140 treadwear street tires for 14" rims.

Michael Smith · Post by **Michael Smith** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:42 am

I have some Falken Azenis (200 treadwear) for the Civic but was wondering if there is a better street tire available.
The Azenis are also taller.

Stock 185-60-14
Azenis 195-60-14

Thanks,
Michael

Mako Koiwai · Post by **Mako Koiwai** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:55 am

Tire size calculator: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

What class are you running ... almost no 14" high performance tires out there ... can you go to a 15" wheel?

Michael Smith · Post by **Michael Smith** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:57 am

HS NOV but looking to run SK2 after. I can't change rim size.

Thanks,
Michael.

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:14 pm

Michael Smith wrote:I have some Falken Azenis (200 treadwear) for the Civic but was wondering if there is a better street tire available.
The Azenis are also taller.

Stock 185-60-14
Azenis 195-60-14

Thanks,
Michael

Competitive 14" street tires can be counted on the hand of a blind punch-press operator. The Toyo T1R comes in a 195/55-14 and a 195/45-14. The 195/45 could be a gearing blessing or curse depending on the course, but it is a pound lighter and 1.5 inches smaller in diameter than the 195/55. Wear can be an issue. Despite the 200 treadwear rating, it's a soft compound.

Mako Koiwai · Post by **Mako Koiwai** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:59 pm

But on a light car wear shouldn't be toooo bad

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:18 pm

Mako Koiwai wrote:But on a light car wear shouldn't be toooo bad

Ask Steve Ekstrand about that.

Mako Koiwai · Post by **Mako Koiwai** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:19 pm

I said Light Weight !!! ;)

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:21 pm

Mako Koiwai wrote:I said Light Weight !!! ;)

I thought you meant the car.

Mako Koiwai · Post by **Mako Koiwai** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:31 pm

Total Weight !

Steve Coe · Post by **Steve Coe** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:10 pm

The Falken RT615's are the only way to go for a 14" 140 tread wear tire.
I love to Toyo T1R's, but they won't hold a candle to the 615's on an autocross course. I have the 195/55x14's on my STS(2) Miata for street tires. Great for the street but....
BTW the Toyo T1R's have a UTQG of 280 not 200.

Michael Smith · Post by **Michael Smith** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:37 pm

What about the Bridgestone Potenza RE92? It has a treadwear of 160 and comes in 185/60/14.
Is the narrow tire worth the softer rubber?

The RT615 seems like the best choice economically considering the are only $270/set locally.

Steve Ekstrand · Post by **Steve Ekstrand** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:54 pm

Never take the UTOQ as gospel.

Mako Koiwai · Post by **Mako Koiwai** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:55 pm

The 92 use to be the oem tire for Suby WRX's ... it's a HORRIBLE tire !!!

Steve Ekstrand · Post by **Steve Ekstrand** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:58 pm

I don't think any tire is close to the Flaken in 14".

The only other tire I'd investigate would be the Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212 but probably only if the Flaken's were backordered.

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:00 pm

Steve Coe wrote:The Falken RT615's are the only way to go for a 14" 140 tread wear tire.
I love to Toyo T1R's, but they won't hold a candle to the 615's on an autocross course. I have the 195/55x14's on my STS(2) Miata for street tires. Great for the street but....
BTW the Toyo T1R's have a UTQG of 280 not 200.

Yeah, 280 tread wear. In someone's geisha dreams. I put a durometer on them and the reading was in the R comp range.

What tire was Motonishi running at the Pro? What tire was on places 2 through 10?

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:02 pm

Steve Ekstrand wrote:I don't think any tire is close to the Flaken in 14".

The only other tire I'd investigate would be the Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212 but probably only if the Flaken's were backordered.

You'd take the Falken over the Toyo? You are still running the Toyo, right?

Jonathan Lugod · Post by **Jonathan Lugod** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:24 pm

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:
Steve Ekstrand wrote:I don't think any tire is close to the Flaken in 14".

The only other tire I'd investigate would be the Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212 but probably only if the Flaken's were backordered.
You'd take the Falken over the Toyo? You are still running the Toyo, right?

wouldn't be surprised if Toyo came out with a 14" series R1R's if SK classes become national

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:27 pm

Jonathan Lugod wrote:
Bob Beamesderfer wrote:
Steve Ekstrand wrote:I don't think any tire is close to the Flaken in 14".

The only other tire I'd investigate would be the Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212 but probably only if the Flaken's were backordered.
You'd take the Falken over the Toyo? You are still running the Toyo, right?
wouldn't be surprised if Toyo came out with a 14" series R1R's if SK classes become national

They already have two 14-inch R1R sizes, 195/55-14 and 195/45-14.

Steve Ekstrand · Post by **Steve Ekstrand** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:36 pm

Guys..... You are confusing the Toyo T1R and the Toyo R1R.

VERY DIFFERENT TIRES!!!!!

t1R has two 14" sizes and a very real 280 UTOQ
R1R has NO 14" sizes and a very soft but not real tacky 140 UTOQ

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:44 pm

Steve Ekstrand wrote:Guys..... You are confusing the Toyo T1R and the Toyo R1R.

VERY DIFFERENT TIRES!!!!!

t1R has two 14" sizes and a very real 280 UTOQ
R1R has NO 14" sizes and a very soft but not real tacky 140 UTOQ

OK, yes, T1R not R1R. Still, the durometer numbers on the T1Rs you had at the PSCC practice were way softer than a 280 rating would suggest.

Steve Ekstrand · Post by **Steve Ekstrand** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:53 pm

I've never used a T1R.

I run Toyo R1R's with a 140 treadwear rating. And yes they are soft, squishy and squirmy.

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:29 pm

Steve Ekstrand wrote:I've never used a T1R.

I run Toyo R1R's with a 140 treadwear rating. And yes they are soft, squishy and squirmy.

Damn. I is confused.

Kurt Rahn · Post by **Kurt Rahn** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:57 pm

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:
Steve Ekstrand wrote:I've never used a T1R.

I run Toyo R1R's with a 140 treadwear rating. And yes they are soft, squishy and squirmy.
Damn. I is confused.

Well, Bob, at least you know your durometer is working properly.

Michael Smith · Post by **Michael Smith** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:04 pm

I'll have to look at my options at the end of the season.
R-Comps until then.
Is there a local Kumho dealer that has better prices than Tire Rack?

Craig Naylor · Post by **Craig Naylor** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:53 am

Don't know your definition of "local". Talk to Larry at Americas Tire in Ontario Mills. For years he has matched Tireracks price, w/ no shipping fees on Kumhos. In the past, deals have been available for mounting IF they are true race tires (not street, or street/race tires).

Craig

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