insurance rate is cheaper than all of the others does not necessarily mean that you are getting the best deal for your money. Check your state and local laws to learn exactly what insurance coverage you need to purchase for your motorcycle. In this way, you will not be paying for coverage that is not needed and you will have at least the minimum of what the law requires. You may want to get coverage that includes yourself or another driver, passengers, custom equipment, collisions, uninsured motorists, and medical payments. Ask your insurance provider what they offer in motorcycle insurance and compare them against several different companies to find the best price and insurance for you. Be sure to compare like with like in this area. Cheaper is not always better.

3/ Many insurance companies offer a discount on motorcycle insurance if you take an approved motorcycle safety course.

Ask if your company does. There may also be discounts if you purchase other insurance from them as I mentionned above. It never hurts to ask what kind of discounts that a particular insurance company offers, as it may just save you some money! The worst they can say is that they do not offer any discounts. In which case you are no worse off anyway.

A few things that come into consideration when you are getting a quote for motorcycle insurance are your age, riding experience, driving record, and details about your bike, such as value, power, age of bike, modifications, and where it is kept at night. Be honest about the questions that the insurance company asks you. If you do not tell the truth and something happens, then your claim can be denied later on down the road! So be careful. Be prudent. Tell the truth!

Motorcycle insurance is the easy way to protect your bike and yourself from any number of things that can happen in life. It can protect you from financial ruin if you have an accident and cause property damage or other damage. And it also covers you in the event that your bike is stolen or damaged.

So Don’t be a Helmet Head! Get some Motorcycle Insurance sorted out TODAY!

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A Buyers Guide to Motor Scooters!

With so many different types of motor scooters available today buyers must do their homework before making a purchase. Vespa, Honda, Piaggio, big engine, small engine, gas, electric, mobility, foldable, seats, handgrips, where do I start?

Before the 1920s it was an easy decision, a foot-powered push scooter or none at all. But once Gino Tsai from Shanghai, Taiwan developed the Razor scooter it changed everything. His motor scooters became popular so quickly there were people waiting in line for six months before they could get one.

In the 1950s companies like Vespa in the UK started selling the first of their gas motor scooters. It was a big hit at the 1950 Motorcycle Show and quickly became a big hit in the UK as well. Vespa sold over 125,000 in the UK between the years of 1950 to 1958. Piaggio from Vespa and Lambretta from Innocenti started selling their models in Italy and France too, quickly becoming the vehicles that everyone had to own. By the early 1950s the sale of motor scooters topped 1 million a year in France alone. Because of its popularity other countries such as France and Germany decided to get in on the boom by manufacturing their own models.

Today, after more than 50 years since the first gas scooters appeared, there are many different makes and models. We have electric, gas powered, foldable, mobility and utility motor scooters dotting the globe. There are specialized scooters for just about every task. They have become a worldwide phenomenon because they are cheap to own, economical to operate, are very handy and functional, and most of all they are a lot of fun. But with all of the makes and models which one is right for you?

Let’s start with the different types. Gas motor scooters are the fastest around. They will take you longer distances and reach higher speeds than any of the other varieties. There are smaller and lighter models that will be perfect for running errands around town while the larger and heavier touring models will take you on longer trips. Plus, the larger the gas tank the farther you can travel before needing to stop at a service station.

Electric varieties are a little more economical to run, but will usually travel only about 10 or 15 miles before needing a recharge. Their battery capacity has improved dramatically over the years, but they cannot be taken for long trips due to the fact that their batteries will need recharging periodically. However, for short trips around the city they are wonderful little vehicles. Plus, most scooters have a large storage capacity under the seat so they are ideal for trips to the grocery store or for other light shopping sprees.

The elderly or handicapped typically use what is referred to as mobility scooters. These are usually electric models and have 3 or 4 wheels for extra stability. These models give the elderly or disabled the ability to get about in their homes or around the neighborhood more easily. Without mobility scooters many of the disability-impaired would be confined to their beds.

Another very popular type is the foldable scooter. These are very small and are made for short trips around town. They are particularly popular among the younger crowds. The beauty of these models is that they are extremely compact and can be folded for storage in small places. If you work just a few miles from your home you can travel to work on your folding scooter and then fold it up and put it underneath your desk at work. Very handy.

There are also utility scooters which can be used for many different purposes. They can be used as golf carts or for hauling things. Many big businesses use these types for getting around their factories. Schools use them for driving through the parking lot, checking for cars that shouldn’t be there. Major league sports stadiums use them to drive people from one place to another. These are wonderful vehicles that can be used for a variety of reasons.

Once you’ve decided which type is right for your needs the next step is to figure out what options, if any, you would like included on your vehicle. Of course you can choose from many different colors and designs, but there are other options available to you. You can choose from the many varieties of covers, locks (for security), cases or side bags for storage, helmets, seats, handgrips, windshields or windscreens, backrests for touring, chrome kits, rear luggage racks and many more options. The list of accessories can go on for quite some time.

As a rule of thumb first choose the type of scooter you want, whether it be electric, gas, foldable or utility. This is the easy part because the type you purchase will depend upon your needs. Once that decision has been made look at several popular models in your area and decide which one looks and feels right to you. Most have accessories that are manufactured for a specific model so accessories cannot be decided upon until you know which motor scooter you are going to buy. Once you’ve decided which accessories you want for the model you chose it’s a simple matter of driving your scooter out of the dealership. And it’s nothing but fun from there on out.

<a href="http://www.my-motorscooters.com">Cheap motor scooters</a> are lots of fun, which is why Larry Johnson is a motor scooter fanatic. He not only loves to ride motor scooters, but loves writing about them as well. For more information visit <a href="http://www.my-motorscooters.com">My Motor Scooters</a>.