I agree with much of what Dave says. I have run BFG R1s, Hoosiers, and Kumhos
for about
1.5 years each on Camaros or Corvettes (heavy and powerful)
I thought the BFG R1s were incredibly precise, the Hoosiers incredibly light
(GREAT
braking w/low unsprung wt) and very sticky in first 2/32nds of tread, while
being quite
forgiving. The alleged short Hoosier life may be better in the 97-98
iterations, but I
haven't tried them.
My favorite is the Kumho. I need the wide "sweet spot" of this tire as I am
still
learning and find it very very forgiving and very easy to drive very quickly
because of
the feedback from the tire near the limit. I have found the wear to be as good
as my
early experience with the R1, but I expect I am working the tires much harder
now, so
putting much more pressure on the longevity of the Kumho.
If we could just solve the availablility of the Kumho, life would be perfect!
Unfortunately everyone wants them and that brings supply problems.
Perry Kincy
Dave Young wrote:
> On my (heavy ESP) car, experiences are as follows:
>
> - Hoosier: Very sticky when new, slippery at end of life. Short life, easy to
> flat-spot.
> - Kumho: Very sticky when new, OK at end of life. Medium life. Most forgiving
>tire to
> drive.
> - R1's: Sticky when new until corded. Good life (after they fixed what wasn't
>broken
> ;-)
> - G-Force: Sticky when new. A handful when excess slip is obtained (Dukes of
>Hazard
> techniques prior to softening rear suspension!). Life unknown (still sticky
>at 32
> laps, holographic tread is now gone). So far, good PAX times.
> - Yokohama... never tried, but Rita Wilsey was the only one I ever saw who
>drove
> these tires
> extremely quick (hi, Rita!).
>
> Dave
>
> Scott & Glenda Meyers wrote:
>
> > While researching what tires to get for my 92 240SX, I looked at BFG, Toyo,
> > Kumho, Yoko and Hoosiers.
> >
> > SIDE NOTE - At this time is seems to be more a case of WHAT you can get
>rather
> > than what you would PREFER to get :-( Discount Direct has *NO* "R" tires
> > at all - none. Tire Rack has Yoko, some BFG's, and Kumhos after sometime
>next
> > week. I've spent almost two weeks trying to get tires from an independant
> > supplier - they've been "in the mail" that long.
> >
> > Anyway, in doing this research it became apparent that few people recommend
> > the Hoosiers for my purpose - D Stock, non-adjustable camber, heavier car (5
> > more horsepower than the Neons, 400 more pounds - great trade-off!).
> >
> > But then there were a few who swore that the Hoosiers were indeed 'the
> > ticket'. Why the wide varience? Generally the advice was don't use Hoosiers
> > for the heavier cars, they wear fast, and 'go off' before all the
>tread/rubber
> > is used up.
> >
> > Any first-hand experience out there (from others that those trying to sell
> > their stock of Hoosiers)? Let's all assume that Scotty will write about the
> > virtues of the Kumhos, so that's a given :-)
> >
> > IN SUMMARY (what I've been told or think I've found out) -
> >
> > BFG's are pricey, are wearing quickly, and seem to be having some trouble
> > heating up for autocross. YOKO's are a good average tire but will not place
>in
> > the top three. KUMHOs are highly recommended by many, not out yet, and price
> > is still reasonable. TOYOS are medium priced, hard to find, outdated but
>seem
> > to work very well. HOOSIERS are either great or not depending on who you
>talk to.
> >
> > Other views at this early time in the 99 season?
> >
> > Thx,
> >
> > Scott Meyers
> > (Still waiting on those tires from LT........11 days and counting)
--
Perry Kincy (kincy@kincy.com)
93 Camaro A4; TPIS heads; ZZ9 Cam; AS&M headers, 12.79@110.209
94 Corvette ZF6: LPE heads, 211/219 Cam, 4.09s, 12.93@111.584
98 Camaro 1LE ESP Autox Car; 13.6@105.955 (a year ago; ? now)
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