akdale

I have done lots of searching and reading. I am limited due to my rims but want to see what the experiences in this group is with various tires and their performance for street driving.
Size: 255/50ZR 17. Riken Raptors are what I have. They seem poor in traction. Not sure if logic is sound but even when I spin from a dead stop very little rubber is left on the ground....Compound appears to be very hard. Tires are at least 10 years old.

From the size it looks like I can get Nitto 555 G2's. I have looked at size options but I lose contact area with much change. Wider is not an option. it looks like I could do a 245/50R17 and get close to diameter and contact area. Wheels are 8.5". That opens up a couple brands.

A 235/55R17 get me lots of brand options in Ultra Hi Perf tire which is what I want but i lose .7 in width. Car has over 500hp and it's driven like it
https://tiresize.com/tiresizes/235-55R17.htm

Curious on your experiences with some of these brands and models. Im in Alaska so pavement here does not get warm and I know that contributes to tire performance.

MelWff

the problem is age of your tires, did you look at the actual date code on the tire? No reason to go smaller.

Jason Staley

Is your Riken Raptors the summer version or the all-season version? I was looking at the average temperature of your area and I would say its marginal regarding temp for true summer only tires. What temperature do you usually drive in?

akdale

65 low to as high as 80. Raptor ZR, 300 Treadwear AA Traction A Temp.

akdale

Don't see a date code embossed or inked on. I am sure you're right that the age is contributing.

UPDATE: found the date code 13th week of 2005! These things look almost new.

resdoggie

2005? Time for new rubber. I'm partial to Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

Jason Staley

While I haven't used the Nitto 555 G2's, they should be good tires based on my experience with Nitto 450's. For a street tire I was quite pleased with them, but I didn't use them at the track much to see their true potential.

I have use Michelin PS2's and those were excellent tires, very sticky, but didn't last too long seeing regular track use. For a performance tire that is nearly 27" tall so they look good on our cars, I would recommend them as an option. Being only 235's, they won't look as aggressive as the Nitto's though.

https://tiresize.com/tires/Michelin/...-235-50R17.htm

cv67

youre lucky they havent come apart....any new tire will feel worlds better.

akdale

Garaged and cared for but I agree. No cracks, checking etc. They are in excellent shape. They just don't stick well.

Jazzyced

Tyres tend to get hard as they get older; resulting in less grip. No matter how well they were taken care for unfortunately.
I would change them and go for some Michelin ones, but I am biased

gkull

I always used 255 45 17 fronts. The 50 series would hit the frame on lock to lock with my 4 inch bs


https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel= g-Force+Sport+COMP-2&partnum=545WR7GFSPC2&vehicleSearch=fal se&fromCompare1=yes