View Full Version : Street Tires of Choice
I was thinking of putting street tires on the boys S2000 and STI this year and was wondering which ones to use? Falken Azenis RT-615?? Any preferred dealers?:confused:
Thanks
nmhansen
03-01-2008, 01:36 PM
Bridgestone RE01R tires are also highly lauded right now. But, be sure to scrub them a little before the first event.
TracDaz
03-01-2008, 01:59 PM
Gary, I'm trying the Dunlop Direzza this year. It had a very good test outcome from a recent TireRack comparison against the Yokohama and Bridgestone. The wear rating is 200, so it may be fairly sticky. I've only driven them on the street and they seem round and black. I'm looking forward to taking them to the Solo in April. I'm running 225/45 F; 255/40 R as they're both 25" in diameter. They're heavier than the stock Bridgestones and I'm not a fan of that, but we'll see.
TracDaz
03-01-2008, 02:02 PM
Gary - the closest dealer for Falkens is Vulcan Tire in Utah. Normally, Reno/Sparks/Carson is a next-day point at regular ground rates. I got the Dunlops from TireRack. Mounting is done at Big O - NO MORE Les Schwab for me!
I picked up 4 Falken Azenis RT-615 195/60R14 for $366 out the door from America's Tires on Arden in Sacramento. Jim the Manager was great, I was initially quoted in the $425 range but after telling him I was going to just bring in the wheels, no tires to dispose of and they were being run "on the track" he lowered the price and he brought the tires in for me. I would do business with him again. I'm a bargin hunter and could not find these Falkens cheaper (except from a San Bruno CA tire shop) and the distance/gas would have not penciled out.
Hope this helps you or someone else, I found that in the case of 14" tires the choices are few and the "good" ones weren't in stock in the Reno area and by the time you bought,shipped, mounted etc. the online discount tires it made better $ sense for me to pick them up while in Sacramento for business.
jim.gandy
03-03-2008, 08:28 PM
Just today I ordered tires from Vulcan. Same tires as Jay's, 195/60-14 Falken 615s. Four tires and shipping totalled $277.00. I'll have to have them mounted, of course. This is the second time I've used Vulcan -- so far, no problems.
PR151
03-03-2008, 09:24 PM
While I haven't personally autocrossed on them due to my Hoosier addiction, I would jump on the RE-01Rs for the S2000. You can pick up a set of 16" for around $500.
Kevin M
03-03-2008, 10:10 PM
Right now I'm debating between going big on the RE-01Rs, or saving the $150 or so with the new Dunlops since, as usual, I'll probably beat up on an empty class all year but not be in a position to challenge for PAX. I've also liked the RT615s I've used in the past, but I'm ready to give something new a try as most people seem to agree that the Bridgestones are stickier in Subaru sizes.
MPREZIV
03-04-2008, 08:01 AM
I've read/heard good things about the Dunlops as well... Thinking about a set of 245/40's for the RS this year. They're not so pricey that it's a HUGE hit if they turn out sucking too...
TracDaz
03-04-2008, 08:00 PM
Hey Pat - Are you back in town? Hope so. I bought an S2000 and will be running is TAS this year. It would be fun to race with you.
The Dunlops are inexpensive enough, as Cory says, to not feel too bad if they're not so great. I have a set and am looking forward to learning what they feel like when they get warmed up.
PR151
03-05-2008, 05:54 PM
I'm still in Phoenix, enjoying the year-round autocross season. Drive that S2000 down this weekend- there's an event Sunday and the weather is perfect: 85 & sunny!
zpeed
03-06-2008, 06:14 PM
I will be running in my S2000 on stock tire. So you can beat me up. :)
Hey Pat, nice to know your out there, hope all is well.
Thanks for all the advice everyone.
TracDaz
03-15-2008, 04:13 PM
Nat, we'll learn and spin together.
S2kreno
04-14-2008, 11:27 AM
Discount Tire carries the Azenis 615s and I had them shipped for free to my installer. One of these days I'll learn to put the things on myself...
Vulcantire out of Salt lake is typically cheaper than DT due to no tax on the 615s.
Dunlop has the new Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec which may be the new killer street tire for autocross this year. TireRack should have them out in Lockwood/Mustang or wherever they moved their warehouse.
Kevin M
04-14-2008, 12:47 PM
It's in Patrick off of the new USA Parkway ramp. Last I checked they have a handful in stock there.
65stang
04-17-2008, 10:28 AM
Has anyone tested the NItto Nt-01's? From reviews I've read I hear they work great.
solonut
04-17-2008, 10:48 AM
Has anyone tested the NItto Nt-01's? From reviews I've read I hear they work great.
they are mainly a track tire but ok for auto-x
Edgeracing.com has good deals on tires, rims, and rim/tire combos most of the time.
I've switched from the RT-615's to the RE-01R's and they're better in every way, but, so far, not by a large margin. Supposedly the Potenza's get stickier with age, which is the exact opposite of what happened with the Azenis.
solonut
04-17-2008, 11:35 AM
Edgeracing.com has good deals on tires, rims, and rim/tire combos most of the time.
I've switched from the RT-615's to the RE-01R's and they're better in every way, but, so far, not by a large margin. Supposedly the Potenza's get stickier with age, which is the exact opposite of what happened with the Azenis.
you can order from tirerack and svae the shipping charges....the warehouse is just east of sparks....
That's actually what I did to get the Potenzas but they were on sale in my size and I used the SCCA $100 rebate that Bridgestone offered last year.
dsmith
04-17-2008, 12:07 PM
Don't order online from Edge, my credit card got hacked off their database and I had to cancel and get a new one - the whole routine (had over $1000 of bogus charges, lucky my bank caught it. It was all the same day as I ordered my tires from them.) According to my bank they have that happen a lot when dealing with Edge Racing.
Yikes, good to know. I got my Enkei RP02's 17X7.5 (15.5lb) with 225/45/17 RT-615's mounted for ~$850 shipped from them. They even included lugs, centercaps, and metal valve stems.
That's the only reason I recommend them. That and I see tons of killer deals on there all the time.
nmhansen
04-17-2008, 12:24 PM
I used them once too, but since then I've been buying from Vulcan Tire. Vulcan is usually around the same price, but shipping is significantly cheaper since they are coming from Salt Lake City instead of Florida.
Edgeracing.com has good deals on tires, rims, and rim/tire combos most of the time.
I've switched from the RT-615's to the RE-01R's and they're better in every way, but, so far, not by a large margin. Supposedly the Potenza's get stickier with age, which is the exact opposite of what happened with the Azenis.Were they both new when you switched? The two are incredibly close, so going form a set of old many heat cycled crispy 615s to new RE-01s will be an unfair comparison. I believe GRM put the 615s a smidge faster, but I think it really depends on the weight of the car and suspension/alignment setup. RE-01s appear to last longer according to MikeK, but he may just be slow and not wearing them much. ;)
MikeK
04-17-2008, 01:18 PM
RE-01s appear to last longer according to MikeK, but he may just be slow and not wearing them much. ;)
Driving fast at autox is just wasteful.
sperry
04-17-2008, 01:56 PM
Driving fast at autox is just wasteful.
Speaking of conservation... where are you buying 100 octane from this season? Is there anywhere cheap?
I think a Race gas thread would be in order for all you big turbo ricer boys. :)
MikeK
04-17-2008, 06:13 PM
Speaking of conservation... where are you buying 100 octane from this season? Is there anywhere cheap?
Allied washoe still, 6.50 a gal, 5 gals free for every 50 that you buy (same price as last year).
Joeyy
04-17-2008, 10:38 PM
Allied washoe still, 6.50 a gal, 5 gals free for every 50 that you buy (same price as last year).
+1 for Allied Washoe
Were they both new when you switched? The two are incredibly close, so going form a set of old many heat cycled crispy 615s to new RE-01s will be an unfair comparison. I believe GRM put the 615s a smidge faster, but I think it really depends on the weight of the car and suspension/alignment setup. RE-01s appear to last longer according to MikeK, but he may just be slow and not wearing them much. ;)
When I switched to the Potenzas, were the Azenis new? No.
I was comparing my memory of the RT-615's to the RE-01R's.
stevewaclo
07-23-2009, 09:43 AM
The August issue of Car and Driver includes an excellent evaluation of 10 summer tires, including the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec (whew!) I bought this Spring for my Alfa, based on a recommendation from Pat Housel. The Dunlops came in 1st overall and first or second in all categories. Unlike the NYTimes, C&D is not forthcoming with their intellectual property, so no link to the article. In order of finish, here are the tires tested: Dunlop Star Spec, Hankook Ventus V12
EVO, Kuhmo Ecsta XS, Bridgestone Potenza RE760, BFGoodrich GFroce KDW, Yokohama S.Drive, Falken Azenis RT-615, Nitto Invo, and last (but definately least:lol:) the truly excreble Ling Long L688 from China. I think it was included for comic relief, as well as costing 1/2 of the next least expensive tire (Hankook)
Interestingly, the LL has one of the most attractive tread patterns, but as C&D points out, it didn't help out where the rubber met the road. Those who buy based on bling, will be pleased.
I find these reviews considerably more useful than the anecdotal reports that so often pepper BB's. Not that personal observations are without value, but what is one to make of "the best tire I've ever owned"? comments, when deep down, you know the writer has probably not owned ten sets of tires total, and that was over a long driving experience on multiple cars. The article also suggests review of Tire Rack reviews.
Finally, I'm going to have to look elsewhere to explain my abysmal performance lately...:(. Suggestions gratefully accepted and ride alongs welcome.
See you all Saturday at Stead!!
Cheers,
Steve
Here's a link to the article.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/tire_test_nine_affordable_summer_tires_take_on_the _michelin_ps2-comparison_tests
Looks interesting.
Kevin M
07-23-2009, 05:00 PM
The price cap was pretty artificial, and really skewed the results. I suspect Bridgestone can't be real happy about seeing the RE-11 left out, given that it probably would have won.
dsmith
07-24-2009, 12:42 PM
Grassroots Motorsports did an on track autocross evaluation of most of the leading Street Touring type tires - actually two tests - and the Kumho XS won both times. Granted, it's not the best combination tire (street and solo) but it's very good for autocross. And they are relatively cheap, in the Kumho tradition. By comparison, the Falken RT 615s finished dead last in the tests.
S2kreno
07-27-2009, 09:25 PM
Grassroots Motorsports did an on track autocross evaluation of most of the leading Street Touring type tires - actually two tests - and the Kumho XS won both times. Granted, it's not the best combination tire (street and solo) but it's very good for autocross. And they are relatively cheap, in the Kumho tradition. By comparison, the Falken RT 615s finished dead last in the tests.
Wow, and I always liked my Falkens. Maybe I can blame them for my crappy results.......or not :rolleyes:
Wow, and I always liked my Falkens. Maybe I can blame them for my crappy results.......or not :rolleyes:The 615s are now 1/2 or a full generation old which is why they are at the bottom. They are still a pretty good tire though, so no excuses. :)
S2kreno
07-28-2009, 06:21 PM
The 615s are now 1/2 or a full generation old which is why they are at the bottom. They are still a pretty good tire though, so no excuses. :)
I could always blame my instruction....
20psimr
08-13-2009, 11:40 AM
I follow tires quite a bit. That car and driver review is funny actually, the only extreme performance tire on their was the Dunlops. The easiest way to see what tires are fast is check out what the guys are running at Nationals lol.
The star specs right now are top dog. RE-01R's still hold a good seat, but the RE-11 is supposed to be a faster tire still no real testing done. I imagine this year we will see more RE-11's at Nats and there will be more data on those. The price on those is insane though. The new NT-05's seem to be doing ok, they grip well and dont get greasy too fast for track events but that might not be great for autocross. They also start out at 7/32nds tread depth which is 3/32nds lower then any other tire. There has been talk about the new Kumho XS's I believe, but there isnt any serious AX'rs using them yet that I know of.
dsmith
08-13-2009, 02:29 PM
I follow tires quite a bit. That car and driver review is funny actually, the only extreme performance tire on their was the Dunlops. The easiest way to see what tires are fast is check out what the guys are running at Nationals lol.
The star specs right now are top dog. RE-01R's still hold a good seat, but the RE-11 is supposed to be a faster tire still no real testing done. I imagine this year we will see more RE-11's at Nats and there will be more data on those. The price on those is insane though. The new NT-05's seem to be doing ok, they grip well and dont get greasy too fast for track events but that might not be great for autocross. They also start out at 7/32nds tread depth which is 3/32nds lower then any other tire. There has been talk about the new Kumho XS's I believe, but there isnt any serious AX'rs using them yet that I know of.
Even though the Kumho XS's tested the best for Andy Hollis and Grassroots Motorsports magazine, you won't find many - if any - of the top shoes running them at Nats as Kumho no longer pays contingency money like the other tire manufacturers.
S2kreno
08-17-2009, 12:43 AM
Can't stand it. Gotta cross my little 01 yellow S2k now that I'm legal, on non-narcotic thingies and and won't run over anyone. Tires it came with are total streeters with a million heat cycles and I got a bonus at work this week and want to buy her tires and have one weekend of fun this year. So someone pleeeeeeze take pity on me and save me the research time and tell me where to go (not you, Pat!) and what to get (I know by now it's Dunlaps but which ones?) It's not like you have to worry about me being competitive. But I'd like to keep it on the pavement at RFR and still get "street tires."
Thanks for anything you know (which is more than anything I know so don't mess with me or make fun of me please--it's been a very rough summer).
glp
The gotcha is what sizes are available for your car. It looks like if your car is "stock" it is on 16" wheels?
Tire sizes:
205/55-16 Front?
225/50-16 Rear?
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs are available in both sizes, but you probably want to go a little wider. Verify what size your existing tires/rims are and we can do some more research.
OK, I did some research on the S2K forums, it looks like it would be nice to go to 225 in the front and 245 in the rear, but there are no decent 245s for the rear available other than R-Compounds. :(
The -'03 16 inch rims are narrow and nobody makes wide sticky street 16s in that profile. If you upgrade to 17" wheels, you get all sorts of choices, but are out of Stock class. :(
S2kreno
08-17-2009, 11:14 AM
The gotcha is what sizes are available for your car. It looks like if your car is "stock" it is on 16" wheels?
Tire sizes:
205/55-16 Front?
225/50-16 Rear?
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs are available in both sizes, but you probably want to go a little wider. Verify what size your existing tires/rims are and we can do some more research.
Yes those are the correct sizes--didn't know front and back were the same (unlike my '06). I had the Dunlops on the Exige, liked them. So do I just tell the Tire guys that I want one size wider? Can't do new wheels--it's a money thing as well as a time thing. Thanks. I know, this is the chick that got the highest score in autoshop?! Scary!
They aren't! 205/55 <> 225/50...
So, without changing wheel sizes, you are kind of stuck.
Star Specs or RE-11s. The rear RE-11s are at least 1/10" wider, probably closer to 1/4" based on the measured rim they used. They are more expensive, but I would lean toward the RE-11s for your car.
TireRack list (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=Honda&autoYear=2001&autoModel=S2000&autoModClar=&frontWidth=205/&frontRatio=55&frontDiameter=16&frontSortCode=44950&rearWidth=225/&rearRatio=50&rearDiameter=16&rearSortCode=45750&tab=All)
S2kreno
08-17-2009, 10:15 PM
I meant my wheel sizes were bigger on the back on the 06. So I just call the tire rack guys and they send them to whoever can mount them, right? Tim Buxton did them last year because I used to do his accounting and he was a good guy but then he refused to charge me so I don't want to send them back there. I don't ever expect anyone to work for free and it makes me feel bad.
I remember doing it myself in shop class (the equipment scared the crap out of me after watching a flick of someone getting exploded by being careless when mounting a tire) but we had lots of equipment there. Is that something I could pay one of the unemployed guys in the club do (I'd feel better if I could help someone who's having a rough time) or do I need to send them to a shop? Schwab has always been really great to me over the years even though they aren't cheap when it's not their tires.
The '01 rears are wider wheels than the front, so you still can't rotate front to back...
You can even pick up the tires if you have a vehicle to haul them and want to drive out to USA parkway. (15 miles east on 80)
The new Discount Tire downtown should match price and will mount & balance.
Cory or Bob would do them over at Nissan of Reno if you ask for them.
None of the unemployed I am aware of have the machine required.
S2kreno
08-17-2009, 11:17 PM
Will go there then ASAP. Plan to run RNP all weekend--PM on Sat (in Sac for concert overnight Fri and if my 15 yr old still wants to go to a concert with me there is no way I'm saying no). And all day Sunday ( just so happy to come back and play I don't care how much I suck). See if I can make my heart monitor explode--that's how I'll know it's a good run :) Thank you soooooo much. I totally owe you about a million times. And I never see you drink so you'll have to help me out here :) so I can at least do something cuz I hate it when my karma feels unbalanced. Yeah, IT guys are real concerned about karma I know--but writer flakes are so it can't be helped.
solonut
08-18-2009, 06:44 AM
None of the unemployed I am aware of have the machine required.
nope I dont have one.....yet...but have thought about it....
If you call Tire Rack...ask for Rudy 1-800-428-8355 X664....he knows what us autocrossers want and what the alternative sizes will work for your car....
S2kreno
08-20-2009, 09:26 AM
nope I dont have one.....yet...but have thought about it....
If you call Tire Rack...ask for Rudy 1-800-428-8355 X664....he knows what us autocrossers want and what the alternative sizes will work for your car....
Rusty was out with a family emergency, hope everything okay. Anyway got the RE-11s. Those suckers aren't cheap and now I have nothing to blame but my self when I mess up. And this car is the first one I don't have paint protection on--car will probably show up covered in tape, like all the Olympic athletes and their Kinesio.
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