Tires....
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 267
From: Halfway back on the Highway to Hell...again!
Tires.... Hoping this will be a sticky.
Please give your experiences with tires you have used. i.e. performance, mileage, etc.
No need for bashing another if he/she had good or bad results. It's just their personal experience with a particular tire.
Reviews on tirerack are ok but some guys on there aren't too smart. Also, alot of small cars vs our 3300#+ cars. Hell, a 2200# Miata will handle good on wagon wheels.
So far, I can say that the Nitto NT555 isn't all that great. Ride is smooth and quiet, Handling is responsive and must be very hot to get good traction. But they're still new.
Please give your experiences with tires you have used. i.e. performance, mileage, etc.
No need for bashing another if he/she had good or bad results. It's just their personal experience with a particular tire.
Reviews on tirerack are ok but some guys on there aren't too smart. Also, alot of small cars vs our 3300#+ cars. Hell, a 2200# Miata will handle good on wagon wheels.
So far, I can say that the Nitto NT555 isn't all that great. Ride is smooth and quiet, Handling is responsive and must be very hot to get good traction. But they're still new.
My take on the Nitto 555's is that they're a good street tire if you're concerned about cost. They're a step above the cheaper options that are out there (Falken, Riken Raptors, etc.) however they do not compare well to the higher end compounds.
Unfortunately, my set of 555's started to crack inside the treads after only a couple years and 10-15K miles. Granted, some of that was track time and the hot Atlanta sun can be harsh, however I was surprised to see them break down like that. Others on here have had the same issue so it's worth keeping an eye on. For what it's worth, I couldn't see any evidence of the cracks with the tires on the car, so it's worth getting underneath to get a good look at it every now and then.
By contrast, I've had great experiences with the 555R and 555R II's. Both are R-compound DOT radials -- the 555R is a drag radial with a soft sidewall for straight line traction and the 555R II is a stiffer sidewall road course/auto x tire. Both offer good straight line traction however I found that the 555R is more effective on the street than the track. They are both slick when cold and it's possible to heat them up to the point where they get greasy on track. For track days, it typically takes a good two laps to get the heat in my 555R II's.
They both work well as dual purpose (street and track) tires, however I would NOT recommend driving in the rain with them. There are plenty of others on the board that constantly post about being able to drive in the rain with their drag radials/slicks. I've done it plenty of times and was just fine, however I've also had a bad experience with it (that was in no way related to one's ability to drive or make sound decisions behind the wheel) that makes me view that risk differently.
Unfortunately, my set of 555's started to crack inside the treads after only a couple years and 10-15K miles. Granted, some of that was track time and the hot Atlanta sun can be harsh, however I was surprised to see them break down like that. Others on here have had the same issue so it's worth keeping an eye on. For what it's worth, I couldn't see any evidence of the cracks with the tires on the car, so it's worth getting underneath to get a good look at it every now and then.
By contrast, I've had great experiences with the 555R and 555R II's. Both are R-compound DOT radials -- the 555R is a drag radial with a soft sidewall for straight line traction and the 555R II is a stiffer sidewall road course/auto x tire. Both offer good straight line traction however I found that the 555R is more effective on the street than the track. They are both slick when cold and it's possible to heat them up to the point where they get greasy on track. For track days, it typically takes a good two laps to get the heat in my 555R II's.
They both work well as dual purpose (street and track) tires, however I would NOT recommend driving in the rain with them. There are plenty of others on the board that constantly post about being able to drive in the rain with their drag radials/slicks. I've done it plenty of times and was just fine, however I've also had a bad experience with it (that was in no way related to one's ability to drive or make sound decisions behind the wheel) that makes me view that risk differently.
FormerVendor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
I drive alot of the company cars that are using the Falken rt615k, they're STICKY. I'm very impressed by them.
On my personal car, I'm using the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Positions. Due to it being primarily a street car, I wanted something that'd be nice on the street too. So far, I'm happy with them as well. They're sticky when I need them to be but still ride very nice on the street. They're not loud and work well for my needs
.
On my personal car, I'm using the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Positions. Due to it being primarily a street car, I wanted something that'd be nice on the street too. So far, I'm happy with them as well. They're sticky when I need them to be but still ride very nice on the street. They're not loud and work well for my needs
. Thread Starter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 267
From: Halfway back on the Highway to Hell...again!
My son is going to get a set of BFG Comp 2's. They have good reviews on Discount tire and almost all the cars are F-bodies.
The season is over here but we'll see how they do next year.
The season is over here but we'll see how they do next year.
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
From: Richmond, ON, Canada
I've run the RT615 falkens...they are ok. great street tire...so so for autox/lapping/competition...I got a summer of street driving and autox out of them. they do not last long and when they wear out...don't throw caution to the wind and go to a lapping event.
my 555RII were fantastic for lapping, predictable and good high speed characteristics but they wear out very quickly particularly on soft suspension...I went past the wear bars on RIIs and they still did reasonable job...good tire for folks with deep pockets.
My BfG Comp2s...excellent street tire that is useless for autox because they don't heat up so they don't stick...my theory is that there is so much tech in these tires that you need to drive on fire to get these things to stick so I went lapping and I was thoroughly impressed with the grip for a street tire at that price point...and no chunking, or shredding. this is my second summer with them and there is still tread left albeit not much.
my 555RII were fantastic for lapping, predictable and good high speed characteristics but they wear out very quickly particularly on soft suspension...I went past the wear bars on RIIs and they still did reasonable job...good tire for folks with deep pockets.
My BfG Comp2s...excellent street tire that is useless for autox because they don't heat up so they don't stick...my theory is that there is so much tech in these tires that you need to drive on fire to get these things to stick so I went lapping and I was thoroughly impressed with the grip for a street tire at that price point...and no chunking, or shredding. this is my second summer with them and there is still tread left albeit not much.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, Ma
My experience is this:
Nitto nt-05 (315/30/18) 200+ runs @ 60 seconds each
- garbage unless hot
- garbage in cold or rain
Hoosier A6 (315/30/18) 60-70 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- awesome grip
Hoosier A7 (315/30/18) 90-110 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- awesome grip
Rival-S (315/30/18) 150-175 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- Very good grip for a street tire but will never compare to A7 (1.5 -2 seconds slower @ 60 seonds)
- Rain is decent but not as good as a RE-71r
- break away at limit is not predictable
Nitto nt-05 (315/30/18) 200+ runs @ 60 seconds each
- garbage unless hot
- garbage in cold or rain
Hoosier A6 (315/30/18) 60-70 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- awesome grip
Hoosier A7 (315/30/18) 90-110 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- awesome grip
Rival-S (315/30/18) 150-175 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- Very good grip for a street tire but will never compare to A7 (1.5 -2 seconds slower @ 60 seonds)
- Rain is decent but not as good as a RE-71r
- break away at limit is not predictable
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I use BFG R1's on my current SCCA ITE road course car, sticky as hell and have lasted a long time. So far I have 4.5 hours at Virginia International Raceway and another 4 hours at Sebring with at least half of their life left, if not more.
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, Ma
Disagree about the wagon wheels on a miata, lol. The re-71 is the best 200tw R comp on the market if they come in your size. They're cheater tires, and they wear twice as fast as all the other 200s.
A7s are the bees knees if you can afford them.
A7s are the bees knees if you can afford them.
^^^^ I would imagine A7's on that LSXOCET would be a blast. EXOCET is based here in Atlanta and it seems the word is getting out that they're an awesome alternative (upgrade) to an Ariel Atom.
My experience is this:
Nitto nt-05 (315/30/18) 200+ runs @ 60 seconds each
- garbage unless hot
- garbage in cold or rain
Hoosier A6 (315/30/18) 60-70 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- awesome grip
Hoosier A7 (315/30/18) 90-110 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- awesome grip
Rival-S (315/30/18) 150-175 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- Very good grip for a street tire but will never compare to A7 (1.5 -2 seconds slower @ 60 seonds)
- Rain is decent but not as good as a RE-71r
- break away at limit is not predictable
Nitto nt-05 (315/30/18) 200+ runs @ 60 seconds each
- garbage unless hot
- garbage in cold or rain
Hoosier A6 (315/30/18) 60-70 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- awesome grip
Hoosier A7 (315/30/18) 90-110 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- awesome grip
Rival-S (315/30/18) 150-175 AX runs @ 60 seconds each
- Very good grip for a street tire but will never compare to A7 (1.5 -2 seconds slower @ 60 seonds)
- Rain is decent but not as good as a RE-71r
- break away at limit is not predictable
NT-05 is a great track tire, not the fastest but very consistent through it's lifespan. If you run a square setup you can flip and rotate tires to get around 3-4 track weekends from a set.
BFG R1, probably the best Rcomp out there for all you could ask for from a tire. They wear well, great grip and good consistency throughout it's life.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, Ma
Never seen a NT-05 in a 315/30/18
NT-05 is a great track tire, not the fastest but very consistent through it's lifespan. If you run a square setup you can flip and rotate tires to get around 3-4 track weekends from a set.
BFG R1, probably the best Rcomp out there for all you could ask for from a tire. They wear well, great grip and good consistency throughout it's life.
NT-05 is a great track tire, not the fastest but very consistent through it's lifespan. If you run a square setup you can flip and rotate tires to get around 3-4 track weekends from a set.
BFG R1, probably the best Rcomp out there for all you could ask for from a tire. They wear well, great grip and good consistency throughout it's life.
They do exist.
315 nt-05 front / v710's back
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, Ma
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 267
From: Halfway back on the Highway to Hell...again!
Our test has begun on the Potenza RE760S. We put them on last night and just on the ride home, my son said they feel great, very little to no road noise and after he did a short spin to rough them up a bit, they hook up nice on a soft launch. Once he gets a few miles on them to burn off the oils, he'll put them to a better test. Also, we have a Track-X this month at the Corvette test track. If his exhaust doesn't kick him off and he's able to run, we'll see how they do.
im in the same delima right now.
need to replace my 285/35/18 RS3s. i LOVE the performance of the tire, but cant afford to replace them every 6 months. so looking for slightly harder tire, without loosing TOO much performance. (also looking at 275s as there are 4 times as many choices)
problem is many tires are falsely rated at 200 to make them legal for certain classes. which makes choosing another compound (treadwear rating) really tough.
i wish there was a list somewhere of what thread wears were on certain common RR tires BEFORE manufactures came out with there V2/successors with the fake 200 rating on the sidewall.
need to replace my 285/35/18 RS3s. i LOVE the performance of the tire, but cant afford to replace them every 6 months. so looking for slightly harder tire, without loosing TOO much performance. (also looking at 275s as there are 4 times as many choices)
problem is many tires are falsely rated at 200 to make them legal for certain classes. which makes choosing another compound (treadwear rating) really tough.
i wish there was a list somewhere of what thread wears were on certain common RR tires BEFORE manufactures came out with there V2/successors with the fake 200 rating on the sidewall.