Re-71 vs Falken RT660

[Chuckls]

Originally Posted by Touge_Monster

How about the Nankang CR1 or is this thread specifically about RE71R and RT660?

Where in the midwest are you? I run in KYSCCA (Louisville KY) and am running CR-1s this season for AutoX/HPDE/Tail of dragon!

[RT-BRZ]

Originally Posted by Chuckls

Where in the midwest are you? I run in KYSCCA (Louisville KY) and am running CR-1s this season for AutoX/HPDE/Tail of dragon!

I'm one of the Solo Chairs for the Ohio Valley Region of the SCCA. Basically Columbus, OH.

[Touge_Monster]

Originally Posted by Chuckls

Where in the midwest are you? I run in KYSCCA (Louisville KY) and am running CR-1s this season for AutoX/HPDE/Tail of dragon!

Elkhart Lake, WI was at GridLife RA and a few people were running the Nankang CR1. I was thinking of running a set unless I go up a wheel size or of they have them in the size I need by summer.

[cmiovino]

Originally Posted by RT-BRZ

It feels like you're calling me out when we are saying the same things. I'm not saying the A052 are bad. I'm saying that the kinds of complaints I've heard seem to come from people driving heavier cars. Like you said, heavier cars definitely seem to have an impact on the tires.

Personally I just couldn't justify the extra cost.

Heavier cars or FWD / front heavy car where you're putting a lot of stress on the front tires in general. If you're running something like a Civic Type R or Focus RS in DS... yeah, the Yoks are probably going to wear heavily.

I'm between the RT660 and A052, but I'm going with the Yoks to see how they wear for a few reasons:

• We had a local guy run them 150+ runs on a GS Civic with 0.6* front camber. FWD, same weight as a twin. They finally started not enjoying the heat after about 130-140 runs.
• Weight. The 660's are 3-4 lbs heavier per tire. 21 vs 24-25 depending on who states the number.
• Comfort. I know a lot of autox/track guys hate this, but many of us drive our cars on the street to things like Cars & Coffee. I hated the RE-71R for this and it's weird noises. The 660's generally are the same I hear.

I do think the Yoks will hold up on a BRZ for a full season, but will be junked after that. 150 runs possible, depending on surface. Possibly flip them (even though you're not supposed to).


I do think the RT660's are great for a budget tire. That much grip for $200-300 less is still impressive. If it's between the RE and RT... eh, price per performance the RT is on top for sure.


... who knows, maybe I'll be buying 660's halfway through the season when they cord. But I'm edging the wear characteristics are overblown due to one guy in a FiST cording a set at nationals... on concrete... probably overdriving a bit.

[smg1138]

Originally Posted by cmiovino

I do think the Yoks will hold up on a BRZ for a full season, but will be junked after that. 150 runs possible, depending on surface. Possibly flip them (even though you're not supposed to).

That was one of my main concerns about the A052's. I pretty much always have to flip my autox tires at some point to even out the wear. Since these have an asymmetrical tread pattern, I didn't think they could be flipped. Is there any major downside to doing that?

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by smg1138

That was one of my main concerns about the A052's. I pretty much always have to flip my autox tires at some point to even out the wear. Since these have an asymmetrical tread pattern, I didn't think they could be flipped. Is there any major downside to doing that?

Water evacuation, tread grooves are designed to move water out the sides. May have odd road noise, otherwise compound don't care, sticky stuff still sticks.

Once I got the STX alignment right there really wasn't much point to flipping the tires, they wear fairly even and I've only seen an extra event or two with no increase in speed even when the alignment wasn't as good, it doesn't seem worth the hassle to me.

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by Touge_Monster

How about the Nankang CR1 or is this thread specifically about RE71R and RT660?

Im testing the RT660 first then the CR1 this year. Having already run the A052 and RE71R I'll have a pretty good idea of where they sit. What bugs me regarding these tires is that the AR1, which are a 100TW tire, for track only, made by the same company, are not faster than teh A052 or the RE71R. I cant imagine that same company bringing out another tire, with supposedly more TW rating and posting faster times with it. I'll give them a fair shot, but im not holding my breath on that.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

Im testing the RT660 first then the CR1 this year. Having already run the A052 and RE71R I'll have a pretty good idea of where they sit. What bugs me regarding these tires is that the AR1, which are a 100TW tire, for track only, made by the same company, are not faster than teh A052 or the RE71R. I cant imagine that same company bringing out another tire, with supposedly more TW rating and posting faster times with it. I'll give them a fair shot, but im not holding my breath on that.

Please keep us updated on your impressions, I am very curious how they stack up.

[cmiovino]

Originally Posted by smg1138

That was one of my main concerns about the A052's. I pretty much always have to flip my autox tires at some point to even out the wear. Since these have an asymmetrical tread pattern, I didn't think they could be flipped. Is there any major downside to doing that?

One guy did it in our region running a set out to 150+ runs. Flipped around the halfway point. They need an event to 'wear' back in and were pushy. After that, in the dry, they were 100% fine and back to their regular grip and feel.

This year we didn't have any wet events the Yoks were tested at, but water might have been an issue once flipped.

[Breezio]

I'm currently at about 103 runs on my yoks. Still have plenty of life left and are wearing pretty even.

One of our local racers who won nationals in 2019 is going to try the Nankang CR1's this year.

[cmiovino]

Originally Posted by Breezio

I'm currently at about 103 runs on my yoks. Still have plenty of life left and are wearing pretty even.

One of our local racers who won nationals in 2019 is going to try the Nankang CR1's this year.

Aren't the CR1's not available for SCCA competition yet because there aren't enough sizes available?

Doesn't mean you can't run them for testing though. I've heard good things about them.

[Breezio]

Originally Posted by cmiovino

Aren't the CR1's not available for SCCA competition yet because there aren't enough sizes available?

Doesn't mean you can't run them for testing though. I've heard good things about them.

Good question. I don't remember what the minimum sizes and availability is.

[Chuckls]

Originally Posted by Touge_Monster

How about the Nankang CR1 or is this thread specifically about RE71R and RT660?

Got my nankies on.

[ZDan]

Very interested to know which is the better tire for a few laps on a road course (3-lap time trials) and also extended lapping, A052 or CR1...