Hey guys -

I'm looking into a set of Azeni 615s for a HPDS in July. These will be dedicated track/auto-x tires. I've been reading up on pros and cons of a sticky street tire vs. an R-compound for a newbie, and at my level I'm better off with street.

My question is about shaving the tires. Should I do it? I like the performance aspect of it, but I don't want to shorten the life of the tires.

Thanks.

 

I would not recommend shaving the 615s. I didn't and several of my friends didn't and they are holding up quite well. One reason to shave tires is because the original tread depth is too deep and you get some movement in the tread and excessive heat. The 615 tread blocks aren't that deep when new and the design keeps the tread stable. Do be sure to put some miles on these tires before you put them on the track. You need to wear off all the greasy mold release stuff that's on new tires.

 

I second the comment above.

What size are you using? I run 205/50/15s on holies.

Experiment with your tire pressures. In my case, I run around 30 - 32 psi cold. This ends up around 36 - 38 hot and the tires stay consistent for each 20 minute run session. This of course will differ depending on your setup.

I really like the tires, and honestly I wonder if I really want to put my RA1s on to replace them.

 

You have no idea how much better r-comps are than the Azenis...

They are way, WAY more fun...

Oh, and I agree... Azenis can be left full depth. There's really no reason to shave them, IMHO - at least not until you get plenty of seat time.

 

Good advice, guys. Thank you.

You think a couple of weeks of around town driving is enough to break them in? Or do I need to do more?

Oldschool, I was thinking of running 215/45/16s on 16x7 Rota Slipstreams.

 

I think that would be enough.

 

shaved! i wouldnt have it any other way! erm.. what are we talking about again.

 

I bought some Kuhmo knockoffs (Spector 100s) for $80 apiece out the door, and had them put on my stock '05 Mini S rims about 2500 miles ago. Unfortunately, they're not perfectly round and vibrate a bit at speeds over 90 mph. I've been told that because lack of roundness is the problem, no amount of rebalancing will stop the high speed vibration. I don't necessarily wish to take the tires back to the dealer, because in all other respects they're fine. I have heard that tire shaving will fix the roundness problem, but haven't been able to find a shop performing this service anywhere near the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm also wondering approximately how much tire shaving costs. I probably should have bought better tires in the first place, but I'm wondering if a shave will put these in acceptable condition for a reasonable cost.

 

Tire shaving is usually done for racing, or for tires on some police cars.....find a speed shop...they can hook you up.
My advise....get new tires.....you will loose most of your tire wear from shaving IF it helps you. Also if they are not round...they are most likely defective and are a time-bomb waited to blow at a bad time. You can get a pretty good tire for 85$ (I got General Tire UHP's, made in France, by Contantal for about 89$ ) if you look around....stay away from the chinesse made crap...like you found they don't balance....and just wait to try to stop in the rain!! Lots of bad stories out there.

 

I would have to agree going from Azenis, or any high performance street tire to R comps is a big difference, same goes for going from R comps to Slicks a very big difference.
I raced on Street tires for about 15 years before i switched to R comps, then another 6 or 7 before I made the move to Slicks. I am not one who believes in going right to the fastest tire right away. I also would not shave the Azenis.

 

Talk about reviving a dead thread.... woah.

 

 

 

Lol....somehow it was listed as a new active thread when I was going down the list!!

 

The OP originally was looking for tire options in 2006 for HPDE.

To shave or not? Not.

These days we have many good tire options from

Extreme Summer tires like
Bridgestone RE-11
Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec

To full on Track tires that can be run on the street to get to the event
Toyo R888
225/45-16 on 16x7 rim would do nicely.

Never mind the Azenis.

General UHP tires are good value and OK for street use but not for much else.