I did a quick search and didn't come up with anything so I figured it might be some good news for us still using stock wheels.

As you all know the extreme performance 15 inch street tire market is nearly non-existent. I few months ago I was searching and NONE of the new super high performance street tire offerings were available in Type-R appropriate sizes. I was extremely disappointed. However, the other day I was browsing tires for a friend and I noticed tirerack had added 195/50R15 010R's to their inventory.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...t=All

Now I know people are going to come in with the "that size isn't safe for load rating purposes since it is lower profile" but let me just go ahead and show you why that is completely false:


The load rating for a stock sized 195/55R15, using the ADVAN A460 high performance summer tire's specs (since the RE010R doesn't have a 195/55 to get the load rating from) is 1102lbs.

A 195/50R15 RE010R's load rating is still 1047lbs. That means each "axle" can handle up to 2094lbs.

Now let's take into account a Type-R's weight 60/40 weight distribution, load it down with people, and see what kind of safety margin that leaves us.

Stock weight Type-R = 2630lbs
Two 200lb passenger in the front seats = 400lbs.
Two 150lb passengers in the rear seats= 300lbs
Miscellaneous gear in the trunk (suitecase, tool box, etc)=50lbs.

That's a total weight of 3,380lbs.

Now as a worst case scenario let's just say that weight will still be evenly distributed 60% over the front wheels. In reality the above loading is probably going to alter the balance more to the rear but that just helps my argument even more. 60% of 3,380lbs is still only 2,028lbs of load on the front tires.

So even with an insanely loaded down R and a most likely unrealistic front weight bias you STILL don't reach the load ratings of the 195/50R15's.


On top of that 195/50's are lighter and give you a 5% higher final drive. Improved acceleration FTW. Not to mention they also give better steering feedback due to the slightly lower profile.

So basically if you don't care about the speedometer era 195/50's are, IMO at least, the best tire you can get for the stock wheels.

 

<---------- Still waiting for the 205/50/15 AND 215/45/16's too come out before I make the switch.

 

Ill stick with the cheap long lasting Kumho Ecsta SPT's I hate tires.

 

Good find, Shawn why you going 16"?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doostur &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ill stick with the cheap long lasting Kumho Ecsta SPT's I hate tires.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Unbeatable tires for the price. I run them on my DA.


My R on the other hand has been sitting on it's current Azenis for about 3 years (it was down for forever doing a swap and then had a theft attempt on it) and I believe they are a little dried out. Not to mention I never liked the way the 205 Azenis felt on stock wheels. Good grip but the steering feel sucks. I think I'm going to go rip up the current tires at the drag strip and upcoming auto-x then buy myself some of these 010R's.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JjuuN R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good find, Shawn why you going 16"?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have changed my AutoX setup to a staggered 16x8 in front and 16x7 in back. Using 215/45/16 Azenis (only because this tire is not avail.)all the way around. Looking for more grip. AWD's have been killing me in STX. Hope this works

 

The Dunlop Sport 9000's I believe they are called dropped almost half price at tirerack. They are pretty grippy from what i hear. I think a new model will be replacing them, so they are priced to sell.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doostur &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Dunlop Sport 9000's I believe they are called dropped almost half price at tirerack. They are pretty grippy from what i hear. I think a new model will be replacing them, so they are priced to sell.</TD></TR></TABLE>
IMO. Short of going R comps.
1. Bridgestone Potenza RE010R
2. Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07
4. Falken Azenis 615

all the rest.

 

Good luck with that, what's next if the staggered 16s don't work?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JjuuN R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good luck with that, what's next if the staggered 16s don't work?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Upgrade suspension and sway bars. After that.......
Do like all the rest and convert back to stock because in D stock this car dominates!!!!

 

"in D"

What the hell?

You lost me big time...

 

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

What the hell?

You lost me big time...</TD></TR></TABLE>
LOL
DS = D Stock
Its the class we fall in, in stock form at the AutoX.

 

*** that. A little more susy tuning and power and you'll be all over those AWDs...

 

That's what I'm thinking too. Stock just sounds boring right now.

 

It is brotha, I mean it's fun for awhile, but you always want more, and more, then some more... Some people are happily content for life with it though... Just not you or I.

 

That's not true at all! Here are choices in sizes for our ITRs:

Falken Azenis RT-615 - 205/50-15
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD - 205/50-15
Kumho Ecsta MX - 205/50-15
Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 - 205/50-15

And 205/50-15 is a much better size for our cars. Its outer diameter is 1.6 percent smaller than stock. 195/50-15 is the 15" size for old Civics that came with those tiny 175/70-13 tires; IMHO it's just too small (3.3 percent smaller in diameter) for our ITRs.

All of these are good tires. The MX and Z212 don't grip quite as well on dry pavement as the Azenis, but they do a bit better in rain and they last a bit longer (typically 15-20K miles vs 10-12K for the Azenis). I'm not as familiar with the KD because they're so darn expensive that nobody I know runs them, but they couldn't beat the Azenis in that Grassroots Motorsports autocross test.

In all fairness, the SPT is a different kind of tire. "Extreme performance tires" like the Azenis are designed for people who want to maximize grip on dry pavement, and don't care a whole lot about value (purchase price and treadlife) or grip in rain, areas in which the extreme performance tires don't do well. The SPT, OTOH, offers terrific value (low purchase price AND treadlife of 25-45K miles), outstanding grip in rain, and reasonably good grip on dry pavement. If you want great "bang for the buck", the SPT is a great choice. (So is the Avon Tech M500.) But it's not as good a choice for those who are looking for dry grip and don't care about much else, such as those who autocross with their street tires, etc.

Incidentally, the Kumho SPT is made in 205/50-15, but the Tire Rack doesn't carry that size. (I can only guess, but I suspect it's because Kumho can't keep up with demand.) The Avon Tech M500 is slightly better for about the same price. But again, both of these are really a different kind of tire from the so-called "extreme performance tires".

The new model, the SP Sport Maxx, has been out for a year or two already. The Dunlop SP9000 has been on the market for 10-15 years. I had a set on the GS-R in the late 90s and absolutely hated them. They were decent in rain, but didn't grip for anything on dry pavement, and they squealed like the proverbial stuck pig. They are WAY worse than the SPT or ES100, which are less expensive. I do NOT recommend the SP9000.

The AD07 isn't available in ITR sizes, either. At least, not from North American Yokohama dealers. It might be overseas, if you want to pay the price to somebody importing our sizes. I think the Azenis is better, though.

I still think the Azenis is a great choice if you're looking for a tire in this category. And it comes in ITR sizes for 15", 16", and 17" wheels.

What no one has mentioned (I think) is that the RE01R is available in 205/45-16. And that is a good size for our cars. So if you have 16" wheels, and you'd like to try a set of these instead of the usual 215/45 Azenis, go for it! (Not cheap though; $151 for the RE01R, vs $95 for the Azenis.)

 

Truth Ken. That's why I'm still stuck on Azenis.....for now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What no one has mentioned (I think) is that the RE01R is available in 205/45-16. And that is a good size for our cars. So if you have 16" wheels, and you'd like to try a set of these instead of the usual 215/45 Azenis, go for it! (Not cheap though; $151 for the RE01R, vs $95 for the Azenis.)
</TD></TR></TABLE>
In your opinion. Do you think I could wrap that on an 8" wide rim?
I have been toying with the idea but my practical side says wait for the 215.

 

old school azenis fo lyfe

I hate how the 205/50 azenis feel on the stock wheel. upgraded to 15x6.5 wheel and its a night and day difference.

 

I love my azenis on my advans, but i'm going back to parada spec 2's and still rockin the re010's on the itr wheels

 

<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 not true at all! Here are choices in sizes for our ITRs:

Falken Azenis RT-615 - 205/50-15
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD - 205/50-15
Kumho Ecsta MX - 205/50-15
Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 - 205/50-15

And 205/50-15 is a much better size for our cars. Its outer diameter is 1.6 percent smaller than stock. 195/50-15 is the 15" size for old Civics that came with those tiny 175/70-13 tires; IMHO it's just too small (3.3 percent smaller in diameter) for our ITRs.

All of these are good tires. The MX and Z212 don't grip quite as well on dry pavement as the Azenis, but they do a bit better in rain and they last a bit longer (typically 15-20K miles vs 10-12K for the Azenis). I'm not as familiar with the KD because they're so darn expensive that nobody I know runs them, but they couldn't beat the Azenis in that Grassroots Motorsports autocross test.

In all fairness, the SPT is a different kind of tire. "Extreme performance tires" like the Azenis are designed for people who want to maximize grip on dry pavement, and don't care a whole lot about value (purchase price and treadlife) or grip in rain, areas in which the extreme performance tires don't do well. The SPT, OTOH, offers terrific value (low purchase price AND treadlife of 25-45K miles), outstanding grip in rain, and reasonably good grip on dry pavement. If you want great "bang for the buck", the SPT is a great choice. (So is the Avon Tech M500.) But it's not as good a choice for those who are looking for dry grip and don't care about much else, such as those who autocross with their street tires, etc.

Incidentally, the Kumho SPT is made in 205/50-15, but the Tire Rack doesn't carry that size. (I can only guess, but I suspect it's because Kumho can't keep up with demand.) The Avon Tech M500 is slightly better for about the same price. But again, both of these are really a different kind of tire from the so-called "extreme performance tires".

The new model, the SP Sport Maxx, has been out for a year or two already. The Dunlop SP9000 has been on the market for 10-15 years. I had a set on the GS-R in the late 90s and absolutely hated them. They were decent in rain, but didn't grip for anything on dry pavement, and they squealed like the proverbial stuck pig. They are WAY worse than the SPT or ES100, which are less expensive. I do NOT recommend the SP9000.

The AD07 isn't available in ITR sizes, either. At least, not from North American Yokohama dealers. It might be overseas, if you want to pay the price to somebody importing our sizes. I think the Azenis is better, though.

I still think the Azenis is a great choice if you're looking for a tire in this category. And it comes in ITR sizes for 15", 16", and 17" wheels.

What no one has mentioned (I think) is that the RE01R is available in 205/45-16. And that is a good size for our cars. So if you have 16" wheels, and you'd like to try a set of these instead of the usual 215/45 Azenis, go for it! (Not cheap though; $151 for the RE01R, vs $95 for the Azenis.)
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was waiting for your input, informative as always.

 

The RE01R 205/45/16 will fit fine on a 16x8 and the tire has been posting better times than the 615 Azenis.

In reality though, it still isn't enough tire for that car. A crafty person would try to fit the 235/40/17 on the car (at least in the front).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JjuuN R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">*** that. A little more susy tuning and power and you'll be all over those AWDs...</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL I gave up and my car was built pretty darn good for STX IMHO (not as good as Todd00s tho). Even so it was fun as well trying...and honestly on a local and even regional level you can put a strong hurting on em.

&lt;- wonders where Shawn got the 8" wheels and susy

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The RE01R 205/45/16 will fit fine on a 16x8 and the tire has been posting better times than the 615 Azenis.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
hmmm... that has me thinking again.

 

BTW, the tire we are talking about is called the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R. Not to be confused with the Bridgestone Potenza RE010 (stock tire for the ITR). There is no such tire as an "RE-010R".

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by get RIGHT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In your opinion. Do you think I could wrap that on an 8" wide rim?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wouldn't recommend it. Bridgestone's specs say that the 205/45-16 is only approved for rims 6.5-7.5 inches wide.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Spoon ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I love my azenis on my advans, but i'm going back to parada spec 2's and still rockin the re010's on the itr wheels</TD></TR></TABLE>

The Yokohama Parada Spec 2 is one of the worst tires you can buy. I don't know how a company that sells a decent tire like the ES100 can sell such crap for about the same price.