Falken Sincera v Michelin XAS

[Robbie693]

I recently changed my 12year old SP10's for Blockleys on my Plus 2, 165/80 x 13 and are H rated which is hard to come by now (outside of XAS). They were £82.80 a corner. I really like them, they feel grippy and supple with plenty of feedback. Not tried them in the wet yet though. They also look nicely period with a round shoulder.

I have no connection to Blockley but I do wonder why they aren't often mentioned in these tyre discussions.

Robbie

[HCA]

Mark, you epitomise what I said earlier - many (I will not be contentious and say 'most') owners of 60s sports cars are not high mileage drivers, nor competitive. So it is sad when the 'better' tyres have a high operational cost for us. Phil, you say it succinctly - any new tyre will be better than one getting to its porous stage.

I do not totally subscribe to the drawings above that might indicate that modern tyres have solid walls, whereas modern tyres are as the XAS, radials. Certainly the XAS tread is more wrapped around, but the real prowess of the XAS is the actual tread design that is steepped in motorsport development and will always be desirable, but sadly as time goes on, more and more expensive.

I do not think anyone can tell you Mark what to do this time around, other than you already have the best, and having been there, might notice a change to a modern design...? One thing - I am sure you carry snow chains - but do be careful on French soil. Half of France is now in a situation where it is mandatory to have winter tyres from beginning of this month. Reports are that they are using this as a revenue stream and many fines are being issued despite snow not really falling yet in many places...(If you are stopped, they might give you a hard time in not having dedicated winter tyres - do not take any nonsense and tell them you are passing through)

[alanr]

I recently changed my 12year old SP10's for Blockleys on my Plus 2, 165/80 x 13 and are H rated which is hard to come by now (outside of XAS). They were £82.80 a corner. I really like them, they feel grippy and supple with plenty of feedback. Not tried them in the wet yet though. They also look nicely period with a round shoulder.

I have no connection to Blockley but I do wonder why they aren't often mentioned in these tyre discussions.

Robbie

I agree and don't understand why they don't feature in disussions more!
I am going to need a set of tyres in the Spring and Blockley are at the moment one of my considered choices, both for being a period looking tyre, the correct tyre size for a +2, being 'H' rated and all at a sensible price which certainly helps!


Alan

[HCA]

Never heard of them until now

Certainly they seem to be a perfect medium. Thanks for mentioning them.

Here they are:

https://www.blockleytyre.com

[Mileso]

Well that generated some good discussion as ever!
Had a fab couple of days driving the elan on our fab south wales roads, inc brecon beacons and the road to llandovery etc.

Still getting to know the car but, on the basis that, with my driving skills I couldnt drop the keen transit van driver I wont be 'investing' in xas but thanks for the responses!

Miles

[pharriso]

There's a timely article here in the States from Classic MotorSports, I have attached for your perusal with a good discussion...

Are your tires too old to be safe_ClassicMotorsports_112021docx.pdf

(317.29 KiB) Downloaded 188 times

[David1953]

I have been running Falken Sincera 145/80 for the last 7,000 miles and have no problems with them. I am not pushing anything to the limit so I can not vouch for what they would do on the track, but for road use they suit me fine.

[Barney]

As I get closer to getting my car back on the road, my thoughts are turning to the choice of tyre. I think it's time for a change, as I have been unable to Identify a date code on my current tyre. The only indication of age being "Made in Yugoslavia" stamped on them. That suggests pre-92 I suppose.
Visually they are fine and maintain pressure being tubed. Good enough to run up and down my drive as I fettle with the 1001 other things on my list.

[Mileso]

I went for the sincera and so far very pleased. Plenty of roundabout and hairpin fun without movement so plenty sticky for me.