What size tyres give the most grip?

by **Reesy** » Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:18 +0000

A chat with the owner of a Porsche 911 964 on Friday caused me to think about how I could get myself more grip. I'm running 14" tyres & always have - so, for those who've switched to fatter tyres, how does it affect the grip?

(I remember reading that above 16" or so the ride can be bad on bumpy Irish roads because the tyres are radially narrower... and then there's the 'too much grip is no fun' argument...)

by **Steve** » Mon, 29 Sep 2008 3:10 +0000

yes, wider tyres do give more grip.. but 14" 185s are lots of fun... much much more nimble/chuckable .. bigger/wider tyre = more unsprung weight, add a larger alloy on top of that again.. even more weight..

I'd try a 205/55/R14 tyre next time (if it fits) if I were you rather than going up a wheel size..
If my car wasn't turbo'd I'd probably go back to 14 (or max 15) inch wheels.

Which tyres do you have on at the moment?
Steve

by **Stig** » Mon, 29 Sep 2008 4:18 +0000

I have 14inch BBS's on my car @ the mo shod with pirelli p's.....and whilst i dont like my rims and I'm going to change when i get a few bob together - The crack i have broadsided/sideways is mad.........mad i tell ya! (Cloggy, John Cheatley will concur from the tech day)!!!
They are light and nible.......lots of crack. :lol:

Big heavy rims would WALLOW my car...........That why i'm going to go for 15" Rotas next time.......a good compromise is size/weight and style imho.

by **Reesy** » Sun, 05 Oct 2008 9:48 +0000

srigley wrote:I'd try a 205/55/R14 tyre next time (if it fits) if I were you rather than going up a wheel size..

Which tyres do you have on at the moment?
Steve

Hi Steve, sorry for the delay - I'm running Yokohama A539 - 185/60 R14s, on Franks's old wheels. http://www.photobox.ie/album/album_phot ... o=95881894
Tell me, would they fit? And tell me, how do you tell?

Simon

by **Steve** » Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:13 +0000

hmm... maybe 195/55/R14 .. lots of selection then... (and they do fit it seems, http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.ph ... ge=1&pp=25)

by **Fergus** » Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:19 +0000

I've PanaSport ProRallys 15" on mine at the mo but will be changing to 17" (Ash's mazda ones or a lighter alloy wheel) SOON. I just need that little extra bit of grip with the T.

(PS) If I stay with the 17"s then wheel spacers will be a MUST....


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	Author Message What size tyres give the most grip? by Reesy » Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:18 +0000 A chat with the owner of a Porsche 911 964 on Friday caused me to think about how I could get myself more grip. I'm running 14" tyres & always have - so, for those who've switched to fatter tyres, how does it affect the grip? (I remember reading that above 16" or so the ride can be bad on bumpy Irish roads because the tyres are radially narrower... and then there's the 'too much grip is no fun' argument...) No more Mk1, now driving an '08 Mk3. Still fun! Reesy * Posts: 291 Joined: Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:45 +0000 Top by Steve » Mon, 29 Sep 2008 3:10 +0000 yes, wider tyres do give more grip.. but 14" 185s are lots of fun... much much more nimble/chuckable .. bigger/wider tyre = more unsprung weight, add a larger alloy on top of that again.. even more weight.. I'd try a 205/55/R14 tyre next time (if it fits) if I were you rather than going up a wheel size.. If my car wasn't turbo'd I'd probably go back to 14 (or max 15) inch wheels. Which tyres do you have on at the moment? Steve Steve Site Admin Posts: 5537 Joined: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:16 +0000 Top by Stig » Mon, 29 Sep 2008 4:18 +0000 I have 14inch BBS's on my car @ the mo shod with pirelli p's.....and whilst i dont like my rims and I'm going to change when i get a few bob together - The crack i have broadsided/sideways is mad.........mad i tell ya! (Cloggy, John Cheatley will concur from the tech day)!!! They are light and nible.......lots of crack. Big heavy rims would WALLOW my car...........That why i'm going to go for 15" Rotas next time.......a good compromise is size/weight and style imho. Stig * Posts: 2419 Joined: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:22 +0000 Location: dn ʎɐʍ sıɥʇ Website Top by Reesy » Sun, 05 Oct 2008 9:48 +0000 srigley wrote:I'd try a 205/55/R14 tyre next time (if it fits) if I were you rather than going up a wheel size.. Which tyres do you have on at the moment? Steve Hi Steve, sorry for the delay - I'm running Yokohama A539 - 185/60 R14s, on Franks's old wheels. http://www.photobox.ie/album/album_phot ... o=95881894 Tell me, would they fit? And tell me, how do you tell? Simon No more Mk1, now driving an '08 Mk3. Still fun! Reesy * Posts: 291 Joined: Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:45 +0000 Top by Steve » Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:13 +0000 hmm... maybe 195/55/R14 .. lots of selection then... (and they do fit it seems, http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.ph ... ge=1&pp=25) Steve Site Admin Posts: 5537 Joined: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:16 +0000 Top by Fergus » Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:19 +0000 I've PanaSport ProRallys 15" on mine at the mo but will be changing to 17" (Ash's mazda ones or a lighter alloy wheel) SOON. I just need that little extra bit of grip with the T. (PS) If I stay with the 17"s then wheel spacers will be a MUST.... Fergus *** Posts: 1912 Joined: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 5:53 +0000 Location:** Ireland Top


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What size tyres give the most grip?

What size tyres give the most grip?

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