From what I have read, probably here, the handling characteristics are
different. In addition to those discussed by Dave (see below), the tires release
differently. Bias-ply tires tend to release more smoothly. By that I mean, they
start sliding more easily than radials during a turn, but that slide is more
predictible.
Kurt
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Subject: Re[2]: radials vs. bias-ply
Author: David_M_Gropper(at)rl.gov at SLINK
Date: 4/14/96 8:42 AM
Radial tires have a more flexible sidewall, so the stresses involved
from side stress are absorbed mainly by the sidewall and less by the
rims!
More important is the fact that radials have a smaller slip angle (the
lower the profile, the less the slip angle!). What this means is NOT
that the steering geometry itself changes BUT that the vehicle becomes
more responsive to smaller changes in direction. In other words the
steering gets sharper!!
Dave.
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