Bridgestone RE71R going out of production

[Tom Helvey]

It looks like the RE-71Rs are mostly gone now, I'll be burning off my last set in May.

There are a number of super 200's out there that look promising. I don't know about track performance for most of them.
* Hankook Ventus R-S4 ($912) - I tried these for a while, I don't think I spent enough time driving on them.
* Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R ($1214)
* Yokohama Advan A052 ($1076) - I like these, they have a smooth grip to slide transition but they wear out really fast.
* Dunlop Direzza ZII ($976)
* Falken Azenus RT615K+ ($588)
* Falken Azenus RT660 ($806)
* Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect ($1296)
* Kumho EXSTA V720 ($676)

A few have asymmetrical tread patterns (V720, RT615K+, Pilot Sport) but most don't. How much does that matter on the track?
I've had to replace my tires at every track event so far, none of them last more than a day or two.
I'm tempted to try out the Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car 3R's ($1251) but they're not cheap.
Has anyone tried any of these alternatives?

[keefer]

I went to the Falken RT660 and I'm not impressed to say the least. Vinh also got them and we had the same opinion. They are workable, but by no means are they as good as the RE71R. They make noise early, noise means losing grip, so . . . Going clockwise at CVR after a few warm-ups, I came out of 2 with speed similar to when I had RE71's and I dropped 2 off at the gator before 3 as they just didn't hold.

Star Car I'm bringing a set of the A052 and Falken and that'll be a good day to day comparison as both will be new.

The Falken also don't wear out at all before they heat cycle. After 3 days of CVR I still had a ton of tread left but grip fell off sharply. Based on what I've heard about the RS4, the RS4 is probably better as they don't seem to cycle out as fast and seemingly have the same grip.

I'll buy the Falken again if I can't get anything else in my sizes, otherwise, pass.

[afilsinger]

There are a number of super 200's out there that look promising. I don't know about track performance for most of them.
* Hankook Ventus R-S4 ($912) - I tried these for a while, I don't think I spent enough time driving on them.
* Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R ($1214)
* Yokohama Advan A052 ($1076) - I like these, they have a smooth grip to slide transition but they wear out really fast.
* Dunlop Direzza ZII ($976)
* Falken Azenus RT615K+ ($588)
* Falken Azenus RT660 ($806)
* Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect ($1296)
* Kumho EXSTA V720 ($676)

I have extensive experience with Ventus RS-4, Advan A052, and Cup2s.
*The RS-4s last forever, but are slower than the RE71s.
*A052s are a great tire, but very picky about tire pressure and temperature.
*Cup2s are easy and consistent but slower than the RE71. These are the most liveable of the bunch on the street.
*Friends of mine run the supercar 3R on their McLarens and love them. Hero level grip, and wear fairly well. They are cheap but they are 100TW not 200, so you might look at hoosiers once you make this jump. Better grip and possibly longer life span since hoosiers are designed to run at track temps.
*Dunlop Direzza ZII "starspec"- These were the 200tw cheater tire and crapcan enduro tire of choice for a long time and rival the RE71 for grip and longevity.

[Tom Helvey]

*A052s are a great tire, but very picky about tire pressure and temperature.

Absolutely, the sidewalls are a lot thinner than the RE-71R's so that implies that they may like more pressure.
Checking the various forums, they're all over the map from 25PSI cold to around 40PSI hot.
I'm thinking that with the right camber they should be good to start with 30PSI square cold and run around 35PSI hot.
I corded a set running lower pressures but I didn't have the camber I'm using now.'
They may need a little more pressure than RE-71R's.