Falken RT-615 255/40/18's On!

2744 Views 23 Replies 13 Participants Last post by alcast082, Dec 30, 2005

Barak

Discussion Starter · Nov 17, 2005

I'm very impressed by these tires so far. I've had them on about a week now and haven't noticed any difference in harshness or noise level over the runflats, and grip appears to be on par or better. In fact, I pulled a near best g on one of my favorite corners on first time out with these tires.

I had bought a set of 245/45/18 GSD3's a little while back, but decided to try the RT-615's instead, so if anyone is interested I'll be selling the GSD3's (this is a tire review thread, not a classified ad, so please do not move it Mods). I'm sure the GSD3's would have been better in the rain, but I figured it doesn't rain much in SoCal and I wanted a tire that had at least as much dry grip as the stock tires.

Anyone else running Falkens?

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

urbanski

· #2 · Nov 17, 2005

won't move it

glad to hear they rock!

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Florian

· #3 · Nov 17, 2005

what size GSD3's?

Im interested.

F

Skeeter

· #4 · Nov 17, 2005

How's turn in? As good as stock, or a bit slower?

Curious,

Skeeter

Barak

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 17, 2005

I would say turn-in is a bit slower, but it isn't as apparent as I was expecting it to be.

The GSD3's are 245/45/18's.

VELOSE

· #6 · Nov 17, 2005

I'm a Falken tire fan as I mentioned in the Potenza tire thread. I'm glad you like them. Do they rub at all? These are the tires I plan to put on the stocks in a couple of months. They'll be used for track days. Any pics you can share?

MCaesar

· #7 · Nov 17, 2005

Barak said:
I'm very impressed by these tires so far. I've had them on about a week now and haven't noticed any difference in harshness or noise level over the runflats, and grip appears to be on par or better. In fact, I pulled a near best g on one of my favorite corners on first time out with these tires.

I had bought a set of 245/45/18 GSD3's a little while back, but decided to try the RT-615's instead, so if anyone is interested I'll be selling the GSD3's (this is a tire review thread, not a classified ad, so please do not move it Mods). I'm sure the GSD3's would have been better in the rain, but I figured it doesn't rain much in SoCal and I wanted a tire that had at least as much dry grip as the stock tires.

Anyone else running Falkens?

I would be surprised if the Goodyears didn't outperform the Falkens in every category.

ace996

· #8 · Nov 17, 2005

Great to hear you like them. I've used the Falken 215s with great success on another vehicle and am very excited to mount a set of 615s in the Spring. Falken worked on the tire, and designed it to dominate the StreetClass autocross competitions. From the SCCA's SoloII National results, looks like they accomplished their goal. The tires are designed to have a very stiff sidewall, but because it's not a runflat, there's no way it would be able to match turn-in on the F1s...without outrageous pressures. With that said, many of my highly-competitive autox buddies have switched from the BFG TAKDs to the Falkens and like them much better.

And not to add fuel to the fire, but I'd be very surprised if the Falkens didn't outperform the Goodyears(GSD3) in every category. The GSD3 may win in a flood, but even on a wet track the Falkens should own. You just can't compare a street-class race tire to a high-performance street tire. Oh, I may be wrong...the GSD3s may ride a little smoother....I doubt the sidewalls are as stiff.

It all depends on what you're looking for in a tire.
-ace

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Barak

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 18, 2005

Do they rub at all? These are the tires I plan to put on the stocks in a couple of months. They'll be used for track days. Any pics you can share?

So far no signs of rub at all. I will take pictures soon.

The tires are designed to have a very stiff sidewall, but because it's not a runflat, there's no way it would be able to match turn-in on the F1s

To reiterate your point, the sidewalls on the RT-615's are very stiff, but feel like butter when compared to the stock runflats. I have never seen a sidewall as stiff as the F1 Supercars. It was such a PITA dismounting those tires.

CVP33

· #10 · Nov 18, 2005

http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm

255/45/18's coming in 2nd Quarter of 2006. My guess is the 255/40's would be the better handler with the shorter 40 sidewall.

VELOSE

· #11 · Nov 18, 2005

Like I've said before, Falken tires are underrated. Their treadwear is stated high. I know all manufacturers set the treadwear on their tires. However, Falken runs those treadwears conservatively. Their Falken Azenis ST115 treadwear 360 was stickier than Yokohama ES100's treadwear of 280. Therefore, I'm moving over to Falken. I've owned Falken tires since 93'. Thanks Barak, now I'm all anxious to see what they look like on your V.

CVP33

· #12 · Nov 18, 2005

VELOSE said:
Like I've said before, Falken tires are underrated. Their treadwear is stated high. I know all manufacturers set the treadwear on their tires. However, Falken runs those treadwears conservatively. Their Falken Azenis ST115 treadwear 360 was stickier than Yokohama ES100's treadwear of 280. Therefore, I'm moving over to Falken. I've owned Falken tires since 93'. Thanks Barak, now I'm all anxious to see what they look like on your V.

I agree Velose. I'm on 255/45 Falken ST115's now. The grip is not as good as the GSD3's but that treadwear is incredible. I'm exceptionally hard on my tires. My F1's died around 6,000 miles as I recall. Even the rear GSD3's looked a little tired after 10,000. But these Falkens, I just can't kill 'em. God know's I've tried.

BTW - FK451's waiting in the garage for their turn to go on next.

Mutlu

· #13 · Nov 18, 2005

Can you please post pics of how they look on your car.

Thanks in advance!

VELOSE

· #14 · Nov 18, 2005

CVP33 said:
BTW - FK451's waiting in the garage for their turn to go on next.

I've driven on both the ST115's and FK451's.

The ST115's are a quiet sticky tire for the 360 treadwear. They're good for long life. By long life I mean they can go for 20k+ miles, when rotated properly.

The GRB FK-451's are quieter, stickier, and amazing. After wearing out the ST115's and replacing them with the FK-451's, it was like night and day. It's such a comfortable ride, you won't want to look anywhere else. When you want to get aggressive, the tires respond almost like R compound tires in dry situations. In the rain, you get so much confidence that when you pass people, you almost feel guilty they are suffering with the water puddles.
Get your Fk-451's on soon. Burn those ST115's. You'll know what I mean when you put them on. :cheers:

*Disclaimer- I'm not affiliated with Falken tires or any distributor of this tire in anyway. Just sharing my input or opinion of the said tires.

Luna.

· #15 · Nov 18, 2005

You guys blow...

I thought I had my next tire selection all dialed in (Goodyears, GSDs) and reading this has caused me some pause in that decision!

ACK!

In all honestly, keep the feedback coming--it's very useful!

thebigjimsho

· #16 · Nov 19, 2005

Falken-Shmalken! I'm going back to runflats next year. Only thing, I'm trying 245/45 18 and 275/40 18 RE050A RFTs instead.

So, if anyone has any MINT stock wheels, I will trade my Mille Miglias mounted w/ Hoosier 245/40 18 slicks.

CVP33

· #17 · Nov 19, 2005

thebigjimsho said:
Falken-Shmalken! I'm going back to runflats next year. Only thing, I'm trying 245/45 18 and 275/40 18 RE050A RFTs instead.

So, if anyone has any MINT stock wheels, I will trade my Mille Miglias mounted w/ Hoosier 245/40 18 slicks.

Here ya' go Jim.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Goodyear-Eagle-F1-supercar-EMT-245-45-18_W0QQitemZ8016024007QQcategoryZ66476QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-2005-Cadillac-CTS-V-wheels_W0QQitemZ8016021644QQcategoryZ43958QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

thebigjimsho

· #18 · Nov 19, 2005

No, no, no. I want RE050A RFTs. And I'm buying them new. 245/45 F and 275/40 R.

As for the wheels, I want a flawless set in trade for the Mille Miglias I already have w/ Hoosier slicks mounted. I will be sending 2 wheels from the new set and 2 from my current stockers to be widened.

CVP33

· #19 · Nov 19, 2005

thebigjimsho said:
No, no, no. I want RE050A RFTs. And I'm buying them new. 245/45 F and 275/40 R.

As for the wheels, I want a flawless set in trade for the Mille Miglias I already have w/ Hoosier slicks mounted. I will be sending 2 wheels from the new set and 2 from my current stockers to be widened.

Unless they're new you'll never find flawless wheels. I suggest picking up a cheap set used for around $500-$600. Powder coating can be had for $100 per wheel or less. Then you know you truly have a perfect set. Anyone who's dismounted a set of runflats will not have perfect wheels.

AmesCTS-V

· #20 · Nov 20, 2005

Luna. said:
You guys blow...

I thought I had my next tire selection all dialed in (Goodyears, GSDs) and reading this has caused me some pause in that decision!

ACK!

In all honestly, keep the feedback coming--it's very useful!

I wouldn't worry about it. The Tirerack/C&D performance tire review ended up with the GSD3's winning.

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

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