4 year old V700s vs 1 year old 555R2s Options

[mitchntx]

Both properly stored.

The V700s are about 2/3 the price of the Nittos and 1/2 retail.

What would FRRAX do?

[sgarnett]

Are these new or used?

After using my 555R2 set for a season and storing them over the winter, they were still fairly decent. I used them the next "Spring" for an Evolution school - with snow flurries all day. It only took one run to get them warm enough to start gripping in each session.

Kevin later used those tires well into zombiehood, but I think (hope) he got some useful life out of them before they crossed over.

My experience with old Victoracers was less positive. Teflon would have been a step up.

[mitchntx]

Both sets are new. Most I've read says that the 555R2s are very much like full tread RA1s.

Discounttiredirect has 275/40-17 555R2s on sale for $342/pair with free shipping in the lower 48.

The antique V700s were offered to me at $250/pair shipped. Racing shop closed and they are liquidating inventory.

[sgarnett]

The Nittos aren't going to hold a candle to fresh x6 Hoosiers, but I don't think they give up much, if anything, to Victoracers. Throw in a big age difference, and I think I'd take the Nittos.

If the tires are brand new, my experience with new 555R2s was exactly like your experience with the 555R1. On the first day out, the tires shaved themselves. The top 1/32" or so of tread rubber came off in rolled up sheets. After that, they were fine.

[mitchntx]

The Nittos aren't going to hold a candle to fresh x6 Hoosiers

You mean they suck, but suck for a very long time?

[sgarnett]

Even though the 555R2 has a stiffer sidewall than the 555R1, they still aren't as responsive as any of the Hoosiers or Kumhos I've used. I ended up using more toe out with the Nittos to get some of the responsiveness back.

The grip was pretty good though. They put down power much better than Hoosiers. Someone else described sweepers on the Nittos as feeling like being Spiderman swinging on the end of a cord. I thought that was a good description. The mushy turn-in was probably their weakest point.

However, both Hoosiers and Kumhos have gotten a lot better. The Victoracers aren't going to hang with an x6 either.

If I recall correctly, the Nittos were fastest on fairly low pressure, despite the mushiness.

[SuperMacGuy]

Well also consider maybe some Formula V stuff might bring them back to life a bit. I haven't tried that stuff yet.

[Lordvader]

Well also consider maybe some Formula V stuff might bring them back to life a bit. I haven't tried that stuff yet.

¿Formula V?

¿ Is it effective?

This post has been edited by Lordvader: Oct 3 2010, 06:34 PM

[rpoz-29]

It is effective, but you'll really feel the difference as it wears off. In my opinion, it's pretty good for holding off on purchasing a new set of tires at the end of the season.