Right now I have a choice of these three tires...Does anyone have experience with the 9000s? The only reason I would chose the 9000 over the others is because of the higher tread rating, i think its like 280 versus FM901 and Azenis 200 treadwear. This is for everyday driving......what do you guys think I should get?

 

I'm not real familiar with the FM901, but here's how the Azenis and the 9000 compare:

Dry traction: Azenis (big difference)
Wet traction: SP9000 (big difference)
Treadlife: SP9000 (big difference)
Price: Azenis (big difference)

 

any one have personal experience with the 9000s?

 

Yes. I do and so does jmb.

At recommended pressures (35F/33R) the center of the tread wears quicker than the edges, so reduce pressure a bit from that.

Anything else you want to know?



[Modified by nsxtcjr, 1:20 PM 6/22/2002]

 

I have the SP9000 on my R now. I would say they fall well behind the Bridgestone RE730 and I suspect the Azenis to have better dry traction than the RE730. I got my SP9k's brand new for free so they were worth the investment.

 

I had 9000 they were great wet traction tires i did one auto x in pouring rain with them and they were great. The tread wear did last a long time . But on dry they seem to slide a little bit to much for me. and since i barely drive the car in the rain i decided to get some better dry tires. right now i'm running the toyo t1-s and i love them they grip really good. plus treadwear is 280 so

 

no i have the toyo proxies t1

 

The Dunlop SP9000 is a "Max Performance" tire with a 280 treadwear rating. I've understood these tires to be harder than the 200 rated Falkens and FM901 Dunlops. I don't have enough experience with these tires to report how I'd rate them.

The FM901 is the new tire to replace the W10 Sport. The W10 sport was an inexpensive 200 treadwear tire that delivered good performance in wet or dry. I have sold about 10 sets of these from my shop and everyone liked them except for one guy who was coming off of Yokohama AVS-I tires that were discontinued.

I've driven on them and like them a lot. If the FM901 handles much like the W10 did, then it will probably compare like this:

The Azenis will be superior in the dry for sure. One of the stickest street tires I've ever driven on.

The FM901 will dominate in wet weather. The W10 is great in wet wether, and the FM901 looks to have an even better water channeling ability.

I'll find pics of the treads for each tire in question.





[Modified by B18C5-EH2, 6:04 PM 6/22/2002]

 

had to edit the title...Falcon, c'mon now

 

Here's the SP9000 Dunlop tire:



Here's the new Dunlop FM901 in question:



And here's the ever-popular FALKEN Azenis:



True you cannot tell how a tire will perform just by looking at the tread design, but there you can see that the Dunlop appears to be the better wet-weather tire.

Compound of rubber has the biggest effect on grip of course, and since they both are rated with a 200 treadwear rating and are "Ultra High Performance" tires it's tough to tell which will really stick better and/or last longer.


[Modified by B18C5-EH2, 6:04 PM 6/22/2002]

 

You sort of can have a rough idea which would be better.

The SP9000 looks like it will do a better job in the wet, in the dry, there will be alot of flex cause the small rubber blocks have a better chance of flexing which hence gives a floating feel.

The FM901's look like it's an average fair tyre. Good in the wet and dry.

Aeniz's look like the best out of the 3 in the dry but is ok in the wet?

After driving on true R rated tyres 'Bridgestone RE540s'... driving on street, Azenis etc.. just can't compare!

Import a set from Australia. You probably can get a set in 195/55/15 for US$500 at the rate our currency is doing!

 

Where can i find the best online prices for Toyo Proxes T1 online? How much do they usually go for in 15s?

 

Well, there ARE disadvantages to driving R compound tires (track tires) on the street. They wear faster - a whole lot faster. Some track tires are LOUD on the street. And, even the most rain-friendly track tires will not do very well in the rain compared to almost any street tire.

I use each tire where it's designed to be used. I drive high-performance street tires on the street, and track tires on the track (and winter tires in the winter). I don't see any point in having an ultra-fast-wearing tire for highway cruising.

Plus a whole lot of money for shipping. But there's no need to do that. There are plenty of R compound tires available in the States. Not some models that are available abroad, but we still have a good selection, from the long-lasting rain-friendly Yokohama A032R to the super-sticky Hoosier R3S03, with Kumhos and Toyos and others in between.

 

The Dunlop SP 9000 is excellent... perfect handling and it's a very fast street tyre...

 

I actually run the SP 9000.. Best tyre when conditions are wet... way the best...
But on dry concrete it falls behind my former Avon ZZ1.... But it`s ok.