Semi Slicks

[260DET]

I was looking at putting R88s on my GT-R and ended up going with R1Rs - haven't got them on yet so I can't give you a definitive answer about their performance.

When I was researching, I spoke to a rep who suggested the R1Rs over the R888s, firstly because they obviously wear a lot better (think about the percentage of time you'll spend on the street) and also, being a newer design than the 888, has grip levels approaching the 888 without being so reliant on buffing or having good temp in them for max grip. Worth thinking about if you're not planning to be at the pointy end straight away.

I suspect you'll find the 888s on eBay are parallel imports, and GGG compound rather than GG. Naturally Toyo are going to protect their turf, but this PDF does have some valid points.

http://www.toyo.com.au/RacePDFs/Bulletin%2...oxes%20R888.pdf

Be interesting to hear of your experience with the R1R's in due course. I suspect they would be significantly slower when doing laps than R888's or any other true semi slick although they may be a good dual purpose tyre.

[Angus Smart]

Are those 888's on ebay from st george tyres?

I used them before, was happy, got quite a few days out of them, but need new tyres asap also

So the 888's dont last too long??

would you be better off getting re55s and paying the little bit more??

[djr81]

Re55 are supposed to be quicker than 888's. Gary wrote some interesting stuff on the IPRA forums:

Just when it was getting interesting.......the problem I am having is that we have tested pretty much every tyre on the CAMS list and there is a mixture of strengths and weaknesses.

Some simple examples;

Hankooks, great under brakes and power down but deficient in corner speed, don't like a lot of slip angle, relatively poor wear.

Kumhos, not as good under brakes, similar corner speed, don't mind a lot of slip angle, good wear characteristics.

Dunlops, good all round, very predicatable and stable performance over many laps, no big advantage anywhere but ended up being our choice

Bridgestones, OK under brakes and power down, the best corner speed, pace went off them noticeably on a hot day, average wear

Toyos, average all round performance wise but great wear rate

Hoosier, not availabe in the right size

Yokohamas, OK all round, significantly higher green tyre advantage than others, average wear

Falken, poor under brakes and power down, OK corner speed, Ok wear

Testing was over a number of days, using a crew of 6, with 3 drivers and utilising the necessary suspension adjustments made to optimise each tyre used. We have double adjustable Proflex shocks, adjustable ride height, many spring rates to choose from and a good range of camber, caster and toe adjustments. Being a production car, anti roll, ROC and CoG adjustments aren't practicle.

So if I had a car that was bad under brakes I might well be better off choosing the Hankooks, using their advantage in that area to compensate. Conversely if I had a car that was good under brakes, but lacked corner speed then the Bridestones would be the go. If I was running on a circuit that was heavy on tyres then the Toyos would be an advantage. If I had a car with a lot of power and needed good power down then I wouldn't pick the Falkens. Note, no wet weather testing, that adds a whole new dimension to the equation.

Hence my conclusion that there is no perfect tyre, they all have compromises, some more than others and the best tyre for one car is unlikely to be the best tyre for every other car. Worse still, even on the same car, the best tyre for one circuit may not be the best tyre for another circuit. That's why a free choice of tyres is always a category's less value for money decision when you have guys who take whatever advantages each tyre gives their car and whatever they can get on each circuit.

[Brockas]

R888's last longer, but don't have as much grip.

RE55's have more grip, but don't last as long.

If you're chasing times don't bother with the R888's, but if you're doing targa or something requiring a long tire life, they are quite a good compromise.

[Angus Smart]

Cheers for that info!

it appears i might go the toyo's they are pretty cheap and seem to last long according to that test

i've always used second hand re55's a048's or similar..

[Sinful]

That's because Falken RT615s aren't an R-Compound tyre. They won't grip anywhere near as well as the R-Comps everyone else is suggesting, nor will they last as long before overheating.

The RT615s are not a proper circuit tyre. In a motorsport setting, I wouldn't consider them for anything other than a wet weather tyre or a hillclimb tyre.

I used them for Dutton Rally and found them to be a great allround tyre.. I will get a few more days out of them as well

Some of the guys that do the multiclub super sprints use them regularly and happy with them

[evil_weevil]

Angus,

Sorry for late reply - What I meant was I have done quite a few days, more than I thought I would! So they lasted quite awhile compared with other mates who have used other semi's and didnt get as much track days out of them.

Mine are now just about bold! haha

So I'm shopping around myself....

Im thinking some RE55's....give them ago when the budget allows haha

[Russco]

slapper, did you have them buffed? full depth RA1 is only recommended for use as a wet. Hornibrook Motorsport can buff them for you - its not that expensive. They'll go at least a couple of laps longer after buffing and you'll probably get more life out of them too.

Not buffed although they are almost worn down to a "buffed" state - thanks for the tip, will get Craig to have a look at them all the same. Seem too way soft and not enough stiffness in the sidewall to be anything more than a wet, great street tyre though!

[hrd-hr30]

Not buffed although they are almost worn down to a "buffed" state - thanks for the tip, will get Craig to have a look at them all the same. Seem too way soft and not enough stiffness in the sidewall to be anything more than a wet, great street tyre though!

they get better (on the track) as they wear down. They do have a very soft sidewall for a semi slick and a different 'feel' as a result. But I've only used them on a very light car so I can't say what that soft sidewall would be like on a Skyline...

[just_racing]

sounds to me like there isn't a bad semi. for my case i haven't driven the car more than around the block as is isn't registered and i am looking to do my first track day early next year so value for money is probably my best pick.

[Angus Smart]

sounds to me like there isn't a bad semi. for my case i haven't driven the car more than around the block as is isn't registered and i am looking to do my first track day early next year so value for money is probably my best pick.

I'd go with the r888's on ebay. i'm still waiting to hear back on the compound they have. but they seem to last quiet some time and at an average of 350 per corner you cant really complain!!! i might even use them for street duties they are pretty cheap and performance sounds pretty good too!

Edited December 11, 2008 by Angus Smart

[evil_weevil]

With my budget (read : bugger all!) I think the r888's fit nicely within mine!

There is a trader on here - taleb tyres - try them?

[Marlin]

I'm torn, don't know whether to get Hards or "R" compound, which is between meduim and hard.

someone make the decision for me?

[sav man]

Get R. my D02's are R and they are good. also they should be more avalible, i've only ever seen Med and R compound down here.

[Marlin]

Thanks Benji

Down here? Antarctica?

[sav man]

well we are alot closer than you to antartica, penguins have been known to roam the streets of hobart

the dunlop dealer in town sells the r's as a recomended tarmac rally tyre, as it heats up fast, but is durable.

Edited December 11, 2008 by sav man

[Roy]

They are all too expensve and part of the reason why my car was absent from the track in 2008....i sped $4500 on tyres in 2007. That is abou tmy budget for the year for entry adn fuel etc So i stretched the bank too far in 2007

So the obvious question, is a 245/40/17 semi slick cheaper then a slick from the same manufacturer?

[Angus Smart]

480 i got quoted for 255/45/17 from the ebay r888 supplier

[phunky_monkey]

Why do tyres have to be so expensive...

[Angus Smart]

480 i got quoted for 255/45/17 from the ebay r888 supplier

p.s. i actually got quoted 380... sounds a little better now doesnt it..

r888's in gg compound..

asking taleb now

Edited December 12, 2008 by Angus Smart