Summer Only Tire Recommendation - Focaljet

**hEaT** · 07-01-2008, 06:55 PM

I just wanted the opinion of the FJ crew for a sticky summer tire for my XR. It will be wrapping some 17x7 wheels so I'm looking for a 215/45/17 tire. I'm running BF Goodrich G-Force Sports on the Focus right now and they are pretty grippy and nice for a DD, but wet traction I find is lacking. I can break them free way too easy with what little power I have and any kinda of throttle in tight corners and the front end slides.

I was wondering what was out there in comparison to the BFG's for the highest performing non-r compound. I've always heard good things about the Azeni RT615's, but also good things about the Dunlop Direzza DZ101. I'm not very well educated when it comes to the new tires (I got my Focus ones three years ago) so any help would be appreciated. I'm not biased towards any brands and I don't mind paying a bit more for a better performing tire.

The car will be mainly used for a weekend fun car and possibly some autocross. No track days and no snow. Cold weather traction isn't much of a concern. I don't DD the car.

**eMAGDNIM** · 07-01-2008, 08:17 PM

The Dunlop DZ101, i found to be rather terrible in the rain. Se,, i hadn't had that problem on my BFGs in the rain. I usually run Yokohama ES100s. but now since they are no longer being made, the S. Drives. I love them and can't wait to get the money to get back into them. But this is just my opinion. From personal experience.

**Auto-X-ZTS** · 07-01-2008, 09:12 PM

Dunlop Direzza Z1.

Amazing tire.

**Johnny_P** · 07-02-2008, 12:32 AM

I like my RT-615s... tread wear is looking like just a tad over 15k miles though... so they're not the longest lasting tire ever. They don't do very well when it rains, they tend to hydroplane a lot more than any other tire I've had... so I just don't drive crazy in the rain.

**hEaT** · 07-02-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auto-X-ZTS

Dunlop Direzza Z1.

Amazing tire.

Oh, nice. I didn't see that one before

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=100

Looks like a superior wet tire for sure and has great dry handling.

Is the Star Spec the same thing? I can't seem to find the plain Z1 in my size or really available in many places.

**mysvtftoy** · 07-02-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hEaT

Is the Star Spec the same thing? I can't seem to find the plain Z1 in my size or really available in many places.

Same tread design. New compound. Old Z1 was discounted and moved out. Star Spec Z1 is the replacement. Might heat up quicker or something. Not sure. There was a discussion here in the spring.

http://forums.focaljet.com/tire-rack...star-spec.html

**hEaT** · 07-02-2008, 11:16 AM

Ah, thanks for the link. Seems like these are the ones I'll be going with.

**ladybug04** · 07-02-2008, 11:40 AM

the z1 star spec does heat up a little quicker then the normal z1, it is a great tire, but you have to be careful in the rain, will hydroplane, if i were to buy a totally street tire, id prob just get the regular direzza.

standard direzza
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Direzza+DZ101

z1 star spec:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.... Z1+Star+Spec

**hEaT** · 07-02-2008, 11:46 AM

Hmm. It seems there are a few other tires better than the 101 in the same class (Avon Tech M500 and the G Force Sports I have currently).

**Omega Anomaly** · 07-02-2008, 11:59 AM

I honestly love these tires, I have found them to be even better than the yoko spec I had before:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.... peedRating=S

**natedog_1959** · 07-02-2008, 04:26 PM

I DD the Z1 Star Specs and they are fantastic in the rain. Granted, they are still pretty new <10-15k miles but they are holding up very well. I was within 5 seconds (I was running 40-41 seconds, he was running 35-36's) of a regionally competitive 2000 lb STS Civic on the same tires at my first auto-x. Nate

**SVTADAM** · 07-02-2008, 04:59 PM

I am liking the Parada spec 2s that are on the focus.

**rosko311** · 07-02-2008, 08:38 PM

only if the Nitto Invos came in 215 45 17

**natedog_1959** · 07-02-2008, 08:44 PM

Those are waaaaaaayyyyyyyy overpriced. Only if you are rocking a pimpmobile should you be looking at Invos. Nate

**sleeperlove** · 07-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosko311

only if the Nitto Invos came in 215 45 17

Except there are many much better options than this as far as performance goes.

**2002red** · 07-03-2008, 05:43 PM

I've been running a set of 215/45-17 BFG g-force kdw 2's that I bought early this year ... so far have been very good tires dry and rainy. Also have been good to me at auto-x.

**galeano** · 07-03-2008, 08:30 PM

i used to have the BFG g-force in my svt wheelss and they were good

**hEaT** · 07-07-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galeano

i used to have the BFG g-force in my svt wheelss and they were good

I'm a fan of mine as well.

I think I'm going to go with the Direzza Star Specs. TireRack has a $50 off deal on them as well (essentially free shipping) so the price isn't so bad.

**S'Cool Bus** · 07-07-2008, 07:56 PM

I've had the G-Force Sport on both my SVTC & my wife's ZTS sedan. Other than the tread life being rather disappointing, I love these tires & for the price they can't be beat.

However I recently decided to make a change to the Yokohama Sdrive for my SVTF. I've only got a couple hundred miles on them so I can't provide much in the way of an informative evaluation, but so far I like them.

**brads03zx3** · 07-07-2008, 11:01 PM

No summer tire is going to offer great wet traction.

So, if you are looking for a summer only tire as your title suggests, look at the direzza z1 star spec, 'stone RE01R, or falken azenis. None of these tires will offer great wet weather traction but will be very fun in the dry.

**Ray** · 07-08-2008, 05:56 AM

hey if you get the star specs i'd like to give them a whirl to see how they compare to the 615's.

i'd also second the star spec for a tire. good price, good tire.

just make sure before you "wring the car out" you replace the rear suspension, bushings, etc. you have no idea the amount of slop you have back there. trust me. get the car up on stands and just drop the whole rear end.

**ladybug04** · 07-08-2008, 01:57 PM

they stick, almost surprised they are allowed in STS way out did my previous performance tires(kelly fierces)

**hEaT** · 07-08-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

hey if you get the star specs i'd like to give them a whirl to see how they compare to the 615's.

i'd also second the star spec for a tire. good price, good tire.

just make sure before you "wring the car out" you replace the rear suspension, bushings, etc. you have no idea the amount of slop you have back there. trust me. get the car up on stands and just drop the whole rear end.

Gotcha. There's tons of slop that I can feel. In the rain when the back end gets loose it's feels like slush when it hooks again.

**paulhaskew** · 07-08-2008, 06:19 PM

I vote for the BFG KDW 2's as well... awesome tires...

**AcIdBuRn02ZTS** · 07-08-2008, 06:37 PM

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Nero&pa rtnum=145YR70NXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1= yes&place=0

I love the Pirelli P-Zero's that are on my car now... im running the same tire exept on a 16" rim.... amazing dry performance and decent wet traction... and a pretty good price at the moment

-AcId-

07-01-2008, 06:55 PM	#1
hEaT [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,375	Summer Only Tire Recommendation I just wanted the opinion of the FJ crew for a sticky summer tire for my XR. It will be wrapping some 17x7 wheels so I'm looking for a 215/45/17 tire. I'm running BF Goodrich G-Force Sports on the Focus right now and they are pretty grippy and nice for a DD, but wet traction I find is lacking. I can break them free way too easy with what little power I have and any kinda of throttle in tight corners and the front end slides. I was wondering what was out there in comparison to the BFG's for the highest performing non-r compound. I've always heard good things about the Azeni RT615's, but also good things about the Dunlop Direzza DZ101. I'm not very well educated when it comes to the new tires (I got my Focus ones three years ago) so any help would be appreciated. I'm not biased towards any brands and I don't mind paying a bit more for a better performing tire. The car will be mainly used for a weekend fun car and possibly some autocross. No track days and no snow. Cold weather traction isn't much of a concern. I don't DD the car. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

07-01-2008, 08:17 PM	#2
eMAGDNIM Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Spring, Tx Posts: 59	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation The Dunlop DZ101, i found to be rather terrible in the rain. Se,, i hadn't had that problem on my BFGs in the rain. I usually run Yokohama ES100s. but now since they are no longer being made, the S. Drives. I love them and can't wait to get the money to get back into them. But this is just my opinion. From personal experience. __________________ "I wanna go fast."

07-01-2008, 09:12 PM	#3
Auto-X-ZTS Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: East Troy (Milwaukee), WI Posts: 3,511	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation Dunlop Direzza Z1. Amazing tire. __________________ Erik B. ( _/\_ - Head) Milwaukee SCCA and Wisconsin Autocrossers Inc. "Res Firma Mitescere Nescit" www.waiautox.org _/\_ _____________ _/\_ _____________ _/\_ _____________ _/\_ _____________ _/\_ 2007 Mazda6i 2.3 Zoom-Zoom-Zoom; Y2K ZX2 S/R--STS Anti-Civic Last edited by Auto-X-ZTS : 07-01-2008 at 09:17 PM.

07-02-2008, 11:16 AM	#7
hEaT [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,375	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation Ah, thanks for the link. Seems like these are the ones I'll be going with. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

07-02-2008, 11:46 AM	#9
hEaT [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,375	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation Hmm. It seems there are a few other tires better than the 101 in the same class (Avon Tech M500 and the G Force Sports I have currently). __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

07-02-2008, 11:59 AM	#10
Omega Anomaly TEAM Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 456	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation I honestly love these tires, I have found them to be even better than the yoko spec I had before: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.... peedRating=S __________________ Later -Bryan 02.5 Infra Red ZX3, 115k+ on clock, Steeda suspension, Steeda Fuel Rail, MSS MSD90, MSS exhaust, FS Aluminum Flywheel, Exedy OEM Kit, Torsen LSD, Powerworks Supercharger

07-02-2008, 04:26 PM	#11
natedog_1959 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,231	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation I DD the Z1 Star Specs and they are fantastic in the rain. Granted, they are still pretty new <10-15k miles but they are holding up very well. I was within 5 seconds (I was running 40-41 seconds, he was running 35-36's) of a regionally competitive 2000 lb STS Civic on the same tires at my first auto-x. Nate __________________ 2004 SVT Focus Black w/ red inserts, HID's, Audiophile. Show: Euro Upper Grille, Tinted Corners, 5% tint on rear three windows, Black EAP Wheels w/ black lug nuts. Go: Steeda STS, SRI, STB, 2 Mounts, MSD Coil/Wires, Side Gapped Cu Plugs, SS Brake Lines, F2 Rear Sway, SRF Throttle Body, ORP, Borla Exhaust, Grounding Kit, SVT Salvage battery box and Odyssey battery, COSDEVSVT Harness Bar, Corbeau Harness, 215/45/17 Dunlop Z1's, Multimatic/KYB suspension, P-51 shims, Centric rotors/Hawk HPS pads.

07-02-2008, 04:59 PM	#12
SVTADAM Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,895	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation I am liking the Parada spec 2s that are on the focus. __________________ Black Aria...#1211 built in 2002 Rain...1990 Ford Escort Wagon "Dear Diary...Jackpot!" Giggity Giggity Goo!

07-02-2008, 08:38 PM	#13
rosko311 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 109	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation only if the Nitto Invos came in 215 45 17 __________________ 2003 Pitch Black SVT Focus #1586 of 3985----> K&N Panel Filter, CFM 67mm TB, CFM ORP, Motorcraft Coppers, CFM Race Lower Trans Mount, Steeda STS, Spec Stg 1 w/ Steel FW, Focussport Tune, Saleen RC Suspension, 17" FB Rota Slips

07-02-2008, 08:44 PM	#14
natedog_1959 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,231	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation Those are waaaaaaayyyyyyyy overpriced. Only if you are rocking a pimpmobile should you be looking at Invos. Nate __________________ 2004 SVT Focus Black w/ red inserts, HID's, Audiophile. Show: Euro Upper Grille, Tinted Corners, 5% tint on rear three windows, Black EAP Wheels w/ black lug nuts. Go: Steeda STS, SRI, STB, 2 Mounts, MSD Coil/Wires, Side Gapped Cu Plugs, SS Brake Lines, F2 Rear Sway, SRF Throttle Body, ORP, Borla Exhaust, Grounding Kit, SVT Salvage battery box and Odyssey battery, COSDEVSVT Harness Bar, Corbeau Harness, 215/45/17 Dunlop Z1's, Multimatic/KYB suspension, P-51 shims, Centric rotors/Hawk HPS pads.

07-03-2008, 05:43 PM	#16
2002red TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 293	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation I've been running a set of 215/45-17 BFG g-force kdw 2's that I bought early this year ... so far have been very good tires dry and rainy. Also have been good to me at auto-x. __________________ 02 sedan se (aka The SC'd se) Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue .... (Airplane)

07-03-2008, 08:30 PM	#17
galeano Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: ohio Posts: 1,586	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation i used to have the BFG g-force in my svt wheelss and they were good __________________ 2000 zx3 bye bye now driving an auto...

07-07-2008, 07:56 PM	#19
S'Cool Bus Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 57	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation I've had the G-Force Sport on both my SVTC & my wife's ZTS sedan. Other than the tread life being rather disappointing, I love these tires & for the price they can't be beat. However I recently decided to make a change to the Yokohama Sdrive for my SVTF. I've only got a couple hundred miles on them so I can't provide much in the way of an informative evaluation, but so far I like them. __________________ 2004 SVT Focus, Screaming Yellow EAP 2000 Focus ZTSVT 1998 Saleen S281 Cobra Speedster

07-07-2008, 11:01 PM	#20
brads03zx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 8,685	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation No summer tire is going to offer great wet traction. So, if you are looking for a summer only tire as your title suggests, look at the direzza z1 star spec, 'stone RE01R, or falken azenis. None of these tires will offer great wet weather traction but will be very fun in the dry. __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec DuraMonster---'03 duratec ZX3 vs MNTN - 9/0 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 4/1 *JCM Racing #88* Bouncing Back---Bigger, Faster, Stronger Vacuum Vulture Racing - We put the ARG in 'CHARGED

07-08-2008, 05:56 AM	#21
Ray Driver > Car Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: CT Posts: 26,552	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation hey if you get the star specs i'd like to give them a whirl to see how they compare to the 615's. i'd also second the star spec for a tire. good price, good tire. just make sure before you "wring the car out" you replace the rear suspension, bushings, etc. you have no idea the amount of slop you have back there. trust me. get the car up on stands and just drop the whole rear end. __________________ Cable Ties. Is there anything they can't fix? Driver > Car - in memory of GaryK *Roadtrippin.org* \| CART

07-08-2008, 06:19 PM	#24
paulhaskew Senior TEAM Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pierce County, WA Posts: 3,257	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation I vote for the BFG KDW 2's as well... awesome tires... __________________ 2005 CD Silver ST-T - Too much FWHP! Motive Racing - [> = my friend! I, like God, do not play with dice and do not believe in coincidence. Words are the means to meaning, and for some, the annunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country.

07-08-2008, 06:37 PM	#25
AcIdBuRn02ZTS Senior TEAM Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boonville, IN Posts: 1,629	Re: Summer Only Tire Recommendation http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Nero&pa rtnum=145YR70NXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1= yes&place=0 I love the Pirelli P-Zero's that are on my car now... im running the same tire exept on a 16" rim.... amazing dry performance and decent wet traction... and a pretty good price at the moment -AcId- __________________ *2002 - Twilight Blue ZTS* Built Engine, Getrag 6spd w/ Quaife, Full Eibach Suspension, 16" Enkei J10's wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero's, soon to come... 20psi daily driven http://www.sounddomain.com/ride/2523022 The only difference between Obama and Osama... is just a little B.S.