Official OcUK Tyre Review & Guide thread!

Gibbo said:
Unfortunately I've had first hand experience of T1R's. :(

But yep first hand experience and honesty is key. :)
Click to expand...

You also have to bear in mind a stiff sidewall so you can push the limits with confidence isn't for everybody :)

I had fk452s a couple of years ago, and while they were a revelation compared to the budgets tyres I had before I prefer the t1rs, grip feels to me as good or better and they're a better ride and quieter.

That said my favourite tyres are my michelin primacy alpins (going back on this week actually, so I'll get a refresher). They were very comfortable and very quiet, and I could throw it around in the wet cold weather, awesome.

Maybe I'll get some track tyres next year and my opinions will change but quite frankly I don't explore the limits like you do and as such probably don't have such a problem with soft sidewalls as you.
 
al4x said:
i felt this especially on upward corners, i almost lost mine trying to keep up with something else and im sure the car in front wasn't even trying

i will at some point be looking for tyres to replace the bridgestone tu??? [whatever they are] on my s2000 as im not impressed.. they seem to have poor grip
Click to expand...

You have turanzas on the s2000?
 
Telescopi said:
You also have to bear in mind a stiff sidewall so you can push the limits with confidence isn't for everybody :)

I had fk452s a couple of years ago, and while they were a revelation compared to the budgets tyres I had before I prefer the t1rs, grip feels to me as good or better and they're a better ride and quieter.

That said my favourite tyres are my michelin primacy alpins (going back on this week actually, so I'll get a refresher). They were very comfortable and very quiet, and I could throw it around in the wet cold weather, awesome.

Maybe I'll get some track tyres next year and my opinions will change but quite frankly I don't explore the limits like you do and as such probably don't have such a problem with soft sidewalls as you.
Click to expand...

Dave

Sounds to me your preferre a softer comfier ride and if thats the case fitting anything thats more track orientated might drive you mad. I can tell you now if you fitted Advan AD08's to your car in the Summer replacing the T1R's the ride quality would change for the worse by a vast amount. The ride would become harsher, road noise would increase considerably, so if comfort is something you like then forget track tyres. Because the sidewalls are not just a little stiffer they are they are hugely stiffer compared to something like T1R's.

However on the other hand if you do enjoy throwing it around, the sharpness, dry grip, predictability, steering feel, turn in you get from something like the Advans is truly staggering, especially when going from a tyre such as the T1R.

Maybe you should look at the Goodyear Assymetric its sidewall is a bit better than the T1R, its dry grip is on par and its got far superior wet grip, its a better tyre for sure and won't cost much more than T1R's and will retain your ride quality.

Alternatively spend some money and get a tyre like the new Contisport 5P, its dry grip is supposed to be excellent and its wet grip is supposed to be unlike anything else, its sidewalls are what people rate as OK, better than T1R, but where conti excel is ride quality so even though its got a stiffer sidewall you can still expect a better ride quality but in a tyre that grips more no matter the weather.

Alternatively if you like the Michelin winter tyres, then imagine how good a set of Pilot Sport 2 or 3's would feel and all Michelins retain a good level of ride quality and are great for MPG too. ;)
 
Been looking around for airfield 'training days' near home as I think a big part of handling is the driver - no point at all having the best car and tyres in the world if the fleshy part doesn't dare get to 70% of it's potential. Im certain that the limiting factor in my cars handling is my unwillingness to push it, so that seems a good idea.

It's also why I don't buy into forum reviews of tyres unless I know how they drive. Must say though that puzzles me on the T1R as a fiat owner who runs over 400bhp has won the fwd handling at totb and swears by them. I can't really square your opinion of them with that performance except maybe he just likes the soft sidewalls and that's his driving style.

Regarding stiff sidewalls and track tyres, yes I probably would be less satisfied 90% of the time but if I went for track tyres I'd probably get them on some 17s and get something more track specific (888s for example but I'm dubious they are the best option), my last 4 tyre change was sub 20m so I don't mind swapping round :)
 
L0rdMike said:
You have turanzas on the s2000?
Click to expand...

yes, thats what the car came with, have never heard of them before.. indeed they are a hard wearing tyre.. once im more confident with the car i can give better impressions
 
Last edited:
Telescopi said:
Been looking around for airfield 'training days' near home as I think a big part of handling is the driver - no point at all having the best car and tyres in the world if the fleshy part doesn't dare get to 70% of it's potential. Im certain that the limiting factor in my cars handling is my unwillingness to push it, so that seems a good idea.

If I went for track tyres I'd probably get them on some 17s and maybe get something more track specific (888s for example but I'm dubious they are the best option), my last 4 tyre change was sub 20m so I don't mind swapping round :)
Click to expand...

The R888 is a fantastic tyre, its sidewalls are the softest out of track tyres available, but when I say soft they are still hard when compared to most road going tyres, just not as stiff as Yoko's/Michelins sidewalls on their track tyres.

The R888 has incredible dry grip, its wet grip is also great if you can keep the heat in them, but they don't like big puddles for obvious reasons. Only thing I am unsure about regarding the R888 is how progressively they let go. You know from passenger seat experience the beuty of the Advans is how progressively they let go.

Airfields are great, or Donnington now its re-opened, plenty of run off area. :)
 
Gibbo said:
Airfields are great, or Donnington now its re-opened, plenty of run off area. :)
Click to expand...

Plenty of run off :)

Really enjoyed a run up through the lakes a few weeks back but holding back so much because you don't know what's round the next bend (a sheep usually).
 
I've been missing Donington, managed to get down to late teens in my track mr2 on V70a's. Can't wait to get back there.
 
Gibbo said:
The R888 is a fantastic tyre, its sidewalls are the softest out of track tyres available, but when I say soft they are still hard when compared to most road going tyres, just not as stiff as Yoko's/Michelins sidewalls on their track tyres.

The R888 has incredible dry grip, its wet grip is also great if you can keep the heat in them, but they don't like big puddles for obvious reasons. Only thing I am unsure about regarding the R888 is how progressively they let go. You know from passenger seat experience the beuty of the Advans is how progressively they let go.

Airfields are great, or Donnington now its re-opened, plenty of run off area. :)
Click to expand...

What Yokos/Michelins are you comparing to?

I have R888s on the Strada and I'm a huge fan and found them both responsive and progressive at the limit, but then I doubt the Strada drives or behaves anything like what you've tested them on.
 
MikeHiow said:
What Yokos/Michelins are you comparing to?

I have R888s on the Strada and I'm a huge fan and found them both responsive and progressive at the limit, but then I doubt the Strada drives or behaves anything like what you've tested them on.
Click to expand...

I am comparing the R888 to both the AD08 and A046/A048. The R888 delivers up more dry grip compared to the AD08. But the AD08 still has a slightly stiffer sidewall, though it is slight. Plus the AD08 is better as a road tyre, for a start its got 7mm tread depth compared to R888's 5mm and in general will last circa 3000 miles more.

The A048 replaced the A046, this is Yoko's R compound tyre and in comparison to the R888 its definetely more track focused as its harder to get heat into, but its sidewalls are stronger and it also handles heat cycles a lot better giving far more consistent performance wheras many who have tracked on both R888 and A048 find the R888 can be a bit inconsistent after several hot laps, wheras the A048 remains unphased.

Though for the road the R888 is probably the better tyre as its easier to get heat in it and they work surprisingly well in the wet on warmer days. The Yoko A048 is and can be used on the road, but is better suited on track. Though saying that many of the EVO boys run A048 tyres on their EVO's used on the road for the sheer dry grip it offers and incredible turn in/feedback.

For me sidewall stiffness is so important because the EVO X is heavy and it can be quite a dull/numb car, so giving it tyres that make it feel light footed and give feedback is really important and the EVO X and EVO's in general do seem to far preferre Yoko based tyres.

In reagards to Michelin, I mean their CUP tyres, excellent and work very well on BMW M and Porsche cars and again they cope with heat extremely well and remain unphased on track days.
 
i need tyres, the 306 gti6 has two hankook ventus primes on the back, and two austone tyres on the back. DO NOT WANT. long story short is its getting Rainsport 2's all round very soon, so i will report back, however even with THOSE tyres, i find the 306's handling stupendous, if it gets better on better tyres then i will be a happy happy man
 
Not trying to bash this thread but wont all these tyres have completely different performance on different cars anyway? I.E in the case of the Honda Prelude the Continental Uniroyal Rainsport 2's are known to be the best out of all the tyres in the list on page 1 whereas the Falkens (which look to be highly recommended) may as well come with a map to the nearest ditch...
 
Rainsport 2's getting a 3?! 'OK in the dry' is just utter rubbish...I've found them to be very grippy in the dry, and very good in the wet too.

I really don't see the point in the thread. Where did the figures in the original post come from? Picked out of thin air, or has the OP actually tested all tyres out for long periods of time accross different motors? :confused:
 
TheDean said:
Rainsport 2's getting a 3?! 'OK in the dry' is just utter rubbish...I've found them to be very grippy in the dry, and very good in the wet too.

I really don't see the point in the thread. Where did the figures in the original post come from? Picked out of thin air, or has the OP actually tested all tyres out for long periods of time accross different motors? :confused:
Click to expand...

Now I completely understand Fox's point.

The numbers are in regard to sidewall stiffness, not overall performance.

However Rainsport 2 dry grip is just OK, there are far superior dry grip tyres out there. The 3 is in relation to its sidewalls which are soft. I am sure they provide enough dry grip for how you drive, but when compared against other tyres there are far better dry grip tyres out there.
 
Gibbo,

This thread has given me a (potentially bad) idea!

TyreReviews does a similar job to this thread, but perhaps collates the data in a way which makes it easier to read.

My idea would be to create a OCUK tagged / branded review page which would allow forum members to collate their thoughts, then create a dedicated OCUK output page so you could see all the reviews from here in one place.

The advantage for me would be more review content, the advantage for you would be an easier to digest summary of user experiences with tyres.

Just a thought.
 
Gibbo said:
Now I completely understand Fox's point.

The numbers are in regard to sidewall stiffness, not overall performance.

However Rainsport 2 dry grip is just OK, there are far superior dry grip tyres out there. The 3 is in relation to its sidewalls which are soft. I am sure they provide enough dry grip for how you drive, but when compared against other tyres there are far better dry grip tyres out there.
Click to expand...

I'm just not sure why this has been posted tbh. It's just a subjective test on loads of tyres and all you're going to get, as Fox predicted, is people questioning your credentials...To say that the Rainsport 2's are merely 'Ok in the dry' just shows to me you're not testing them in an objective mannor.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-EVO-Tyre-Test.htm

I'd much rather trust 'proper' reviewers, i.e. those who do it for a living.

Subjective (dry): 2nd
Overall : 2nd
 
TheDean said:
I'm just not sure why this has been posted tbh. It's just a subjective test on loads of tyres and all you're going to get, as Fox predicted, is people questioning your credentials...To say that the Rainsport 2's are merely 'Ok in the dry' just shows to me you're not testing them in an objective mannor.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-EVO-Tyre-Test.htm

I'd much rather trust 'proper' reviewers, i.e. those who do it for a living.

Subjective (dry): 2nd
Overall : 2nd
Click to expand...

Dry laptime was 2nd to last !!! and Dry breaking was 5th !

Hardly amazing.
 
MrLOL said:
Dry laptime was 2nd to last !!! and Dry breaking was 5th !

Hardly amazing.
Click to expand...

I never said they were amzing, but they are significantly better than 'Ok'. My point was that this is all purely subjective...and I, like the reviewer, rate them very highly in the dry.
 
MrLOL said:
Dry laptime was 2nd to last !!! and Dry breaking was 5th !

Hardly amazing.
Click to expand...

I'm not defending any tyre / person here, but it's worth considering that the dry lap times in tests like those are separated by tenths rather than entire seconds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom