What happens to tires after our tests? We keep running them–and we keep learning.
Our latest findings: Some tires get better the more you run them. Specifically, longterm testing of the Falken Azenis RT660 and the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS showed that tread depth, heat cycling and rotation can impact performance over the tire’s lifetime.
Awesome test and great info!
In reply to AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) :
Glad you liked it. We really like being able to offer tests like these–and if there is anything you'd like to see, let us know.
In reply to Colin Wood :
I want a 245-40-15 re-71rs...lol
Great article once again
Thank you for the great information in an easy to read format!! Buying the correct set of tires saves alot of money and of course the grip and fun.
I AM SURPRISED!
In reply to EricM :
ASTONISHED, STUNNED AND FLABBERGASTED?
Alright, I'll put the thesaurus down.
In reply to Colin Wood :
I'd be interested in difference to pre-shaved and heat cycled tires of the same make, model and sizes
Absolutely excellent testing and article. I've just picked up the Paul Haney book on tires so great timing too!
More tire testing / articles please!
QuikMcshifterson said:Absolutely excellent testing and article. I've just picked up the Paul Haney book on tires so great timing too!
More tire testing / articles please!
Just for you, more tire tests coming in hot. :)
In reply to Bigben151 :
PLEASE give us better width options in a 15" wheel size!!
I've reached out to Bridgestone multiple times to ask if/when they're coming out with a 225/45 or 245/40 and haven't received any responses. They're leaving a lot of sales on the table by not having these sizes.
In reply to MSM_Racer :
The re71-rs in 205/50-15 seems to follow the trend set by the Falken rt660, of being a pretty wide tire for it's labeled size. I switched from the BF Goodrich Rival 1.5 in 225/45-15 to the new Bridgestones in the 205/50 on my E Street Miata, gained a lot of grip.
In my case at least, the numbers on the timer matter more than the ones on the sidewall.
I've run them on an Audi A6 Quattro, a Cayman S and a Miata NB and am a BIG fan of the RT660, especially once I had Tire Rack heat cycle them. The Hankook RS4 is right tere, too. They are both fast and durable, a great combination :-) I have run numerous Toyo, Nitto, BFG, Continental and Michelin models and don;t thinkthe RT660 can be beaten.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to MSM_Racer :
The re71-rs in 205/50-15 seems to follow the trend set by the Falken rt660, of being a pretty wide tire for it's labeled size. I switched from the BF Goodrich Rival 1.5 in 225/45-15 to the new Bridgestones in the 205/50 on my E Street Miata, gained a lot of grip.
In my case at least, the numbers on the timer matter more than the ones on the sidewall.
Compound trumps size, pretty much always. Especially when using a pinched fitment like an ES Miata (205/225 on 15x6).
DaleCarter said:I've run them on an Audi A6 Quattro, a Cayman S and a Miata NB and am a BIG fan of the RT660, especially once I had Tire Rack heat cycle them. The Hankook RS4 is right tere, too. They are both fast and durable, a great combination :-) I have run numerous Toyo, Nitto, BFG, Continental and Michelin models and don;t thinkthe RT660 can be beaten.
We have test data showing that the A052, RE71RS and the revised CRS are all quicker than the RT660.
Could it be that the test vehicle is lighter in weight than other peoples applications. Just saying.
Andy Hollis said:DaleCarter said:I've run them on an Audi A6 Quattro, a Cayman S and a Miata NB and am a BIG fan of the RT660, especially once I had Tire Rack heat cycle them. The Hankook RS4 is right tere, too. They are both fast and durable, a great combination :-) I have run numerous Toyo, Nitto, BFG, Continental and Michelin models and don;t thinkthe RT660 can be beaten.
We have test data showing that the A052, RE71RS and the revised CRS are all quicker than the RT660.
It won't be in my budget this year, but I'm looking forward to trying the new CRS, since I won't have to spray them between autocross runs.
Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) said:Could it be that the test vehicle is lighter in weight than other peoples applications. Just saying.
All testing is basically a single data point, for sure. Meant as a guide to personalized testing in specific applications.
Do you have scientific back-to-back testing data to share on a heavier vehicle?
If slicks are best then it's obvious that wearing away the tread would give better lap times. I saw something similar in Spec Renault San Fran Region 30 years ago. Forget what tire they were using but the guys said they got best lap times just as the cords appeared. I guessed maybe the adhesive under the tread helped.
Great article. Nothing like lots of data taken under controlled conditions to shine light on a topic.
Paul Haney
I wish we had more of this long term data on different models. Heat cycle drop off and long term wear is a huge concern when picking a tire. I'd like to see these run all the way to the cords to track where and how they start to drop off.
theruleslawyer said:I wish we had more of this long term data on different models. Heat cycle drop off and long term wear is a huge concern when picking a tire. I'd like to see these run all the way to the cords to track where and how they start to drop off.
Fastest laps I ever ran on that car on that track were RE71RS and CRS V2 at a little over 1/32nd. Edgy, but fast. Both soon got so twitchy they were trying to kill me, so I dismounted them before cords showed up.
Fastest laps I ever turned on street tires with the CRX on that track were A052's at about 1/32nd.
All that said, my tires are stored in a climate controlled shop and never see the sun except on track. Most people don't/can't do that.
This is a great article. Confirmation that you can run a directional tire in the dry backwards is a huge deal for getting the most out of a set of tires. I would like to see 300TW tires added to the same evaluation as you have done here. We know they are slower but by how much and what about the consistency over the tire life? Same for all season performance tires. Did I go too far?
Thanks!
Love this test. Thanks.
Really helpful tests. It makes me wonder if the best way to optimize the NASA tire balance modifier is to run a shaved and heat cycled set of RE-71RS/A52/CRS tires. Might approach Hoosier levels of grip without the penalty?
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