So I am going to bring this topic out of the woodwork since I can't make a damn decision on my next tires.

I think I am stuck between these two: the Yoko ES100 and the Azenis. I have run both sets of the Azenis and I liked them, ok. When I hit boost all I hear is a rolling burn-out (even in dry) and I even have traciotn bars and a Quiafe LSD. So the way I look at it, is that if I am going to pretty much spin any tire I buy, I'm going to get the Yokos for mileage and the grip can't be that much different: Azenis: 200 wear, Yokos: 280 wear.

The Azenis gave me about 10K a set more or less and not worth it in my opinion. Also people say that the Yokos have softer side walls. BOUNOUS...because the Azenis are stiff and softer side wall means more expansion for grip. Plus the Yokos come in 225/50/15...more surface area of road to cover for grip.

I know this has been bagered enought but hey....

Also I drive and EM1 if that makes a difference to anyone

 

You cannot compare a super sticky Azenis to the budget performance tire. The Azenis is the best street tire out there in the dry. You will regret getting the ES100 because you will go threw then like nothing and with no grip.

Don't get me wrong the ES100 are awesome tires but if you are looking for maximum traction and grip they are just do not compare to the Azenis.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dialectic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Plus the Yokos come in 225/50/15...more surface area of road to cover for grip.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

A wider tire will not give you more area on the road nor will it necessarily give you more grip. Don't be confused with a wider tire being a better tire.

As with the treadwear ratings; those can be highly decieving. They should not be use to compare different brands of tires. But you are right though, almost every tire will out last the RT-615.

 

As neri mentions, you shouldn't compare treadwear ratings. But most people get 10-12K miles out of a set of the Azenis RT-615. With most brands, that treadlife is about what you would expect from a treadwear rating of 100. (Personally, I believe Falken assigns it a bogus 200 rating because that enables it to be used in certain racing series, although that is strictly a guess on my part.)

The tread life on the ES100 is typically three to four times that of the Azenis. I've currently got over 37K miles on a set of ES100 on the GS-R and they're still not down to the treadwear indicator bars. However, the dry traction of the ES100 really isn't anywhere close to that of the Azenis. If you're spinning some of the time with the Azenis, you'll be spinning even more of the time with the ES100.

Obviously, whether to trade dry traction for longer treadlife is something only you can decide. Personally, I don't think there's much sense in spending a lot of time and money to mod a car, and then trying to save money by getting cheaper (or longer treadlife) tires for it that can't handle the added power as well, but that's just where I would make the trade-off.

You also might want to consider a top-of-the-line tire that will grip better than the ES100 but last longer than the Azenis. For example, the BFG g-Force T/A KD comes in 225/50-15. Expensive, but excellent dry traction...

 

So what would be the difference between the F1 and the g-force?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dialectic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So what would be the difference between the F1 and the g-force? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Assuming you're referring to the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 and the BFGoodrich g-Force KD (remember, Goodyear makes lots of different models with the F1 name, as does BFG with the g-Force name)...

The biggest difference, as far as you're concerned, is that the only 15" size for the F1 GS-D3 is 195/50-15 - perfect for del sols, CRXs, and pre-'96 Civics, but too small for other Honda/Acura cars.

Otherwise, here's how those two tires compare:

Dry traction and handling: KD (small difference)
Wet traction and handling: F1 GS-D3 (big difference)
Treadlife: F1 GS-D3 (treadwear rating 280 vs 200)
Price: F1 GS-D3

 

So nsxtacy, I am really starting to like the BFG g-force KDWS. They look good, and if I can get even 1-2K miles out of these then I think I'm goiing to get them. You say they grip well, and the price would be worth it to me for the extra miles.

Also, I should have mentioned this earlier, I live in a very hot climate area so wet traction is not really my concern at all.

What do think? It's either these or the Azenis again. Give me your feedback.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dialectic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So nsxtacy, I am really starting to like the BFG g-force KDWS.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, that's an entirely different tire, similar to the ES100. The comments in my previous post were about the g-Force KD, not the g-Force KDW.

The KDW (and KDW2) offer performance like the ES100, okay but not top of the line, and cost significantly more. The KD offers excellent dry performance, but not as good as the Azenis, and is much more expensive than the Azenis, but will probably last longer (maybe 15-20K miles instead of 10K).

If you want to see a side-by-side comparison of the g-Force KD and the Azenis RT-615, read this article.

If you're looking for the absolute best dry traction, get the Azenis again.

 

Even for a straight line you would still say Azenis?

Wouldn't the G-Force KDWS have a little more flex in them in the side walls?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dialectic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Even for a straight line you would still say Azenis?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, absolutely.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dialectic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wouldn't the G-Force KDWS have a little more flex in them in the side walls?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe, maybe not; I'm not sure. But the compound is harder and the tread blocks are smaller. You won't get anywhere near as much grip with the KDW/KDW2.

 

Fair enough.... the Azenis it is!

Thank you very much for all your help, nsxtasy