Bad news kids . . . .
The big move in Pantera circles is to 17" wheels (from the 15 originals) . .
why? Its almost impossible to find speed rated rubber in the 15 sizes
anymore.
If you want to keep your 13" wheels, I would start buying tires.
(Performance tires, anyway.)
just an observation - ask your local tire retailer.
RSD (rubber side down)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steve Laifman [mailto:SLaifman@SoCal.rr.com]
> Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 2:29 PM
> To: Colin Mills
> Cc: Tom Witt; tigers@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Questions on wheels - tyres
>
>
> Collin,
>
> Thank's for the recommendations on the Bridgestone SF373. I called the
> distributor (not dealer), who tells me that tire hasn't been
> produced in
> some time. They do have a great new tire, he says, but in the 13" size
> it's maximum speed rating is "S".
>
> So. what is "S"?
>
> I broke the code with my James Bond secret decoder ring:
>
> Rating Speed (mph)
>
> S 112
> T 118
> U 124
> H 130
> V 149
> W 168
> Y 186
>
> There are faster, but only for racing cars.
>
> There are other factors to consider, other than the speed rating, and
> obviously you wouldn't want anything less than an H for a Tiger, just
> for all the other features that come with this construction,
> even if you
> never plan on using the capability you have.
>
> The other factors are tread life, wet road adhesion, dry road
> adhesion,
> snow capability, etc. These are usually designated with numbers or
> letters. The Tread Wear used to be in multiples of 20,000 miles. The
> "400" on my Michelin X makes me doubt that is still the case.
> The other
> factors are A, B, C, etc. A being the best.
>
> There ARE specific numeric test values established by US Federal
> requirements for each rating, "A" being the highest.
>
> Sorry that the one you have is not available.
>
> I know that many are discussing specially made tires for
> racing, auto-X,
> Drag Racing. These are usually expensive, and not very suitable for
> daily driving. One rating has been increased at the expense
> of another.
> This is even true of "sports street" tires. The ones with the best
> traction are NOT the ones with the highest tread life. My Michelins
> wear like iron, but don't count on them for the best grip in hard
> braking or drifting around turns.
>
> Like the man says, 'you pays your money, and you takes your
> choice' - IF
> there is one left to be made. Another applicable old saw is
> 'You may get
> what you pay for, but you NEVER get more than you paid for'.
>
> All this is why many change to 14 inch wheels. Unfortunately, the good
> tires are disappearing from that size market as well. Maybe a
> couple of
> acceptable ones left in the Pirelli or Bridgestone line. Many
> are going
> to 15 inch wheels so they can have replacement tires available for the
> next set.
>
> Steve
> --
> ____________________________
> Steve Laifman
> Editor
> <http://www.TigersUnited.com>
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