Tire thoughts

[uiuc240]

OK, here's the thing. I need new tires for my 17x7" rims. Yeah, shut up, I know the size sucks. I won't have them THAT much longer...but at least another year or so.

So, given that, I would like a set of 225/45-17s all around. I have 215/45s right now, and they are OK. But I think a little more width could be cool. Oh, and I don't care about bulge (so don't bother saying that 205s would be better). I'll just add more pressure at the track to compensate.

Speaking of the track, I intend on getting there a few times this summer. I'm no pro. I'm learning. I want to get a set of tires that are going to provide predictable handling, a high level of grip and feel, and are going to bite hard when I need them to.

The Dunlop SP Sport W-10s I have had for the past 3 years are NOT special. They do alright, but that's about it. I won't be getting anything like that.

Basically, I'm thinking Falken Azenis Sport, but I'm not sure. Kumho MX? Yoko A032-R? Bridgestone S-03? Pirello P Zero Nero? BF Goodrich KD? Think about traction/dollar.

Now, keep in mind that I won't be having these tires for more than about two seasons. At that point, I'll be changing to wider wheels, and fresh tires. Given all these qualifications, do you have any recommendations?

Eric

[Foxcolt]

I'm currently running the Yoko avs es 100's. cheap in the sizes your lookin for and very very grippy. Decent wet traction also.

[uiuc240]

OK, cool. Point taken. I'm just wondering if people have opinions about how much I should spend on tires at this point. I mean, the S-03s are $162 each from TireRack. The Azenis are $115 each from Discount Tire. Kumho MX are $120 from TireRack.

I dunno.

Decisions like this are a bitch. I could either spend money and get good tires, but then I'm going to feel dumb getting rid of them. Or I could get cheaper ones and not care. But the cheaper ones aren't THAT much cheaper. I'd only be saving about $100-150.

Eric

[Dousan_PG]

i'd get:

Falken Azenis Sport
Falken Azenis ST115
Bridgestone S-03

[uiuc240]

Are you speaking from experience?

I'm asking because I've read reviews from other people saying the Kumho Ecsta MX is a better tire than all three of those.

I'm leaning towards those right now, because they're $510 shipped to my door. Then I just need to get them mounted.

Eric

[MovinUp-1]

look no further than the falken azenis. i can tell you from experience that these tires are by a large margin the best bang for the buck. they stick better than the BFG for a lot less money. You can't go wrong with them.

[03specVchik]

Azenis Sports.. are definately nice.. they won't last you two (race) seasons though. Not that ANY of those tires your thinking about will.

I'm actually gonna be running the Kumho MX for my next set of tires. I need something with decent wet traction, and something that doesn't overheat too fast.

[uiuc240]

see, that's what i'm thinking. i like what i'm hearing about the Kuhmo MX...i think i'm going to go that route and see what happens. i don't have to keep them forever.

Eric

[HippoSleek]

I know that the Kumho's beat out the Falkens in the GRM comparo, but most reviews I've heard maintained the the Falkens were better. (I fogot what category pushed the Kumho's over the top?).

My next tires will be Azenis.

[uiuc240]

Okie dokie.

I think it's a total toss-up. They are basically the same price and basically do the same thing.

I'm just going to flip a coin the day I buy them I think.

Eric

P.S. Are one of them made in France, because I'm supposed to not buy stuff from France now. I mean, that's what Dubya thinks, right? Damn foreigners

note: sarcasm.

[sykikchimp]

The only thing that keeps me from running the Falkens is that I always hear that they get greasy on the track. I've run the Kumho 712's at 3 events now. They are hard compared to the falkens. decent grip though, and I never feel as though the tires have overheated and gotten "greasy".. maybe I just don't know what I'm doing, and don't know what "Greasy" really is. I want something better than the Falkens, but don't want to deal with the loss of grip at the end of a 30min session. Thats one of the reasons I'm thinkin about the MX as well. I haven't heard either way that whether or not the get "greasy" or not though. so in this case.. No feedback, is better than negative feedback... ?

[hurleyboi514]

yah, im having the same problem myself, what will my next set of tires be? im thinking either yokohama ES100's (225/45/16) or azenis sports (215/45/16). the yokes are grippy and will certainly last longer, but the azenis looks so much grippier!! i dunno what im gonna do...

[uiuc240]

is there a reason you're not including the previously mentioned Kuhmos?

let us in on your secrets Hurley. i thought you had race rubber...right?

Eric