Another Tyre Comparison Thread

[Spoony]

Interesting your ATR 2 experiences. How power do you have? I haven't found them that bad in the wet. (300rwkw) They stop and corner well but yes, under power you got to be a bit careful, but it's not crazy, I've pushed the hills in the wet with them and still live. At the strip they grip 100% in my car, can't get any wheel spin, that's 235/40/18's and 12.2 @ 116mph. Better than the Z1's managed.

In saying that they are still better in this regards to the ATR 1's (in every other aspect too, ie grip, noise, wear, wet etc) and to Toyo Proxies also. I've a number of tyres on and only Maxxis Z1's are much better in the wet for acceleration grip. Actually they're the best in wet I've used I think. If you can find them for a decent price, and wet is your priority, Z1's are decent, grip levels in the wet (non greasey) aren't far off the dry with them.

[masda74]

Well I must say this in the ATR sport2's defence.

The tires were still cold and I had just left the house. 1 minute maybe to the round about and then I got the shock of my life.

I was not accelerating hard either, just normal easy nana driving.

The car is pushing 310killer wasps at the wheels, but I was driving at 20km/h in second gear going around the round about.

I went to put petrol in the car and then on the way back, I still had to take it easy. I am sure that the tires had warmed up by then as it is a 15 minute drive to Morley from my place.

I am actually inclined to get "Nitto Invos" put at the rears now. The Front's weren't to bad in the wet to be honest.

I love these tires in the dry. I know what is happening and I get some good feedback from them.

The dunlops were shocking in terms of feedback and I never knew when they were going to let go.

[Spoony]

I find road condition is a huge difference in the wet, ie greasy sections or poor surface etc. But would agree sideways with ATR2's in the wet isn't hard to achieve but honestly I've found the same with heaps of tyres, yet these other tyres are well below the ATR2's in all other areas. Second set of ATR2's now (they last me about 25,000km with A-B, Mountain runs, Skid Pan days, the odd Anti-Campbell Newman protest etc ). At $125/tyre for 18's, I've found nothing close, even tyres at over twice the price I've found lacking.

[masda74]

Man these tires in the dry make me smile. I don't do burnouts, but powering out of corners and getting a semi drift going makes me happy.

They are great tires, but in the wet it just makes me cringe.

Maybe I need some skidpan time really soon and this may resolve a lot of my issues.

Anyone know of a car club that needs numbers and will be having a skidpan day at the RAC track in Perth?

[discostig]

Thanks for the updates on the ATR2's Masda, though now I'm unsure what to put on the rears when they die...Invos I guess, or my trusty old KU31's for longevity.

[Spoony]

Haven't used KU31's so can't compare sorry. ATR2' in the wet in my opinion are fine, grip better for cornering and braking the most of I've used in the wet, just have their limits under power sideways. It's a non issue for normal driving though, I have to provoke mine to get anything to happen. Maybe car setup/suspension is playing a part here?

Masda, I do quite a few skidpan days so I guess it does phase me less, though with Stability Control who cares anyways haha. They are awesome on the skidpan though, as they are not overly hard to provoke into oversteer in the wet it's exactly what you want, from there they are super progressive making for max fun. My 'skid' rims currently have Goodyear F1GSD's on them, which I don't think seem to grip much better if at all in the dry than the ATR2's but in the wet they are better, not what one wants on a skid pan. Under power lateral grip is great, which makes them sh!t on the pan as one has to provoke them, then they snap and it's game over, not at all progressive or manageable in comparison. Will be getting some lindongchingwongnogpong crap to go on there for these days, the GSD's will finish life in a lot of smoke soon haha.

[Lennox]

Anyone know of a car club that needs numbers and will be having a skidpan day at the RAC track in Perth?

If you find out let me know I'll be keen!

[masda74]

No worries mate. I have spoken to a fair few people and one of them is the new judge for the burnout comps at Kwinana.

Once I know more, I shall PM you.

[jabtronic]

After reading all the hype about the ATR Sport 2 I went to get some fitted today. Turns out they don't make them in 245/45R17. My FG ute had 235/45R17 on it previously which is illegal according to the tyre placard.

Was a bit disappointing that I had to get the older ATR Sport in 245/45 fitted instead AND at a cost of $20 more per tyre (compared to the 235s Sport 2)

[jabtronic]

I've just been reading the legislation. Looks like the tyre shop stuffed me around claiming that the 235/45 are illegal... my tyre placard says 245/45R17 95W.. the ATR2 is 235/45/17 97XL therefore the speed rating is the same (W or 270kph for both) and the 235 actually has a higher load rating 730kg vs 690kg.

QLD transport says tyres can be up to 70% narrower than placard as long as speed and load ratings aren't less than recommended.

Should I go back and the get 235/45 ATR2 fitted instead? They're $80 cheaper all up and the newer compound.

Edited 24/01/14 08:40 AM by jabtronic