Opinions on the BFG Rivals
 

I've read the latest PR/comparison, but was looking for some first hand opinions from folks who have experience with them. We've run the toyo products on our racecar's for years and started using the toyo r1r's for track day stuff---they have great grip, but go off quick and don't last as long as we'd like. Curious about how the Rivals compare with the Toyo's or Hankooks---the Bfg's 200 treadwear rating may be deceiving from what I hear! Any opinions appreciated-thanks!!!

They don't like heat--R-S3s are faster in higher temps.

Mine are abt 60% & they still stick abt the same on a durometer.

Your on Rival's or RS3's?

Rivals now--was on R-S3s before.

If I had to do it over again--R-S3s.

Oh, and Rivals are better in the rain.

Thanks for the quick response---exactly the kind of info I was looking for---by chance have you had any experience with the R1R's?

Not in competition, only on the street.

I've heard from some local guys that the Rivals can be scary depending on the car, and to run fast on them it's VERY greasy. One guy likes them better because they give more warning than RS3's before letting go, but he's the only one that seems to prefer them.

I personally have ZII's and love them, and have heard from some locals that they're just as quick as RS3's up here (Toronto, Canada, so not as hot as SoCal) but better in the wet/cold.

One thing that I don't think anyone can argue is that the RS3's need a touch more camber with their softer sidewalls than either the Rivals or ZII's.

I've only driven the Rivals in dry conditions, so are they drastically better in the rain than the RS3?

Everything I've read about RS3s says they're awful in the rain. I haven't bought any tires yet, but I'm debating between BFG and ZIIs.

I have Rivals on the FR-S and have a set of RS-3's on my Turbo 240Z. Similar weight, same size tire. About the same number of runs on each. Like both mucho. I haven't had the Rivals go off when over hot, but I do know that the RS-3s take more to get the grip. More tire 'talk' from the RS-3s, I barely get the Rivals to make any noise, but I may not be at the limit in the FR-S, where I love to slide the 240z and have had it for 10 years now.

If you are into National comp and need to be at 10/10ths, one may be better for track conditions and weather. Other than that, get either one, and then try the other for the next set. If you're competing neither one will last very long.

Eric G

I have had the rivals for the last 1k street miles. Should have some AutoX data soon, but I have to say they have been one of the best high performance street tires I've ever had. I'm shocked by how well they behave on the road and how comfortable they are. And they STICK.

Thanks for the input Eric---so when your next set of tires wear out on either of your cars, what are you thinking about getting?!?!

Jeebus, I'm thinking of going with these for mostly street/weekend + occasional autox/track day. My wife drives the car some too, so my concern is, how is the tire if you're caught in the occasional downpour/heavy rain? Thx

Right after a big downpour--I was really impressed w/ the Rivals--this was my 1st time on them in the wet. Action starts abt 40 secs in:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQQAclH5XHs&feature=c4-overview&list=UUWXqdKziZyEsnQVHphwVsZQ"]OCCC SCCA 8/2013 FR-S Turbo - YouTube[/ame]