Velocity prices cash. How briskly are you able to afford to go? High tires usually require prime tech, which too typically means prime greenback.
Although motorsports sits proper there within the title of this journal, we notice that not each automobile in our steady is destined for pointy-end competitors. Why spend extra if much less offers higher worth? The market delivers that as properly.
BFGoodrich G-Power Phenom T/A
- Worth: $195
- Greatest lap: 1:29.41
As an entirely owned subsidiary of Michelin, BFGoodrich has entry to a variety of the newest tire tech, each in supplies and design/testing methodology. It additionally has crops all world wide, which permits the corporate to make the most of value financial savings in manufacturing. The brand new g-Power Phenom T/A makes use of all of these instruments to ship as a lot front-line UHP Summer season tire efficiency as potential at a low value of entry for the buyer.
Each moist and dry grip have been growth focal factors, with the previous claimed to be inside shouting distance of the much-vaunted Michelin PS4S–however at a considerably decrease value. A deep, molded tread depth of 9/32 inch contributes to hydroplaning resistance but additionally delivers longer service lifetime of usable rubber versus the same old 7/32 seen within the Excessive Efficiency Summer season class.
On the Street: The Phenom exhibited progressive steering response with a reasonable useless zone on middle. Harshness was reasonable and there was little or no highway noise besides on textured pavement.
On the Observe: The vigorous response continued with vital audible suggestions on the restrict of adhesion. Breakaway got here a lot sooner than we’re used to with the Tremendous 200s we usually run, so our approach needed to be softened to keep away from instantaneous ABS intervention. Additionally, the rear of the automotive was now far more in play with throttle software. Basically, a “fingertips and toes” contact was wanted to maximise the accessible grip with out exceeding it immediately. As with most road tires, the primary lap was the flyer, with subsequent laps falling off a bit after which stabilizing.
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
- Worth: $190
- Greatest lap: 1:29.52
As a part of Bridgestone’s world tire manufacturing community, the Firestone model additionally has entry to fashionable supplies and strategies. Slightly than develop a bespoke product for the North American market, nevertheless, its path to a funds UHP tire was to easily rebrand an current overseas-only tire, the Bridgestone Adrenalin RE003.
This effort was a part of a Firestone portfolio revamp again in 2016 and resulted in one of the vital beloved low-cost sports activities automotive tires. Test any discussion board for substitute tire suggestions and this one will inevitably come up.
On the Street: The Indy 500 was a delight to drive with a sporty really feel and wonderful highway manners. Steering was extremely responsive, ramping up shortly from a small on-center useless zone. Nonetheless, self-centering was minimal, which saved the driving force engaged. It was silent on clean pavement however fairly harsh and loud over growth joints and tough highway. All of that is typical of a stiff carcass overlayed with a sturdy tread cap.
On the Observe: These roadgoing traits continued proper as much as the restrict of adhesion, whereupon the tire was extraordinarily talkative. Whereas enjoyable, that restrict got here early and tempo suffered.
Kenda Vezda UHP Max+ KR20A
- Worth: $168
- Greatest lap: 1:29.17
The unique model of this tire was Kenda’s preliminary foray into grip tires, having first made a reputation for itself in drifting. Our testing final yr confirmed it missing in each grip and consistency in comparison with different Tremendous 200s. However it was actually properly priced.
Quick-forward to 2025, and Kenda has responded with a brand new model, promising extra grip and responsiveness. Whereas the compound has not modified, updates to the belt bundle higher optimize the contact patch.
On the Street: The Kenda displayed a progressive steering response however with a really gradual ramp-up. This resulted in fairly a big useless zone on middle requiring extra vital inputs to provoke turns. The tire was fairly compliant over bumps, however the V-shaped tread sample resulted in a continuing whirring drone at velocity.
On the Observe: The Kenda felt extra like a Tremendous 200, with a wider plateau of grip requiring much less sensitivity with inputs. And whereas it did talk audibly on the restrict, it wasn’t almost as noisy because the others. It delivered the quickest lap instances of the group, and it did so constantly.
BFGoodrich G-Power Phenom T/A (retest)
After working by means of all of our take a look at tires, we remounted the Phenom to bracket the hassle and confirm that situation modifications and driving enchancment had not considerably affected our knowledge. Curiously, we have been unable to completely match our first-lap flyer from earlier, although the typical lap time was unchanged. Probably this was brought on by residual warmth left within the tire from the primary spherical of testing and is likely one of the challenges of summer time testing in a heat local weather.
Continental ExtremeContact Power
- Worth: $250
- Greatest lap: 1:27.29
To get a relative learn on lap instances for placement in our tire information chart, we then mounted a contemporary set of a recognized amount that we’ve examined a number of instances earlier than. Constructed for endurance racing, the Excessive Contact Power is fast, constant and sturdy. This 200tw tire can be costly and clearly demonstrates the distinction between the funds efficiency class and premium choices.
Conclusions
In case you’re not competing for a trophy and simply need some high quality laps out of your steed with out dropping main coin, the funds efficiency UHP class could also be for you–particularly if the first mission for the automotive is on the road. All of those tires can ship properly on that use case whereas being sort on the pockets.
Which to decide on? The Phenom is one of the best all-rounder, as its moist efficiency is superb in response to our associates at Tire Rack. Their complete report together with moist dealing with is due on-line quickly.
The Indy 500 suffers within the moist however has one of the best subjective dry dealing with traits. And it’s been demonstrated to ship many high quality miles. Ten years on, it’s nonetheless an ideal possibility for a weekend driver.
The Kenda replace actually improves on the texture of the unique, although tempo isn’t considerably improved. Nonetheless, it set the quickest time of our funds choices. And whereas it’s by far the least costly of the bunch, it’s additionally the noisiest on the highway.
Wish to get on monitor and nonetheless have cash left for entry charges? These three tires can assist scratch that itch. Not a dud within the bunch.
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