another tires thread...anything similar to Falken Azenis RT-215

[TurDz]

I had an order with Vulcan Tire on a set of these, but I didn't realize they had to confirm my billing address. Since no one was at my home when they called, they sent a letter, once I got a call from my family about it, I sent the confirmation password they sent.

Next day it turns out they cancelled my order since they are out of stock.

I think the last batches are selling like hot cakes. I don't know where else to get them for as cheap as I saw them ($77/tire). Edge racing doesn't list the rt-215's either anymore.

So, to the point...

For those who are regular track racers, what kind of tire would you recommend other than this one? I would like to have a tire that grips almost or just as well as the RT-215, and is in the same price range.

And if you know a place to get them for under $80/tire (stock sized) let me know!

[DRFT180]

try www.discounttiredirect.com that's where I got mine from

Bradley

[Replicant_S14]

For those who are regular track racers, what kind of tire would you recommend other than this one? I would like to have a tire that grips almost or just as well as the RT-215, and is in the same price range.


the 215s are more of a boutique auto-x tire. They're great for that but they aren't really good track tires. They just can deal with all that heat and I'm pretty sure I rendered a set of them useless for auto-x by running them on a track.
I haven't used anything on a track except the 215s and victoracers so I can't really say what would be a good alternative to the 215s. The new 615 are supposed to take heat better and some people I know with Kumho MXs say the same about them. They're pretty close in price.

[R33GTS-T]

i'm running the new 615s right now.........what a tire:eek2:......they withstand heat considerably better than the 215s.....i've driven cars with the 215s on them and now that i'm driving on the 615s you just can't compare them.....i recommend the 615s to everybody who is looking for the optimal summer tire;)

[Replicant_S14]

i'm running the new 615s right now.........what a tire......they withstand heat considerably better than the 215s.....

Running them where tho?

[R33GTS-T]

currently they're on my 2003 spec V.......i've only been able to autox with them so far.....but i hope to be able to go to a track event before my 33 gets here.....but i'm also going to be running these tires on the 33;)

[TurDz]

well i found a set at tires.com (america's tire co, discount tire co, discount tires direct). $100 if bought them and had them shipped to one of their local chain stores, or $82 each plus $30 shipping to me. 4 tires shipped for $355 aint too shabby at all!

[nlzmo400r]

im hearing great things about the hankook RS2, check those out, cheaper than even the rt215s, and are supposed to be just as good in the dry and better in the rain than the older azenis. And they make a decent 16" size too (thats why im gonna use em)

[240 OR DIE]

Listen to this man. I have read stats from comparisons between the kumo MX, azenis 615, and hankook RS2. Coming from the scca sts class national champ. who used the rt-215 consistently the past few years,and who is now driving on the hankooks, Id have to follow his lead. Im still on rt215s(brand new at that) and seeing guys runnin on the new tire, I cant justify the price yet. I have yet to see them in the rain, maybe theylll show their greater significance then, but Id have to say with hankooks pricing and the handling theyll be the cheapest tire for the best benifits. Especially since these tires are proving to be so damn close. Oh and just so you know the khumos got smoked in the comparison(little suprise there). I know what Im buying next year


Oh one thing hasnt changed on the azenis and thats their oversizing. The 225 azenis is nearly as wide a patch as the 245 hankooks...imagine that

[R33GTS-T]

i have driven in torrential (sp?) downpours on both the highways and non-highway roads......and i've driven through over an inch of standing water and never once did i ever hydroplane :eek2: nor did i ever feel unconfident in the car's ability to remain on the road or stop in time in the event of an emergency.......now i have heard good things about those hankooks as well but i can tell you from personal experience that the 615s truly are a great tire in both the wet and the dry........true their selection for 16s leaves something to be desired.......however their other diameter choices provide a decent selection for tire widths

Late,
Daniel

[nlzmo400r]

Listen to this man. I have read stats from comparisons between the kumo MX, azenis 615, and hankook RS2. Coming from the scca sts class national champ. who used the rt-215 consistently the past few years,and who is now driving on the hankooks, Id have to follow his lead. Im still on rt215s(brand new at that) and seeing guys runnin on the new tire, I cant justify the price yet. I have yet to see them in the rain, maybe theylll show their greater significance then, but Id have to say with hankooks pricing and the handling theyll be the cheapest tire for the best benifits. Especially since these tires are proving to be so damn close. Oh and just so you know the khumos got smoked in the comparison(little suprise there). I know what Im buying next year


Oh one thing hasnt changed on the azenis and thats their oversizing. The 225 azenis is nearly as wide a patch as the 245 hankooks...imagine that

I see the sizing difference hard to believe. Ive placed a 215/45/16 rt215 (on a 300zx 7.5" rim) against my 225/45/16 on my front dt05 (7.5") and the yokohama is definitely a little bit bigger. And my rear 245 es100 is WAY bigger (on an 8.5" rim).

[ZK]

I've ran through a set of Kumho MXs. They do not provide as much grip as the Azenis RT215 but still very close. The ride is a lot better though because the sidewalls are softer.

I'm really debating what to get next. They stopped having the Azenis for 16" sizes and I don't want another set of MXs.

I hear the Hankook RS2 has soft sidewalls like the MX. The G-Force KD has more grip than the Azenis although they are expensive and don't last nearly as long.

Maybe I'll try a set of S-03s...

EDIT: Just ordered my new set up. 205/55 RT215s in front and 225/50 G-force KDs in rear. 16x7/16x8 rims. Damn pricey... but hopefully worth it.

[OptionZero]

G-force Kd!!!

you shoulda bit the bullet and gone KD's all around=P

[240 OR DIE]

The few people ive talked to like the kd's for maybe 300miles and then they get too stiff. I know a guy running them at autosx, and they feel hard as shit. When he launches the whole front end bounces(prelude)...its perty funny.

[OptionZero]

wait, how can a tire be too stiff? You mean as in less grippy? Because couldn't you just lower tire pressure?

[nlzmo400r]

meaning the deeper rubber of the tread is stiffer, and therefore less grippy, yes you could lower the tire pressure,but then you'd lose turn in and you'd get sidewall rollover

[ZK]

I'll see how these KDs go... I dont expect very long life but figured I've give them a try.

I could have gone all KDs but the Azenis I'd already ordered and they are 1/2 the price of the KDs. I figure grip may not be as much but at least similar tire characteristics.

[nlzmo400r]

Anyone on here tried those Hankooks yet? Im dying to hear about them

[jmauld]

I've ran both Azenis and MXs on track and autocross. On track, the MXs held up better. They also got grippier as each session went on. Apparently they accept heat much better then the Azenis.

[nlzmo400r]

i heard exactly the opposite bout teh MXs, i heard they grease up way too early and become slick?

[jmauld]

Okay. But from my experience it's the other way around.

[ZK]

Oh one thing hasnt changed on the azenis and thats their oversizing. The 225 azenis is nearly as wide a patch as the 245 hankooks...imagine that

I don't know about that big a difference but the Azenis are definitely bigger than normal. I got my new tires and the 205/55 Azenis RT215 is nearly identical in tread width to the 225/50 Gforce KDs. I stacked the two Azenis and the two Gforce side by side and they come out the same height. This is unmounted tires so it may be different once mounted. I hope these KDs live up to their inflated pricing.

[TurDz]

I don't know about that big a difference but the Azenis are definitely bigger than normal. I got my new tires and the 205/55 Azenis RT215 is nearly identical in tread width to the 225/50 Gforce KDs. I stacked the two Azenis and the two Gforce side by side and they come out the same height. This is unmounted tires so it may be different once mounted. I hope these KDs live up to their inflated pricing.

I'm pretty sure that since the Azenis have a very stiff sidewall (compromising ride quality), they are able to extend the contact patch all the way to the edges, where as other tires mostly seem to round off into the sidewall. Visually, Azenis seem very square cut.

[OptionZero]

yeah, bigO reported a slightly difficult time getting them onto the rim because they were so stiff

oh, and Chris, I haven't really noticed a dropoff in ride quality...although with my spring/shock combo it's nothing to be proud of to begin with...haha

[ZK]

I just got the tires mounted and balanced... I dunno about these KDs, they look damn wierd on my car. function > form maybe but these tires look really tiny! The 225/50 is actually smaller footprint than my old Kumho MXs of the same size and about the same as the 205 Azenis. I think its the design of this tire to be really round looking?

Anyway, its like I have these tiny tires on the back of my car now even though they are a larger size and on a wider rim. Looks pretty silly with the fat Azenis in front. Oh well... guess I have to live with it! :goyou:

[Var]

how's the sidewall compare on the 615's? I'm thinking about drifting on stretched ones 225 on a 9 inch rim. I want a tire with a really really stiff sidewall but only semi grippy compound...

[nlzmo400r]

I just got the tires mounted and balanced... I dunno about these KDs, they look damn wierd on my car. function > form maybe but these tires look really tiny! The 225/50 is actually smaller footprint than my old Kumho MXs of the same size and about the same as the 205 Azenis. I think its the design of this tire to be really round looking?

Anyway, its like I have these tiny tires on the back of my car now even though they are a larger size and on a wider rim. Looks pretty silly with the fat Azenis in front. Oh well... guess I have to live with it! :goyou:

post up some picutres, its probably just in your head though, I doubt itd look like a 205 Azenis.

Oh, and I know everyone says the azenis run big, but just picked up some 245/45/17 azenis sports and sat them next to my 245/45/16 es100s, and measure em out, SAME size, so the rumor is not true, they dont run bigger. Now on a rim, they MAY run bigger because of stiffer sidewall and less 'bowing' in.

[sykikchimp]

Some people drive very aggressively and not very smooth. That kind of driving will overheat any tire fast. When I was less experienced the rt-215's would over heat early and then I would fight them all session. Now days they don't overheat on me until right near the end of the session when I'm really starting to push, or I'm getting tire and a little sloppy.

[cosmosis]

post up some picutres, its probably just in your head though, I doubt itd look like a 205 Azenis.

Oh, and I know everyone says the azenis run big, but just picked up some 245/45/17 azenis sports and sat them next to my 245/45/16 es100s, and measure em out, SAME size, so the rumor is not true, they dont run bigger. Now on a rim, they MAY run bigger because of stiffer sidewall and less 'bowing' in.


I think it's just a case of es-100s running a little on the wide side too.

[ZK]

ES100s are rather big as well, stiff sidewalls and square-ish like the Azenis. Not as grippy compound though.

[nlzmo400r]

ES100s are rather big as well, stiff sidewalls and square-ish like the Azenis. Not as grippy compound though.

This may be true. Surely the azenis are grippier (ive driven on both), I just figured there would be a noticable size difference in the azenis and es100's, but perhaps the es100's are big too ??

[ZK]

This may be true. Surely the azenis are grippier (ive driven on both), I just figured there would be a noticable size difference in the azenis and es100's, but perhaps the es100's are big too ??

I think the ES100 may be bigger than normal like the Azenis as you say. The 225 MX was also wider than the 205 Azenis. So the 205 Azenis is larger than a normal 205 but not as large as a 225?

Also, I do think the Gforce KD is smaller and more round than normal as well which is why it looks so different in my case. They actually look stretched on my wheel. I do think the tire is designed that way for a reason. The rounded design allows for more stability when cornering because there is actually grip on what would normally be the sidewall. So when cornering it would kind roll onto the edge where the big treadblocks are and it feels like you are going to lose traction because the body rolls a lot but you actually have more grip than normal. Feels kinda wierd.

I tried it a few times, normally if I jump on the gas with the weight shifted in a corner the MXs used to just give out and slide in the rear. With these I can get on the gas a lot earlier and all it'd do is chirp and grip through the whole corner. The whole car would roll (my suspension is rather soft) but it will still grip.

Probably looks really weird from outside, the car like 45 degrees to the ground but still gripping and accelerating through the corner... haha

[nlzmo400r]

well even if the azenis do run big, I dont expect em to be as big as a 225, perhaps a 215 though. Also, square design is better for grip only if the tire has a very stiff sidewall, that way it fights rollover and stays on the treads (contact patch). Also, rounder tires are better for ride quality as the sidewall doesnt have to be as stiff too.

[thx247]

The RT-215's were a great tire, I'm sad to see them go. They did get greasy but the laptimes only increased a half second or so with them so I never saw the big deal. Just more slip angle, turn the wheel more and earlier.

[TurDz]

Yes, the RT-215's are probably the best tire for it's discounted price when the tire shops were getting rid of them.

I feel a bit bad because they are such a GREAT tire at the track...even if they were getting slightly slippery, they still stuck very well and only squirmed when I wanted it to :)

[ZK]

Hell, the RT215 is a blast to just drive on the street. I used to daily drive on these all the time. The great thing is that you get close to R compound stickiness but still have the wear characteristics of a street tire.