Best Street Tires? - LotusTalk

TTZip · 08-11-2009, 08:00 PM

I was 100% set on ordering the R888 for my 16x7 and 17x8 wheels, but before I go through with it I think this is a good question to ask.

I only plan on running the car on the street with these wheels/tires. No rain and no sub zero weather. Would the R888 still be the best street tires or is there something better out there? How do the R1R compare or other street tires out there? Price is not really an issue so I do not daily drive this car.

If going with the R888 I would be running stock front tire size (195/50/16) and rear would be either 225/45/R17 or 235/45/R17 for the rear.

If I go with a different tire I would consider 205/50/16 for the front if available.

Options welcome.

Thanks,
Alex

kestrel74 · 08-12-2009, 06:28 AM

I use these......Good Gription !

rugger1345 · 08-12-2009, 07:20 AM

I will probably get vilified for this but I run two sets of wheels, LSS and stock. On the LSS wheels I use them for spirited runs and some autocross and track days with AO48s on them. When they wear out, I will buy R888s.

My stock wheels are on my car 95% of the time as my car is a semi-daily driver. Mounted on them are Yokohama S.drive tires. The S.drives don't have the feel of the old AD07s that were on them, but, being a little softer, the ride is not nearly as harsh and I don't feel like I'm going to rattle the car to pieces on railroad crossings and harsh Oklahoma City roads. I have a lot more confidence in the wet traction ability than the old AD07s as well.

Finally, these tires have lasted almost 20,000 miles and I am still not at the wear bars on the rears. The cost is also quite cheap at a little over $300 for a set of four.

kverges · 08-12-2009, 07:38 AM

I think you'll love the R888s on the street. They are a true R compound tire. The next bet is the Ecsta XS or Falke RT615. I have Falkens that are not as grippy as R888s, but I have track wheels and I liked the fact that Falkens came in a 215 front and 235 rear secion width that were very close to stock rolling diameter.

PS I run my car rain or shine, and I do wonder about R888 performance in standing water.

brgelise · 08-12-2009, 10:31 AM

General Exclaim UHP's for street. Lov'm best rain tire I've ever had (rain tires for track too). I gave up on DotR for street cause in New England it drops below 60 a lot in mornings as well as spring and fall and below 60 Dot R's are useless unles you are at a track and can actually get heat into them. AD07's better, but they suck below 50 degrees for same reasons

darkSol · 08-12-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brgelise

General Exclaim UHP's for street. Lov'm best rain tire I've ever had (rain tires for track too).

I love mine for daily driver work - 10x quieter than the stock A048's and just as sticky in a straight line...

Just NEVER try and use them for autocross duty like I did last Sunday... boy oh boy did they squeal like piggies and have NO traction... sloooow

Murix · 08-12-2009, 11:13 AM

Having lived in Dallas, I don't believe you could actually extract the full potential of the R888 on the streets around there. I think you are just throwing away money by using them. I would step down a class to the R1R, Direzza, AD07, or RE11. They are more than plenty, will ride better, and last longer.

jasper · 08-12-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murix

Having lived in Dallas, I don't believe you could actually extract the full potential of the R888 on the streets around there. I think you are just throwing away money by using them. I would step down a class to the R1R, Direzza, AD07, or RE11. They are more than plenty, will ride better, and last longer.

Tru

I'd go with R1R. Great all around tire for street and light track duty. Better in the rain and longer life than R888.

EricH · 08-12-2009, 03:08 PM

IMO if the R888's act anything like the A048s they will be worthless on the street. They do not heat up enough. On the track both are awesome.

I am trying the Z1's next.

Advan Neova AD08!

cobrabyte · 08-12-2009, 03:13 PM

I run Yokohama S-drive's along with a couple other local Elise drivers. It's too darned hot in Houston to run anything sticky on a daily-driver.

They're surprisingly good tires and last a long time. Decent on the track but, understandably, not in the same class as A048s or R888s.

Murix · 08-12-2009, 03:53 PM

I am running the RE11 as a street/track tire with excellent results.

Zinhead · 08-12-2009, 06:57 PM

I wouldn't run Toyo's R-888 as a street tire. The sidewalls are very stiff, they will hydroplane if you get caught in a downpour and you won't get the tires hot enough for maximum grip on the street. The R888's are good track tires, but there are better and cheaper tires available for street use.

I run Goodyear F1's on my stock wheels and am happy with them for street driving, but the other suggestions of Yokohama S.drives or Bridgestone RE11 should be good too.

ewalberg · 08-13-2009, 04:22 PM

I run the General exclaim UHP's also 205/50r16 and 245/40r17 and they are MUCH more comfy than the a048's, and they are wonderful at shedding water as has been mentioned... that said if you have no encounters with standing water (puddles... which is exactly why i bought them) then i don't know that i'd bother getting them unless you're on a budget or want a tire that's sure to be more comfortable, which also means less precise feeling. I really like the look of the taller front tire, but it also pushes more for it as well.

They last decently (after about 25-30k miles the fronts are still in good shape and the rears are nearing the wear bars, but I think there are probably sticker tires out there for your purposes. I'm planning on putting Toyo T1-R's on my 15/16's i have and see how they do. They're supposed to be pretty sticky and good in the wet and with puddles so hopefully it'll turn out to be a good balance. They don't make the general exclaim UHP in my sizes for that, so it's not even an option. They don't make the R1R's in my 15/16 sizes either so that's off the option list also... but i'm not so sure about their hydroplane resistence.

Z-dculus · 08-14-2009, 10:03 AM

i'm probably looking at more of an intermediate tire myself also for the street, where's the best place to pick up either the R1R's or T1R's?. I guess tirerack doesn't deal Toyo?

Z-dculus · 08-14-2009, 10:08 AM

i also have the RAC's, and wanted to upgrade to a 235 rear. what size should i run in the rear? would the aspect ratio change at all? Or would it just be a 235/45/R17?

TTZip · 08-14-2009, 10:18 AM

I am either going to stick with the R888 or go Z1. I read a lot about the R1R's which are supposed to be better than the T1R's and I was not impressed. Then you add the fact that they cost so much more and they fell off of my list.

If you go Toyo tires go here: Home Page @ TiresDirect.Net

As I said though I suggest you read a bit more about the R1R's before you go for them.

ewalberg · 08-14-2009, 10:29 AM

i read here that the T1-R has been used extensively for quite some time in england on their Lotus' because of their wet performance. That's part of what put them on my list. I think the general grabber UHP's would underwhelm most people on this forum, but they certainly work for my needs... and thay're nice and predictable at the limits... but it's just that the limits come a little eariler than i think people will expect.

I'd be interested in the goodyear F1 gs-d3 ... those used to get a lot of play here as a good all around tire and good in the wet.

Murix · 08-14-2009, 11:42 AM

I swear by the RE11's. Why are people not considering these? They are better than the stock AD07 and that is a damn good tire.

TTZip · 08-14-2009, 12:31 PM

My stock tires are the Yokohama ADVAN A048.

The closest RE11's that are available are 205/45R16 as far as the front goes. Rear they are available in exactly what is needed, but honestly at the price they sell for I may as well just go for the R888.

Dirac · 08-14-2009, 05:14 PM

Another vote for the R1Rs as a great street tire — I'm running 205/45R16 and 235/40R17 at the moment, and they have really impressed me so far.

R888s seem great, but they don't last quite as long. If you have the money, go for it — but I think the R1R is a great combination of racing and street tire.

Then again, I haven't tried a lot of different tires, but I did come from the A048s, so I know how they are compared to those.

08-11-2009, 08:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
TTZip Alienoid Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 242	Best Street Tires? I was 100% set on ordering the R888 for my 16x7 and 17x8 wheels, but before I go through with it I think this is a good question to ask. I only plan on running the car on the street with these wheels/tires. No rain and no sub zero weather. Would the R888 still be the best street tires or is there something better out there? How do the R1R compare or other street tires out there? Price is not really an issue so I do not daily drive this car. If going with the R888 I would be running stock front tire size (195/50/16) and rear would be either 225/45/R17 or 235/45/R17 for the rear. If I go with a different tire I would consider 205/50/16 for the front if available. Options welcome. Thanks, Alex

08-12-2009, 06:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,308	I use these......Good Gription ! Attached Images __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

08-12-2009, 07:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
rugger1345 Simplify and Add Lightnes Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 131	I will probably get vilified for this but I run two sets of wheels, LSS and stock. On the LSS wheels I use them for spirited runs and some autocross and track days with AO48s on them. When they wear out, I will buy R888s. My stock wheels are on my car 95% of the time as my car is a semi-daily driver. Mounted on them are Yokohama S.drive tires. The S.drives don't have the feel of the old AD07s that were on them, but, being a little softer, the ride is not nearly as harsh and I don't feel like I'm going to rattle the car to pieces on railroad crossings and harsh Oklahoma City roads. I have a lot more confidence in the wet traction ability than the old AD07s as well. Finally, these tires have lasted almost 20,000 miles and I am still not at the wear bars on the rears. The cost is also quite cheap at a little over $300 for a set of four. __________________ If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable. -Louis D. Brandeis DID YOU HEAR THAT, COP IN BIG LAKE, TEXAS?

08-12-2009, 10:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
brgelise Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 346	General Exclaim UHP's for street. Lov'm best rain tire I've ever had (rain tires for track too). I gave up on DotR for street cause in New England it drops below 60 a lot in mornings as well as spring and fall and below 60 Dot R's are useless unles you are at a track and can actually get heat into them. AD07's better, but they suck below 50 degrees for same reasons __________________ 05 Lotus Elise Sport Hardtop LRG red leather. 04 Skip Barber Race School, Competition certificate; 04 Jaguar XJ Vandan Plas Radiance Red Ivory leather 08 Isuzu Ascender Lux 08 BMW X5 3.0Si Monaco Blue, Sand Biege, loaded

08-12-2009, 03:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
EricH Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 621	IMO if the R888's act anything like the A048s they will be worthless on the street. They do not heat up enough. On the track both are awesome. I am trying the Z1's next. Advan Neova AD08! __________________ Click links to see my 2008 Lotus Exige-S 240 , '99 M3, 505rwhp '89 Mustang ( sold) , '05 WRX STI ( sold) homepages or here for my M3 vid (11MB)

08-12-2009, 07:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
kverges Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 925	I think you'll love the R888s on the street. They are a true R compound tire. The next bet is the Ecsta XS or Falke RT615. I have Falkens that are not as grippy as R888s, but I have track wheels and I liked the fact that Falkens came in a 215 front and 235 rear secion width that were very close to stock rolling diameter. PS I run my car rain or shine, and I do wonder about R888 performance in standing water.

08-12-2009, 11:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Murix Rotary Refugee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Monica Posts: 995 Images: 3	Having lived in Dallas, I don't believe you could actually extract the full potential of the R888 on the streets around there. I think you are just throwing away money by using them. I would step down a class to the R1R, Direzza, AD07, or RE11. They are more than plenty, will ride better, and last longer.

08-12-2009, 03:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
cobrabyte Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: League City, TX Posts: 198	I run Yokohama S-drive's along with a couple other local Elise drivers. It's too darned hot in Houston to run anything sticky on a daily-driver. They're surprisingly good tires and last a long time. Decent on the track but, understandably, not in the same class as A048s or R888s. __________________ 2005 Saffron Elise :: Pro-1 Exhaust, Cup Car Airbox w/ TRD filter, Manly Engine Mounts, Shift-I, Bollock, 1/4-turn fasteners, Esta C/F Decklid, de-stuffification, other stuff...

08-12-2009, 03:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
Murix Rotary Refugee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Monica Posts: 995 Images: 3	I am running the RE11 as a street/track tire with excellent results.

08-12-2009, 06:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
Zinhead Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 289	I wouldn't run Toyo's R-888 as a street tire. The sidewalls are very stiff, they will hydroplane if you get caught in a downpour and you won't get the tires hot enough for maximum grip on the street. The R888's are good track tires, but there are better and cheaper tires available for street use. I run Goodyear F1's on my stock wheels and am happy with them for street driving, but the other suggestions of Yokohama S.drives or Bridgestone RE11 should be good too.

08-13-2009, 04:22 PM	#13 (permalink)
ewalberg Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 714	I run the General exclaim UHP's also 205/50r16 and 245/40r17 and they are MUCH more comfy than the a048's, and they are wonderful at shedding water as has been mentioned... that said if you have no encounters with standing water (puddles... which is exactly why i bought them) then i don't know that i'd bother getting them unless you're on a budget or want a tire that's sure to be more comfortable, which also means less precise feeling. I really like the look of the taller front tire, but it also pushes more for it as well. They last decently (after about 25-30k miles the fronts are still in good shape and the rears are nearing the wear bars, but I think there are probably sticker tires out there for your purposes. I'm planning on putting Toyo T1-R's on my 15/16's i have and see how they do. They're supposed to be pretty sticky and good in the wet and with puddles so hopefully it'll turn out to be a good balance. They don't make the general exclaim UHP in my sizes for that, so it's not even an option. They don't make the R1R's in my 15/16 sizes either so that's off the option list also... but i'm not so sure about their hydroplane resistence. __________________ 2006 Aspen White Elise. Hard top (never left it's shipping box), LSS, LSD, Traction control, Red leather.

08-14-2009, 10:03 AM	#14 (permalink)
Z-dculus Derriere Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US OF A! Posts: 2,311	i'm probably looking at more of an intermediate tire myself also for the street, where's the best place to pick up either the R1R's or T1R's?. I guess tirerack doesn't deal Toyo? __________________ 2006 KG-Sport Pack, LSD, TC, SS, RAC Monolites, Sector CF Roof, Carbon 3 Element Diffuser, V3 Panel eliminator (p-coated), Odyssey PC680, Boomerang , HIDs, CF Console, Multivex, Lotus Stage II, CF Zoom Rear View, Sector LidBone, Darth Holder (thanks Kestrel!), Sector 4Tress Harness Bar/CRD Mount, couple exige trim pieces- KGB Authenticated 2009 VeeDub Jetta (new kid on the block) 1978 Chevrolet Caprice Classic -(relegated to 'project car' status)

08-14-2009, 10:08 AM	#15 (permalink)
Z-dculus Derriere Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US OF A! Posts: 2,311	i also have the RAC's, and wanted to upgrade to a 235 rear. what size should i run in the rear? would the aspect ratio change at all? Or would it just be a 235/45/R17? __________________ 2006 KG-Sport Pack, LSD, TC, SS, RAC Monolites, Sector CF Roof, Carbon 3 Element Diffuser, V3 Panel eliminator (p-coated), Odyssey PC680, Boomerang , HIDs, CF Console, Multivex, Lotus Stage II, CF Zoom Rear View, Sector LidBone, Darth Holder (thanks Kestrel!), Sector 4Tress Harness Bar/CRD Mount, couple exige trim pieces- KGB Authenticated 2009 VeeDub Jetta (new kid on the block) 1978 Chevrolet Caprice Classic -(relegated to 'project car' status)

08-14-2009, 10:18 AM	#16 (permalink)
TTZip Alienoid Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 242	I am either going to stick with the R888 or go Z1. I read a lot about the R1R's which are supposed to be better than the T1R's and I was not impressed. Then you add the fact that they cost so much more and they fell off of my list. If you go Toyo tires go here: Home Page @ TiresDirect.Net As I said though I suggest you read a bit more about the R1R's before you go for them.

08-14-2009, 10:29 AM	#17 (permalink)
ewalberg Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 714	i read here that the T1-R has been used extensively for quite some time in england on their Lotus' because of their wet performance. That's part of what put them on my list. I think the general grabber UHP's would underwhelm most people on this forum, but they certainly work for my needs... and thay're nice and predictable at the limits... but it's just that the limits come a little eariler than i think people will expect. I'd be interested in the goodyear F1 gs-d3 ... those used to get a lot of play here as a good all around tire and good in the wet. __________________ 2006 Aspen White Elise. Hard top (never left it's shipping box), LSS, LSD, Traction control, Red leather.

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08-14-2009, 11:42 AM	#18 (permalink)
Murix Rotary Refugee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Monica Posts: 995 Images: 3	I swear by the RE11's. Why are people not considering these? They are better than the stock AD07 and that is a damn good tire.

08-14-2009, 12:31 PM	#19 (permalink)
TTZip Alienoid Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 242	My stock tires are the Yokohama ADVAN A048. The closest RE11's that are available are 205/45R16 as far as the front goes. Rear they are available in exactly what is needed, but honestly at the price they sell for I may as well just go for the R888.

08-14-2009, 05:14 PM	#20 (permalink)
Dirac ¤ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 85	Another vote for the R1Rs as a great street tire — I'm running 205/45R16 and 235/40R17 at the moment, and they have really impressed me so far. R888s seem great, but they don't last quite as long. If you have the money, go for it — but I think the R1R is a great combination of racing and street tire. Then again, I haven't tried a lot of different tires, but I did come from the A048s, so I know how they are compared to those. __________________ 2006 Aspen White Elise, Black Interior \| Sports, Touring & Premium Packs \| Starshield, Hard Top, Traction Control