The Summer Tire Review thread

[RickDaTuner]

im looking for a new set of Summer Tires for my STi, I really havent been paying attention to whats out there since my car for the most part has been in the garage...

this thread is here for you guys to add one tire per post, all its info and a quck review... include a picture if you can

do not just post a name of a tire and nothing else
i'll start

Pilot® Sport Cup



Tire sizes
205/50ZR15
225/50ZR15
205/55ZR16
225/50ZR16
245/45ZR16
205/50ZR17
225/45ZR17
245/40ZR17
255/40ZR17
275/40ZR17
225/40ZR18
235/40ZR18
265/35ZR18
285/30ZR18
295/30ZR18
315/30ZR18
345/30ZR18
235/35ZR19
265/30ZR19


Review
Ultimate R compound track performance that's truly streetable.

Representing our pinnacle of handling performance, the Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup is a competition-oriented, race-compound tire designed specifically for serious performance enthusiasts. Utilizing our extensive Formula One motorsports experience, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup features a racing-inspired tread compound optimized for on-track performance. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup delivers extreme cornering power, fast and consistent track times and is DOT (Department of Transportation)-approved for street use.

http://www.michelinman.com/catalog/t...tSportCup.html

[86max]

Falken Azenis RT-615
Next generation Azenis RT Tire. Improved motorsports grade cap compound maintains grip over a wide range of operating temperatures. Increased internal void ratio delivers enhanced wet grip and aquaplane resistance under competition conditions. 8/32nd molded tread depth reduces "squirm" when new while providing predictable mileage for street use. 200AA UTQG qualifies for SCCA Street Tire Class competition.


CMS RT-615

[ninjak84]

Kumho Ecsta Supra 712
"On the outside, the ECSTA Supra 712 molds KUMHO's advanced silica tread rubber compound into a wide directional tread pattern to provide dry traction and handling. Its angular tread blocks are separated by high angle lateral grooves and a large circumferential center groove to resist hydroplaning and enhance wet traction by evacuating water from between the tire's contact patch and the road (earning the highest "AA" UTQG Traction Rating)
KUMHO ECSTA Supra 712 tires feature black letter styling and are available in 55-, 50-, 45-, 40- and 35-series; H-, V- and Z-speed rated sizes for 14" to 18" wheel diameters."

My Review:
Cheap and durable tires. Mine lasted me 3 summer seasons. They're not the best, and not the worst. I'd buy them again, but not if I could afford something better. Overall, a solid buy.

[KoukiS14]

Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212

* Maximum Performance Summer
* V, W, Y-Rated
* 35/40/45/50/55/60 Series
* 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Inch
* UTQG: 200/AA/A, 200/A/A
* Road Hazard Warranty
* DSB: Diagonal Serrated Band
* SBL: Serrated Black Letters

The Ventus R-S2 Z212 was created from the successful Ventus RSS Z211 racing design, brought to the street with improved road contact surface area for dry traction and a tread design featuring exceptional water dispersion for wet conditions. The result is a street tire delivering maximum grip with the proven Ventus Ultra-High Performance tread compound.

These are very affordable, borderline race tires.

[Zephyr]

Dunlop Direzza DZ101


The Direzza DZ101 (di-rez'-za) is Dunlop's Ultra High Performance Summer tire for the drivers of sport compact cars. The Direzza shares its name with Dunlop's Japan GT Championship (JGTC) racing tires, and was developed to provide crisp and responsive handling in both wet and dry conditions, however it is not intended to be driven in snow or on ice.

On the outside, the Direzza DZ101 features Dunlop's specially formulated Silicarbon Matrix tread compound (combines silica and carbon black) to enhance grip in the wet without surrendering traction in the dry. The compound is molded into a directional treaddesign featuring rigid shoulder blocks and two wide, straight tread channels with long, oblique grooves to combine responsive handling, stable cornering and hydroplaning resistance.

Internally, the Direzza DZ101 features twin steel belts reinforced by Dunlop's Jointless Band (JLB) spiral-wound cap ply to stabilize the tread area enhancing handling and high-speed capability. A polyester cordbody enhances ride quality while Max Flange Shields help resist rim damage due to accidental curbing.

Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tires feature black sidewall styling with subtle black letters reversed out of a circumferential serrated band. They are V- or W-speed rated and available in 50-, 45-, 35- and 30-series sizes for 15" to 17" wheel diameters.

My Review:
Tuff sidewall. Very good with heat and smokes up like nothing! It also has very good grip on dry pavement. Unlike other tires that do well during dry but lack during wet conditions, this tire performs well on wet conditions as well. Prices are relatively affordable.

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by ninjak84
Kumho Ecsta Supra 712

My Review:
Cheap and durable tires. Mine lasted me 3 summer seasons. They're not the best, and not the worst. I'd buy them again, but not if I could afford something better. Overall, a solid buy.

Your mileage may vary. Mine are at 40% after 1 season. For the crappy wear I've experienced, they don't grip at all! I'd rather spend my money on grippier tires.

[mutsuraboshi]

The AVS ES100 radial is Yokohama's Ultra High Performance Summer tire designed to deliver ultra high performance looks and handling to the drivers of sports cars, coupes and sedans. The AVS in the AVS ES100 radial's name identifies that this tire is a member of Yokohama's Advanced Vehicle System flagship family of performance tires. Like all summer tires, the AVS ES100 is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

On the outside, the AVS ES100 features a high-tech silica tread compound molded into a directional tread design withlong tread blocks and a continuous center rib to provide traction, responsive handling, and high-speed stability. Its two, wide circumferential center channelsand "high angle" lateral tread grooves effectively pump water to the sides of the tire's footprint to enhance wet traction and minimize hydroplaning. Internally, the AVS ES100 features twin steel belts reinforced by jointless, wrapped nylon stabilizing the tread area to elevate handling and high-speed capability whileminimizing weight. The AVS ES100 radial's polyester cord body and steel wire-reinforced sidewalls help blend ride quality with lateral stability.

My Review

im pretty sure this tire has been in the market for a while now, but i just recently got a set and i am very pleased with my purchase, better tires than hankook ventus sport K104 tires. it comes in a H and W speed rating

[arian_ma]

Falken FK-451

Exotic Looks, Style and Performance


Features:

Silica combined with specially linked carbon molecules in the rubber compound provides incredible traction.
Rim protector ridge guards against rim damage.
AA traction rating is the highest available and represents the tire's superior ability to stop on wet pavement.


My opinion:
These tires dramatically improved my handling and road feel. Though I have blown 2 of them so far, it has been completely my fault, as once they were too deflated and the outside ripped, and once I got a nail in one and didn't realize for 5 minutes after the tire was fully deflated, destroying the sidewall. This is also because I have really low 35 profile tires. I love how the tread looks on these tires and they are very quiet. I did and will continue re-buying these tires.

[v2kai]

Full Review here.
FULL SCALE IMAGE



The ECSTA SPT (KU31) is KUMHO's Ultra High Performance Summer tire developed for sports cars, coupes and sedans. The ECSTA SPT was designed to offer grip, handling, comfort, wear and good looks in order to provide enthusiastic drivers the ability to "Drive Hard 'Go Big' Look Good." ECSTA SPT tires are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

On the outside, ECSTA SPT tires feature KUMHO's High Dispersion Silica tread compound (that broadens the tread rubber's temperature operating range) molded into a directional tread design that features large, independent shoulder blocks, four straight circumferential grooves and three solid center ribs to combine wet grip, responsive handling and high-speed stability. Rotation Wear Indicators (R.W.I.) are built into the ECSTA SPT to let drivers know the time has come to rotate tires to maintain more even wear and lower noise levels into the later stages of the tire's life. On the inside, ECSTA SPT tires feature twin steel belts reinforced by a spiral-wrapped, jointless nylon cap ply to enhance ride quality while providing high-speed durability.

MY REVIEW
These tires are simply the best tires i've ever owned. Still quite new, so treadwear is still to be proven. They have the same treadwear rating as the Falken 512's however my Falken's were gone in under one season, hopefully these are better. ( Falken wear was under normal driving no burnouts or much crazy stuff at all...quite disappointing, cool looking tread though. ) Cornering and handling in wet and dry conditions are everything they say the tire would be and much more than i expected. Huge improvements in grip, cool tread and around the same pricing as the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's. Strong sidewalls, acceptable road noise and now i can rip around corners like i never thought my car could. Great buy, I would highly recommend them and will continue to purchase these tires.

[AllGoNoShow]

Falken 512




Uni-directional tread design and circumferential grooves for superior wet weather handling

Smooth, quiet, comfortable ride

Improved rim protection ridge protects expensive custom wheels

New multi-radius profile increases contact pressure and low profile styling






My Review:

Great looking tires, they preform well for normal driving conditions and a little bit of fun but I would not recommend them if you are a very aggresive driver. Normal driving the tread wear is good but if your aggresive then they will wear really quickly. I just put my set on my 18's and am an aggresive drivr and the rears are at 40%.

[Vagabond142]

These are the tyres I will be buying for summer for my car:

Nokian i3

http://www.nokiani3.com/



May not look like much, but my GOD do they grip. Rain channels ensure very good contact with wet roads, and weather siping ensures water is expelled quickly from side contact areas. I like them so much on a friend's VW Corrado, I'm buying some for myself this coming spring. Nokian makes excellent tyres. Definitely worth checking out. A little on the pricey side, but you do get high tread life rubber with excellent stickiness.

Downside is I don't think they come in sizes smaller than 60 profile... I'll definitely check on that.

EDIT: You can get i3's in 50 profile

[ninjak84]

Toyo Proxes T1S
The Proxes T1-S is the new generation of ultra-high performance tire for the world's most demanding cars and discriminating drivers. The smooth-riding V, W and Y speed-rated T1-S offers excellent dry and wet grip, exceptional handling and resistance to aquaplaning.

Features:

* Street legal Ultra-High Performance.
* Ultra high wet surface performance and superb dry surface traction with V, W, T and Y speed ratings.
* Stable high speed comfort and uniformity.

My Review:
Just spent the summer riding on them. Extremely satisfied.
These grab like a pedophile with nothing to lose.

[Mr_ET]

Originally posted by ninjak84


Toyo Proxes T1S
The Proxes T1-S is the new generation of ultra-high performance tire for the world's most demanding cars and discriminating drivers. The smooth-riding V, W and Y speed-rated T1-S offers excellent dry and wet grip, exceptional handling and resistance to aquaplaning.

Features:

* Street legal Ultra-High Performance.
* Ultra high wet surface performance and superb dry surface traction with V, W, T and Y speed ratings.
* Stable high speed comfort and uniformity.

My Review:
Just spent the summer riding on them. Extremely satisfied.
These grab like a pedophile with nothing to lose.

I also find that the grip level of these tires is excellent but one afternoon at racecity on the roadcourse and a mazdaspeed miata made them completely melt away. That did not involve any drifting or burnouts and they were down to the cords so the wear on these tires I found was really dissapointing

[Nismo Racing]

anyone tried the NITTO INVO tires? any feedback and review?

[Mr_ET]

nice bump!

[KandabashiDevil]

Originally posted by Nismo Racing
anyone tried the NITTO INVO tires? any feedback and review?

NITTO INVO tires offer a preferable durability rating at the cost of a poor performance rating. My review is strictly opinion, but I found the INVO's lasted me a long, LONG time while having terrible flex & handling capabilities.
Not a bad tire if you're loyal to NITTO .... But there's much better out there

[Dim_Sum]

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11's

http://www.potenza.com/tireselector....=products_RE11

Best tire ive ever had, wears out a bit to fast but worth the money




Designed with the performance enthusiast in mind, the Potenza RE-11 brings together many of Bridgestone's technologies in one impressive package. With a unique new sidewall shape and radical new "stealth" block derived from our Formula One (TM) race tires, the new Potenza RE-11 boasts the significant level of grip and handling for the street and track--and it will ignite your adrenaline in the process.
Stealth Blocks
Promotes higher tread stiffness while enhancing water evacuation.

Large Outer Tread Blocks
Improves cornering performance.

Circumferential Grooves
Helps channel water out of the footprint area to improve resistance to hydroplaning.

Asymmetric Construction
Provides optimal performance in various conditions based on a tread pattern that varies from shoulder to shoulder

[LEGiiT]

Originally posted by KandabashiDevil


NITTO INVO tires offer a preferable durability rating at the cost of a poor performance rating. My review is strictly opinion, but I found the INVO's lasted me a long, LONG time while having terrible flex & handling capabilities.
Not a bad tire if you're loyal to NITTO .... But there's much better out there

+1. Alough mine still costed a pretty penny or two. Will replace at the end of the summer with something better for next year.

[wardpr68]

I have ran both Kuhmo Ecsta's and now Dunlop Direzzas.... the Direzzas are far far greater.

[Redlyne_mr2]

Loving the Dunlop Direzza ZR1 Starspecs, similar to the re-11s but last longer. It's funny to see the rt615s from back in the day, those tires are widow makers IMO.