peejay

Why does Hoosier not recommend using their Street TD on public roads? Are they as fragile as the RS303?

I'm basically searching on some bias-ply track tires. The Street TD looks nice in that it's not a slick, and (in theory anyway) I could put the race tires on at home instead of at the track. Fitting four tires, a floorjack, and jackstands in the back of and RX-7 isn't easy when you're already carrying a cooler and toolbox anyway

ErnieT

iTrader: (2)

Pretty much the same reason, you shouldn't run ET streets on the street. Technically there not made for it becuse they get so damn sticky.

peejay

Ah, so it's just because they have thin tread and are more susceptible to punctures, then?

The website states that you shouldn't ever ever ever drive them on the street. I don't want to use them as regular tires (like some poeple I know who keep DOT-Rs on their cars 100% of the time) and I know that they won't last long in street use anyway - I just want to be able to drive 100 or so miles to the track.

225/45D13s look really juicy and they'd fit on my 7" rims

Silkworm

Don't know what the Hoosiers are constructed, but the ET Streets are bias ply, primarily the reason why it's not recommended to use on the street. Gets very squirrely at higher speeds, especially cornering.

DOT R compounds (except Hoosiers) are fine for the street, IF you don't drive in the rain, don't mind pebbles getting kicked up on your paint, and don't mind the tire wear..

PaulC

peejay

The Street TD is bias ply which is why I'm considering it. The traction curve is more favorable to my driving style. I like to get the car up around where it's just skittering across the pavement, and I figure that bias-plies would be safer for me.

BTW I had no problems with my Bridgestone RE71Rs in the rain, at 4-5/32nds tread depth. (In fact, the man I bought them from was using them as rains on his Improved Touring RX-7)

Silkworm

I'm thinking more like Kumho V700s, Toyo RA1s, BFG R1s.. The RE71 is still a street tire (at least I've never heard of an R-compound Bridgestone tire), although I'd probably be nervous at 4/32nds of tread, that's how I totalled my first TA, heavy rain, hit a good sized puddle on the right side, and spun it heavily into the center divider.

PaulC

peejay

It's RE71R. Treadwear is something like 50, and they grip like a scared cat on Velcro despite being rather old. Nice breakaway characteristics, too. Unfortunately, one of the tires got mangled this spring, otherwise I'd stick with 'em (no pun intended).

What I don't like about them is that they go off quickly... five laps and the tires are greasy and generally feel uncomfortable, and I have to pull in and let them cool off.