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Auto Talk => The Garage => Topic started by: Byteme on December 20, 2011, 11:16:17 AM

Title: Any experience with Yokohama S drives?
Post by: Byteme on December 20, 2011, 11:16:17 AM
Title pretty much says it all.  New tire time for the Miata is coming up.  Ride quality, noise and wet weather traction are priorities.
Title: Re: Any experience with Yokohama S drives?
Post by: Secret Chimp on December 20, 2011, 11:25:36 AM
They'll be what I choose after my General Exclaim UHPs wear out. The UHPs have amazing dry grip but they're not that good in the wet. After spending days and days researching tires on miata.net it always came down to S.drives and UHPs. I only chose UHPs because tirerack.com was always out of S.drives at the time.
Title: Re: Any experience with Yokohama S drives?
Post by: Rich on December 20, 2011, 11:47:08 AM
I've got 'em on the Miata.   They have more grip than the Kumho ECTSAs I had on the Cooper S, but not as much as the Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S-03s (IIRC), nor the Pirelli P Zeros that are on the Rustang.

For the money, nothing can touch them.

Not much experience in the wet, though.

On a side note, I remember the Bridgestones were amazing in the wet.  Only reason I got 'em was because of a screaming clearance deal on tire rack
Title: Re: Any experience with Yokohama S drives?
Post by: S204STi on December 22, 2011, 01:08:34 PM
Currently using a set on my 17s.  215/45 R17.  I find that grip is good, no awkward moments yet, plenty of audible feedback when approaching the limit (before they snap loose, mind you) and ride/NVH is acceptable.  Good rain traction with about a year's wear on them.  Crap traction in snow of any sort, as you would expect from a summer tire.  

They are a good tire for the money, IMO.

Also, for my size they are XL Load Limit rated on top of the 91W rating, so they handle big hits and cornering better than would an 87W without XL.  Before these, I had M&S Pzeros which were 87W (non xl), and the ride was not very friendly, especially over rail road tracks and big potholes.  

91W XL also happens to be what my tire placard specifies, no small wonder apparently.