I have reached the conclustion that speed ratings are not relative to any performance values that I am or ought to be concerned about. In fact I think that speed ratings are mostly a way that tire companies can create product "positions" so that they can charge more money for "higher performance" tires. The term "Higher performance" actually only being related to greater heat dissipation values at higher speeds.

Heat dissapation at a constant 130 miles per hour, (or even delamination at these speeds,) isn't a concern that I can imagine a street car in America sustaining for a significant lenth of time, therefore speed rating should't be an important consideration.

Sidewall stiffness is the only factor that seems to vary with speed rating that I care about, but as far as I know that is still subjective, and mostly related to profile anyway.

I put x-one's on a van last fall and have been really happy. Considering that I could drive them for 40,000 miles and still have OVER HALF the tread left, and low tread means bad traction, hydroplaning, poor snow traction, this is a BIG DEAL from a performance standpoint. I don't think would have the dissapline (or pocket book) to toss the Dunlop 9000's after a few miles and they have 1/2 their tread left(but they look cooler for the first 10k!).

Do the math on the treadwear for Dunlop 9k UTQG 280AA vs Mich x-one 620A

The "wet grip compounding" is comming at an expensive price relative to wear, and considering the back side of the wear cycle, probably doesn't make sense anyway.

The X-one is also very quiet and has an "A" traction rating. However, I don't know about it's corning/sidewall stiffness in a performance situation.

Costco has the x-one, but it is called something else, and has a very slight and insignificant sipping change in order to avoid "cross channel conlict" with their dealer distribution channel.

Wondering if others are reaching similar conclusions...

Brad
'90 9000 CD

• Tires (sorry...), rather long..., John Adams, Thu, 29 Mar 2001 01:45:55
  • Tires, rather long but not sorry, Robert Davis, Fri, 30 Mar 2001 00:36:20
    • Robert, I respect what you are saying, but, John Adams, Fri, 30 Mar 2001 01:15:41
      • Tire size dilemma, Robert Davis, Fri, 30 Mar 2001 08:00:47
  • Re: Tires (sorry...), rather long..., sm333ace, Thu, 29 Mar 2001 20:40:51
  • Re: Tires (sorry...), rather long..., paul rogers, Thu, 29 Mar 2001 19:23:38
  • Bridgestone Potenzas..., Jay S., Thu, 29 Mar 2001 07:56:39
    • Re: Bridgestone Potenzas..., Paul Davis, Thu, 29 Mar 2001 13:47:51
  • Is "speed rating" just a "product positioning" tool for mfg's?, Bradley, Thu, 29 Mar 2001 03:04:31 <-- Viewing This Message

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