Jonathan,
It's kind of unfair to the tire manufacturers to compare differnt sizes of
USED tires. I have noticed that my new G-Forces are stickier then my "just
used up at 71 runs" set was at the end of their useful life.
But this does open up an interesting thread. When does a new tire become an
old tire? That is does storing a tire reduce its stickiness; longevity; etc?
When in their life cycle do tires "go off" and by how much? Can anyone give
us hard numbers? Has anyone measured skidpad g-force when tires are new vs
after 25, 50, 75 runs? Inquiring minds want to know :-}
Regards,
Alan
On Friday, June 25, 1999 3:15 PM, Jonathan Kniskern
[SMTP:jonathan_kniskern@nmenv.state.nm.us] wrote:
> > > 1) Stick with the g-force, but drop down a size, to 255-40R17
> > > 2) Switch to Kumho, at 275-40R17
> > > 3) Both, a Kumho 255-40R17
>
> But here's the $10,000 question - how good are the K-tires, both hot and
> cold? I
> > > understand that a hot g-force is a better tire than a hot Kumho, but
is
> a cold
> > > Kumho better than a cold g-force? Or is it better to stick with the
> BFGs, but
> > > move down a size (and so get a lower car and better gearing, but less
> grip when
> > > hot?)
> > >
> > > Any thoughts?
> > >
> > > DG
>
> I'm new to the list and have only been autocrossing for about a year now,
> but I'll give you my opinions. Take 'em or leave 'em.
>
> I bought a set of used BFG R1's - 185/60-14. They worked well at a race
> track in Cal. (Thunderhill), and were certainly stickier than my street
> tires - SP8000's - when autocrossing. But when I switched to a set of
barely
> used (thanks to Toby Weir-Jones) Kumho 195/55-14's I couldn't believe the
> grip! I really like the Kumho's and figured it was due to the wider size.
> They did seem to grip better cold than the R1's and the Kumho's are
> supposedly longer lasting and definitely easier on the wallet. I just got
a
> set of even wider tires - Hoosier 205/55-14's (thanks to Eric Moon) also
> used, and will be trying them out tomorrow and Sunday.
>
> Hope this helps. People I've talked to say they like Kumho's, but no one's
> ever told me they were the Dark Side (G-Force = the Force?) Who cares? Use
> what works best! Free your mind, Luke.
>
> Jonathan Kniskern
> '90 BS Miata
>
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