Got an MC with SS+ and very healthy camber. Been running 15" holies and UHP all-seasons for daily street use. 185/65/15 Falken Ziex 512s.

I have a separate set of wheels and tires for autox, but every once in a while I get lazy and autox on my street setup. Also use streets for autox when its raining or cold in early/late season.

After running the 512s at about 3 events I can say that the grip is pretty high, but the sidewalls get completely oblitearated. The tread has receded and the side of the tire looks completely bald. This is probably due to 65 sidewall combine with very soft and rounded sidewall construction of the older Ziex.

As the 512s are just about warn out, I have been thinking about trying out the 195/60/15 Ziex 912s as they are supposed to have better sidewall rigidity. Any other UHP all-seasons that are reasonably inexpensive I should be looking at?

What have people had autox success with? I am not looking for the fastest all season tire - I want a reasonably priced all season that will take occasional autox abuse well.

 

I'd look into 205/50R15 as the size... There are a lot of options... BFG KDW2 (great in the wet, great in the dry, will take AX abuse well), a couple Yokohama choices, Kumho SPT's, etc.

 

txwerks- any experience with the RE960's?

 

Considered the 205/50s, but gearing would be too short for daily highway commutes. Trying to get the OD in the 24" range for better gearing and mileage. Plus price and wear goes up on on sub 60 aspect ratio 912s. The other two options are summer tires. All-season and relatively light on budget is key. I am not looking for the fastest times. I have the R-comps for that. The all-season part is what makes the decision difficult - most all-seasons aren't built with autox abuse in mind.

 

I'm not an autocrosser, but I DO go to the track 2-3 times during the summertime. There, I run Falken Azenis RT-615s in a 205-50-15. When the weather turns cool here in mid-September, I plan to run my Kumho ASX all seasons [205-50-16] until April [and that includes one more HPDE, in late October], as they are V-rated and have a stiff enough sidewall to take cool weather abuse.

I've heard some people say that the 55 series might do for what you have in mind, too.

 

Errr, nope... Only Bridgestones I've been on are S-03's (nice) and the new RE-01R (holy CRAP!)...

 

Hrm... I still got 35-37 highway mpg with 205/50's. The O.D. should be about 23.2" or so, give or take. They are shorter, though.

What about 195/55R15?

 

195/55s are an option, haven't looked at the various all season tires available in this size. I would love some 01-R stones but the $$$ is too high. I already blew enough money on a set of V710s.

 

OK, You have an MC with holey rims and want to run UHP all seasons or similar for street and daily use but have a little capacity for higher performance in a pinch at autocross or (even for wet autocross) special occasions.

But you want value. Naturally, who doesn't?

Consider the Kumho ecsta ASX Ultra High Performance All Season tire.
To fit the 15x5.5" Holey rim
195/55-15 $66 23.4" tire diameter 18 lbs
195/60-15 $46 24.2" tire diameter 19 lbs
205/50-15 $61 23.1" tire diameter 20 lbs
205/55-15 $66 23.9" tire diameter 20 lbs

All are 420 treadwear 85 to 88 load rating V speed rated
All fit rims 5.5" to 7 or 7.5" wide
All sizes in stock at tirerack.com

195/60-15 is probably the most comfortable size and same as stock
All are usable even the 205/50-15 which I often use for daily driving myself.
The 205 mm tires are about 0.5" wider tread width for better handling.

If I had to choose for performance I'd pick 205/50-15.

 

Thanks minihune. I will take a closer look - been running those tires on the wife's family car and really like them for general road use. I just don't know how well they put up with autox abuse. Like I said, I am not looking for the fast UHPAS tire - I am looking for one that will take the abuse.

I had pretty bad experience with the Ziex 512, just got completely obliterated by the autox - one event and they never felt the same on the road again. I wonder if the new replacement, the Ziex 912, are any better. They are heavier by a pound or two across the size range - hopefully they put the weight into the sidewall.

 

Like I said earlier, I got my Kumho ASX tires for everyday use, plus cool weather track use. The customer reviews at Tire Rack stated they have a firmer sidewall than most, so maybe they'll work for you in autocross, too.

 

Sorry welsh, didn't mean to sound like i didn't care for the asx suggestion until minihune mentioned. I did take your suggested into consideration, two people recommending just carries more weight. thanks!

reading the asx reviews right now.

 

NP, vano...I know we are talking about 2 different road schemes, but all I wanted to do was to let you know about what others who bought the asx had to say about the sidewalls. I checked the MINI, as well as BMW, Honda and VW opinions.

In the end, I got my ASX tires based on Crashton's and minihune's recommendations...like them so much that I just ordered the same tire in a 195-50-16 for my Cooper. Getting them installed Friday!

 

I'm loving my Kuhmo ASTs (High Performance) on my R50 in 205-50-16s on my new R90s. I got a smokin good deal and loved the agressive tread pattern of the ASTs. Kuhmo makes a pretty darn good tire at a reasonable price. The ASTs drive a wet road like it was dry. Hendrix (our MINI) will never see Winter driving. That's the Blazer 4x4s job!

Enjoy your new tires!

 

If you are concerned about the sidewall flex there area a few things you can do.

Get the tire size with the smallest sidewall, 50 or 55 series not 60.
Use more tire air pressure and work down but chalk the tires to check rollover and check tire temperatures to see if it is even or too high in the middle which is too high on pressure.

Another thing is how you drive will affect tire wear so the smoother you are when cornering, using your brakes and accelerating will help or hurt.

Finally your tires will do their best when tread is not new and deep, often new tires are 10/32 inch tread depth and most tires will do better and wear better at about 4/32" depth. New street tires especially All season ones would be not so good for autocross. Worn tires might do quite a bit better. This means that if your tires are new expect a lot of wear when driving hard, older tires wear better.

 

i see. im currently running the new RE050A PP's. nice too.