Tyres for Best Grip

Tyres for Best Grip

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Discussion

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Saturday 10th February 2018
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So, I am going for new tyres on the Griff. The existing ones have plenty of tread, but at 15 years old they are probably past their best.

What would people recommend for best grip - both brand and size. It is on the original wheels, so 15 inch on the front and 16 inch at the rear.

When I say best grip, I mean best grip in all real world conditions. So grip in the wet and cold on a rough road is just as important as grip in the dry on a perfectly smooth piece of tarmac.

I am not particularly bothered about having the same brand on the back as the front.

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Saturday 10th February 2018
quotequote all
I have those on both my mx5 and MPS - I like them.

What about sizes?

When new the rear was 225/50-16, and that is what is on there currently.

When new the front was 215/50-15, but it is currently on 205/55-15.

Stick with these sizes?

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Saturday 10th February 2018
quotequote all
original is available, albeit at stupid prices. I am inclined to stick to the current size.

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Sunday 11th February 2018
quotequote all
Mileage will be tiny so I dont mind anything that wears out quickly.

Currently body off, but as it will have all new suspension I thought it would be rude to put the 15 year old tyres on it.

I have a few months until I will need tyres, but I am trying to get all the trivial stuff out the way.

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Sunday 11th February 2018
quotequote all
Before the Rainsports I had Toyo R1R s on the every day car. I really rated them, but they didnt last long. That won't be an issue for the Griff as the mileage will be very small so they will last for years.

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Sunday 11th February 2018
quotequote all
black_potato said:
I have both R1R and R888 on my lotus. R1R are a great road tyre in most conditions. R888 are fine until you hit standing water, then its time to pray.
Thanks, that is really good feedback. I was always impressed by the R1R, but on a car doing 20k miles a year it didn't make sense. The Griff probably wont do more than 1,000 miles a year, so it wont matter how quickly they wear out.

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Sunday 11th February 2018
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That is impressive Jes

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Monday 12th February 2018
quotequote all
Black P, That is exactly what I am afraid of...

Jes, clearly that vid was taken on a lap, and there would have been some heat in the tyres (I appreciate a sprint will only be a lap or so, so maybe not much heat). What I am afraid off is road driving at sensible speed, so little or no heat in the tyres and having to do an emergency stop. For example, ambling down a B road at 40 or 50 mph in heavy rain and then some idiot pulls out from a side road or similar. Will the 888's be good in that sort of situation, or put another way, will they be noticeably worse than any other tyre in that situation?

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Monday 12th February 2018
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So, R1R or Rain sport 3?

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Monday 12th February 2018
quotequote all
Just checked mytyres, black circles and camskill.

R1R not available in suitable sizes, which is a shame as I have really rated them in the past.

Looking good for rain sport 3's then.

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Monday 12th February 2018
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That is a great endorsement.
I will be ordering soon.

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
I am not worried about how long they last, the annual mileage is / will be tiny.

I am concerned about how well they grip, particularly in the wet and cold. The impression I get from previous posts is that the T1R is not a great tyre in aqua-planning conditions, which puts me off it a bit, even though I know I would love the dry grip.

BIG DUNC

Original Poster:

1,918 posts

224 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Was that RainSport 3 or Toyo T1R?