dhess

Hi I'm considering getting RA-1's.

Has anyone used them before and what are your experiences with them?

Thanks.

RedRover

A HSCCV friend of ours (who is not on this board) tried Toyo's after his original S02's wore out. He wasn't happy with them and considered junking them early but finally decided to keep them on until worn. He wouldn't get them again.

Another newer S2000 owner (also not here) was offered a trial run on a set of slightly used Toyo's. After trying them he got the Bridgestone RE711's.

I have heard that the Toyo's go well on WRX's but I haven't heard anyone say they were good on S2000's.

dhess

I'm currently running Toyo proxes T1-s and have been reasonably happy with them. It is true that they have more side wall flex but you can counter it by runing slightly higher pressures.
They have 90% of the dry grip of OEM tires have 110% the wet grip, cost 70% of the price and last 150% as long.

I am keen to try the RA1's because being a track tyre they are meant to be a lot grippier.

cthree

I'm running RA-1s and they are awesome. They need to either be shaved or run hard for a while before theyget sticky. Brand new they are spooky at the limit. Many many others here also use RA1s as street tires with great success.

They are damn expensive tho. Khumo victoracers are better and cheaper but we've have supply problems here in the USA. As a track/autocross/street tire I'd say the Khumos would be my first choice (if I could get some ) and RA1's would be second.

Get the Khumo's if you can and if not go for the RA-1s.

205x55ZR16 or 225x50ZR16 front (225 if you have a stiffer front sway bar, 205 if you don't)
245x45ZR16 rear

dhess

Thanks for the info cthree

Are Toyo RA1's really that expensive in the US? Because my tyre dealer can get them for me for about 65% of what he can get me OEM S02's.

Out of curiousity how much are RA1's in the US?

Are the Khumo's as grippy?

Bernie

Dom

can you tell me what tyre pressure you are running?

dhess

I'm running 38psi all round.

My rears are worn to the point of illegality and unlike some other tyres they seem to have very little grip in the dry. For example S02's were grippy even when I had worn them down to slicks.

AusS2000

What would you pay for OE SO2's. Should be about $350 each.

dhess

Yeah about that.
I payed between 200-220 a corner for toyo T1-S.

cthree

RA-1's are $750 US for a full set. S0-2's are about $600 a set. All up (taxes, labor, tires) I paid $900

I run the RA-1's with 31-32 psi all corners. That seems to be the best. They get really hot (hot temps are about 40 psi) but then again it's summer here and the tracks are in the desert so it gets hot (35-40C). In the winter I might go with more pressure due to cooler temps (20-25C). (Yeah like they will last that long.)