New tyres for Beaky

[John Sims]

What with Beaky's MOT coming up this afternoon, and an advisory on the tyres last year [&o], I thought it might be good to go for some new boots.

Not been overly happy with the Conti's so have this time slapped on a set of Falken FK452s. I also changed from 215 and 255 to 225 and 245. The Falkens were relativity cheap and came with in my criteria of - not Conti's, Pirellis or Maxxis.

After the obvious scary first roundabout, removing the release agent, they do seem rather good (certainly for the money). I haven't had the nerve to get them to break away yet as, so far, they seem to stick beyond a point I am willing to go. While the change in profile will perhaps help, the turn in and balance is really nice now. I might even be able to go out in the rain again without the fear of soiling myself........assuming he passes the MOT of course.

The previous Conti's were an OK tyre (when they still had tread) but were completely at sea after 3 laps on a track day. I have managed to stop killing the brakes now (through modification not change in style particularly) so now the tyres are the weak link in the chain. I have no idea if these will be any better but they seem to have a less blocky tread so perhaps they will hold out a bit longer.

 

[Melv]

ORIGINAL: John Sims

I haven't had the nerve to get them to break away yet as, so far, they seem to stick beyond a point I am willing to go.

You need a Crash Test Dummy, or is that a Crash Test, Dummy?[]

 

[Peter Empson]

Good luck with the MOT.

Now you've got new boots does this mean you might make a trackday this year?

 

[John Sims]

It is certainly a nice thought but I think time and money will preclude such this year.........1 hour to go []

 

[John Sims]

and still haven't found the limit of the new tyres yet

 

[Copperman05]

I have Falkens 452's on my S2 and Ive been very impressed with them, loads of grip and very progressive when they do go (which is rare) makes you wonder why you would pay more for a tyre...

Edd

 

[pauljmcnulty]

ORIGINAL: Copperman05

I have Falkens 452's on my S2 and Ive been very impressed with them, loads of grip and very progressive when they do go (which is rare) makes you wonder why you would pay more for a tyre...

Edd

Seconded. Except that I've never had them let go. Great big girl's blouse, me. [&o]

 

[944cop]

Gotta agree I have the falcens on mine and I have had no problems with them.

 

[944 man]

What size wheels do you have John? Im presuming that theyre 17"+ as Falken dont make a 245/45/16, unfortunately.

 

[John Sims]

Indeed - 17" x 7" front and 17" x 9" rear.
225's are pretty much as wide as you could go on 7" rims and, similarly, 245's about as narrow as you would want on 9" rims. They seem to give great balance though.

 

[tr7v8]

My only comment on the 452s is be careful if it is cold. I have them on the Jag & below around 5-6 Deg C they take ages to warm up & sometimes don't.They are a real handful when cold & this is on a 1750kgcar not a much lighter 944.

 

[zcacogp]

Interesting. My S2 had Conti Sport Contacts all 'round when I bought it. They gripped well but were expensive. They also seemed to let go quite quickly when they finally reached the limit - quite alarmingly sharply.

I replaced them with FK452's when they wore out, and I much prefer the cheaper rubber. The limit is lower than with the conti's, but (as Edd said), they do let go much much more progressively, and let you know precisely what is happening at each stage. You can happily push them to and beyond the limit of adhesion and not feel out of control at any stage, and they come back in line quite nicely as well.

They seem to be pretty good in the wet to me as well, but Jim's advice about cold running is to be heeded; they aren't great in winter.

I'm on my second set on the rear at the moment, and looking at them it won't be long before we need a third ...


Oli.

 

[peanut]

just had to replace all my tyres for the MOT . I've used Khumo Ecstar sport for a number of years now and find them good value for money. (cheap)
I had to wait 2 weeks for them to be imported to Plymouth but they are worth it.
They are a good budget alternative to Falkens for 17" Cup wheels . These are 225x45x17 and 245x40x17
I've read good reviews about Falkens, might give them a try next time round.