I am beginning to look for a set of R compunds and I'm very interested in both the RA1 or the A032 (soft). I'm not looking for the fastest tire available obviously, but would like a tire that has a reasonable tread life, maintins a sense of grip throughout its life and has fairly predictable characteristics.

Yes, I have searched and read about these two tires - but hopefully some people have additional comments/thoughts on comparing these two tires since I am unsure about which tire is faster and which has the longer life...

 

Based on my experiences with them:

The RA-1 is faster in the dry, good in the wet, but less durable.

The Yoko is slower in the dry, good in the wet, and more durable.

Personally, I like the way the RA-1 "feels". They feel like a Hoosier, but have just a bit less ultimate grip.

 

I've only driven one track day on mostly-worn A032Rs.
And only one session on RA-1s.

So, I can only give you my very brief initial impressions.

I liked how the RA1's felt. They seem to be very long lasting from talking to those that have used them extensively. Grip seemed very good.

A032R was fine, way better than a Falken, but RA1 definitely felt like a step up in the tire world.

 

just curious as to why you would consider the soft compound as to the hard compoud yokos.the hard compound last longer and grip is not sacrificed at all
ive run plenty of sets of advans and just finished up my first set of toyos. the toyos were stickier and had better size options 225/45/15 vs advans 225/50/15
the toyos stayed sticky till the end where as the advans started to hard after their share of heat cycles.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason Franza &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Personally, I like the way the RA-1 "feels". They feel like a Hoosier, but have just a bit less ultimate grip.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm almost sold.

But how do they compare to a V710?

 

You can't compare the A032R to the RA-1 as they have different compound. The A032RS or the A048 is comparable. For sure, both A048 and A032RS will be better than the RA-1, but not as durable.

 

flux: i've had my first taste of r-compounds (toyo ra-1) this past weekend. it was only for one (1) session so my evaluation might not have much weight to your decision. night and day between a street tire and track tire though - loved every lap of it. :thanks mike:

i have heard that the toyos do last quite a while. there are several people out in california who drive on the toyo's as daily tires and they get pretty decent mileage on them.

if your plan is to keep the tires on all the time (i.e. drive your car to the track), i think the toyos seem like a great tire. in addition, if the "noise" factor falls into your decision making, the yokohamas seem to be very noisy vs. the toyos.

kepani

 

If you do get the Toyo's, get them shaved. They seem to do odd things @full tread depth.

Lots of squirm and really sloppy turn-in. Mine gradually got better last weekend as they began to wear, but initally they were pretty scary.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by R you serious &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the toyos stayed sticky till the end where as the advans started to hard after their share of heat cycles. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's my main complaint about A032R, if there's anything to complain about.

The tyres are done even though there's still a substantial amount of tread showing, and people can go on track thinking they're going to stick in a corner, and they don't.

RA1 lose their grip progressively, gradually, and they're probably a better, safer buy for most of us.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kepani &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">there are several people out in california who drive on the toyo's as daily tires and they get pretty decent mileage on them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Although I think that's a waste of money in daily driving, I have to admit that it's awfully nice to know you can put the tyres on ahead of time and drive to and from the track w/them and not have to worry about changing wheels at the track.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Although I think that's a waste of money in daily driving, I have to admit that it's awfully nice to know you can put the tyres on ahead of time and drive to and from the track w/them and not have to worry about changing wheels at the track. </TD></TR></TABLE>

This is what I will be doing (driving to the track on them). I plan on getting the Toyos in a few weeks.
I was planning on getting them from Migs - but I'm not sure if he can get them shaved and I have heard that shaving these tires not only makes them easier to drive and stickier but will ultimately increase tire life.

Where can I purchase the tires shaved?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is what I will be doing (driving to the track on them). I plan on getting the Toyos in a few weeks.
I was planning on getting them from Migs - but I'm not sure if he can get them shaved and I have heard that shaving these tires not only makes them easier to drive and stickier but will ultimately increase tire life.

Where can I purchase the tires shaved?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Frisby in the Midwest, and Sierra in the West, both sell Toyo tires and can shave the RA-1 for you.

 

The A032R hard compound is comparable to the RA-1; both are designed to hold up well on road courses. The A032R soft compound is designed more for autocrossing.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have searched and read about these two tires</TD></TR></TABLE>

ITR Forum
RR/AX Forum

 

what does shaving a tire actually accomplish and how does that play into extending the tire life?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what does shaving a tire actually accomplish and how does that play into extending the tire life?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It prevents tread squirm which will build up too much heat and cause the tire to wear and chunk...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Frisby in the Midwest, and Sierra in the West, both sell Toyo tires and can shave the RA-1 for you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
ITR Forum
RR/AX Forum</TD></TR></TABLE>

Gee, never heard of those forums before...

 

I've never driven on any other R comps other than my A032R(soft) and I love them to death. The primary reason why I chose them over the RA1's was that up here in Seattle, its not uncommon to have to track your car in the rain, and the A032's give me a little more confidence and allow me to still enjoy my track time, probably more so than any street tire.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It prevents tread squirm which will build up too much heat and cause the tire to wear and chunk...</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's the theory. FWIW, I have driven both these tires UNshaved on the track, and never had any problems with chunking or excessive wear.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ITR Forum
RR/AX Forum
</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Gee, never heard of those forums before...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Did you look at both those topics in the links? Because they both have a lot of good feedback comparing both of these tires (and FWIW were instrumental in my decision to switch from the A032R to the RA-1).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did you look at both those topics in the links? Because they both have a lot of good feedback comparing both of these tires (and FWIW were instrumental in my decision to switch from the A032R to the RA-1).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, thank you. I was just being silly...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's the theory. FWIW, I have driven both these tires UNshaved on the track, and never had any problems with chunking or excessive wear.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm late to the party... I was wondering if Ken would show up, since I know he's had both (possibly at the same time front/rear).

I really really like the RA1s (shaved). Lots of longevity. Not the ultimate adhesion tire, but close enough. The 205/50R15 likes a narrower wheel (6") just fine, whereas some 205/50R15's like 7" wheels.

My only A032R (1999 vintage, hard compound?) experience is at an Autocross (and to and fro.) They are loud and NOT good autocross tires, as was already pointed out. If you're looking for an R compound that could double as a street tire, this might be it though, loud as they are (LOUD).