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Esoteric · 08-20-2012, 12:19 AM

BFGoodrich KDW2 on FRS Track use review:

Parts used:
-Kazera KZ-P 17x7.5 ET48 w/ included valve stems
-Tire rack hub-centric rings
-OEM wheel nuts
-225/45-17 BFGoodrich G-Force KDW2
-Revised alignment on 100% stock suspension.

The BFG G-Force T/A KDW2 represent a tire that has a stiff sidewall and a grippy compound. I recall loving them at the time they were released and in this review I still do. While there are certainly more modern performance tires on the market that have eclipsed the KDW2 in performance in recent years, this review focuses on the fact that this tire in this size is a superb match for this chassis.

The Kazera KZ-P 17x7.5 ET48 were used for this track day as we could get them on short notice (they were one day away).
While we like investing in something that we trust, the Kazeras were not all that bad! At $142 each, the price is one that any enthusiast can afford and they weigh around 19lbs each. They balanced out very nicely (except for one, that took quite a few OZs to balance, that showed that quality control wasn't the highest).
If your on a budget these might be perfect for you. Not everyone will be able to afford $700 a piece track wheels, and these represent something like what many enthusiasts will track a mostly stock car with.

Looks:
You either like the flame tread pattern or or hate the way they look, but they were (and in our case kept) there reputation as a legitimate performance tire. The rounded sidewalls look the part and the sidewall pattern is handsome.

Setup:
I ran a modified alignment for the OEM suspension/OE Michelin tires/OE bushings and that worked great during autoX. How would it work on the BFGs?
(NOTE: your car is likely to be out of alignment from the dealer based on the few I have seen since then).
The alignment mods were based on our setup experience for other RWD cars with similar geometry and and it worked well. We reduced the amount of toe-in from stock, and even though we didn't change it after our AutoX settings and for the BFG, I was supremely happy with the car, so far it continues to be working better than those who are simply adding front camber!
(NOTE: The BRZ is another story, as those rates are different and the optimal alignment would be adjusted slightly in theory).

Performance:
With that, I think a 225 width will prove to be very popular for this chassis indeed. Maybe thats why TRD chose the 225 width for their package.
After adjusting for tire temps over the weekend of track use, the BFGs responded with excellent response and lots of communication about what they were doing. The performance is far better than the OEM Michelins in all respects.
With the BFG, at no time did I feel anything less than 100% confident in the level of grip at the front or rear of the chassis, and because the tires are not too grippy for the springs and dampers, there was not excessive roll and geometry change- and the limits of grip and transitioning onto over or understeer was supremely predictable and at times when I wanted to get sideways, very fun.
At the end of day two, after I was able to go out on solo runs, we ended up with 38PSI front and 38.5 PSI rear and the car felt perfectly dialed for the last 3 runs of the day.

Wear:
Tire wear on the BFGs after the first day was great, super even and without any drama. Further proof that the alignment was working well and that they were a good match for the power and weight of the chassis.
I settled on pressure of 36 and 36 Hot as the day was a scorcher at around 100F ambient. The second day, with more time to play with pressures ended up at 38 & 38.5 as I said. After the weekend, i checked depths and had within .5 MM of depth across the tires, I was surprised as we had no addition front camber but the car was working so well- wear showed that indeed.

Take away:
-Grip was perfect for the amount of spring and damping the OE setup has to offer.
-Long wear on the FRS/BRZ.
-17x7.5s work well, 17x8s will also fit these tires.
-Did some street driving on these as well, no issues still comfortable and useable
-I think a 17x8 (as fitted to the previous gen STi with this tire size) would be an even nicer match.

08-20-2012, 12:19 AM	#1
Esoteric Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: FR-S\|(2)AE86\|TA22\|E30M3\|E36M3\|BPLeg Location: Philadelphia Posts: 172 Thanks: 10 Thanked 74 Times in 36 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s)	BFGoodrich Gforce KDW2 - Track Review BFGoodrich KDW2 on FRS Track use review: Parts used: -Kazera KZ-P 17x7.5 ET48 w/ included valve stems -Tire rack hub-centric rings -OEM wheel nuts -225/45-17 BFGoodrich G-Force KDW2 -Revised alignment on 100% stock suspension. The BFG G-Force T/A KDW2 represent a tire that has a stiff sidewall and a grippy compound. I recall loving them at the time they were released and in this review I still do. While there are certainly more modern performance tires on the market that have eclipsed the KDW2 in performance in recent years, this review focuses on the fact that this tire in this size is a superb match for this chassis. The Kazera KZ-P 17x7.5 ET48 were used for this track day as we could get them on short notice (they were one day away). While we like investing in something that we trust, the Kazeras were not all that bad! At $142 each, the price is one that any enthusiast can afford and they weigh around 19lbs each. They balanced out very nicely (except for one, that took quite a few OZs to balance, that showed that quality control wasn't the highest). If your on a budget these might be perfect for you. Not everyone will be able to afford $700 a piece track wheels, and these represent something like what many enthusiasts will track a mostly stock car with. Looks: You either like the flame tread pattern or or hate the way they look, but they were (and in our case kept) there reputation as a legitimate performance tire. The rounded sidewalls look the part and the sidewall pattern is handsome. Setup: I ran a modified alignment for the OEM suspension/OE Michelin tires/OE bushings and that worked great during autoX. How would it work on the BFGs? (NOTE: your car is likely to be out of alignment from the dealer based on the few I have seen since then). The alignment mods were based on our setup experience for other RWD cars with similar geometry and and it worked well. We reduced the amount of toe-in from stock, and even though we didn't change it after our AutoX settings and for the BFG, I was supremely happy with the car, so far it continues to be working better than those who are simply adding front camber! (NOTE: The BRZ is another story, as those rates are different and the optimal alignment would be adjusted slightly in theory). Performance: With that, I think a 225 width will prove to be very popular for this chassis indeed. Maybe thats why TRD chose the 225 width for their package. After adjusting for tire temps over the weekend of track use, the BFGs responded with excellent response and lots of communication about what they were doing. The performance is far better than the OEM Michelins in all respects. With the BFG, at no time did I feel anything less than 100% confident in the level of grip at the front or rear of the chassis, and because the tires are not too grippy for the springs and dampers, there was not excessive roll and geometry change- and the limits of grip and transitioning onto over or understeer was supremely predictable and at times when I wanted to get sideways, very fun. At the end of day two, after I was able to go out on solo runs, we ended up with 38PSI front and 38.5 PSI rear and the car felt perfectly dialed for the last 3 runs of the day. Wear: Tire wear on the BFGs after the first day was great, super even and without any drama. Further proof that the alignment was working well and that they were a good match for the power and weight of the chassis. I settled on pressure of 36 and 36 Hot as the day was a scorcher at around 100F ambient. The second day, with more time to play with pressures ended up at 38 & 38.5 as I said. After the weekend, i checked depths and had within .5 MM of depth across the tires, I was surprised as we had no addition front camber but the car was working so well- wear showed that indeed. Take away: -Grip was perfect for the amount of spring and damping the OE setup has to offer. -Long wear on the FRS/BRZ. -17x7.5s work well, 17x8s will also fit these tires. -Did some street driving on these as well, no issues still comfortable and useable -I think a 17x8 (as fitted to the previous gen STi with this tire size) would be an even nicer match.