Issues transfer shortly within the high-performance tire world courtesy of fixed improvements in supplies, design and manufacturing methods. Getting an optimum mixture that hits the entire potential design targets takes an enormous funding of each money and time. And if the tread sample can also be new, you’ll want a bevy of shiny new molds–one other massive expense.
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS
We love this tire’s versatility. It’s fast in each the moist and the dry with glorious driving really feel. Our solely beefs are vagueness on the restrict and an inclination to warmth soak pretty shortly at full tread. Each of those traits diminish as soon as tread reaches the midway level.
A tough out lap turned on the compound shortly, delivering three sturdy laps on the restrict earlier than warmth soak lowered the tempo a bit. As soon as the tire was soaked, cautious consideration to staying slightly below the restrict was obligatory for extra constant tempo.
Falken Azenis RT660
We’ve examined this tire quite a lot of instances over time, and it at all times impresses. Whereas its tempo is just not fairly up with the present pointy-end tires, it is extremely simple to drive at or barely over the restrict. With a clearly outlined edge to its grip and a fast restoration, the tire could be danced round for a really satisfying expertise.
The RT660 got here as much as tempo shortly through the out lap, delivering a collection of constant instances about eight-tenths off the Bridgestone’s finest early circuits. Regardless of pushing onerous, the texture on the ultimate lap was the identical as the primary. Consistency and accessibility are hallmarks of this mannequin.
Falken Azenis RT660+
The up to date Falken performs just a little higher than the unique in nearly each means. Whereas mid-corner grip hasn’t modified a lot, each transitional section is best outlined. Full gasoline to full brake, trailing into the nook and powering out on exit–every was extra managed and predictable.
All this whereas sustaining glorious consistency and warmth tolerance on account of an unchanged compound. It’s a pleasant mixture that can match properly with the driving fashion of many.
Bridgestone RE-71RS (retest)
With the observe being so inexperienced from 5 earlier consecutive days of motorcycle-only use, we had been just a little nervous once we bolted the Bridgestones again on to bracket our take a look at. Was the Falken’s lap time enchancment merely the observe cleansing up? Our fears had been allayed as we lapped on common inside a tenth of our earlier session. Happy with our comparability knowledge, we packed up.
Conclusions
One key characteristic of the RT660+ replace is the flexibility to brake later, particularly beneath trailing situations, but nonetheless hit the apex. On this comparability of the velocity traces between the 2 tires, discover how the cumulative time delta line bumps up throughout every braking occasion.
5 years is an eternity within the fast-paced 200tw market section, and Falken was sensible to tweak its design to extract a bit extra efficiency. The RT660+ continues to be not fairly as fast on single-lap tempo because the front-runners, however it may flip these instances simply and constantly. This makes it a superb observe day tire and in addition a good selection for endurance racing, the place it ought to final for the everyday 8-hour race.
It’s additionally a clever choice for lessons with spec tires, akin to SCCA’s Solo Spec Coupe and Gridlife’s Membership TR and Sundae Cup, as the most recent Falken is constant, sturdy and enjoyable to drive–typically the proper instrument for the job.
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