The car is 93 FD w/ 12 yr old stock suspension.

Previous tires were Toyo T1s: 235/40/18 & 265/35/18
Current tires are Falken Azenis RT-615: 235/40/18 & 275/35/18

This will be more like a short comment as I only have driven on Falkens for a day now. First thing I noticed is that Falken Azenis actually has less road noise than the Toyo T1s and it rides on concrete highway a lot better. It's not much difference, but definitely noticeable.

Second thing I noticed is that Falkens don't track nearly as much as Toyos. That's one thing I really hated about the Toyos as they would track every damn imperfection on the road. Falkens do it somewhat but it's a subtle movement and doesn't yank the car left or right Toyos did.

Third, Falkens definitely grip a lot better in straight acceleration. I would rip through 1st and 2nd gear with no problem with Toyos, but Falkens are not that easy.

 

what kind of evaluation is this? your taking racing tires against street tires

 

theyre both street tires.

 

and i bet u use a flamethrower to light your cigarettes?

the azenis have a treadwear rating of 200. so on the street they would last what? maybe 12k miles?

 

This last sentence doesn't make any sense? Do you mean the Falkens are alot sticker and you had more problems with traction running the Toyos?

 

theyre still street tires.

 

The Azenis are barely DOT tires. They lean towards DOT-R, despite their treadwear rating. 12k miles is very good for tires that grip like that.

 

Correct. I had traction issues in 1st gear with Toyos, none with Falken.

Once again, this is really a personal opinion on both tires, more like consumer opinion rather than expert comparison. I'm sure to some this means a lot more than expert reviews.

200AA isn't too bad. I'll be trying out Kumho MX next.

 

Not surprising...
Tires with longitudinal grooves tend to track in street grooves.
The Falken RT-615 doesn't have such grooves.

Yeah, this one puzzles me also.
I don't see how the Toyo's would have superior traction in a straight line in just the first two gears, yet you concluded that the Falken's grip better?
Maybe the tread depth is too "new"?


-Ted

 

What I meant by rip through = wheel spin, and falkens are harder to spin out than Toyos. Sorry for misunderstanding, fellas.

 

I've had both already... The 615's are way better than the TS1's and will wear way faster. The 615's are a street tire, but a border line DOT... I say that cautiously though as they wouldn't hold a candle to Hoosiers, etc...

The 615's are really great tyres, but they jumped in price. I think my 275 40-17 was about 190.00 which isn't bad compared the the commercial brands, but you get teh idea

 

I have Falken RT-615 tires, too, and I like them very much. I have never tried Toyo T1-S, so I can't compare to those. The Falken's have a very aggressive look, but they are more refined than their appearance suggests. They are surprisingly quiet. The level of grip is quite impressive, particularly under acceleration. That is my short-sentence review.

-Max

 

has anyone else not noticed that the proxies were 265 on the rear and his new falkens are 275? im sure this has something to do with his lack of wheelspin since hes trying to spin more tire. given its not alot but its enuff. ive owned nitto 555rs and proxies t1s brands and ill take the proxies anyday of the week since i dont drive my car in the rain anyway.

 

Max, how long have you had them? I am waiting on the 315s, and the 275s for my supra, s/b out any time now...

 

Once you get our 275's tell me if you think they seem taller than normal.. My point being, there 25.6" diameter seems kinda big compared to my last S02's... They are blocky tires, kinda Victoracer-ish, so that could be it too.... anyway, let me know..


Off the topic I know, but I just bought some Dunlop FM 901's for my MR2 Turbo.. great tire for the street and the price. anyway... apples and oranges right?

 

Talked to Falken, my sizes are not even built yet, slated for december, or January

 

I see your getting 315's, but what sixed 275 are you waiting for?

 

I'm running 255/40-17 and 275/40-17 and I got them several months ago (not sure of the date off the top of my head). I bought them from VulcanTire.com.

-Max

 

I bought mine from discount tire just before they went up.. Got the 275-40's for 153.00. Now there like 190.00 or something..

 

Actually I am going 315/265, both are listed by Vulcan for Sept '05, but when I called Falken, the tech said that they had not begun to produce them, and his schedule said dec.'05, and he thought about Jan'06 for release. These are 18".

 

I just got to thinking. When I first got my 615's I was pulling off the manufacture stickers on the tyres and noticed that there made by a Sumitomo corporation... Is that true? Does Sumitomo "own" Falken? I mean with Michelin/BFG and Bridge/stone and others I guess it makes sense..

Anyone?

Actualy I've noticed that on a few other brands too... My new Dunlops are a sister co. w/ Goodyear? and of course Toyo/Nitto are sister co.. etc... Does anyone make there own products anymore...

 

That doesn't surprise me.
Sumitomo is the largest rubber manufacturer in Japan, period.
Although not very known in terms of tires (internationally), they make a lot of other stuff other than automotive tires.

Sumitomo is also big enough to start their own bank.
Ever heard of Sumitomo Bank?

Sumitomo is known as one of the large conglomerates that operates out of Japan.
A handful of companies own the majority of big businesses in Japan...


-Ted

 

i love my 615's there great in wet and dry (better in dry of course). made a hugh difference in my handling.