After my experience with Farken's, I'd say "anything else"! (admittedly, that was RT615s)

What about Kumho's? Or Bridgestone Adrenalins?

 

the kumhos are really good IMHO

 

Thanks guys. I was a bit leery of the Falken's too but thought I'd see if anyone else had guinea pigged for me.

Nobody seems to want to sell me any Bridgestones (I need 'em now, so asked what they had in stock).

I did get quoted $190 ea for a set of Kumho KU31's but I don't know anything about them and dismissed them on the 'you get what you pay for' principle. What kind of Kumho's are you guys thinking of?

 

Problem solved so far as street tyres are concerned.

Got onto John Mills at F Sport (thanks Len) and sourced a set of Kumho KU36's for $226 ea plus fitting. Sound like a great street and track tyre and unbeatable value.

Google 'F Sport' if you're interested - they have Australia-wide distribution...

 

OK now that you feel a little more loved, my opinion is that the logice is great, but you have been driving on a fantastic tyre and you could start to loathe your car because of a poorer choice in tyre. So be carefull of youre choice. I dont know alot about those falkens, but have a look at the KU36.

 

Thanks Andrew.

Yep, wasn't that keen on the Falkens (think I was trying to talk myself into saving some coin). Have ordered some KU36's and just hoping they have some in stock as this Sunday may be too wet for semi's...

 

ku 36 would have been my choice. I was going to get them if my toyos ever wear out.

 

Amen to that. My proxies 4 were at first very nice, I have only had them for 18 months or so and in the last 4 months they have become so hard. I am at the point where I slide around so much that I am just going to give them up and was going to go for the KU 36.

Cheers

Andrew

 

I was going to mention the KU 36's but wasn't too sure how they were as a road tyre in terms of noise. Will be interested to hear your opinion. Good stuff!

 

Getting them fitted tomorrow, so I'll keep you posted.

Think I'll do a session at WPR on Sunday with the KU36's first and then swap to Rod's old Dunlop semis to see what difference they make (weather permitting).

 

I run the KU36's on the mini. Grip very well in all conditions but do get pretty noisy after they are worn a little. Not as noisy as a full R spec tyre but more than any road tyre I have experienced.

On track they seem to hold up very well. Up at Winton the mini managed a 1:43.6 with 200kg of driver and passenger in the car which I thought was not too shabby!

If you can forgive the extra road noise they make I do believe you will like the grip level they offer. An absolute bargain for what they cost if you ask me.

 

Agreed on all that Stu.

I noticed a marginal noise increase over the Michelins but nothing you'd really baulk at - I suppose it's too early to call that though.

The grip is very good, especially for what you're paying. They gripped as well as the PS2's in the dry at Wakefield. I managed a 1.15.88 after playing with the pressures and think there's more to come with some more practice (previous PB was in the 16's). Haven't driven them in the wet yet...

Btw, Rod's old Dunlops had just about had it and I struggled to get a clear lap once I switched to them, so no real time improvement to report. I'll be looking for some fresh ones between now and the Nats...

 

Hmmm, having thought about my little taste of the apple yesterday, I'm starting to wonder whether a spare set of rims with semi slicks is worth it.

Cons - cost ($400-$600+ each depending what you buy plus fitment); storage (more car **** taking up room in an already cluttered garage); transport (ok they fit in the back but you've got to bag them, heave them in and out, etc); getting wheels on and off at the track (even with the right equipment it's a messy pita); lugging said equipment around as well; having to replace them when they either wear out or go hard with age.

Pros - saving a second or two a lap so you can get a bit closer to the top of some lap time list.

Yes, I'm probably just getting soft in my old age but if someone younger and keener is looking for a spare set of standard rims going cheap, contact me...

 

Are all the rims scrubbed? I'd be worn out too if I was Rod's tyres!

 

Personally, I'd tend to save the money in the knowledge you can buy another set of KU36's. Realistically, you are probably going to pay min $1600 for a maximum of 2s a lap.

 

...or on another forum, I read that Bridgestone Tyre Centres have good prices on Adrenalins (re-001s) at the moment, They're be fine for daily driving, in my experience

 

Matt,

The rims have some mild gutter rash and have been sprayed black (I'm sure you've seen them) but are ideal for track use. Still a light wheel compared to aftermarket and you know it fits!

Let me know if you're interested...

 

Plus getting the rest of the crap you need (rattle gun, jack stand, wheel nuts) to go with the trolley jack I bought.

Yeah, stuff it. Abort mission on semi slicks - I'll leave them to the cashed up desperados...

So, my budget for the Nats just got reduced to brake pads...

 

No, no, no, nooooo! You still need all that. That's how you maintain a garage as your domain! Otherwise it'll get turned into a potting shed

Even if you don't use them, you need lots of purposeful tools, sharp edges and dangerous chemicals!

 

Having not driven on the KU36 I cant make a 100% accurate statement but one of the biggest factors for me with R's is their consistency and feedback in "giving up" or "letting go".

Road Tyres are traditionally very unreliable in letting you (the driver on the track) know when they are going to let go. One of the first things I always notice with most R compounds is there much better predictability in when they are going to let go.

The noise in the KU36 makes me a little more confident in them as it most likely points to a very stiff sidewall. A stiff sidewall means less tyre slop and more consistency.

Cheers

Andrew

 

Hahaha, I'm married to an artist mate - that battle got lost to art supplies and 'project materials' a long long long time ago.... indeed, she wields more dangerous tools and chemicals than I do...and that's just making my dinner.

 

Well, I'm no expert having only spent one track day on semi's that were about stuffed but I found the KU36's reasonably predictable whereas the semi's gave me almost no warning at all, particularly before properly warmed up. I had no confidence in them at all and found it scary to push hard. Frankly, I think I'm getting way beyond my humble abilities and am better off sticking with road rubber until my capability catches up...

 

lol yes thats something that alot of people (myself included) get caught out on with semi's ... warming them up. I would only do a comparison of "warmed up" semis to road tyres in general. Its like comparing ice-cream with custard, one should only be consumed cold and the other can be consumed cold or hot.

 

lol, I think I prefer coffee and chocolate milk for your analogy - heat is needed for one but not the other.

I take the point but even when warmed up I didn't feel like there was much more grip and the car felt less predictable. However, the big caveat is that I think the semi's were past their useby date, so probably not a good indicator...I may feel differently after a test of fresh semi's but am still doubting the worth of the $1600 ++ entry fee...

 

Tire pressure also plays a huge part with handling and semi's. If over inflated they will feel very skittish.

I run with the Toyo 888 and I have been told that they offer good grip even when bald.

skc