The right tires for me
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
The right tires for me
I need to get some new tires and I am wondering what you guys think are the right ones for my purposes. I will not ever be at the track but I want the best tires in case I end up at a red light next to somebody. I don't really care so much about handling because I never push my G's too high anyway really. I was looking at the Toyo R888's but they say they need to be at high temps which I probably won't hit just driving around town on a sunny Sunday afternoon in MA.
I have a 2007 Z51 with stock rims.
Thanks guys, you are all always so helpful!
I have a 2007 Z51 with stock rims.
Thanks guys, you are all always so helpful!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Khumo XS, Bridgestone RE-11 or Hankook Ventus R-S3
Those are the three stickiest street tires you can buy, and in that order, in my opinion.
My 345 Khumo XS will hold my 645rwhp in 2nd gear when they're up to temp.
Those are the three stickiest street tires you can buy, and in that order, in my opinion.
My 345 Khumo XS will hold my 645rwhp in 2nd gear when they're up to temp.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Is your driving only on the weekends or a daily driver(dry, wet, snow, hot, cold)? What ambient temps do you plan to drive in? Do you want maximum straight line traction year 'round or just on a hot summer day? Is a run flat tire important to you or do you never expect to leave the city limits?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
None of the tires listed so far will be very good if temps are below 50. R888's are really out unless you are above 60 degrees, higher is even better and forget driving in the rain. I would think the RE-11 would be the best listed so far.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
They held up just fine to 645rwhp. I'm convinced there is no stickier street tire than these Khumos (345/30/19 size). I'm ordering another set to keep stored away until I finish up the ones already on the car (probably another 10k in them) since the 345 size is no longer being made.
I haven't noticed any real issue with them unless it was in the mid 30s or the tires themselves were cold.
The Khumos are definitely not as good in the rain as the RE-11s though. Still much better than an R888 though. I'm very impressed with the Khumo XS.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
Is your driving only on the weekends or a daily driver(dry, wet, snow, hot, cold)? What ambient temps do you plan to drive in? Do you want maximum straight line traction year 'round or just on a hot summer day? Is a run flat tire important to you or do you never expect to leave the city limits?
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 4
From: Montgomery Texas
I need to get some new tires and I am wondering what you guys think are the right ones for my purposes. I will not ever be at the track but I want the best tires in case I end up at a red light next to somebody. I don't really care so much about handling because I never push my G's too high anyway really. I was looking at the Toyo R888's but they say they need to be at high temps which I probably won't hit just driving around town on a sunny Sunday afternoon in MA.
I have a 2007 Z51 with stock rims.
Thanks guys, you are all always so helpful!
I have a 2007 Z51 with stock rims.
Thanks guys, you are all always so helpful!
I had two mounted and out the door for 600.00 but you can buy them for less if you shop around.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
A good year around tire would be the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. They are available in both run flat/non run flat. I had the A/S run flats on my 345 HP C5 and had no traction problems. I doubt if your 400HP will over power them either. Plenty of C6 owners have the Michelin A/S and rave on them. Plus they will outwear most other tires 2:1.
Just remember that the excellent traction you get from summer only tires will not give as much traction as an A/S tire when the temps are cool/cold.
Just remember that the excellent traction you get from summer only tires will not give as much traction as an A/S tire when the temps are cool/cold.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
I went WOT from 40-90 with my Khumo XS sunday evening and it was 45 outside. Wanted to show my brother how the blower felt.
They held up just fine to 645rwhp. I'm convinced there is no stickier street tire than these Khumos (345/30/19 size). I'm ordering another set to keep stored away until I finish up the ones already on the car (probably another 10k in them) since the 345 size is no longer being made.
I haven't noticed any real issue with them unless it was in the mid 30s or the tires themselves were cold.
The Khumos are definitely not as good in the rain as the RE-11s though. Still much better than an R888 though. I'm very impressed with the Khumo XS.
They held up just fine to 645rwhp. I'm convinced there is no stickier street tire than these Khumos (345/30/19 size). I'm ordering another set to keep stored away until I finish up the ones already on the car (probably another 10k in them) since the 345 size is no longer being made.
I haven't noticed any real issue with them unless it was in the mid 30s or the tires themselves were cold.
The Khumos are definitely not as good in the rain as the RE-11s though. Still much better than an R888 though. I'm very impressed with the Khumo XS.
My R888's are only track/autocross tires. The reason I selected them is it is one of the few r-compound tires you can actually run on the street. My farthest event is a 400 mile round trip. They will work in the rain but don't expect to make any sudden turns because you will just go straight.
If you are primarily driving on nice days you can't go wrong with the XS. If you are only going to drive in nice warm weather then the R888 might be a good choice. The XS is sticky but nothing compare to the R888's when warm.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
I loved my Khumo XS's until they where 2 years old and 50% worn out. They got hard as rocks. The big problem up here though is the road don't warm up much until mid/late spring. I have had problems on 60 degree days early in the year.
My R888's are only track/autocross tires. The reason I selected them is it is one of the few r-compound tires you can actually run on the street. My farthest event is a 400 mile round trip. They will work in the rain but don't expect to make any sudden turns because you will just go straight.
If you are primarily driving on nice days you can't go wrong with the XS. If you are only going to drive in nice warm weather then the R888 might be a good choice. The XS is sticky but nothing compare to the R888's when warm.
My R888's are only track/autocross tires. The reason I selected them is it is one of the few r-compound tires you can actually run on the street. My farthest event is a 400 mile round trip. They will work in the rain but don't expect to make any sudden turns because you will just go straight.
If you are primarily driving on nice days you can't go wrong with the XS. If you are only going to drive in nice warm weather then the R888 might be a good choice. The XS is sticky but nothing compare to the R888's when warm.
Definitely agree that they won't equal the traction of an R888.
CF Senior Moments Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Little different suggestion
I recently put some Conti extreme contact dw 295x35x18 on the rear and was very surprised 
- they were quite 
driving feel riding was excellent 
and they were very sticky
- held much better than the previous Mich ps 2 I had on!!
Best of all they were around $265.00 at Tire Rack
- they were quite driving feel riding was excellent and they were very sticky - held much better than the previous Mich ps 2 I had on!! Best of all they were around $265.00 at Tire Rack
CF Senior Moments Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
new Mich tire
Mich just very recently provided new sizes for their new Pilot Sport "Super" tire - reviews are outstanding - check it out at tire rack survey -
For someone that mostly does street and wants some comfort less road noise - but doesn't want to give up handling and traction!!
(if you can believe the 175 submissions)
Results based on 175 submissions of our online tire survey.
Surveyed Averages 1 100% 9.3 9.1 9.2 9.5 9.6 9.3 N/A N/A N/A 9.1 8.9 8.6 498,234
Color Key
How Did This Tire Rank In Its Category?
1 out of 27 tires (Score of 9.2 vs best tire in category score of 9.2)
See a Full List of Survey Results for Max Performance Summer Tires
For someone that mostly does street and wants some comfort less road noise - but doesn't want to give up handling and traction!!
(if you can believe the 175 submissions)
Results based on 175 submissions of our online tire survey.
Surveyed Averages 1 100% 9.3 9.1 9.2 9.5 9.6 9.3 N/A N/A N/A 9.1 8.9 8.6 498,234
Color Key
How Did This Tire Rank In Its Category?
1 out of 27 tires (Score of 9.2 vs best tire in category score of 9.2)
See a Full List of Survey Results for Max Performance Summer Tires
Last edited by 1stGlance; Feb 16, 2012 at 10:51 AM.