Non Semi Slick wheels are downright dangerous.

[Magpie]

I don't think tyres with seriously compromised wet performance should be used on public roads.

They (595RS-R's) are not seriously compromised in the wet, rather you need to change your driving style to suit the conditions. Anybody that does not leave more braking space in the wet will have issues irrespective of the tyre type being used, with the 595RS-R's you just need a bit more space. I get pissed at other road users in the wet who feel the need to fill the vacant space that you have left and hence you need to slow down to leave a good braking distance only to have another person fill the new gap (rinse and repeat).

OP bald tyres are downright dangerous as is not driving to suit conditions.

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

I don't think tyres with seriously compromised wet performance should be used on public roads.

They (595RS-R's) are not seriously compromised in the wet, rather you need to change your driving style to suit the conditions. Anybody that does not leave more braking space in the wet will have issues irrespective of the tyre type being used, with the 595RS-R's you just need a bit more space. I get pissed at other road users in the wet who feel the need to fill the vacant space that you have left and hence you need to slow down to leave a good braking distance only to have another person fill the new gap (rinse and repeat).

OP bald tyres are downright dangerous as is not driving to suit conditions.

I've never dríven a semi-slick in the wet. I stick to 'extreme performance' tyres like star spec and KU36. So, if the RSR is not seriously compromised in the wet, I don't have an issue.

I think a person can drive to the conditions, but, as you say, luck, animals, children and other drivers are much less smart and less forgiving. If an RSR performs similar to a cheap tyre in wet conditions, that's okay. But if an RSR is performing even worse than a cheap tyre in wet conditions - worse than people might resonably expect - I think that's an issue.

[StuwieP]

it's always going to depend on how wet the road is though, yes? i.e. the risk is aquaplaning increases as the road gets more water across the surface and as your tyre becomes closer to a slick-type? A greater contact patch (on equal rubber) should always give more grip until the tyre aquaplanes, shouldn't it?

I'd rather drive a semi-slick in the wet than a no-grip econo-tyre, but I wouldn't expect to be able to get away with driving like an idiot. It's still wet, but I would expect better performance nonetheless.

I doubt I'd generate any heat in the tyres driving around normally, but softer compound rubber should grip better than harder compound rubber given the same temperature, shouldn't they?

I realise I've posted more questions than anything else but I'm interested in the answers. Most of what I've asked I've based on my little knowledge and what I hope is common sense. Please correct me if not

[sailaholic]

Is the rsr really a semi slick? I would have thought it was in the same category as star spec et al ... "extreme performance Street tire"

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[Magpie]

http://www.federaltyres.com/tyres/ultra-high-performance/595rs-r

595RS-R | Ultra High Performance
Federal’s street legal semi‑slick sport ultra high performance tyre, designed for maximum traction and control.

Cutting edge design and construction give the 595RS‑R the characteristics of a pure ultra high performance tyre for modern high performance vehicles.

Steel reinforced sidewall for strength and steering response.
One singular continuous tread block for excellent lateral stability in cornering.
CAMS approved

[Rasputin]

The 595 RS-R is a semi slick, with S compound rubber. They have an enormous contact patch.


And to the person who asked if a greater contact patch is best until aquaplaning -

No it is not. There are many variables that need to be addressed. The thicker your tyre is, the harder it is to evacuate water from your contact patch. In a light car, a big contact patch in the wet can be detrimental to handling, and aquaplaning becomes more apparent at lower speeds.. Anywhere from 195-215 is suitable for a 1000kg mx5.

[Charlie Brown]

There is a heap of wrong information delivered in some of the posts above, at least StuwieP ask some questions.

it's always going to depend on how wet the road is though, yes? i.e. the risk is aquaplaning increases as the road gets more water across the surface and as your tyre becomes closer to a slick-type? A greater contact patch (on equal rubber) should always give more grip until the tyre aquaplanes, shouldn't it?

Once the water between the tyre and the road surface cannot be expelled by the tread at speed then aquaplaning will occur. The greater the contact patch and the lighter the car, the quicker this limit is reached, that is why wet weather track tyres are narrower than the dry track tyres.

I'd rather drive a semi-slick in the wet than a no-grip econo-tyre, but I wouldn't expect to be able to get away with driving like an idiot. It's still wet, but I would expect better performance nonetheless.

Again, semi slicks have a greater contact patch (rubber on the ground) than normal road tyres, so wet weather performance is worse than your normal street tyre. A fresh “econo-tyre”, like a KU31, would have more wet weather grip than a semi with comparable tread depth.

I doubt I'd generate any heat in the tyres driving around normally, but softer compound rubber should grip better than harder compound rubber given the same temperature, shouldn't they?

R-spec tyre for normal road use won’t get up to operating temperature (somewhere around 60 -75 degrees C), they won’t perform like a good high or extreme performance road tyre that is designed to operate at lower temperatures. R-Spec will let go in a rush and you won’t catch it no matter how good you think you are.

Keep the R-Specs for the track and get an S-Spec or extreme performance tyre for the street, you’ll live a lot longer.

[NitroDann]

I think you mean to say that a ku31 will need more standing water to aquaplane. Not that it will have more grip.

Dann

[Locutus]

guns don't kill people...

[deviant]

Again, semi slicks have a greater contact patch (rubber on the ground) than normal road tyres, so wet weather performance is worse than your normal street tyre. A fresh “econo-tyre”, like a KU31, would have more wet weather grip than a semi with comparable tread depth.

Unless the semi slick tyre has a superior sipe design.

Last car I bought was a bunky commodore that came with ditch finder dunlop monza tyres . Heaps of tread on them and not that long since they were fitted but flipping useless on a properly wet road

[speed freak]

not having semi slicks is not the dangerous part having bald tyres or very low tread on your tyres is dangerous...
so the rest of us that don't have semi slicks on our car are dangerous and should go buy new tyres?

[mazmad]

To echo the comments on the sensible side of the argument above: semis are more dangerous on the road than good road tyres.

Semis simply won't disperse water as well as a more treaded tyre, and they won't warm to optimal grippy temps on the road. Try driving semis in the wet, fun but not recommended for the road! Don't be a hero, get decent road tyres.

[Apu]

There's an old saying, "Owning a Ferrari doesn't make you a Ferrari driver".

At the same time, if you are driving fast enough to test the limits of a basic road tyre...guess what? You're more likely than not breaking the road rules.

[Magpie]

To echo the comments on the sensible side of the argument above: semis are more dangerous on the road than good road tyres.

Semis simply won't disperse water as well as a more treaded tyre, and they won't warm to optimal grippy temps on the road. Try driving semis in the wet, fun but not recommended for the road! Don't be a hero, get decent road tyres.

[project.r.racing]

this thread is like comparing apples and oranges.