lloaf

For those of you who have used both, how do they compare, especially on the street ? Which has stiffer sidewalls ?

Z06 Silver Bullet

Nitto is 1/2 second quicker on track when new but wears faster.

Toyo's lasted me nearly 25 sessions and 5,000 miles of hard running before needing to be replaced.

lloaf

Does Nitto r2 or Toyo ra-1 have quicker turn in characteristics ?

mountainbiker2

The biggest difference in the two tires are.
Toyo RA1 have tread only 50% of it's thickness. The other 50% is a slick with 4 grooves.

Steve

Bob 33

Mountainbiker2 may have his numbers reversed, a possible result of the thin mountain air. I'm now on my second set of RA-1s and know this tire pretty well. I consider the RA-1 to be the best track/street cross-over tire. It has a full tread depth of 8mm, a reason why some shave it to 4-5mm before tracking it. Full tread, the RA-1 is a bit squirmy under heavy braking, but escapes the chunking of some cross-over tires such as the VictorRacer at full tread depth. Also, the tire gives good, progressive feedback before letting go. Also, it has tread across its full width. The RA-1 would be a good everyday tire for the Vette, especially if someone else is footing your bill for these fairly soft, fast wearing tires.

Bob 33

lloaf

Still can't tell from above responses which has stiffer sidewalls. Anyone ?

Z06 Silver Bullet

I believe it is actually the same company who makes the tires!?!?

I don't recall for sure but heard that from several folks in the know.

The 1/2 second I verified on two sets of each. The thing is though shave the toyo's and they are about 1/2 second or so quicker.

So same tires, I noticed same traits in handling. Although I did notice the Nitto's got up to temp quicker.

Bob 33

I can't contrast the Nittos and Toyos because I have driven only the Toyos. Both seem to be made by the same outfit and both have similar wear numbers (100). In the NE and SE where I drive I see many RA-1s but few if any Nittos. Nitto seems to be best known for their softer sidewall drag radial, not their stiffer sidewall road track tire. Before I bought the Toyos I did a lot of research on several forums about contrast between these two tires and did not find good comparative data, thus, the indirect responses to the initial question.

Bob 33

VetteDrmr

My information is 2nd hand: I have a autox buddy that has run both RA-1s and the Nitto 555R2s (think I got that right). He says that they're virtually identical, which makes sense due to the tires coming from the same manufacturer.

If it were up to me, go with the ones that are less $$$. BTW, I've run both Victoracers and RA-1s, and while the Victos may be better at the start, the RA-1s are very consistent up to the bitter end. The Victos tail off pretty quickly after about halfway through their life.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

mountainbiker2

Unless they changed something in the last 6 months, I'm right about the tread depth. Thin air or not. Your description of the tire how it handles is right on.






Steve

mountainbiker2

Why are you asking?

Steve

Bob 33

The Toyo website posts RA-1 tread depth as 8 or 7mm, depending on size, much deeper than, for example, VictorRacer with around 5mm. Any deeper and they would be really squirlly under braking. Snow tires? Also, as noted above, they don't show the cycling effects of comparable tires, running great right down till they are slicks. I hate having to toss them because of rain-fear on the street when they are in their prime on the track. They are now stored in my basement, with my winter tires now mounted, PS2s.

Bob 33

Z06Fix

Anyone have any input on the Nitto NT-01? I know that all three of these tires are supposed to be the same compund so I guess tread design comes into play.