[gadget]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

The weights are correct. The RE-11 are heavier. 4lb is on the higher end of what is expected as far as weight variation in one size, but keep in mind that Michelins are usually lighter than Bridgestones in general, and that an Extreme Performance tire is usually heavier than a max performance, because it has additional reinforcement in the sidewall. We do see this much variation between tires in the same size on a regular basis, and sometimes even more than 4lbs.

Tires are so important in determining vehicle performance that a heavier tire is often faster than a lighter tire when it comes to going around a track, assuming that the extra weight was added because of something performance related, like sidewall reinforcement, or a slightly wider contact patch.

To make an example: a lighter tire may cut your time to accelerate from 40 to 45 mph by 0.02 second (I made this number up). But if the heavier tire takes the corner at 45 mph, and the lighter tire only takes the corner at 40, the heavier tire is still the faster way through. Higher corner speeds matter more than miniscule variance in accel times or braking differences.

Originally Posted by MrHarris

The RE-11's are that heavy?