2009 tire thread

Dave · 02-11-2009, 12:17 AM

Sooo, we haven't had a tire thread for quite a few months and I figure it's probably time to see what everybody's riding on and recommending these days.

I'm personally on the hunt for a tire that can handle track duty, but not a dedicated competition tire. Needs to be available in 225/50/15 and preferably $100 or less.

Current considerations:
Falken Ziex ZE-512 $68 each on discounttiredirect.com
Kumho Ecsta AST $68 each on discounttiredirect.com
Hankook Ventus RS-2 $100 each on tirerack.com

I'm leaning toward the 512s b/c of the price and prior MM reviews, but wanted to see if anybody knew of anything new out there or other recommendations

kcook · 02-11-2009, 02:40 AM

$126 for 245/40/17 rs-2 which i need (going on 17x9 +42)

- i dont know if i should get dunlop star specs which are $164/ea for 245/40/17 or something cheaper like the hankooks. ive had rt615s, ill never buy those again

kwq slvr · 02-11-2009, 07:36 AM

If you decide to go with the Kumho Ecsta let me know I can get the tire, mount, balance, valve stem, nitrogen, VA tire tax, scrap disposal and alignment check for $74.98 per tire. The Nitto NT450 is also available for $89.99 installed

For the 245/40/17 I can get a lot of brands, Kumho ASX for $129.99 installed Dunlop DZ101 $126.98, BFG G-Force Sport $145.98 and these are installed prices.

If there is any interest call me 540-325-1234.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.tiredistributors.com">www.tiredistributors.com</a>
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.whiplashmotorsports.com">www.whiplashmotorsports.com</a>

Kaan · 02-11-2009, 08:24 AM

Dave check out Vulcan tire... they have a Falken ZE-512 out for $64 a tire.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-bin/tiresearch.cgi">http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-bin/tiresearch.cgi</a>

**Mike** · 02-11-2009, 09:40 AM

Why get 512s when you can get 912s? They're much improved. Either way, I wouldn't want to track either one.

Kaan · 02-11-2009, 09:51 AM

Mike Wrote:Why get 512s when you can get 912s? They're much improved. Either way, I wouldn't want to track either one.

I fat fingered it. i meant 914s. Wink

i wouldnt track them either, but its all that really popped up in the size he requested. i'm sure we could jam something on there with no problems though Smile

Maengelito · 02-11-2009, 10:05 AM

The Hankook RS-2's were okay but I probably wouldnt get them again. For track duty, I think the Falken Azenis 615 were slightly better and slightly cheaper. Both were LOUD for daily driving though. I've got the Kumho SPT (similar to ASX except not all season from what I understand) for the Suby and they're pretty good dailys especially for the price but I haven't put them on track. I suspect they would be an okay tire but not as good as the RS-2 or Azenis for the track. I've heard some good stuff about the Dunlops but dont have any actual experience with them.

Dave · 02-11-2009, 10:10 AM

Hrm, maybe I shouldn't be so particular about the tire size...

Let's just open this up a little to any 15" tire. Cheap and trackable is the next most important part. I recognize that any tire can be tracked, it's just a matter of how long it'll take to destroy it, so something grippy and made for the abuse would be best.

.RJ · 02-11-2009, 10:27 AM

Can you still get falken azenis? What width are the wheels?

ScottyB · 02-11-2009, 10:29 AM

what car is this Dave, the NX or 240?

i have a buddy who autocrosses on RS-2's with a 3000 pound car and those tires grease over pretty fast.

PDenbigh · 02-11-2009, 10:32 AM

Maengelito Wrote:The Hankook RS-2's were okay but I probably wouldnt get them again. For track duty, I think the Falken Azenis 615 were slightly better and slightly cheaper. Both were LOUD for daily driving though. I've got the Kumho SPT (similar to ASX except not all season from what I understand) for the Suby and they're pretty good dailys especially for the price but I haven't put them on track. I suspect they would be an okay tire but not as good as the RS-2 or Azenis for the track. I've heard some good stuff about the Dunlops but dont have any actual experience with them.

How are the Azenis in the rain? I need a cheap rain tire for the XR - 245/45/16.

Maengelito · 02-11-2009, 10:40 AM

PDenbigh Wrote:
Maengelito Wrote:The Hankook RS-2's were okay but I probably wouldnt get them again. For track duty, I think the Falken Azenis 615 were slightly better and slightly cheaper. Both were LOUD for daily driving though. I've got the Kumho SPT (similar to ASX except not all season from what I understand) for the Suby and they're pretty good dailys especially for the price but I haven't put them on track. I suspect they would be an okay tire but not as good as the RS-2 or Azenis for the track. I've heard some good stuff about the Dunlops but dont have any actual experience with them.

How are the Azenis in the rain? I need a cheap rain tire for the XR - 245/45/16.

they weren't terrible. Anything in the rain is gonna be pretty slick but they were decent. You might try to find some cheap used full tread RA-1s, they seem to be getting pretty cheap since the R888s came out.

Evan · 02-11-2009, 10:45 AM

just go for the azenis 615. great tires and cheap. 205/50/15 IIRC
discount tire direct was the cheapest when i was shopping for them a few weeks ago.

912s are great street tires and super grippy for an allseason, but Im not so sure they would be good or even bearable track tires.

D_Eclipse9916 · 02-11-2009, 10:55 AM

kcook Wrote:$126 for 245/40/17 rs-2 which i need (going on 17x9 +42)

- i dont know if i should get dunlop star specs which are $164/ea for 245/40/17 or something cheaper like the hankooks. ive had rt615s, ill never buy those again

Why stick with the 245s? I got toyo T1R 245/40/17s for my 9s and they had to be stretched just a bit. Go 255s for a more square sidewall....and to protect your wheels.

.RJ · 02-11-2009, 10:56 AM

PDenbigh Wrote:I need a cheap rain tire for the XR - 245/45/16.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Hoosier&model=Radial+Wet">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp ... Radial+Wet</a>

:lol:

PDenbigh · 02-11-2009, 11:09 AM

Thanks RJ

.RJ Wrote:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Hoosier&model=Radial+Wet">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp ... Radial+Wet</a>

:lol:

PDenbigh Wrote:I need a cheap rain tire for the XR - 245/45/16.

**xvxax** · 02-11-2009, 12:32 PM

I also had a bad experience with RT615s. My Kumho MX have lasted a long time and they are made in a ton of sizes. They aren't top tier for performance, but I have 12 or so autocross events on them and 15,000 miles and I could probably run on them again this season if I was desperate.
Other options:
Kumho XS (barely fits into price range) and Dunlop Direzza Star Spec.

Kaan · 02-11-2009, 12:36 PM

xvxax Wrote:I also had a bad experience with RT615s. My Kumho MX have lasted a long time and they are made in a ton of sizes. They aren't top tier for performance, but I have 12 or so autocross events on them and 15,000 miles and I could probably run on them again this season if I was desperate.
Other options:
Kumho XS (barely fits into price range) and Dunlop Direzza Star Spec.

i dont know anyone that actually complained about the 615s after buying them and running them hard.

Dave · 02-11-2009, 12:38 PM

ScottyB Wrote:what car is this Dave, the NX or 240?

i have a buddy who autocrosses on RS-2's with a 3000 pound car and those tires grease over pretty fast.

It's going onto the NX right now, then coming off of it in a couple months to go on the Z. Z wheels are currently 225/50/15 and I believe the NX is also sporting the same size, so that was why I originally said that size. I believe a 205/45/15 or 205/50/15 would be a suitable replacement if either are more readily available.

I'm not hung up on sidewall size b/c they won't be on the NX very long and an accurate speedo isn't particularly critical to me on the Z at this point. As for weight, the Z is hitting 2200 and the NX is ~2800.

Aside: Is an RA-1 suitable as a road tire when it comes to state inspections?

Andy · 02-11-2009, 12:40 PM

I have the 912's for a street tire and they were fine. It's on my suby wagon so I don't know how it would behave under stress but there's bound to be a whole lot of tread squirm given the tiny treadblocks.

I ran the MR2 on RS-2 and liked them a bunch. The azenis weren't available in a 225/50/15 last i checked. Since the mr2 ran a staggered setup, i had to have a 225 in the back. From what I can recall, the rs2 almost a full season for me which was about 12-13 weekends. Although, I have to confess there were a few weekends at the end where tread existence was questionable.

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