Best Summer 195-60-15 tires?

Here's two more:

 

Falken Ziex ZE 912

Bridgestone RE960 AS Pole Position

 

http://1010tires.com/Tires/195-60R15

 

Unfortunately,  performance tires in a 195x60 size are hard to come by.

 

Marty, the Vredestein Sport Trac 3 looks interesting.  Can you get them in NA?

I ran Yokohamas on my Spyder....  (Not the size you're asking about.)  They did very well and were still on the car, in excellent condition, when sold at 35,000 mi.  My .02.

I'm running the Pole Positions right now on Penny. By far, the best tire to date. The Yokohamas are my next favorite but not as sticky as the Bridgestones. The falkens were my least favorite. In fact, I found them dangerous on my entry level JPS.  

I tend to drive aggressively so your experience may be different.

I'm really bummed because the Pole Position is no longer available in a 185/65/15.

I'll have to go back to the Yokohamas 

Terry, can you post a few pics? I want to see the side and 3/4 views.  Thanks.

Yes, tiresbyweb.  Expensive at $147.00 I asked for discount and best I got so for was $137.00

Terry - Did you check for the 970 AS Pole Position?  The 960 has been replaced.

Lane, Bridgestone offers the Potenza G019 Grid in that size. That's it for a performance tire.

Marty, I'll try to get some photos in the next couple days.

Do you think I will have trouble in the rain?

 

Nah;you'll be fine...

only if you leave your garage....

What are the pros and cons by changing tire size up or down 1/2 inch in diameter?

It'll change your speedometer reading for one thing. I found a calculator that I can probably dig up for you. My tire size change resulted in about a 10 % change.

Marty, a while back I did some research on changing tire diameter.  Here's what I found out:

Transmission

3.88 r&p

0.89 4th

 

24.5" diameter

70 mph = 3316 rpm

 

25.5" diameter

70 mph = 3186 rpm

 

26.0" diameter

70 mph = 3125 rpm

 

26.5" diameter

70 mph = 3066 rpm.

 

Example:

185/65-15 has a diameter of 24.5

195/65-15 has a diameter of 25.5

 

Speedometer reading with the 195s is 2.1% too slow.  When your speedo reads 60 mph, you are actually traveling 61.3 mph.

My -195 60 15's only meausure about 23.5 with a tape measure.  Does it vary by manufacturer?

Marty, hit the Tire Rack site, they have all the specs for each tire.

The short answer Marty is YES. They vary by diameter and width depending on manufacturer and even model. Tire Rack has some excellent resources and specs though. Remember guys, you can use a different size front and rear, front for speedo, rear for gearing. Yes I know you Speedster guys like to keep them the same all around..... 

Not a whole lot. 1/2" on a 24 or 25" tire is approximately 2%. Generally, a taller tire will result in slower acceleration but higher top speed (if the motor has the jam to carry it); a shorter tire will give you faster acceleration but lower top speed. As was mentioned, with our cars (speedo driven off the left front tire) it also affects the speedometer reading.

Ok. I'm learning.  My car is spot on with the speedo so is like to not go bigger than 24" Does anyone run the Vredestein Sprint Classics in the 185's.  I'm curious as to the diameter and tread witdth?

The difference in diameter between a 195/60 and a 185/65 is only 0.3".  As Al mentioned, it would be hard to notice the change in rpm or speedo.

Marty,

 

I run the Sprint classics, both 155/80/15 and 185/70/15 on Spyders when the client wants a classic tire look.  The 185/70/15 are over 25" tall and the 185/15 are even taller (no listed aspect ratio in a tire size means the aspect ratio is greater than 82%)

If you really want a crazy summer tire, check out the Hoosier Speedster  We use them on track/autocross builds.  NO treadlife with an 050 treadwear, but they are the stickiest thing you'll find... plus they have a perfect "Speedster" script in the sidewall. 

In your size, it will be hard to find a better tire summer tire than thePole Positions.

 

Marty--I recently got the Verdestein Classics and really like everything about them. They look like something Michelin would make.  They are made in the Netherlands and are actually round.  What a concept--right?

Carey, looks like they only run 14's.  I saw they have a Pro Street Series too in 24 inch 15's but the prices are cookoo at 200 plus a tire.  I like the old school racy look.  You have a connection?

 

 

 

 

 

Jack, Are you running the 185/70s like Carey mentioned?  Can you post or email me some pics? I have a set of summer 195 60 15's with only 8K on them.  I may keep the current rims/tires so I am trying to decide if I should go with a classic tire, racy old school, or modern like I run now. Too many choices 

Marty,

 

Yes, they are located about 10 miles from me in Lakeville, IN, and have sponsored some of our TV show cars as well as some of my employee's race cars.

I have both 185/65/15 and 205/60/15 in the shop now (not for sale, they are mine)  They did have a 195/60(maybe 65) a few years ago, but maybe have discontinued it? The pictured tires are not the Speedsters.  Here is a link to them: http://www.hoosiertire.com/pb10306.HTM

 

They are not a practical tire by any means, but boy are they fun...

Marty--I opted for the tire size that came on Ferdinand's original Porsche speedsters; 165-15.

 

I have always been happy with the way the car drives and handles with this size tire

and never saw the need to change to a larger one.  Larger engine, absolutely--larger tire -no.

Ok, here is the update.  Carey gave me some good ideas but I also did some research and found that Europe has a "lot" more tire options than we do in the US.  There are more choices because the have the high end tires on their A series BMW and small Audi cars.  I almost pulled the trigger on some Pirelli Cinturato P1's but I found out that they may not be sent to the US much longer.   I opted for a set of Michelin Pilot Sport AS 3's.  They come in one unique size 175/65 R15 that still has a 7 inch section width and put down 5.5 inches on the turf (good for that size tire) and a 24 inch diameter.  The reviews are awesome. I wanted a slightly skinner tire for the longer drives.  I have the big meats for the aggressive driving so I wanted to try something different.  This size should look the part too.  I'll post my opinions in a few weeks.  With my new rims and these tires I think I will loose about 7-8 lbs per wheel.  This should be good for quick turn in.

I bet you'll notice the difference.

Summers over.....   How about winter choices???

       
       


Jack stands.