good looking tires??

[King Peetis]

Not only do I want a great handling 195/50/15 tire, I want one that looks mean too. What tire has that sex appeal? Post up some pics

[turabaka]

http://www.falkentire.com/Tires/Azenis-RT-615-14

those are what I run. I'm running 215-45/r16

They don't make them in the size you want, but if you go a little wider and bump up to 205 they have them.

[mykwikcoupe]

super soft but yokohama prada spec 2 rubbers. wear even, run grat and semi cheap. if your doing burnouts dont use these. they are soft

[ghettogeddy]

i like the toyo proxes 4's
http://www.tyretraders.com/itemimages/PROXES%204.JPG

[mykwikcoupe]

Ive had a set of the FZ-4 and they were garbage worn out in 9k miles on my thnderbird. The newer F4 came out and they gave me a direct replacement at no charge in exchange. i sold them and got the BFGoodrich ultra high performance all season tires that i would buy 100% over and over again. i love them on that car. Not sure of the model off hand though. Quiet, smooth, long lasting and great in the snow ona high horse rWD car. Only issue is there almost $400 a tire

[ACE_14]

I've got the Toyo Proxes 4. I love the way they look and handle.

[King Peetis]

the toyos have an aggresive tread--they look great. The tread actually has sort of a Ster Trek appeal--haha

[lostforawhile]

depends on the kind of look you are going for,i want a vintage look from the eighties so i'm going with the BF goodrich radial TA's,they look great on old hondas with a nice clean rim or steelies http://www.britishv8.org/Other/RichardBondy/RichardBondy-FE.jpg

[Tdurr]

Proxe 4's pete. They are the shit. Dont squeal too much, stable in the rain(as long as u have tread, they get squirmy in puddles at 50+ once they hit the wear bars) And will smoke if u get em spinning good enough(dump clutch at 6k ahah)

[Civic Accord Honda]

depends on the kind of look you are going for,i want a vintage look from the eighties so i'm going with the BF goodrich radial TA's,they look great on old hondas with a nice clean rim or steelies http://www.britishv8.org/Other/RichardBondy/RichardBondy-FE.jpg

FUCK YEAH!!! :thumbup: , i love that look but how stiff are thoughs for auto-X and canyon runs?

[Rendon LX-i]

Im a Dulop fan...I just got my 2nd set of Dulops Dz101s...i love em they have the big lip that alot of tires dont have and and sticky as hell....I should of waited thou they just came out with a Dz1 and man there sexy as hell and i bet there even better then the 101's

http://magsandtires.com/imageupload/DunlopDirezzaDZ101.JPG
Dz101

http://www.dunloptires.com/dunlop/graphics/Tires/full/163676.jpg
Dz1

FEATURES BENEFITS
Star Spec tread compound
Helps to improve initial grip during sanctioned performance driving events


High-response directional tread pattern with circumferential grooves
Helps create a consistent contact patch for a smooth feel


Optimal mold shape
Helps provide a consistent footprint shape and uniform pressure distribution for enhanced cornering


Jointless Band Technology™
Helps maintain the tire's structural integrity and enables smooth performance at highway speeds




As you can see on my sig how far it sticks out...looks sex...Thats just me...Toyos are over rated EVERYONE has em...Not saying there bad but i never liked em...you can get a set of dulops for half the price...you just paying for brand..I used to work for good year and thats how i got into these but i like the eagle f1s to...those are awesome tires to bro....idk the Dz1s are sick and look hot..

Rendon

[LxAcc510]

I use these. They're pretty good. Although i've yet to try different kinds of tires for these are the first tires i've ever used and the 3g being my very first car.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+DZ101

^^ oh rendon uses the same tires i do lol

and wow @ dz1's

[paul]

I've had the Z1's for a while now, awesome tire when they have some heat in them, but I've heard they tend to hydroplane easier than more tires, so maybe not a good choice for a daily-driver...

Kumho Ecsta XS is supposed to be the be one of the best non-R compound tires on the market today:

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/kumho/ku_ecsta_xsku36_ci2_l.jpg

[Rendon LX-i]

I like khumos to...i like that tire...NICE.

[MessyHonda]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Messybone/LX-i/100_0066Medium.jpg


not sure if they have them in the size you want...i run falken 452s....on my 15s i ran 205/50/15 912...nothing special but they are a nice tire

[Civic Accord Honda]

yeah im getting the falken 912s most likely for the civic when tire time comes.. cant beat the price really

[thegreatdane]

I'm getting these Hankook S1 Evo very soon, they are supposed to be one of the best tyres atm and affordable too. I've been running 2 sets of Falken 512 now (or something similar. looks almost like messyhondas above) and they are absolute garbage. Poor grip when it's dry and no grip at all when it's wet and they wear out very quickly.
A friend of mine has these hankooks in the same size as your looking for and I think they look quite beastly. Even more if you pick the 205/50.

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/hankook/hk_ventus_s1evo_ci2_l.jpg

[BITESIZE]

I've got the Toyo Proxes 4. I love the way they look and handle.

I agree. I've had mine for 2 years, and the tread is almost still brand new. They take a beating!!!:rockon:

[mushroom_toy]

I love my meaty Firestone Firehawk Gts....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/JubeiMunchCurry/More%20Car/DSC07083.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/JubeiMunchCurry/More%20Car/DSC07086.jpg
https://highperformancetire.com/image.php?productid=23079

[markmdz89hatch]

hey Pete, it's great that you want a good looking tire too. ...talk about details huh.

Anyway, I know you mentioned 195/50-15's, but that's slightly smaller than the stock overall diameter for our cars. A closer fit would be 195/55, or I prefer the 205/50's for the slightly stiffer sidewall, and wider tire.

Either way, the tires I'd consider are:

Nitto NeoGen (205/50-15) -- These are an awesome tire with VERY good reviews, and look to be especially forgiving of lowered cars. Very cool tread pattern and great performance reviews too.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/tires/nithv5.ang.jpg



Falken Azenis (RT-615) (205/50-15) -- Also historically a good tire. Handles like mad, but can be loud due to huge tread blocks. Also doesn't wear very well, but it's a mad performer.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/tires/falhza.ang.jpg



Toyo Proxes R888 (205/50-15) -- Pure performance/competition tire. I'm guessing it's not at all what you're looking for, but it's angry looking. Pretty damn expensive too.
http://www.buywheelstoday.com/images_products/L_5237.jpg



Goodyear Eagle-GT (195/55-15) -- Looks damn cool, but I have no idea how they handle. ...but I repeat, they look damn cool.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/tires/gdyhv2.ang.jpg



Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge (195/55-15) -- Ok seriously, when did Goodyear start making a tire that looks good, and actually looks like it'll perform very well. I've had Goodyear Eagle GT's on my 300Z and within weeks after buying the car, I swapped them out for a full set of Avon ZZ1's because the old GT's were an absolute safety hazard. Such does not look to be the case here. These look like they would fare very well.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/tires/gdyhvf.ang.jpg



Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 (195/50-15) -- Sick Sick Sick tire. Very sticky, Very good performer, but also VERY loud and wears like hell. Pure performance/competition oriented.
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/bridgestone/bs_potenza_re11_ci2_l.jpg



If I could convince you to avoid any tire, it would be the General Exclaim UHP. This tire looks awesome, and performs outstanding when you install it, but after 5000 (about) miles and up, the compound hardens up and things get ugly in a hurry. Wet traction hits the toilet, they wear fast until the first wear-bars, but then due to the hardened compound, they wear well after that. Extremely stiff sidewalls (which I like), but the main reason I say avoid them is because they're sidewalls, despite being stiff, are very weak. Every single one of the 5 I've had (one replacement due to nail) has developed a golf-ball sized bubble in their sidewall from minor bumps/potholes by which any other tires I've had would never have developed such bubble.


Oh one more thing to consider, and some have touched on it already too. ...sidewall. Tread patterns can look cool or hanus, but so can sidewalls. Personally, I really like the sidewalls with the massive curb lip on them. These not only look cool, and give a more vertical/square look to the sidewall, but actually serve a purpose too. They protect the lip of the wheel, and in some cases the wheel face itself (depending on the design of your wheel, and how wide the tire is). The NeoGen's, Azenis, GT's, and RE-11's all look to have a serious curb-lip on them, which is belisimo.


More to come as I think of some others that I like....

[Hauntd ca3]

a mate of mine runs the falken azenis things on his AE86 race car and tells me they are the shit.
last fairly well for what is effectively an intermediate race tire and have heaps of grip wet or dry.
if you are wanting to stay period with your car, see if yokohama still make the A-008r. i know they were an awesome tire for racing and had just enuff tread to be dot approved

[Rendon LX-i]

i love the falken azenis shit i taught they stop making em

IM getting a set...all i know THOSE BITE mad..

[markmdz89hatch]

a mate of mine runs the falken azenis things on his AE86 race car and tells me they are the shit.
last fairly well for what is effectively an intermediate race tire and have heaps of grip wet or dry.
if you are wanting to stay period with your car, see if yokohama still make the A-008r. i know they were an awesome tire for racing and had just enuff tread to be dot approved

haha, oddly enough, I sold a set of the A008's about 5 years ago. Those were one of the stickiest tires I've ever owned, and I loved every second of driving on them. I'd buy them in a heartbeat if they were still around. Now I'm on Kumho VictorRacer V700-R's, which are also a wee bit of fun. Those are purely competition tires though, and there's a handful of options available, including Yoko's replacement to their A008's (the A048R). ...but I could be wrong, but I think Pete is looking for a tire that can be driven on as a DD.

A048's:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/96208596_7eb9d78461.jpg?v=0

[Rendon LX-i]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Messybone/LX-i/100_0066Medium.jpg


not sure if they have them in the size you want...i run falken 452s....on my 15s i ran 205/50/15 912...nothing special but they are a nice tire


Those falkens look same as my DZ101s...SAME THING

[markmdz89hatch]

Ren,

That's a really common tread design, and there's a bunch of mfg's out there doing very similar tread.

Sunny:
http://ssl.delti.com/tyre-pictures/Sunny/SN3800.jpg

Avon ZZ1:
http://www.cooperbros.co.uk/images/tyre-avon.gif

Falken FK452:
http://www.falkentire.com/media/tires/3/tire.jpg

[Tdurr]

pete, give us a price range. lol.

[Hauntd ca3]

A048's:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/96208596_7eb9d78461.jpg?v=0

now THATS a hi po tire.
some places still list the a008r but apparently they arnt made anymore :(

[King Peetis]

You guys have some wicked examples. TDurr, price isnt a real concern yet. Im looking for a base line in appearance and handling--then I will start phase 2; narrowing my choices. Thanks for pics...

[Tdurr]

if price aint a thing then toyo proxe RA1, R1R, TR-1, and R888, Kumho Victorracer, Yokohama ADVAN A048, BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radial, and my choice would be Azenis RT-615

[King Peetis]

Hey they got the Azenis RT-615 @ tires-easy.com for $86.10--Thats a great looking tire and the price isnt that bad.

[King Peetis]

whats the big difference in 205/50/15 and lets say a 195/50/15. do they just have a bigger footprint?

[Tdurr]

bigger footprint. i would go as wide a tire i could fit on the rim.

[Rendon LX-i]

its wider thats it...195 is really narrow penn...205 50 would suit your great...Trust me youll feel the difference in handling

[markmdz89hatch]

its wider thats it...195 is really narrow penn...205 50 would suit your great...Trust me youll feel the difference in handling

he's right, I felt a definite difference between the 195/55 and 205/50. Unless it's for an unbelievable price I'm not going back to 195.

But Pete, the 195/50 and 205/50 have a different total diameter. The ideal wheel/tire upgrade will keep the total diameter as close to the stock diameter so it doesn't screw with your speedo and gearing. You have to think of your wheel/tire as the final 'gear' in the mix given that they all work together (gears of the tranny, and the wheel/tire diameter). The way all the numbers work (as I know it, and hopefully it's right) is the first number (205, 195, etc) is how many mm wide the tire is. Second (50, 55, etc) relates to the height of the sidewall in percentage of width. The last is the diameter of wheel the tire is made for (in inches obviously).

So....

205/50-15 = 586mm total diameter.
(205mm wide, 102.5mm tall sidewall (205/50=102.5), for a 15" wheel. 15 inches = 381 mm.)

195/50-15 = 576mm total diameter.
(195mm wide, 87.5mm tall sidewall, 15" wheel.)

195/55-15 = 595.5mm total diameter

Stock 13" tire size: 185/70-13 (589.2mm total diameter)
Stock 14" tire size: 195/60-14 (589.6mm total diameter)

Now if you REALLY wanted to piss off your tire installer, you can always go get yourself a set of 225/45-15's (583.5mm total diameter), but the options are very limited here. The installer would be PISSED because he'd have to wrestle with the tire to stuff it onto even a 7.5" width wheel (7.5" inches is 190.5mm wide, and trying to stuff a 225 on it is not easy).

[Rendon LX-i]

haha...mark is good with his math...OR should say he knows his shit

[MessyHonda]

i went for a daily driven tire on my other car ...its the falken 912 205/50/15 they were only 220 for all 4...so not a bad price...they dont look too fancy tho...handles very good...i still need an alignment to set my camber at -1

[King Peetis]

yea, I value the hell out of Marks opinion. He doesnt usually shoot from the hip. He comes correct with facts and experience to back up his thoughts...

[King Peetis]

All right--I just purchased the 205/50/15 BF Goodrich Drag T/A's. I was gonna get the Falkens but the T/A's were on sale for 60 bucks each and they only had 7 left. The Falkens were 86 each so I saved a bit. Thanks for your opinions fellas, it truly helped...

[mushroom_toy]

After driving a type r swapped delsol with bfs, im gonna tell you that you are going to LOVE them.

[Tdurr]

All right--I just purchased the 205/50/15 BF Goodrich Drag T/A's. I was gonna get the Falkens but the T/A's were on sale for 60 bucks each and they only had 7 left. The Falkens were 86 each so I saved a bit. Thanks for your opinions fellas, it truly helped...

nice. GL man! where u getting them mounted + balanced?