Battle of the Budge Tires!
11-26-2008, 07:58 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Battle of the Budge Tires!
What do you guys like for "low priced" tires?
Falken 452s
General Exclaim UHP
Sumitomo htrzII
Fuzion ZRi
BFG super sport
Avon 550
Other???
Ive read good and bad reviews of all.
Falken 452s
General Exclaim UHP
Sumitomo htrzII
Fuzion ZRi
BFG super sport
Avon 550
Other???
Ive read good and bad reviews of all.
11-26-2008, 09:30 PM
#4
I just put a set of General UHP's on today. I've got about 12 miles on them. They were a bit more than half the price of Goodyears and Michelins from the same shop.
This ain't much of a road test, but here's my initial thoughts:
1. The car steers much better compared to the OEM Goodyear F-1's.
2. The first interstate ramp I hit showed me the Generals have a bit more sidewall flex compared to the Goodyears.
3. There is very little steering correction for grooves or uneven pavement. The Goodyears grabbed most every groove and made me over correct to stay on line.
4. They are almost silent compared to the Goodyears.
5. They took very little weight to balance, and tracked smooth as silk to just over 80 MPH.
6. They have a much higher hardness/wear index than the Goodyears.
This ain't much of a road test, but here's my initial thoughts:
1. The car steers much better compared to the OEM Goodyear F-1's.
2. The first interstate ramp I hit showed me the Generals have a bit more sidewall flex compared to the Goodyears.
3. There is very little steering correction for grooves or uneven pavement. The Goodyears grabbed most every groove and made me over correct to stay on line.
4. They are almost silent compared to the Goodyears.
5. They took very little weight to balance, and tracked smooth as silk to just over 80 MPH.
6. They have a much higher hardness/wear index than the Goodyears.
11-26-2008, 10:00 PM
#5
Drifting
I too got a set of General Exclaims installed today (non-RFs)! Ok no discussion on RFs vs non-RFs please -- been there done that.
Anyhow...went a bit wider on all fours:
-- fronts: 255/40/17s
-- rears: 285/35/18s
... on stock rim. Man, this thing drives on rails! Definetly drives like a whole new car IMO.
BTW I had the F45 suspension and had it all replaced over the summer with C5Z (suspension). Hope to drive it more this weekend.
11-26-2008, 11:06 PM
#8
Safety Car
I think if they are ASX's then you can get 30-50k miles on them. I got 40k miles on the runflats, and that includes aggressive driving and over 50 drag strip passes. Every tire has people that complain about it. You're stupid to spend extra money on say michelin if there is a tire out there for 1/2 the price that performs just as well. But most vette owners are stupid like that and must have the "best" products.
11-27-2008, 07:56 AM
#10
Instructor
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Kuhmo Ecsta MX.
I loved them. They did not have the best grip for standing starts, but lateral grip for cornering was fantastic. I used them for a season of autocross and they performed very well. Sidewalls were firm, and the ride was a little harsh, but for an extreme summer tire, i thought it was well within what was expected of it.
I never felt them hydroplane in the wet and as long as i didn't drive like an idiot, wet traction was fine.
Tread wear was about what i expected for an extreme summer tire. Rears were down to about 40% after 10k miles. Fronts were about 60%.
Only reason i took them off was to use the wheels to mount a set of Kuhmo V710s.
Those are awesome DOT race tires, though i think i will try the Hoosier A6s next time. Anyway, I liked my Ecstas enough to try the Kuhmo Solus all-seasons on my wife's car. I like those tires, too.
I loved them. They did not have the best grip for standing starts, but lateral grip for cornering was fantastic. I used them for a season of autocross and they performed very well. Sidewalls were firm, and the ride was a little harsh, but for an extreme summer tire, i thought it was well within what was expected of it.
I never felt them hydroplane in the wet and as long as i didn't drive like an idiot, wet traction was fine.
Tread wear was about what i expected for an extreme summer tire. Rears were down to about 40% after 10k miles. Fronts were about 60%.
Only reason i took them off was to use the wheels to mount a set of Kuhmo V710s.
Those are awesome DOT race tires, though i think i will try the Hoosier A6s next time. Anyway, I liked my Ecstas enough to try the Kuhmo Solus all-seasons on my wife's car. I like those tires, too.
11-27-2008, 08:45 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
I think if they are ASX's then you can get 30-50k miles on them. I got 40k miles on the runflats, and that includes aggressive driving and over 50 drag strip passes. Every tire has people that complain about it. You're stupid to spend extra money on say michelin if there is a tire out there for 1/2 the price that performs just as well. But most vette owners are stupid like that and must have the "best" products.
11-27-2008, 10:36 AM
#15
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11-27-2008, 10:38 AM
#16
Lepus-temperamentalus
They were fair. Good performance, about as loud as Goodyear run-flats. Soft, wore out quickly, cupped and leaked. I tossed them last week and picked up a set of Michlen Pilot Sports. Quiet, good performance. Can't tell you much about how long they last, but I do know, I won't go cheap again.
11-27-2008, 11:58 AM
#17
Race Director
I think if they are ASX's then you can get 30-50k miles on them. I got 40k miles on the runflats, and that includes aggressive driving and over 50 drag strip passes. Every tire has people that complain about it. You're stupid to spend extra money on say michelin if there is a tire out there for 1/2 the price that performs just as well. But most vette owners are stupid like that and must have the "best" products.
11-27-2008, 08:25 PM
#19
Amazing - what a revelation! Cheap off brand tires work just as well as the more expensive brands. I don't know how companies like Michelin and Goodyear stay in business. I wonder if they know that their overpriced tires don't out perform brands like Kumho, Vredestein, Falken, etc. I wonder why the automakers chose Goodyear, Pirelli and Michelin as OEM tires - they could have spec'd the cheaper tires OEM and put the money they saved on tires somewhere else. I guess the vehicle manufacturers are stupid like most Corvette owners....
*** walks away shaking head at the sheepish mentality of some people that follow the crowd without thinking for themselves.....****
11-27-2008, 08:30 PM
#20
Safety Car
Amazing - what a revelation! Cheap off brand tires work just as well as the more expensive brands. I don't know how companies like Michelin and Goodyear stay in business. I wonder if they know that their overpriced tires don't out perform brands like Kumho, Vredestein, Falken, etc. I wonder why the automakers chose Goodyear, Pirelli and Michelin as OEM tires - they could have spec'd the cheaper tires OEM and put the money they saved on tires somewhere else. I guess the vehicle manufacturers are stupid like most Corvette owners....
And you are proving that old corvette owners are d**** theory right. Most people won't buy offbrand tires because A. They are scared to try something new. B. Their tire guy never recommends them because he can make way more money off a higher priced product.
Think about it. It all makes perfect sense. The majority of people who bash low priced items are usually people who have never used them before, and are pissed because they paid twice the amount as the other guy and they aren't as happy as him.