No doubt I should have said something about the completely used up (and one
corded) R1's vs. the like-new Kumho's - that could be the only reason I
noticed a difference!
> Jonathan,
>
> It's kind of unfair to the tire manufacturers to compare differnt sizes of
> USED tires. I have noticed that my new G-Forces are stickier then my "just
> used up at 71 runs" set was at the end of their useful life.
>
> But this does open up an interesting thread. When does a new tire become
an
> old tire? That is does storing a tire reduce its stickiness; longevity;
etc?
> When in their life cycle do tires "go off" and by how much? Can anyone
give
> us hard numbers? Has anyone measured skidpad g-force when tires are new vs
> after 25, 50, 75 runs? Inquiring minds want to know :-}
>
> Regards,
> Alan
>
> On Friday, June 25, 1999 3:15 PM, Jonathan Kniskern
> [SMTP:jonathan_kniskern@nmenv.state.nm.us] wrote:
> > > > 1) Stick with the g-force, but drop down a size, to 255-40R17
> > > > 2) Switch to Kumho, at 275-40R17
> > > > 3) Both, a Kumho 255-40R17
> >
> > But here's the $10,000 question - how good are the K-tires, both hot and
> > cold? I
> > > > understand that a hot g-force is a better tire than a hot Kumho, but
> is
> > a cold
> > > > Kumho better than a cold g-force? Or is it better to stick with the
> > BFGs, but
> > > > move down a size (and so get a lower car and better gearing, but
less
> > grip when
> > > > hot?)
> > > >
> > > > Any thoughts?
> > > >
> > > > DG
> >
> > I'm new to the list and have only been autocrossing for about a year
now,
> > but I'll give you my opinions. Take 'em or leave 'em.
> >
> > I bought a set of used BFG R1's - 185/60-14. They worked well at a race
> > track in Cal. (Thunderhill), and were certainly stickier than my street
> > tires - SP8000's - when autocrossing. But when I switched to a set of
> barely
> > used (thanks to Toby Weir-Jones) Kumho 195/55-14's I couldn't believe
the
> > grip! I really like the Kumho's and figured it was due to the wider
size.
> > They did seem to grip better cold than the R1's and the Kumho's are
> > supposedly longer lasting and definitely easier on the wallet. I just
got
> a
> > set of even wider tires - Hoosier 205/55-14's (thanks to Eric Moon) also
> > used, and will be trying them out tomorrow and Sunday.
> >
> > Hope this helps. People I've talked to say they like Kumho's, but no
one's
> > ever told me they were the Dark Side (G-Force = the Force?) Who cares?
Use
> > what works best! Free your mind, Luke.
> >
> > Jonathan Kniskern
> > '90 BS Miata
> >
>
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