Looking for summer tires for 15" R81s
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,062
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
Looking for summer tires for 15" R81s
Hello,
I spent a good deal of time searching, but it seems the 15" rims were never very popular, so I couldn't find much info.
I have a 2005 MC with the original Continental all-seasons mounted on 15" R81 (7-hole) rims. With about 35k on the tires, I hit something yesterday that is large enough and punctured the tire close enough to the sidewall that it can't be repaired. All four tires are low enough on tread that I'm looking to switch (FINALLY) to a quality summer tire. I have snows mounted on a separate set of alloys.
It seems the 175/65 R15 is a rare size, and I'm perfectly willing to stray from it, except that I'd really like to keep the speedo and odometer accurate if at all possible. I'd like a wider tire if possible, although I'm wondering how that would affect my ability to get 40+ mpg on the highway.
Dunlop SP Sport01 - the durability sounds subpar from reviews I've read. I do a lot of city driving on extremely poor surfaces. I find myself driving multiple highway hours in the rain on occasion as well.
Pirelli P3000E - I don't see too many drawbacks with these; I guess they are what I'm leaning toward unless anybody has other suggestions.
Any help is appreciated!
I spent a good deal of time searching, but it seems the 15" rims were never very popular, so I couldn't find much info.
I have a 2005 MC with the original Continental all-seasons mounted on 15" R81 (7-hole) rims. With about 35k on the tires, I hit something yesterday that is large enough and punctured the tire close enough to the sidewall that it can't be repaired. All four tires are low enough on tread that I'm looking to switch (FINALLY) to a quality summer tire. I have snows mounted on a separate set of alloys.
It seems the 175/65 R15 is a rare size, and I'm perfectly willing to stray from it, except that I'd really like to keep the speedo and odometer accurate if at all possible. I'd like a wider tire if possible, although I'm wondering how that would affect my ability to get 40+ mpg on the highway.
Dunlop SP Sport01 - the durability sounds subpar from reviews I've read. I do a lot of city driving on extremely poor surfaces. I find myself driving multiple highway hours in the rain on occasion as well.
Pirelli P3000E - I don't see too many drawbacks with these; I guess they are what I'm leaning toward unless anybody has other suggestions.
Any help is appreciated!
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
I'm surprised you didn't get more info from a search.
The basic tire for the stock 15" rim is not the stock sized tire. Too few options in that size although the Pirelli P3000 is OK.
You have more choices than that.
Many of us choose 205/55-15 or 195/60-15. Those will give many good tires and it will fit the stock sized rim or aftermarket rims to about 15x7 is fine.
Next time for tires try those sizes.
The other size that will work is 185/65-15.
Also, you don't have to look at Summer tires which are OK but don't last.
You can look at All Season tires-
Ultra HP
High Performance
Grand Touring
Many options.
You do give up a little in handling vs a really good summer tire but the All Season tires will do better for any weather and last a lot longer. Some offer more comfort and less noise.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
