High-performance tyres: Why did they make my car bumpy?

High-performance tyres offer more grip than regular tyres. This leads to better handling, improved steering feel and shorter stopping distances.

But is it true that high-performance tyres will also cause your ride quality to deteriorate?

And if this is true, will your suspension get damaged? Read on and learn!

HOW THESE TYRES WORK.

High-performance tyres have a softer and grippier tread compound compared to normal tyres. However, their sidewalls are much stiffer, too.

The latter is to prevent the tyres from distorting or deforming during hard cornering manoeuvres. And because stiffer sidewalls flex less, they do not absorb bumps as well as comfort-oriented tyres.

So, will your ride quality become bumpier when you swop to high-performance tyres? Yes.

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HOW BUMPY WILL THE RIDE GET?

This depends on many factors. But in general, the brand of the tyres and their sizes are the biggest influencers.

Opting for high-performance tyres with bigger sizes and lower aspect ratios will worsen the ride quality.

The low aspect ratio means the sidewall height becomes lower. This necessitates having an even stiffer sidewall to prevent flex.

Also, if you’ve already swopped your stock dampers for coilovers, the ride is going to get even harder. Other factors would be road conditions and of course, driving style.

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BUMPIER RIDE = DAMAGED SUSPENSION?

Not necessarily, according to Torque’s mechanical engineer, Shreejit Changaroth.

According to him, high-performance tyres will not damage your suspension. The worst thing you can expect is premature wear on the dampers and bushings.

WHAT ABOUT TYRE NOISE?

Will these types of tyres create more noise? Yes, you can expect more road/tyre noise.

This is again down to the stiffer sidewalls, which in general, transmit more road noise. On the other hand, more pliant tyres can absorb some of this.

That said, there are brands which offer high-performance tyres with reduced noise. Some Pirelli tyres, for instance, have noise-cancelling technology.

ARE SPORTY TYRES A WORTHY UPGRADE THEN?

From a petrolhead’s point of view, yes. The slight discomfort is a small price to pay for big gains in handling.

Even if you don’t drive hard, you can think of performance tyres as a safety upgrade. Their grip, ability to cut through water and shorter braking distances enhances safety.

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