Re: Sumitomo tires (tyres...) @ $50 each
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:27 pm
David dug up an old post of mine about my use of Sumitomo 175/70-13 HTR200s and PM'd me. I actually like them and the way they handle. My disclaimer was, I have adjustable perches and small diameter springs on the rear and am using Plus2 wheels. Which may account for better distribution of the sidewalls. David's car is similar an on 6" wheels.
I am known to flog the crap out of my Elan (latent retired racer syndrome) on a certain local mountain road, and love the fact that the tires only make noise when pushed hard and slip across a painted surface, just a chirp. As a former tail out driver, I have yet to get these tires to break loose on dry pavement. In fact the only time I got the tires to slip was when starting from a stop on ice at the top of the mountain.
The tires are not soft, as they show a 380 tread wear. But they do have a construction of 2 plies polyester, 2 plies steel, and a one ply nylon belt. This type of construction is similar to high speed rated tires. Not lumps of rubber that are semi-round and black. The nylon belt helps prevent the standing wave that forms just forward of the tires contact point with the pavement. This helps to prevent a breakdown of the casing when driven at speed. Which makes them pretty good for a go-to-market lump. They also have a maximum load rating of 1047 pounds each, which totals more than double of the weight of a fully loaded Elan.
When compared to the 165/15 Vredestine Sprint Classics I have on my Sabra GT, they both exhibit similar characteristics. My Plus2, which I have yet to drive, but getting closer to the completion of the Zetec conversion also has Vredestine 185/70 tires. Eventually I will have more to compare.
Like Ross says, buy the tires, try them out, and if you don't like them, try something else, the initial investment shouldn't be a deal breaker. I think a lot has to do with a persons driving style. red mist vs picking up a six pack and a bag of chips.
I am known to flog the crap out of my Elan (latent retired racer syndrome) on a certain local mountain road, and love the fact that the tires only make noise when pushed hard and slip across a painted surface, just a chirp. As a former tail out driver, I have yet to get these tires to break loose on dry pavement. In fact the only time I got the tires to slip was when starting from a stop on ice at the top of the mountain.
The tires are not soft, as they show a 380 tread wear. But they do have a construction of 2 plies polyester, 2 plies steel, and a one ply nylon belt. This type of construction is similar to high speed rated tires. Not lumps of rubber that are semi-round and black. The nylon belt helps prevent the standing wave that forms just forward of the tires contact point with the pavement. This helps to prevent a breakdown of the casing when driven at speed. Which makes them pretty good for a go-to-market lump. They also have a maximum load rating of 1047 pounds each, which totals more than double of the weight of a fully loaded Elan.
When compared to the 165/15 Vredestine Sprint Classics I have on my Sabra GT, they both exhibit similar characteristics. My Plus2, which I have yet to drive, but getting closer to the completion of the Zetec conversion also has Vredestine 185/70 tires. Eventually I will have more to compare.
Like Ross says, buy the tires, try them out, and if you don't like them, try something else, the initial investment shouldn't be a deal breaker. I think a lot has to do with a persons driving style. red mist vs picking up a six pack and a bag of chips.