tire thread (yet again)

[MCTXR4 at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/03/2000 10:53:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Eric_R_Kissell at email.whirlpool.com writes:

> I have heard that the D60 can get "lumpy" even in the "A2 JLB" 
>  version. I know my older D60 tires got lumpy. 

My old D60's were "lumpy" as well, and when the road got really cold and wet 
their roadholding was not in the category I'd call good. Also they were 
difficult to keep balanced and didn't protect the rim as well as some other 
tires I've had. These tires were on a RWD "high performance" vehicle.

I've also had V rated Michelin Pilots and they were compromised all the way 
around, not great in snow, cold and wet or dry. Just adequate. They were 
still a vast improvement over the stock Goodyear RS-A's.

I've also had a set of Toyo Proxes T1S (can't remember the exact model) on a 
VR6 GTI. Pretty good traction in all scenarios, but never put to the test in 
snow deeper than a dusting. Way better than the stock Goodyear rubber bands.

The BFG Comp T/A Z's (on a RWD car again) M+S rated were better in the cold 
and wet but none have come close to either my current SP5000's (in 225/50 
ZR16 size) or a real snow tire like the Gislavid (sp?).

No experience with Bridgestone, Sumitomos, Nitto, etc. I've competed against 
plenty of cars with Kumho's on the track and they appear to have good 
traction, but are a softer compound and don't last as long as BFG R1's for 
example. (This is a personal observation only based on what I've seen at 
various SCCA races in the IT classes. YMMV)

If you need a 4 season tire and can give up "Deep" snow traction, the SP 
5000's are it as far as I'm concerned. Otherwise, get a spare set of rims and 
put snows on.

Mike Torio