Rain Tire Recommendations?

Hi All,

I've had my '94 vtec del sol for three months, but they've been dry months
so far. The front tires, though, are a little slick and had a tendency to
hydroplane on our first rains of the season this week. I'm considering new
tires. I'd appreciate any input on what works well in our rainy Northwest.
I commute about 40 miles each way per day, rural roads run at a good clip.
I'd like something with great rain performance, good dry performance, yet
won't leave me stranded on the few days I have to navigate a little snow or
ice working my way down to Portland from the 1200 foot level out here in the
boonies.

Thanks.

-rock-

 

You may like the Dunlop sp sport9000. Excellent wet traction.

 

You may like the Dunlop sp sport9000. Excellent wet traction.

 

Do you run the stock tire size (195/60/14) ? If so, the only thing that I'd
recommend from the list of available all-season tires at TireRack is
Bridgestone RE950. However, keep in mind that high performance usually also
means stiffer rubber (less comfort) and possibly shorter treadlife.

Unfortunately the tires that I'd normally recommend for your area (Dunlop
SP5000 or ContiExtremeContact) are not available in that size. And the
SP9000 the other posted recommended are good tires, but they're good summer
tires, which means they're deadly in the snow. Besides, they're also not
available in your size either.

Cheers,

Pete

 

Do you run the stock tire size (195/60/14) ? If so, the only thing that I'd
recommend from the list of available all-season tires at TireRack is
Bridgestone RE950. However, keep in mind that high performance usually also
means stiffer rubber (less comfort) and possibly shorter treadlife.

Unfortunately the tires that I'd normally recommend for your area (Dunlop
SP5000 or ContiExtremeContact) are not available in that size. And the
SP9000 the other posted recommended are good tires, but they're good summer
tires, which means they're deadly in the snow. Besides, they're also not
available in your size either.

Cheers,

Pete

 

I've had the Bridgestone Potenza RE950. Love 'em. Best tires I have ever
had in the rain along with great dry traction. Excellent balance between
wet/dry. However, they are not great in the snow. I was still able to get
around during last winter's snow storms but did a little sliding. As long
as you use caution you should be fine with a little snow. For ice it won't
make much difference what you have!

According to Tirerack.com, the Dunlop SP Sport A2 is also a very good tire.
A little better in the snow along with a 50k treadlife warranty vs. the
Bridgestone's 45k warranty, and it'll work a bit better in the snow. The
Bridgestone still beats it in all of the other categories such as dry
traction, handling, wet, ride comfort, etc... Also a price difference
between the two - for 195/60-14, it's $72 for the Bridgestone vs. $55 for
the Dunlops.

-Dave

 

I've had the Bridgestone Potenza RE950. Love 'em. Best tires I have ever
had in the rain along with great dry traction. Excellent balance between
wet/dry. However, they are not great in the snow. I was still able to get
around during last winter's snow storms but did a little sliding. As long
as you use caution you should be fine with a little snow. For ice it won't
make much difference what you have!

According to Tirerack.com, the Dunlop SP Sport A2 is also a very good tire.
A little better in the snow along with a 50k treadlife warranty vs. the
Bridgestone's 45k warranty, and it'll work a bit better in the snow. The
Bridgestone still beats it in all of the other categories such as dry
traction, handling, wet, ride comfort, etc... Also a price difference
between the two - for 195/60-14, it's $72 for the Bridgestone vs. $55 for
the Dunlops.

-Dave

 

I would try to get by without all-season tires if I expected only a
small amount of snow. Good summer tires are probably as good or
better on ice compared to the average all season tire. If the snow is
light and/or the roads well cleared and you are careful and the summer
tires have at least half their tread you should be OK.

I can recommend the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 for excellent wet traction.
It is pretty good on dry, but not up to the level of Yokohama AVS
which Yoko stopped making in the GS-R stock size :[ The Kumhos are
bargain priced though. Never drove them on snow.

 

I would try to get by without all-season tires if I expected only a
small amount of snow. Good summer tires are probably as good or
better on ice compared to the average all season tire. If the snow is
light and/or the roads well cleared and you are careful and the summer
tires have at least half their tread you should be OK.

I can recommend the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 for excellent wet traction.
It is pretty good on dry, but not up to the level of Yokohama AVS
which Yoko stopped making in the GS-R stock size :[ The Kumhos are
bargain priced though. Never drove them on snow.

 

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:23:36 -0700, Rock Kent wrote:

I'm also located in the Northwest, and I ended up going with the
Yokohama Avid Touring tire on my CRV. I'm very happy with them, excellent
wet weather performance, (what we've had of wet weather, driest summer in
a century) quiet, and should give decent snow performance. (If we ever get
snow again) They are available at Discount Tire.

feroce

 

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:23:36 -0700, Rock Kent wrote:

I'm also located in the Northwest, and I ended up going with the
Yokohama Avid Touring tire on my CRV. I'm very happy with them, excellent
wet weather performance, (what we've had of wet weather, driest summer in
a century) quiet, and should give decent snow performance. (If we ever get
snow again) They are available at Discount Tire.

feroce

 

We get a goodly amount of snow, here in Canada. Running summer tires on the snow
is bordering on stupidity. Don't do it. Having that traction on those rare
occasion when you need it is more important.

That being said, I have been caught in some early snow storms with my summer
tires (the winter's are Nokia Haka 1). My Toyo Proxes FZ4 (which are for the
summer and rated all season) have managed to get me around quite well. However,
I'm one of those individuals who love sliding around in the snow. Normally, in
the snow, I would be blowing by everyone else as if their standing still, but
when caught off-guard (with my summer Proxes), I was lucky to get up a steep
hills without sliding sideways. Even so, It did not stop me from having an
entertaining evening out in town.

Pars
98 Hatch

 

We get a goodly amount of snow, here in Canada. Running summer tires on the snow
is bordering on stupidity. Don't do it. Having that traction on those rare
occasion when you need it is more important.

That being said, I have been caught in some early snow storms with my summer
tires (the winter's are Nokia Haka 1). My Toyo Proxes FZ4 (which are for the
summer and rated all season) have managed to get me around quite well. However,
I'm one of those individuals who love sliding around in the snow. Normally, in
the snow, I would be blowing by everyone else as if their standing still, but
when caught off-guard (with my summer Proxes), I was lucky to get up a steep
hills without sliding sideways. Even so, It did not stop me from having an
entertaining evening out in town.

Pars
98 Hatch

 

All seasons are definitly inferior to snows in the winter - no
comparison - but summer tires in winter, forget it at least in Canada
- you couldn't get out of your driveway on those up here - their
rubber just gets too hard when it's cold - good tires on ice and
snow from my personal experience are the softies like Michelin ice
tire, Blizzac or whatever it's called or the Yokohama winter tire .

Bob

 

"For ice it won't
make much difference what you have!"


winter studded tires are the best thing ever invented =) worst thing is it
kill the fun of e-braking around turns at 4 in the morning, grips too much

 

"For ice it won't
make much difference what you have!"


winter studded tires are the best thing ever invented =) worst thing is it
kill the fun of e-braking around turns at 4 in the morning, grips too much

 

I stand corrected. Didn't think about studded tires.

Here's another idea - how about going to your friendly neighborhood military
base and "borrowing" an M1-A1 for riding on the ice? ;-)

-Dave

 

I stand corrected. Didn't think about studded tires.

Here's another idea - how about going to your friendly neighborhood military
base and "borrowing" an M1-A1 for riding on the ice? ;-)

-Dave

 

Studded tires are illegal in some areas

 

Studded tires are illegal in some areas