Some tire questions, please advise...

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

I went to the local Discount Tire store today to enquire about upgrading from my stock F1's. I explained that my goal was to have the best mix of a drag racing/street tire possible -- meaning the most traction while still mainting drivability in things like rain, and tread life. The first ones he recommended were the Yokohama A520. He also mentioned the AVS Intermediate. I asked about BF Goodrich because I think I remember some discussion about them on this forum. The BFG's he recommended were the G-Force KDWS, and G-Force TAKD. I was just wondering if anyone on her has experience with these tires and could give me their impressions of them. s to have the best mix of a drag racing/street tire possible -- meaning the most traction while still mainting drivability in things like rain, and tread life. The first ones he recommended were the Yokohama A520. He also mentioned the AVS Intermediate. I asked about BF Goodrich because I think I remember some discussion about them on this forum. The BFG's he recommended were the G-Force KDWS, and G-Force TAKD. I was just wondering if anyone on her has experience with these tires and could give me their impressions of them. Thanks.

[Joe 1320]

This may be of some help......

The Tire Rack


You can shop for all the different manufacturers and read all the feedback from owners, testing results, etc.

[Adam 2kSS]

i saw some kdws's the other day, they seem hard as a rock, compared to my nitto dr's. im looking into the nt - 555 extreme zr's as my next tires. they have an A traction rating, and a 300 treadwear. i know someone with these and they seem almost as soft as my dr's. anyone else have experience with these tires. BTW the g force kd's are awsome tires. but pretty high cost.

[Kevin V 2002 SS]

I'm going to go with the Firestone Firehawk SZ-50's.

[Injuneer]

They failed to tell you about what is probably the best all round BFG for true street driving....

The KD is a "dry" (the "D") traction tire.... it is not good in the rain, by comparison to some other tires. Really sticky in the dry.

The KDWS is a "4 season" tire.... the "S" is for "snow".... not likely to be the tire you are looking for.

They didn't mention the "KDW".... a better balance between "dry" and "wet" traction. Also usually available at a good price.

I have a pair of KDW's in size 275/40-17 on the front of my car for street use, but that isn't a very good indication of their potential, since my car is not set up strictly for straight line work (rear "street" tires are 315/35-17 BFG Drag Radials....).

On the Firestones... the SZ50 was replaced a while back by a SZ50 EP... an upgraded, newer generation tire.

I agree with Joe 1320.... go to Tire Rack, look at the 45 different tires available in 275/40-17, and compare the performance statistics in the ratings table. Remember, those numbers a feedback from average, every-day people, not tire professionals.

[Joe 1320]

The feedback of the owners on that site is invaluable. I run Firehawk SZ50 285/40/17s on all for corners with Borbet 17x9.5 Lightweight Ms. The dry traction is outstanding, especially for a non drag radial. It's pretty sticky. In the rain, it is the best tire I've ever had. I can cleanly run through puddles that other cars have trouble with due to the tread design.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Thanks

[firechicken84]

It just matters on how much racing you are going to do but I would look for kumhos

[KnightFire]

I would have to suggest the FireHawk SZ50 EPs. Outstanding wet and dry traction, and I was cutting 1.9 60' times all day long at the track with them.

IMHO its the best radial tire for a daily driver which you occasionally use/abuse at the track.

I have had 2 sets in the 10yrs I've owned my car going through various others before I found these, I will always have FireHawks for street duty.


JMHO



KnightFire

[Formulaboy95]

Gotta say SZ50EP's

on my 2nd set.... absolutely would buy again. I hit a dip in the highway after a horrible downpour at 70, loss of traction light came on, and they held their own. That was the only time I have ever seen that light come on. Also love the dry traction, as the TransGo loves to leave its marks on the 1-2 shift

[DWS'95Bird]

I'm on my first set of BFG KDW's and am very pleased.......good all around performer. I also see many folks who tout the Firestone SZ50's.

Either way, you can't go wrong.

[wolfdogs]

we are on our third set of front and second set of rear firehawk sv50 ep's on the hawk.....simply and awesome tire.

i run the compta zr on the CompTA..then they discontinued it.. i just installed a pair of kdw's on the front..it has almost the same tread pattern as the compta zr did. its an awesome tire.. ...goodrich beefed up the crown edge stablilization.

[wolfdogs]

Originally posted by Adam 2kSS
i saw some kdws's the other day, they seem hard as a rock, compared to my nitto dr's..

of course they will not be as soft as a DR........ but dr's wear out fast. and you cant tell how hard the rubber counpound is by feeling it or probing with something. the only sure way is with a Shore A Durometer which measures rubber hardness.

[Ryan98MechamT/A]

I too would have to suggest the Firestone Firehawk SZ-50s

[99FirebirdGirl]

Re: Some tire questions, please advise...

Originally posted by Jay 02 TA ws6
I went to the local Discount Tire store today to enquire about upgrading from my stock F1's. I explained that my goal was to have the best mix of a drag racing/street tire possible -- meaning the most traction while still mainting drivability in things like rain, and tread life. The first ones he recommended were the Yokohama A520. He also mentioned the AVS Intermediate. I asked about BF Goodrich because I think I remember some discussion about them on this forum. The BFG's he recommended were the G-Force KDWS, and G-Force TAKD. I was just wondering if anyone on her has experience with these tires and could give me their impressions of them. s to have the best mix of a drag racing/street tire possible -- meaning the most traction while still mainting drivability in things like rain, and tread life. The first ones he recommended were the Yokohama A520. He also mentioned the AVS Intermediate. I asked about BF Goodrich because I think I remember some discussion about them on this forum. The BFG's he recommended were the G-Force KDWS, and G-Force TAKD. I was just wondering if anyone on her has experience with these tires and could give me their impressions of them. Thanks.

My boyfriend has the G-Force KDWS on his 1998 Camaro SS. He got them on three weeks ago and so far he really likes them. As far as all weather tires..ummm no...not good for snow or rain. The tires look really aggressive though as they are directional.