Toyo RA1 s for the street? Options

[DougC]

I haven't looked into buying tires, although I will be needing some real soon and now have a chance to get some slightly used Toyo RA1 tires in 225/50/15 for cheap..(I have flares and 8" Fuchs). So are these good street tires?

Doug C

[jhadler]

QUOTE (DougC @ Jul 27 2005, 11:15 AM)

Grant, I do want the Falken's but they don't have them in 225/50/15 yet, supposed to be out in October I believe.. and I can't wait that long. Besides, I can get a set of 4 of these Toyos for the price of 2 of the new Kuhmos or Coopers. I only need fronts but I may go ahead and get 4 and save a couple for when they wear out. Apparently,and this is from the seller "they all have a ton of life left on them" FWTW.. I'll pass on them if they are very much more than scrubbed in. Doug C

Woah!

If you're going to use Race tires on the street, do not, do not, do not mix-n-match with regular street tires. Especially if you're only going to put them on the front. That is a perfect recipie for a spin when you least expect it.

That being said, DOT race tires like the RA-1 can last a pretty long time on a light, low power car that doesn't go autoxing or racing. They won't be sticky that long though. As a a matter of fact, if you only use 'em on the street, chances are you'll never see cord. They'll have turned to useless rocks long before then.

Race tires are soft, for grip. But that means that the tire compound is more vunerable to heat cycles. The more times you heat them up and cool them down, the harder they get. I had a set of Yoko A008's that went 5,000 miles with a bunch of autoxes in between. But they were absolutely useless well before that 5,000 miles went past.

Race tires on the street can be a lot of fun, but they are almost no better than completetly bald street tires if it rains.. Really... Especially if they're already somewhat worn...

-Josh2