Tyre recommendation

[Neil220]

My tyres have plenty of tread but I know they are at least 9 years old so want to change them.

I have a 1.6 K series Supersport with flared wings.

It has 14" wheels but I also have a set of 13".

The car is for road use only and has an aeroscreen so I'm not worried about the tyre performance in the wet!

I've looked at previous threads on here and many go back 20 odd years so not really relevant. 

I think tyre availability for 13" used to be a lot better than 14" but now that's the other way around?

Any advice appreciated 

[paul richards]

I'll be fitting some of these. Available in 13 and 14 inch.

https://www.nankangtyre.co.uk/products/motorsport/ns-2r/

[DanRo]

I started using the 13in Nankangs this year. I think they are excellent, progressive and compliant. I can't say how much grip they offer in relation to Avons or Toyos, having not tried those, but I would buy these again in a flash. Wet weather grip I have not found to be an issue either, although given the tread pattern, I was pretty circumspect when caught in showers. 

[K7 VCT]

Using Ns2r nankang since 2016 in 185-60-13.

Very happy with them.

 

[7 wonders of the world]

Toyo R888R available in both 13" and14", great grip, very progressive and surprisingly good in the wet too

[Mrb00ns]

I use Nankang AR1 for track. They're a fair bit cheaper than Avons so I'm happier giving them a bit more abuse! Super sticky but not so hot in the wet as I found out at Silverstone recently. 
I've heard good things about NS2Rs too. 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

I was surprised how well the AR-1s worked on the Caterham on track, the only observation so far is that they need a lot of camber. My rear tyres are 70% worn on the outer half of the tread and only 30% on the inner half after 800km / 500 miles of use over 3 track days, I plan on increasing negative camber by 1 degree before next season. I'm running 185/60-13 on 6" front wheels and 235/45-13 on the 8" rear wheels.

[7 wonders of the world]

James,

 thats interesting as the rears have an XL load rating which has steered me way form trying them as I prefer a more compliant sidewall

how much rear toe are you running..?

how do the front compare in terms of wear, bearing in minf the 185/60 have a normal load rating

[aerobod - near CYYC]

I have the -1.5 degree rear ears at the moment, Neil and =2.5 degrees set for the front. Running the tyres at 14PSI cold, about 18-19PSI hot. Front tyre wear is more even with the higher camber, I may go for -2.5 rear, -3.0 front, with no front toe-in and slight rear toe-in. I would have expected more inner rear wear, but the sidewalls at 14PSI are soft enough to overcome the XL rating, I think. I tried a bit higher pressure but prefer the grip and feel at the lower pressure settings I'm using.

I'm planning on machining some 1 degree wedges that cover the whole of the ear mounting surface, as I don't like the Caterham or DPR shims that are flat and only inserted on one side, I prefer an even mounting surface. I can just machine some wedges from 1/8" thick 6061 that vary from 0.5mm on the top edge to about 1.5mm on the bottom edge to give me the required camber increase.

[Beagler]

Just ordered some NS2's from Demon Tweeks today, guy personally selected dates that were 6 months or less at my request as I do low mileage. Coming tomorrow, great service.

[eric]

Nankang NS2R very good wet and dry in 13" but heavy and need to use 1.2 bar tyre pressure instead of  1.4 or 1.5 Bar used normally . Balanced the tyre is more complicated as the tyre is heavy if you don;t want to use too many weights .

Only 18  000 miles and they need to be replaced .

 

More economical, good on the road wet and dry , after 2 or 3 circuit laps they become slippery .

[eric]

Oups ! The Yokohama A 539 is better on the road as it is lighter , your car is more quick

[Beagler]

Doubtless others will have other suggestions but the deeds done now and you pay your money and you take your choice.  Oups!

[Garry7]

I am running NS2Rs on 15's, replaced a worn set of CR500's. Very pleased with the performance wet and dry.

Demon Tweeks did 5 for £325 with free delivery (in lieu of club discount), so a good deal too.

Garry

[Beagler]

Thanks Garry. Went off recommendations on here. Very pleased with Demon Tweets service ordered yesterday late morning arrived at 9:30 this morning delivery included.

Checked manufacture date and its August '21 

[John Vine]

My 195/50-15 ZZS tyres just fit inside the front wingstays.  How does the NS2R compare (in terms of tyre width at the widest point, width and shape of shoulder, etc)?

JV 

[Beagler]

Mine are 185/60/14 same as the originals.