Runflat tires vs. non-Runflats -- traction/handling differences?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Reading PA
The only way to really know the difference would be to swap new RF and new non-RF on the same car and test both ways. But I have run several different tires on my C5 at track events. Maybe this will help.
I have used:
original Goodyear RF
BGF Comp TA ZR on 17x9.5 rims all around
BFG G-force KD RF (no longer available)
Firestone RF
Kuhmo Ecsta MX RF (just got my 2nd set)
My perceptions:
Goodyear RF - seemed not too bad at first, but lost grip rather quickly after they were used a while.
BGF Comp TA ZR - these were used previously on my C4. Ride quality at half tread was same or slightly better than the Firestone RF when new. Traction better than Firestone or Goodyear, a little below G-Force KD RF. Traction did not degrade significantly with use.
BFG G-force KD RF - seemed to have the best traction of all the tires I tried. Ride was probably the hardest.
Firestone RF - ride was good for RF, but traction was only fair when new and got worse with use.
Kuhmo Ecsta MX RF - I didn't swap these back & forth much, but traction probably similar to the BGF Comp TA ZR. Seemed to improve after they were worn a little. When they were near the wear bars, it seems that traction dropped off substantially. Ride when new probably about the same as Firestone RF when new. I just replaced my old set with the same type and the difference in ride between worn & new is much more than between tire types.
I have used:
original Goodyear RF
BGF Comp TA ZR on 17x9.5 rims all around
BFG G-force KD RF (no longer available)
Firestone RF
Kuhmo Ecsta MX RF (just got my 2nd set)
My perceptions:
Goodyear RF - seemed not too bad at first, but lost grip rather quickly after they were used a while.
BGF Comp TA ZR - these were used previously on my C4. Ride quality at half tread was same or slightly better than the Firestone RF when new. Traction better than Firestone or Goodyear, a little below G-Force KD RF. Traction did not degrade significantly with use.
BFG G-force KD RF - seemed to have the best traction of all the tires I tried. Ride was probably the hardest.
Firestone RF - ride was good for RF, but traction was only fair when new and got worse with use.
Kuhmo Ecsta MX RF - I didn't swap these back & forth much, but traction probably similar to the BGF Comp TA ZR. Seemed to improve after they were worn a little. When they were near the wear bars, it seems that traction dropped off substantially. Ride when new probably about the same as Firestone RF when new. I just replaced my old set with the same type and the difference in ride between worn & new is much more than between tire types.
