Is there any real difference?

 

Directional are a pain to rotate.

 

How is directional more difficult to rotate? You only have to get one side of the car off of the ground(tires go front to back) rather than all four wheels off of the ground(tires go to opposite corner). All you need is two jacks. You should use jack stands to get all four wheels off of the ground which I think is a pain in the neck.

 

Other than that.

 

Front to back is one thing but what about side to side?

 

You cant unless you have access to a machine to take the tires off. Basicly that is one down side to directional, you basicly just throw the back to the front and vice versa.

 

a front to rear rotation is actually a better rotation and used most often in dealerships and by most service techs... even with non direction tires... just as any other service tech other than me!

 

I ride on directionals. A lot have V cuts in the pattern which I'm guessing evacuates water better... anyone know for sure how thread pattern designs affect traction/performance/etc?

 

Me too, and that's my exact question.