tFUnK

wondering if one will be better than another... on a 15x6.5 wheel

what you guys think?

Nerv2g

Me to. I was wondering if you guys could show pics cuz I getting my new ties in a week and am undeceided to.

primoEF

street use - 195

track use - 205

tFUnK

thanks but is there a particular disadvantage to using 205/50 on the street?

Civic242

??? More rubber on the road is better all the time!! 205s all the way baby!!

GapxGuy

205 is wider, more traction.


[Modified by GapxGuy, 12:11 AM 2/10/2002]

DragII

I'm using 195, and will be switching back to 205

deepnite

with the 205 s ull be getting a much larger contact patch with the pavement..the tire is less than a half inch lower than the 195/55 s..if ur afraid of losing hp with a tire change..ull lose more with a taller tire due to the rotating inertia is more on the 195 s..not only will ull get better performance from the larger contact patch..but also with a lower profile tire the sidewalls will be firmer

Cashis EG8

I'm running on the 205's with no complaints

TurboBumblBee

im about to put a set of 205/50/15 bfgoodrich comp t/a zr tires on my car once the weather starts getting better..

mps9506

I have 205/50r15's I give them a
Only size tires I plan on running on my si wheels from now on.

tFUnK

ok so it seems to me like that 205/50 is a better choice over 195/55... I just don't understand why it's better. Well, sure it's wider, but having a lower sidewall is it really better? Also, if 205/50 is such a good choice, how come no cars on stock 15" rims come with that size tires? They are usually 195/55 correct? And kumho makes it's 711 tires in 205/50 but 712 (better tires) only in 195/55...

TypeIII

Then why is it that Honda engineers chose 195 instead of the 205 on the TypeR? With 15x6.5 wheels?

With 205 on 6.5" wheels, the tire bulges just a tad bit, not ideal for track use.

Nos4R2

for the same reason that stock cars don't come with headers or why some cars come with skinny anti-roll bars instead of thicker ones. car manufacturers tries to be on the safe side in designing their cars that's why some compromises are made. it has to appeal to a broad range of audience and it also needs to save them some money.

Wallace996

Kumho does make the 712, I bought mine a couple weeks off of tirerack.com and have been extremely satisfied so far. I went directly from the stock XGTs to the Kumhos, and can feel a huge difference. They hug the road much better (MS interstates are crap, it's like a rollercoaster about 90mph), don't make that awful screeching noise when you spin them, and have an overall more controllable feel. Reason they don't come stock is because manufacturers have to think of other things besides performance and end up having to compromise a lot of things.

TurboSedan

Remember, Honda/Acura engineers were told that they need some level of noise control/road comfort because they already use a very firm suspension setup on the Type-R. Tires are something that be compensate, to make the ride feel *nicer* and not so stiff from the factory. That is my thoughts on using 195/55R15 on the Type-R from the factory.

SpiceyRice

Wider tires have the following disadvantages:
- increased friction, therefor the car will have a slower top speed
- increased road noise
- increased chance of hydroplaning (think of the contact patch as a small surf board... bikes don't hydroplane much, do they)
- more expensive

Wider tires have the following advantages:
- larger (10mm wider per size) contact patch for increased traction
- 'stout' look

Can't really think of any others... did I miss any guys?

Roadracers will generally use wider tires because the wider contact patch offers a larger advantage, namely traction, than any disadvantages. However, the top speed on the straight will sometimes decreased a mph or two even tho their lap time will decrease because they have more grip for the turns. Use extremes to make sense of this ... imagine taking a low hp crx ef put 135s and 255s and you can figure out what it'll do to the performance of your car.

10mm is not a lot, so there won't be much difference either way tho. I think everyone concurs that 205s look better than 195s.



[Modified by SpiceyRice, 11:20 AM 2/16/2002]

mantic6t9

Well i'm using 195/50/15 on my car and have no complaints. I don't think there will be any difference in just 10mm more tire. I've seen people measure the difference with a ruler and there really isn't any. Also remember that size depends on the tire manufacturer, some companies 205 might me another companies 195 or vice versa. I'm sticking with the 195 because they are cheaper and i don't see why pay the extra $ for something that will make close to 0 difference in performance. My next set of tires will be brigstone pole position S-03s. you can pic the 195/50/15 tire up for $76 and this tire performes up there with the dot racing tires and in some areas ever better. If you are getting new tires i would suggest these. Check them out at http://www.tirerack.com and compare their ratings to other tires out there. Good luck. LAter..

TurboSedan

It depends on how you drive if you'll be able to notice the 10mm difference. If you try to reach the edge of the tire's traction then yes, you WILL notice the 10mm difference. If you drive easier than that, then no, the 10mm will not make a big difference.

ToneyTigre

well, in terms of looks, i guess im kinda use to the look of my 195/55/15. 205's make the wheels look too small. the fender gap will widen making your car look like an SUV again. car will be lower to the ground without the look of it. performance wise, im not sure if it'll make that much of a difference. im sticking with 195/55/15. my next tire change are gonna be kumhos 712. comin very soon.

TurboSedan

Sounds like you are more concerned with looks than performance.

uc0083

Yeah who cares what it looks like 205 will always outperform a 195 tire. Also a lot of 205 tires are actually wider then that. My a032s are more like 215s and so are azienas. You want as wide a tire that you can safely put on your wheels. As for the bulge it doesn’t matter as much because the sidewalls are usually stiffer on the shorter tires.

TurboSedan

Exactly, 205 of the same tire will own the 195 in performance PERIOD!

SpiceyRice

Did you read my post...? 205s will not outperform 195s if top speed is your objective. RiCE is not understanding a modification.

TurboSedan

YES I READ YOUR POST! I do not argue that the 195 will allow a higher top speed, but it is more due to the fact that the OD is larger than the width. How many 200mph cars do you know that run on 195 width tires?