Budget Conscious Tires

cbeal · 05-01-2007, 08:54 AM

I just purchased new tires for my MY02. I looked around the forums both here and over on s2ki.com as well. Nobody seemed to have any information about high-performing but low-cost tires. I did a little bit of research on the web and talked to Jim at Tire Rack and discovered that the Fuzion ZRi in 205/55-16 (F) and 245/45-15 (R) are a good replacement set of tires that come in at an average of 81 dollars/tire. I know a lot of you out there are capable (and don't mind even), spending well over 100 dollars a tire, but I thought that perhaps some others are budget conscious - as I currently am. The Fuzion ZRi is made by Bridgestone and incorporates many of the same technologies as the S02, but was intended as a direct competitor to Kumho and some of the other lower cost tires. Jim claims that many guys are running this tire on the S and are happy with it. Just thought I would put this info up so anyone looking (like I was yesterday) might find it.

gomarlins3 · 05-01-2007, 09:10 AM

That is some useful information, thanks.

batguano · 05-01-2007, 02:21 PM

I have a friend here in my home town that has these. He is very pleased with them. He was at the Wake the Dragon event with us and ran the dragon with no problems.
I am currently running Hankook Ventus K 104s on mine. They are good and also nicely priced. I am thinking about Fuzions when these wear out.
Good luck.

s2000isu · 05-01-2007, 03:40 PM

my friend ran fuzions on his mustang they are a nice tire

bladerunner · 05-01-2007, 07:16 PM

I use them size 225/55/16 on my '96 Tacoma with Enkei rims and I like them. A co-worker uses 'em on his Evo MR and he's happy as well. As happy as I am with my Potenza RE750's I kinda wish I had put the Fuzion ZRi's on. They have a 320 treadwear rating vs. a 340 for the RE750's, but the RE750's carry a AA traction rating vs. just an A for the Fuzions. So they're pretty much a toss up. Factor in price and the Fuzions would probably get the vote.

cbeal · 05-01-2007, 07:34 PM

That's nice to know since I have four of them on the way. I didn't notice that the traction rating was lower. Interesting that did not show up in the testing done against other tires (Yoko ES100, BFG g-Force, Avon Tech M500). Maybe it just barely missed AA.

By the way... the treadwear thing can be deceiving. Treadwear ratings do not have a common base. That is, they are given as a percentage of miles traveled by a baseline tire. Thus, a 320 means it went 3.2 times as far as the baseline tire. However, the problem is that every manufacturer uses a different baseline tire, so comparing treadwear between manufacturers is comparing apples to oranges (I'm not sure if this applies to Bridgestone and Fuzion since they have the same parent company).

It's kind of confusing, but is it any worse than the tire size scheme? (millimeters/percent-inches)

Dr. Jimbo · 05-02-2007, 04:02 PM

I picked up some Riken Raptors for about $80 a piece balanced and installed at Tire Pros here in Santa Barbara, Ca. The guy gave me a bit of a break cuz he knows my bro. I'm very happy with them (except they stick so good, I can't e-brake a 180). They have a great road feel. I had Cooper Zeon sport A/S and they transmitted a lot of road noise especially across lines perpendicular to my driving line (like railroad tracks or the seams between the concrete on the highway). With the Rikens (owned by Michelin, I believe) I don't get any of that road noise. I think that's because the sidewalls are a little softer. The downside of that is there is a little more play in the rear when you kick it around a turn.
Sorry about all the parentheses (bad habit).
Jimbo

05-01-2007, 08:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
cbeal Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5	Budget Conscious Tires I just purchased new tires for my MY02. I looked around the forums both here and over on s2ki.com as well. Nobody seemed to have any information about high-performing but low-cost tires. I did a little bit of research on the web and talked to Jim at Tire Rack and discovered that the Fuzion ZRi in 205/55-16 (F) and 245/45-15 (R) are a good replacement set of tires that come in at an average of 81 dollars/tire. I know a lot of you out there are capable (and don't mind even), spending well over 100 dollars a tire, but I thought that perhaps some others are budget conscious - as I currently am. The Fuzion ZRi is made by Bridgestone and incorporates many of the same technologies as the S02, but was intended as a direct competitor to Kumho and some of the other lower cost tires. Jim claims that many guys are running this tire on the S and are happy with it. Just thought I would put this info up so anyone looking (like I was yesterday) might find it.

05-01-2007, 09:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
gomarlins3 "Enjoy the drive" Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kuna Idaho Posts: 2,649	That is some useful information, thanks. __________________ Yablownowitz Racing brought to you by Anytime Fitness. Happiness is a nice road, great weather, and driving the S with Sue in the seat next to me. "Whatever you do, where ever you go, enjoy the drive." I know for a FACT that the last year of production of the S2000 is 2003!!!!! After that, it will be the S2200 under an assumed name.

05-01-2007, 03:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
s2000isu Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: pa Posts: 1,157	my friend ran fuzions on his mustang they are a nice tire __________________ S2kx2: "paint it pink! Or better yet buy a Miata" 2001 Vortech SC 12.8 at 111 miles per hour

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need Tires???????	dougfresh	Parts For Sale	4	01-29-2007 11:25 AM
Tires	Steveofcentfl	Wheels / Tires / Suspension	6	11-06-2006 12:25 AM
More about Tires!!!	karnito	Wheels / Tires / Suspension	0	10-31-2006 07:08 AM
tires. i need tires!	epxs2k	All Other Honda S2000 Related Discussions	10	01-03-2006 04:05 PM
Tires	sooner71085	All Other Honda S2000 Related Discussions	2	05-07-2004 10:23 AM

05-01-2007, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
batguano Andiamo Veloce Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grittsburg NC Posts: 537	I have a friend here in my home town that has these. He is very pleased with them. He was at the Wake the Dragon event with us and ran the dragon with no problems. I am currently running Hankook Ventus K 104s on mine. They are good and also nicely priced. I am thinking about Fuzions when these wear out. Good luck.

05-01-2007, 07:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
bladerunner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 126	I use them size 225/55/16 on my '96 Tacoma with Enkei rims and I like them. A co-worker uses 'em on his Evo MR and he's happy as well. As happy as I am with my Potenza RE750's I kinda wish I had put the Fuzion ZRi's on. They have a 320 treadwear rating vs. a 340 for the RE750's, but the RE750's carry a AA traction rating vs. just an A for the Fuzions. So they're pretty much a toss up. Factor in price and the Fuzions would probably get the vote.

05-01-2007, 07:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
cbeal Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5	That's nice to know since I have four of them on the way. I didn't notice that the traction rating was lower. Interesting that did not show up in the testing done against other tires (Yoko ES100, BFG g-Force, Avon Tech M500). Maybe it just barely missed AA. By the way... the treadwear thing can be deceiving. Treadwear ratings do not have a common base. That is, they are given as a percentage of miles traveled by a baseline tire. Thus, a 320 means it went 3.2 times as far as the baseline tire. However, the problem is that every manufacturer uses a different baseline tire, so comparing treadwear between manufacturers is comparing apples to oranges (I'm not sure if this applies to Bridgestone and Fuzion since they have the same parent company). It's kind of confusing, but is it any worse than the tire size scheme? (millimeters/percent-inches)

05-02-2007, 04:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dr. Jimbo Don't taze me bro! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca. Posts: 1,005	I picked up some Riken Raptors for about $80 a piece balanced and installed at Tire Pros here in Santa Barbara, Ca. The guy gave me a bit of a break cuz he knows my bro. I'm very happy with them (except they stick so good, I can't e-brake a 180). They have a great road feel. I had Cooper Zeon sport A/S and they transmitted a lot of road noise especially across lines perpendicular to my driving line (like railroad tracks or the seams between the concrete on the highway). With the Rikens (owned by Michelin, I believe) I don't get any of that road noise. I think that's because the sidewalls are a little softer. The downside of that is there is a little more play in the rear when you kick it around a turn. Sorry about all the parentheses (bad habit). Jimbo