StuartG Posted February 28, 2021 Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 I am also pondering new tyre choices as my tyres need replacing. Currently running 195/65 Pirellies which are very grippy but seem rather large on a TR6. Anyway as I am not about to blow a silly amount on tyres but equally don't want cheap tyres iether, I am contemplating dropping to 185 /65 or going for the Vredstien Ttrac 2 option. Just found this review of them: Vredestein T-Trac 2 is ranked #75 of 711 summer tyres based on the results of tests carried out by ADAC 2018 and other organizations. Vredestein T-Trac 2 belongs to the Premium segment. It is made in total of 18 sizes, 145/70 R13 being the smallest and 195/65 R15 the largest. https://www.thetirelab.com/vredestein-t-trac-2/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richmac Posted February 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 Thanks for sharing the link Stuart. Looking at 165's though its saying it doesn't have enough data and only lists Maxxis or Hankook. Hard to see what others they were tested against. My car also has 195's which I think are to wide. Seems a few people on here that fit, and are quite happy with the Vredestein. I was thinking maybe the Continental CT22 might be better though being a leading brand what do you think? Your not going down the 'H' rated then? Its a minefield when you can't tell what your getting for your money. I don't want to pay hundreds of pounds just for a classic tread pattern thats for sure. Do you have any TR6 driving friends? What do they use? Regards Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StuartG Posted February 28, 2021 Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 I have driven an mx5 on Continentals and they were very good. My take on the whole thing is to buy a decent make and not worry too much about the speed rating as I am never going to do 100mph in my TR let alone 118mph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richmac Posted February 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 On 2/27/2021 at 9:06 AM, saffrontr said: Lets not forget that the original speed rating for the USA CC and CF series was SR cheers Derek On 2/27/2021 at 7:49 PM, Bill944T said: Not as fast as the PI CP ones! Regards Bill I must admit that if the only reason PI cars have 'H' rated tyres is the additional top speed over the CC and CF that are 'S' or 'T' rated then I tend to agree with you. However I haven't made my mind up yet. Regards Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StuartG Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 So after much deliberation I decided to change my 195/65 Pirellies for smaller 185/65 Avons. The Pirellies were well past their use by date, 10 years old front 6 years old rear ! The new tyres are much easier on the arm twidling around roundabouts in particular and the car feels so much nicer to drive although no doubt a lot of that is due to the hardened old ones having lost any suppleness. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
c.hydes Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 42 minutes ago, StuartG said: So after much deliberation I decided to change my 195/65 Pirellies for smaller 185/65 Avons. The Pirellies were well past their use by date, 10 years old front 6 years old rear ! The new tyres are much easier on the arm twidling around roundabouts in particular and the car feels so much nicer to drive although no doubt a lot of that is due to the hardened old ones having lost any suppleness. What make of Avon`s Stuart? Colin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StuartG Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 They are Avon ZT7 185/65 R15 T (88) £53 each fitted via Blackcircles. I realise the speed rating is only up to 118mph but I will now be venturing towards 100 let alone 118mph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
astontr6 Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 On 2/28/2021 at 8:21 PM, Richmac said: I must admit that if the only reason PI cars have 'H' rated tyres is the additional top speed over the CC and CF that are 'S' or 'T' rated then I tend to agree with you. However I haven't made my mind up yet. Regards Richard That's OK until you have a bang and the insurance accessor spots that the correct speed rating tyres were not fitted and then you are advised they will not pay out. It then works out to have been a very expensive mistake!!! Bruce. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richmac Posted April 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 I still fail to understand the speed rating. From what I can make of it its about the heat generated but I noticed my brothers VW Transporter van has 'C' rated from new!! Only 50mph? OK so he tells me its the speed limit of all commercials now but even so a van travelling up the motorway at 50mph with a ton of bricks in the back? No heat?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bill944T Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 VW Transporter van has 'C' rated from new!! Only 50mph? I think you'll find the C designates Commercial rather than speed! Regards Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 (edited) +1 It will have a higher ply rating for load carrying. Mick Richards Edited April 16, 2021 by Motorsport Mickey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 As its the only thing that keeps you on the road then why would you fit something that isnt specced for the purpose, That speed rating is there for a reason, its not only for straight line speed but also to cope with cornering forces etc,you will also notice a load index on the side of the tyre too, all these things contribute to your safety. OK you might say Im only going to do 70mph so why should I buy tyres that are rated to 130mph but dont forget the car you are driving has the power to get very close to that and the forces going through the tyre when you put your foot down are commensurate with it (Watch a clip using high speed film of a dragster rear tyre when the power is applied) hence why the car when new had the higher speed rating tyres fitted by the factory despite the fact that the limit on Motorways was 70MPH from 1967, you could still take it to Germany on holiday and thrash the arse off it on unlimited autobahns.. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StuartG Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 I have checked this out with my insurance company and they are OK with it. It is certainly valid to say that any deviation from standard spec (are any TRs still to standard spec, suspension, brakes, lights etc etc ?) Should be noted to your insurance company. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 30 minutes ago, StuartG said: I have checked this out with my insurance company and they are OK with it. It is certainly valid to say that any deviation from standard spec (are any TRs still to standard spec, suspension, brakes, lights etc etc ?) Should be noted to your insurance company. They will say its OK until its not when an independent accident investigator points to the speed rating as a possible contributory factor in an accident and hangs you out to dry. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richmac Posted April 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 Anybody fitted these tyres please? https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/yokohama/gt-special-classic-y350/165/80/R15/H/87/f?tyre=40395074 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 18 minutes ago, Richmac said: Anybody fitted these tyres please? https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/yokohama/gt-special-classic-y350/165/80/R15/H/87/f?tyre=40395074 Not with that wet grip rating. !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richmac Posted April 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 The XAS is exempt from any labeling so you don't even know what the ratings are for those Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mk2 Chopper Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 8 hours ago, Richmac said: The XAS is exempt from any labeling so you don't even know what the ratings are for those They are listed on Michelin's own site as 82H (load and speed rating), also at Longstone tyres. Are you referring to when they originally came out in 1965? Gareth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 XAS was and I'm certain still is, H rated, i.e. 130MPH. As my TR4 only needs S rated tyres, I'm belt and braces with XAS's Superb Tyre, used and stored properly, and whilst it strue they cost a lot of money, worth eveny penny - then some. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 (edited) My dad loved the XAS and used them extensively on his many Daimler SP250’s his first being in 1964. as a PR man he was involved in their launch to the uk market in 1965 (iirc) I think part of this was a journalist/ supplier track day I think at brands. it was a cold frosty day and the Michelin management were concerned that this would affect the road test reports. And knowing dad had raced cars asked him to check out the track conditions . He said he “negotiated” a set of xas for his sp250 and went on track to defrost the racing line for a great number of laps which had people queuing for a passenger rides. a family pic 50 years of SP250 their is still on on axles stands in mums garage ! Edited April 17, 2021 by Hamish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 (edited) . Edited April 17, 2021 by Hamish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Mk2 Chopper said: The XAS is exempt from any labeling so you don't even know what the ratings are for those They are listed on Michelin's own site as 82H (load and speed rating) Richard is of course referring to the alphabetic ratings for economy/wet grip/noise, since Hamish mentioned the (rather low) wet-grip one for the Yokohamas in his post above. Neither the XAS nor the Vredestein Classic have those ratings quoted on that website. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cp25616 Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 Whats going on? Looks like the venerable and brilliant Michelin 165 HR15 XAS is no longer being produced ? It would appear that to cater more for the Porsche 912 and 911 market the current model is an XAS 165 VR 15 ? Even if you wanted a set of 165 HR 15 CN36 tyres these too are VR rated now? This info was taken from the Longstone tyre website and must be correct as I have a friend who wanted a set of HR XAS for his concours TR6 and was informed that they were now VR or nowt? Does everything have to be governed by the "last penny" policy or by the Moss "yes we have one of those, not quite right but close enough" attitude? I am disappointed with this. Alan G Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richmac Posted April 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 1 hour ago, RobH said: Richard is of course referring to the alphabetic ratings for economy/wet grip/noise, since Hamish mentioned the (rather low) wet-grip one for the Yokohamas in his post above. Neither the XAS nor the Vredestein Classic have those ratings quoted on that website. Thanks Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duncan Posted April 19, 2021 Report Share Posted April 19, 2021 My insurance company agreed in writing that T would be acceptable with good quality tyres, after a discussion with the underwriters. I am not insured for track use, don't drive the car hard & no intention of autobahn high speeds. I note Stuart's comments, as the underwriters advised me to inspect the tyres periodically (as we should anyway) in case there was torque ware. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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