Goodyear F1 GS-D3 review

[Joe 1320]

After searching for a replacement for the now absent Firestone firehawk SZ-50. My initial impression was less than pleased. The first few times I hit the throttle, the tires wouldn't hook. After putting a few hundred miles on them and a few hard launches, my impression has changed.

These things now hook pretty hard. There must be an additive that is used to preserve their shelf life because after a few heat cycles and some use, they grip much better. They grip almost as well as a drag radial. Actually they grip about like an unheated drag radial. They are fairly quiet, look a little more aggressive and hook great. This is a very uncharacteristic tire for Goodyear. In a blind test, I never would guess this tire was a Goodyear. Now let's see how the tread lasts. I'm running 285/40/17s on 17x9 SS wheels. I think they will be even better on my Borbets as they are lighter and wider.

[ws6drbob]

Yeah I had them brand new about a year ago and they were fantastic. They even hooked on a wet road when i would punch it at about 2k rpms! I only have two on atm because the other two were destroyed by a pothole but they have lasted me about 18-19k miles so far. i would have replaced the two that were damage with the same ones but i was short on cash at that time. i would highly reccomend them as a high performance tire. Ohh and they look sweeeet as well

[DJ Taso]

I'm running 285/40/17s on 17x9 SS wheels.

My Michellin Pilot's are starting to go bald. They were by far the best tires I've owned. I paid $730.00 for both of them (285/40/17's) back in the Fall of '01.

How much were yours, Joe? I need 275/40/17's in the front and 285/40/17's in the rear.

[Joe 1320]

My Michellin Pilot's are starting to go bald. They were by far the best tires I've owned. I paid $730.00 for both of them (285/40/17's) back in the Fall of '01.

How much were yours, Joe? I need 275/40/17's in the front and 285/40/17's in the rear.

I think tire rack www.tirerack.com has them for under $200 per tire.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...year&x=79&y=11

[DJ Taso]

You have 285 all the way around? How does that look?

[Joe 1320]

You have 285 all the way around? How does that look?

Click any of the thumbnails in my signature. The first one is the GSD3s on the SS wheels. I have run 285s on all four corners most of the time.

[DJ Taso]

Is it cheaper to get them online rather than going to the store? Did you get the road hazard warranty with them?

I have my finger on the order button...

[Joe 1320]

I never order any road hazard stuff. I've always gambled and have so far, won. I always order online. The prices are much better than through the local dealers. Then just pay local mounting and balancing. It's the way to go.

[ws6drbob]

Yes DJ it is much much cheaper. I bought all of my eagle F1 GS-D3's online for $183 a piece and the goodyear store wanted $325 per tire.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Everytime I've priced out tires, the online price (including shipping) always comes out cheaper. Tirerack.com has some seriously fast shipping too. I've ordered from them twice and both times the tires came in two days.

[Rhode Island Red]

Joe ... why do you run 285 vs the original 275? would 285's go on my 17X9 hawk wheels . I am thinking of getting these when my SZ50ep's wear out. thanks

[Joe 1320]

My normal wheels are a little wider, being 17x9.5 vs the factory 17x9. Back in the mid 90s, the base LT-1 vettes had staggered sized tires from front to rear. The rears were 17x9.5 with 285/40/17 and the fronts were a narrower 17x8.5 with 245/45/17. I like the wider tire and the fit is better since the rim is wider also. The Firestones always seemed to be a hair narrow compared to the same sized tire from a different manufacturer so the 285 actually looked more like a 275. The Goodyears were a hair wider so the 285 looks a little squeezed on the 17x9 wheel. Ultimately they will find their way onto my Borgbets once they get restored and am sure they will look just great. Since there are no interferance issues I've run the 285s on all four corners for years.

[Rhode Island Red]

hmm I remember Kerm always liked the 285 in back.... maybe what you posted, is the underlying reason why ... the stock Firestone 275's were narrower than other brands . Thanks . I have 30,000 on the sz50ep's as of this weekend, I hope the D3's will last as long

[hotwhip9]

DJ Taso, I opted for the road hazard warranty when I bought my sz50's from tirerack. Good thing too, not two weeks and there was a nail. You have to pay for the repair upfront, but tirerack reimbursts you for the cost.

Since I bought the 17x9 rims I've used 285's all the way around. I didnt want to use 275 in the front and 285 in the back, because then i couldn't rotate them without dismounting the tire from the rim. There is a slight rub when the steering wheel is turned all the way to either side, but nothing thats caused any damage or major wear on the tires.

[Joe 1320]

Since I bought the 17x9 rims I've used 285's all the way around. I didnt want to use 275 in the front and 285 in the back, because then i couldn't rotate them without dismounting the tire from the rim. There is a slight rub when the steering wheel is turned all the way to either side, but nothing thats caused any damage or major wear on the tires.

Hmmm.... I never had a rub. I guess chalk it up to production tolerances. The leading edge of the tire is aweful close to the front splash shield in the fenderwell on a tight turn, but no contact on mine.