Tyres (yes ... again ...)

[revilla]

170bhp SV. Road use only. 15" rims.

 

When I got the car it had dreadful hard old CR500s. I swapped to Toyo R1Rs. They were quite sticky but for some reason I found it tramlined and wanted to weave around. In the end I went to harder T1Rs and quite liked them. They didn't have anything like the same level of ultimate grip, but I quite enjoyed feeling the car moving around a bit.

 

Roll on a few years I'm struggling with them a bit. I think they've just gone a bit hard with age, but they're definitely rather more prone to locking up and when blatting with others, trying to keep up round some corners I'm ending up looking like a drift car!

 

I could just get some more T1Rs, but I fancy trying something a bit softer with a bit more grip (the T1Rs have got almost as much tread on them now as they did 35,000 miles ago).

 

I don't do track at all so I don't need ultimate-grip performance tyres; and while I'd like a bit more grip I'd rather not have something that hangs on until the last minute then chucks you in the ditch! For road use and touring I want something that will handle a bit of water too, so semi-slicks.

 

I don't want to swap away from 15" rims.

 

I don't want to break the bank.

 

... and I'd like to sort something before the fish and chip run in September.

 

Suggestions and experiences please?

 

Cheers,

 

Andrew

 

 

[Piers300]

Andrew. I assume your original CR500's were 195/45/15.

On my car, there is virtually no clearance between the bracket for the cycle wings and the tyre. I bought an additional set of Caterham 10 spoke rims and tyres fitted with 195/50/15, but they fouled the bracket on the front. Of course, no problem on the rear tyres.

So to that end, I progressed no further, but I was able to buy one of the last 4 x 195/45/15 CR500's. However, that was a few years ago now, so they are probably getting hard and need to be replaced.

So I'm watching your post with interest.

regards

 

Piers

[Nick Bassett]

Switch to 13" wheels Andrew - much better all round! 

Hope to catch up with you at the Fish n Chip run... 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

The Nankang AR-1s are definitely a semi slick with very good grip and are available in 195/50-15 size. I was skeptical about buying these tyres at first, but needed a set at short notice after cording my tyres on a track day and had another one coming up, so bought a set in 185/60-13 front and 235/45-13 rear.

I prefer them to the CR500s for ultimate grip and predictability, even though the CR500s were good. They do seem to run a bit wide, though, with the 195/50-15 measuring 201 mm according to their UK tyre site (https://www.nankangtyre.co.uk/products/motorsport/ar-1/). The 13" ones are even wider with the 185/60-13 measuring 200mm on my 13x6 fronts and the 235/45-13 measuring 245mm wide on my 13x8 rears. They do clear the cycle wings and rear Watts linkages on my R400D without a problem, though. This is how close the front wingstay is:

[mph]

This is purely a +1 post so I can subscribe to updates to the thread I'm on 15" wheels, and although everyone keeps saying "put 13s on!" I don't want to do that, yet. But I do need to replace the CR500s on the 15s 

[philwhittaker]

Also, on 15s and CR500s and looking to change (tyres not wheels).  It feels like there should be a guide to wheels and tyres.

[Shaun_E]

I just checked on this excellent guide produced for the club by Avon tyres and ZZS are available in 195/50R15. These would meet your criteria I think (apart from the cost bit maybe). I normally wouldn't recommend a tyre I hadn't driven on but a lot of the club sprinters use these as do some of the racers but they still have a "proper tread" on them. 

I use Kumho V70A in a medium compound for road/track use and supersoft compound for sprinting.They are a good tyre but the sidewalls are a bit stiff for some people's taste in road use. They do have a bit more tread than some of the semi slicks.

If you find any tyre tramlining on the road then you could try a tiny bit of toe-in on the front. I prefer a fair bit of toe out these days as it's mostly used on track but in the past I ran Yokhama A048R and they tramlined quite a lot but a smidge of toe-in helped.

[mph]

My only concern with the 50 profile is the size of them, and if they'll actually squeeze under the front wings. I was doing a comparison t'other day via this site and I'm not 100% sure they will. If anyone knows for sure, that'd be fab to know.

[Orange]

I have Toyo R888R fitted to 15" wheels on an SV and they fit the front wing stays. (I did tweak them slightly to give a little more clearance to the rear part of the bracket to increase the clearance from circa 3mm to around 8mm - and also make the clearance the same on both sides)

These tyres are in my opinion much better than the admittedly old CR500s that were on it before. I have also found these to be ok in the wet surprisingly.

[Mechanical Moz]

I'm also trying to choose a replacement 15" tyre.  Went from T1R to Yoko AD08R last time which was an improvement, both 195/50 and clear the wings and stays by a few mm.

I do some track days so looking at semi slicks this time, R888R are the front runners as I've driven a car with them on and really liked them.  I am intrigued by the Zestino Gredge 07RS soft compound https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/zestino-gredge-semi-slick-tyres-2012154/

Nankang NS-2Rs are also on my shortlist as I've heard a few positive reports, the AR-1 seems a little extreme maybe for when I get caught in heavy rain.

[revilla]

Thanks all.

The AR-1s are clearly named after me but they do look a bit hardcore ... can they really handle the wet?

I don't deliberately take the car out in the rain but on longer planned trips you often don't get the choice so I at least want something that would remain safe.

The ZZS may be OK but they are a bit more pricey. I must say the R888Rs could be tempting, especially if you (Orange) are able to say they handle OK on the wet.

There seem to be some good prices out there for them too.

Anyone else got any experience of R888Rs?

[StevehS3]

I have used CR500 on 15", ZZS on 13", R888R on 13" and Rainsport on 14".

Compared to ZZS or CR500 I find the R888R to have slightly more dry grip and slightly less wet grip. They are a seriously grippy tyre!  I use R888R for track but not road although many people do. They are cheaper than ZZS but I don't think they will last as long. 

[mph]

Looks like there's a 195/45 in the Toyo TR1, which might be a better all-weather road tyre? 

https://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/proxes-tr1

[timb2117]

Yes Revilla I have the r888r's they were recommended by a  racing friend and have been awesome. track days 1 x per month and road use - warm up evenly, have separate compounds to give optimal grip across the width and are ok in the wet.

I think I should get around 2 years out of them and will definitely replace with same, 2005, roadsport sv. 1800 205/45/r16's - yes big wheels but they do heat up nicely from about 19/20 psi, will probably experiment with lower judging by the wear pattern on track, but very happy predicatable tyres.

[Wrightpayne]

Rainsport 5s are available in 195/45R15. Many people use these in 13" guise and rate them for a road only tyre that is very good in the wet if you get caught out.

I have them on my VW Transporter and like them but not a worthwhile comparison :-)

[Keeny]

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s99p167874/Yokohama_Tyres_Car_Yokohama_Advan_Neova_AD08RS_-_195_50_R15_82V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB
 

friend of mine have used this tyre on tuned road cars and been pleased with them 

sorry the links not working

[Jonathan Kay]

Yokohama Advan Neova AD08RS - 195/50 R15 82V TL at Camskill

Jonathan

[Jonathan Kay]

"Anyone else got any experience of R888Rs?"

A few more... 

Jonathan

[revilla]

Thanks,

The only remaining question in my mind over R888Rs after reading the threads and other reviews is longevity.

I suppose grip and soft compound is always going to be a compromise on wear and the tyres I'm on at the moment are right at the other end of the spectrum. After 35,000 miles I've probably used 1mm of tread, and now they've just gone hard.

In pre-covid years I was doing about 5000 miles a year, all road, reasonably quick driving but not hanging it on the raged edge all the time.

I'd just like to get a feel for how many years I'd expect to get from a set of tyres (or how many sets of tyres I'd get through in a year!).

If I can convince myself it won't just eat them I might order one just to check fit under the cycle wings before jumping for a full set.

Of course now I'm thinking ... I've been umm-ing and ahh-ing for a while about when to get the alloys refurbished. The powder coat is starting to look a bit flaky. Would make sense to do the lot in one go.

 

[Molecular--Bob]

Rainsport or Rainexpert in 14"?

[Jonathan Kay]

"If I can convince myself it won't just eat them I might order one just to check fit under the cycle wings before jumping for a full set."

After all the help that you've given to so many of us... including the home visits... how about asking if someone will offer one on a wheel for you to try?

Jonathan

[StevehS3]

Andrew, I have a set of R888Rs in 13" (my track set) and a set of Rainsports in 14" (my road set) you are welcome to try them anytime. The overall diameter is the same on each set and only slightly less than your 15" setup - although I am in the Peak District so maybe after a blat if you have time (a couple of miles from Yondermann's!). I actually prefer the Rainsports for road - mostly because they are super comfy, a bit more playful and don't shower my car and the one behind with stones that stick to the R888Rs. I realise I am in the minority here but I actually don't want the car to feel like it is on rails on the road. 

[revilla]

Hmmm Yonderman's, where we all did sit and laugh about my failure to make a corner and my disappearance up a side road that just happened to make an escape lane ... which was one of the incidents which led to this thread! Thanks for the offer but I guess the wheel size and profile difference will affect things quite a bit, I'll probably just get one to check fit and then give them a try.

[timb2117]

Concur with Jonathan, but cant help unless you can visit Australia to pick up :)

Wearwise I reckon hard track days 1 x month for 2 years and going on current rate of KMS about 15000 kms = time for new.

It is very much sticky+ soft = wear, but I am fine with the outlay to A keep me glued down, B. have huge fun on track.

Over here fourwheel drivers rave over Cooper tyres warranted to some colossal mileage, massive deep tread blocks and I think the rubber compound actually has more wear resistance than granite, thank heavens they wont fit a 7! Horses for courses. 

[revilla]

A bit of feedback ...

Finally got myself sorted with R888R 195/50 R15 82Vs.

While changing the tyres I got the wheels refurbished at City Powder Coaters in Birmingham. They did a good job for £45 a wheel on a same day service, dropped them off at 08:30 and collected 16:30 with the new tyres fitted and balanced. Would only have been £35 for a 1 week service.

First trip out on the new tyres wasn't ideal; headed off to the local club meet, it rained most of the way there and absolutely threw it down on the way home, with plenty of standing water and then a joker decided to test my brakes by missing his right turn and slamming his brakes on hard, leaving me with effectively an emergency stop, first time out on semi-slicks in the wet.

I have to say ... The R888Rs gripped better in the wet than my T1Rs did in the dry!

Today I've had chance to take them out in the dry and find the limits. I can still lock them up if I try hard enough, but the braking grip available is way beyond what I'm used to. They feel a lot safer. They seem to be able to stop in a few car lengths and they tear up the road surface before they lock. Not that I intend to drive like that on a regular basis!

The other thing that surprised me is that intuitively I imagined that sticky rubber would mean heavier steering; they actually feel noticeably lighter than the old tyres, especially in low speed turning (and yes, I did let the pressure down to something sensible after I got them back from the refurbishers!).

Before the T1Rs I had their sticky cousins, the R1Rs. I couldn't get on with them, they were always tramlining and pulling side to side as though they were running on the sidewalls. I was a bit nervous that these might feel the same, but there's none of that behaviour at all. They feel really nice, light and accurate.

So thanks for the advice. Looks like I'm sorted and happy with the choice so far.

Andrew