185/55 R14. Slim pickings these days :(

  1. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR
    #1
    It seems we really are getting stuck for choice in this size these days
    I've trawled blackcicles and google but all i find is crap and nothing I would consider a suitable fast road tyre.

    It seems the choice is down to:

    Toyo CF1's, although I've heard they're not great for wear and have the traditional Toyo floppy sidewalls.

    Dunlop SP Sports. Errm..... I'll need some convincing...

    Falken ZE-912. A bit of a budget cop out lets be honest. Reviews talk about vague and mushy steering etc, not ideal.

    Yokohama S-Drive. Though reviews i've read have had them listed in the same sentence as Ling Longs in terms of grip

    What would you do or reccomend, oh wise and great sax-p? Any other tyre choices I haven't found?
  2. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD
    #2
    Pretty sure you can get Khumo's in that size still. may have to look around!

    i got admirals on the front of mine. cheap MOT cop out!
  3. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2009 taunton Posts: 147 saxo vts turbo
    #3
    tbh bud the only way i could find a decent f/r tyre was to up the speed rateing to a V from a H (185-55v15) found not many but a couple of sets being h rated at 114+ mph and v at 140 mph v capeable of higher speeds so classed as a faster tyre
    thay only realy use the v rated on mazda mx5 the old type so thay are pricey but quality for money
    the best H rated tyre in my appion is the firestone TZ200 at just short of 80 quid a pair (wholesale) great softish compound with plenty of grip for sidewayes cornering that what i use anyway hope it help
  4. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2009 taunton Posts: 147 saxo vts turbo
    #4
    just had a quick look for you a wide range from budget to branded
    yokies
    toyos
    fedrials ?????
    pirelli
    mich
    gyear
    dunlop
    ect
    ect
  5. Established Member Joined: May 2009 London Posts: 1709 Celica GT4
    #5
    Have a look on camskill.
  6. L-plater Joined: Jun 2010 keswick Posts: 97 saxo
    #6
    Maxxis MAV1 185 55 14
    Marshal KH35 185 55 14
    Falken ZE912 185 55 14
    Firestone TZ300 185 55 14
    Goodyear DURAGRIP 185 55 14
    Federal SS-595 185 55 14 <------------ they are the daddys! theres loads you just have to look
  7. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2007 Shropshire Posts: 9994 Moonstone Blue 106 GTi
    #7
    camskill plenty of choice and ears-motorsport lots of choice there to
  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2007 Leeds Posts: 2865 172 Cup, Mk2 VTR
    #8
    i use kumho ku-31's on my vtr rims. really rate them.
  9. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Saxotim View Post
    i use kumho ku-31's on my vtr rims. really rate them.
    I've used them for years but BlackCircles no longer list then, IIRC they've stopped making them in the VTR's size.
  10. Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Somewhere between Bedford and Brixworth Posts: 2373 106 XS 16v Driveway Ornament
    #10
    I've heard they're phasing out the KU31.

    No idea what will come in instead of it.
  11. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2007 Leeds Posts: 2865 172 Cup, Mk2 VTR
    #11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gordon View Post
    I've used them for years but BlackCircles no longer list then, IIRC they've stopped making them in the VTR's size.
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Mikol View Post
    I've heard they're phasing out the KU31.

    No idea what will come in instead of it.
    god damn. oh well iv got some 205 gti alloys on the way instead of vtrs
  12. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2007 Shropshire Posts: 9994 Moonstone Blue 106 GTi
    #12
    pretty sure a good few places still have ku31s think they are changing it simply kh31
  13. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR
    #13
    Managed to find some KU31's in the end. Phew!
  14. Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 Edinburgh Posts: 193 Mk2,Black Vtr, ,ep3 type r,evo viii
    #14
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by deesvtsT View Post
    tbh bud the only way i could find a decent f/r tyre was to up the speed rateing to a V from a H (185-55v15) found not many but a couple of sets being h rated at 114+ mph and v at 140 mph v capeable of higher speeds so classed as a faster tyre
    thay only realy use the v rated on mazda mx5 the old type so thay are pricey but quality for money
    the best H rated tyre in my appion is the firestone TZ200 at just short of 80 quid a pair (wholesale) great softish compound with plenty of grip for sidewayes cornering that what i use anyway hope it help
    h rated speed rating's go to 130 mph
    while the v's go to 150 mph
    and ave got kumho's they are quite gripy but s**t in wet :/
  15. Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Somewhere between Bedford and Brixworth Posts: 2373 106 XS 16v Driveway Ornament
    #15
    Funny, they scored very highly on 'Wet Braking' in an independent tyre test.

    Here - http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product...yre_guide.html

    EDIT: Page has been moved/altered, my bad. Quite a good page though, the KH31's are included in their 2009 testing but the 2007 results have been removed.
  16. Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 Edinburgh Posts: 193 Mk2,Black Vtr, ,ep3 type r,evo viii
    #16
    a work at national tyres and every customer says there rubish tho :/
    and a mean wet braking there excelent but grib in wet none
  17. Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Somewhere between Bedford and Brixworth Posts: 2373 106 XS 16v Driveway Ornament
    #17
    I find mine are fine.

    PROTIP: Don't drive fast in the wet.
  18. Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 Edinburgh Posts: 193 Mk2,Black Vtr, ,ep3 type r,evo viii
    #18
    in fareness mine are at 4 mm but doesent help with the bad snow a supose

    sorry 4 taking over thread
  19. Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 Midhurst (near Portsmouth) Posts: 922 Black MK2 VTR
    #19
    I've got ZE-912's on mine albeit on 16 inch rims and tbh they're absolutely crap in wet / snow or ice etc.

    In the dry they're ok I guess but not getting them again.#

    Michelin Pilot Sport 3's FTW
  20. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR
    #20
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mcsalty View Post
    a work at national tyres and every customer says there rubish tho :/
    and a mean wet braking there excelent but grib in wet none
    I can't fault them in any weather tbh. They're really progressive which makes them really predictable. No snap under/oversteer and when it does happen it's so predictable it's really easy to bring back.