Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Drifty//]

I'm thinking about picking up a set of Falken Azenis RT-615K's.

It's not so much that I want to do hardcore drifting, just that I've found I care a lot more about a tire that's predictable and progressive at the limit, than about absolute grip. I really liked this about a set of Toyo T1R's I had on another car, and I think these are generally characteristics found in good drift tires.

I do care about rain performance and somewhat about ride comfort (i.e. don't want tires with insanely stiff sidewalls).

I think the RT-615K's should do pretty well on all counts. Agree/disagree/other suggestions?

[Drifty//]

Opinions, anyone?

[bigjae1976]

The one drifting event I did, everyone seemed to like the Kenda's over the Falken's. I think it was mainly based on price.

http://www.fabricatedmotorsports.com...p?topic=2319.0

I never used them but they are very cheap. 265/35R18s are $113 through this program...how can you beat that?

[Drifty//]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

The one drifting event I did, everyone seemed to like the Kenda's over the Falken's. I think it was mainly based on price.

http://www.fabricatedmotorsports.com...p?topic=2319.0

I never used them but they are very cheap. 265/35R18s are $113 through this program...how can you beat that?

For serious drifting, I agree that price quickly becomes a major consideration.

What I'm talking about is just having a street tire that offers good control and feedback at the limit. But I want a tire that does it all. Not just a competition tire.

Thanks for the reply!

[italyix]

Try Federals 595S

[bigjae1976]

I'm not sure I would go to a drifting event/practice and plan to drive home on the same tires.

[tibra1]

Cheaper ones I would say..Falken, Nittos..etc

[dicker]

My preferred drift tire is federal 595 RSR 265/35/18 are only about 160 each!

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by dicker

My preferred drift tire is federal 595 RSR 265/35/18 are only about 160 each!

Those Kenda's are $113 ea...

[dicker]

The 595RSR are a RS3/Z1 star spec competitor though, the kenda's aren't.

[italyix]

Originally Posted by dicker

The 595RSR are a RS3/Z1 star spec competitor though, the kenda's aren't.

The 595RSR are also a grip tire, while the 595SS is a recommended drift tire, due to the soft sidewalls.

The 595SS was $76 each for a 245/40/17 back when I had them on my Evo IX.

[dicker]

Originally Posted by italyix

The 595RSR are also a grip tire, while the 595SS is a recommended drift tire, due to the soft sidewalls.

The 595SS was $76 each for a 245/40/17 back when I had them on my Evo IX.

Federal uses the RSR on their drift cars.... Grip tires and drift tires are the same thing, the better the tire they faster you can drift. Why do you think all of the formula D cars that hankook sponsors use RS3's, all of the falken cars use 615K's nitto drivers use NT05, toyo drivers use R1R and so on.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by dicker

Federal uses the RSR on their drift cars.... Grip tires and drift tires are the same thing, the better the tire they faster you can drift. Why do you think all of the formula D cars that hankook sponsors use RS3's, all of the falken cars use 615K's nitto drivers use NT05, toyo drivers use R1R and so on.

Yes, this is true for a track, and with drift cars without emissions equipment and suspensions designed for racing/drifting competitions. The drift cars cannot get passed so they have to be reasonably quick while still showboating

It's tougher to drift with high grip tires and a street suspension and without 400ft-lbs of torque at the wheels from some crazy catless turbo setup

In my experience low grip tires are better for this kind of thing on a street car

[Drifty//]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

It's tougher to drift with high grip tires and a street suspension and without 400ft-lbs of torque at the wheels from some crazy catless turbo setup

In my experience low grip tires are better for this kind of thing on a street car

My thoughts exactly.

And I'd like to quibble with another point:

Originally Posted by dicker

Grip tires and drift tires are the same thing, the better the tire they faster you can drift.

Actually, some grip tires let go very suddenly and you get a sharp falloff in lateral grip when they start to slide. This is obviously not ideal for a drift tire.

What you want is a tire that's very progressive, at the limit. Essentially, this means it will respond well to inputs, like changes in the amount of throttle or weight transfer.

[bigjae1976]

What I still don't understand is you want a tire that you're going to drive to a drift event/practice, drift, and then drive home on?

Or are you looking for a good street tire that breaks away progressively so you can fool around on the street?

[Drifty//]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Or are you looking for a good street tire that breaks away progressively so you can fool around on the street?

Yes, exactly that.

[bigjae1976]

Hankook RS3s hands down. The noise level is my main complaint but its not terrible. The weakness of this tire is when it drop below 50 degrees for any amount of time, these tires are terrible. If it rains and the temps are below 50 degrees...they are dangerous.

If you need some cold, wet weather grip, I've had really good luck with the Dunlop Direzza's.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by Drifty//

Yes, exactly that.

i find that OLD tires are perfect for this. of course this means they are no longer safe at high speed (danger of blowout) but the grip is way down from new tires. for example, date code 2003 Michelin Pilot Sport or Pilot Sport A/S.

you can usually find some on ebay. they don't squeal much and they have no grip and break away really well because they have little to start with

yet to find a low squeal, low grip sports tire. allseasons are great for this but they tend to squeal due to tread movement. sports tires are quieter when they breakaway.

closest thing I found to a NEW sports tire tire you can buy for this is Bridgestone Potenza RE050 - sharp response due to stiff sidewall and blocky tread pattern --> little squeal, easy breakaway. cons are they are relatively expensive and ride poorly compared to a more modern street tire

maybe you could try the Bridgestone Potenza RE760--those might be good by the look of the tread pattern and the treadwear rating. I hear the Conti DW's aren't bad either.

[Drifty//]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

maybe you could try the Bridgestone Potenza RE760--those might be good by the look of the tread pattern and the treadwear rating.

If they're anything like the Bridgestone Potenza RE11, they should grip like crazy. But they let go abruptly, without much warning, and then there's not a whole lot you can do about it.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by Drifty//

If they're anything like the Bridgestone Potenza RE11, they should grip like crazy. But they let go abruptly, without much warning, and then there's not a whole lot you can do about it.

RE11 is the extreme performance
S04 is max performance
RE760 is "ultra high" performance

it's the least grippy Potenza mainstream tire they make, and it comes with a blocky tread pattern. so, it should be progressive and low grip

[Krozi]

Honestly, NEXEN N3000's. They last forever, smoke like crazy, and only cost about $150 a pop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...GrNaI28#t=119s