Tyres

[bugster70]

  Cro said:

Purely going by the ratings those tyres are a hell of a lot worse than the Standard Dunlop SP3000s (Treadwear 240, Traction A), and the SP9000s (Treadwear 280, Traction AA).

The harder the compound, the less sticky the tyre.

I'd agree with that, it makes perfect sense to me, but then you get figures like you've quoted above that don't seem to fit this general rule of thumb.

Treadwear 240 with A traction and a treadwear of 280 but with AA traction?!

[Cro]

Different tread patterns and compounds will provide different traction ratings.

The tread pattern on the SP9000 is very good and designed with great traction in mind.

Traction ratings are gathered from US government testing. The tyres produce a wet braking test. Different distances give the tyre a different traction rating.

Obviously the 9000 scored very well.

[kramo]

  Quote

Purely going by the ratings those tyres are a hell of a lot worse than the Standard Dunlop SP3000s (Treadwear 240, Traction A), and the SP9000s (Treadwear 280, Traction AA).

The harder the compound, the less sticky the tyre.

Interestingly, in the May 05 issue of Wheels, they state the Maxxis was the softest compound of the tyres tested.

  Quote

Traction ratings are gathered from US government testing. The tyres produce a wet braking test. Different distances give the tyre a different traction rating.

Obviously the 9000 scored very well.

The Maxxis stopped the quickest in the wet in the above mentioned test.

[EnviTurbo]

  Xr6tBug said:

Just got some Goodyear Revspec RS02 23545r17's for the XR.  Went through the original dunlops in just over 20,000  . 

The Revspec's won the Wheels tyre comp for a very good reason.  Whole car feels alot more stable esp. cornering.  Very impressed.  Set me back around $340 a corner off memory.  Hope they last a little longer then the others but I doublt it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

These Revspecs sound very impressive

What about noise? Are they quieter than the original Dunlops?

[Cro]

  bundooraXR6T said:

  Quote

Purely going by the ratings those tyres are a hell of a lot worse than the Standard Dunlop SP3000s (Treadwear 240, Traction A), and the SP9000s (Treadwear 280, Traction AA).

The harder the compound, the less sticky the tyre.

Interestingly, in the May 05 issue of Wheels, they state the Maxxis was the softest compound of the tyres tested.

  Quote

Traction ratings are gathered from US government testing. The tyres produce a wet braking test. Different distances give the tyre a different traction rating.

Obviously the 9000 scored very well.

The Maxxis stopped the quickest in the wet in the above mentioned test.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey I'm just basing this on ratings punched on the sidewalls. I got no experience with them.

The higher the treadwear the harder the compound.

The higher the traction rating (AA is highest) the better the traction.

Maxis = 300 Treadwear

Dunlop SP9000 = 280 Treadwear

Dunlop is a softer compound tyre.

Maxis = A Traction

Dunlop SP9000 = AA Traction

Dunlop has better traction

Maxis = 300 Treadwear

Dunlop SP3000 = 240 Treadwear

Dunlop is a softer compound

Maxis = A Traction

Dunlop SP3000 = A Traction

Same traction, but due to the dunlops softer compound optimum traction will be on a lot sooner because softer compound reach higher temperatures quicker.

[Flukey]

  Cro said:

  flukeyluke said:

Treadwear 300, Traction A, Temperature A.

that's the same rating my wife's tyres have on her 14" rim (Yokohama A539)

Very good for her car, but it's only a 1.6L Mazda Astina Auto.

Purely going by the ratings those tyres are a hell of a lot worse than the Standard Dunlop SP3000s (Treadwear 240, Traction A), and the SP9000s (Treadwear 280, Traction AA).

The harder the compound, the less sticky the tyre.

So am I right in saying that a treadwear of 300 means a a harder compound . If so, I should get reasonable life out of them.

[Cro]

  flukeyluke said:

  Cro said:

  flukeyluke said:

Treadwear 300, Traction A, Temperature A.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that's the same rating my wife's tyres have on her 14" rim (Yokohama A539)

Very good for her car, but it's only a 1.6L Mazda Astina Auto.

Purely going by the ratings those tyres are a hell of a lot worse than the Standard Dunlop SP3000s (Treadwear 240, Traction A), and the SP9000s (Treadwear 280, Traction AA).

The harder the compound, the less sticky the tyre.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So am I right in saying that a treadwear of 300 means a a harder compound . If so, I should get reasonable life out of them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Spot on there.

[Flukey]

  Cro said:

Same traction, but due to the dunlops softer compound optimum traction will be on a lot sooner because softer compound reach higher temperatures quicker.

That is an important point. The Maxxis really do need heat in them before you get on the loud pedal.

[kramo]

flukeyluke, did you get the following info from your tyres:

  Quote

Treadwear 300, Traction A, Temperature A.

I note on the Maxxis website, it states the following:

UTQG 280 AA A

It appears to be identical to a Dunlop SP9000 if the website is correct.

We are either getting tyres in Australia with different ratings, or the website is incorrect.

[Dr Z]

Yeah, yeah...I know this looks like a typically long COLOUR-FILLED Dr Z post but I have been lurking for a LONG time until now...I cannot even remember the last time I posted, though usually only post when I have something of value to deliver...but if you dont like it, blame Cro, because he could have edited it to make me sound more informed about tyres not to mention make me sound even funnier...I usually need a lot of help there.

I enjoy lots of spirited city, highway and private road driving with a 277rwkw XR6T. Having just completed 4000+ kilometres on my new 235/40/18Z Pirelli P Zero Nero's, which I got fully fitted, wheel balance, wheel alignment, nitrogen etc for only $1,729 (PM me for details, this owner/manager has saved me thousands of dollars over the last 15 years), I wholeheartedly endorse EVERY comment here about its traction quality.

The YELLOW highlights below offer a dispassionate objective observation after spirited enthusiastic driving with a 277rwkw T. If you want the subjective follow-up explanation, read past the YELLOW in each line. Compared to the Dunlop 9000's the P Zero Nero's on my car:

* are significantly quieter: have to keep sticking my neck out of the window to check that I am not driving a Hover-T.

* hold traction better on standing starts: which means less annoying traction control kicking in when those Hyundai Excels with massive rear wing spoilers, or <insert favourite lights protagonists only up to speed limit without spinning wheels in a dangerous manner> encourage you for another tail-view super-quick demonstration of low down acceleration.

* keep traction better during rolling acceleration at any speeds: as so many WRX's and HSV's in my area have already discovered.

* give greater grip in cornering: as noticeable on favourite corners where cornering can be heaps more spirited and fun...on private roads of course.

* deliver considerably shorter braking distances: once again, those favourite most-fun-you-can-have-with-your-clothes-on private road multiple driving orgasms are even more fun with better braking, and they offfer an improved safety benefit too.

* offer improved wet weather traction from standing start, rolling acceleration, cornering and shorter braking distance: with the recent rain in Sydney, I hardly noticed the rain at all if it were not for having to use my windscreen wipers. I even took the T out in the heaviest rain we had recently to go nowhere in particular just for fun to test out the wet weather limits...I kept driving for 300 kilometres just for the massive smile on my face...which came from the driving experience, not the blonde bimbo sitting next to me for those of you with wild kinky imaginations.

In conclusion, sure they are a little more expensive and may not last as long as some other tyres, though we are spirited driving car enthusiasts right? Each time we get into our cars we want a safe and happy driving experience right? Irrespective of your choice of tyre, if you think back to why you bought your car and fondly remember all those enjoyable driving experiences when you could not wipe the smile off your face even for hours after...then I strongly recommend you choose quality over price...enough said.

Safe and happy driving...Dr Z.