[ausgeflippt951]

Anyone tried 'em? They only recently made a more comprehensive range of sizes available, though the tire has been around since 2012.

From what I can tell, it really seems to be a great tire: more grip than the RA-1 but with the same predictability/communicativity (is that a word?). According to the SM and 944 guys (for whom it is a spec tire), it is likely slightly slower on track compared to the Hoosier R6 but provides about 3x the heat cycles (and did I mention the communicativity?).

Price point is essentially identical to the RA-1/R888.


I'm waiting on a call back from Paul at Radial; I'll see what he says. Sounds like they're worth giving a shot since my current set of RA-1's are on their way out.

[BobNovas]

Did you see the warning that the tires must be stored indoors at temperatures maintained above 15F? I don't know that my unheated garage would be at 15 in a polar vortex condition with temps under that by much.

[ausgeflippt951]

I did. That shouldn't be too hard for me; I'll probably just store them down in the basement with all of the other tires.

Also worth noting, Toyo sent out a consumer advisory re: tire splicing issues. It sounds very similar to the problems Nitto has with the NT01. From the research I've done (albeit likely small sample size), as long as you follow their recommendations for mounting etc., no problems have occurred.

[HoodPin]

Originally Posted by BobNovas

Did you see the warning that the tires must be stored indoors at temperatures maintained above 15F? I don't know that my unheated garage would be at 15 in a polar vortex condition with temps under that by much.

That's pretty normal for R-comp tires. The rubber gets hard at low temps; different compound mix versus all-season or winter tires.

I'm not certain if storage at cold temps is the main problem. But have heard of some tire failures when R-comps were driven at very low temps.

But prolly better safe than sorry. If you can't store fully indoors & warm, consider some of the radiant heaters available to keep at least part of the garage above 15F.

I have a couple 120V plug-in versions like this to keep the temps up in my garage when the weather gets bitter.

http://www.amazon.com/King-KP1210-10...e+board+heater

[ausgeflippt951]

That's a good idea. I have a couple radiant heaters which we use in our oddly cavernous master bathroom but I like the baseboard version. Also thinking about putting in a wall-mount unit, just to get it up in the air.



As far as the splicing issue is concerned, I'm not too perturbed by this. It seems the advisory notice alleviated any issues, and this is the same issue both the NT01's and Victoracers have had.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by ausgeflippt951

It sounds very similar to the problems Nitto has with the NT01.

I thought Toyo and Nitto used the exact same compound for the RA-1 and NT01. Dunno where I heard that though.

[JVH944]

Originally Posted by ausgeflippt951

That's a good idea. I have a couple radiant heaters which we use in our oddly cavernous master bathroom but I like the baseboard version. Also thinking about putting in a wall-mount unit, just to get it up in the air.

I thought the baseboard heaters were a good option too. Then the electric bills started to come in. Far cheaper to move the couple of tire stacks into the basement.

[FTS]

Originally Posted by roundel

I thought Toyo and Nitto used the exact same compound for the RA-1 and NT01. Dunno where I heard that though.

I think Paul kept saying that. Maybe these RRs are shaved NT01s

[Roo]

The sticker on my new RA-1's have the same 15F warning....

[Nerfbar]

Paul pitched these tires to me when they first came out but my recollection was that they were more $$$ than Nittos or RA1's.