I need a good tire!

I'm looking at the Nitto 555R drag radials in the back and the 555 Extreme Performance up front.

I'll have 315/35ZR/17 in the back and 275/40ZR/17 in the front. I hear that BFG tires hook better, but don't last as long? I need a tire that will last me a good amount of time, but EXCELLENT for hooking.

 

You are asking for the best of both worlds. The Nittos usually last longer, but don't generally hook as well as the BFGs, the MT ET Radials hook the best, but wear real fast. I use the BFG DRs and usually get 4000-5000 miles out of them and 1.6-1.7s to 60'. They seem to be the "middle ground" for both hooking and tread wear.

--Alan

 

How are the M/T in the rain? I hear the ET Street Radials are killer for 1/4 times

I know there are a lot of threads about this, but I kind of needed a direct fit for MY needs Thanks for your help!

 

I have never used the MT radials. I've been using the BFG DRs for 9 years and, when new to around 2/32" of tread they are not horrible in the rain. I drove on a new set from Florida to PA passing thru several rain storms with no issues. Looking at the MTs I would think that they would be rough in the rain, but then none of these DRs are meant for the rain.

The safe way to be is to have 2 sets of tires; regular radials and a set of DRs, but if you only want to run one tire I vote for the BFG DRs for a good hooking all around decent riding/handling tire. Any MT DR owners can chime in here, but the MT was designed to run in the radial tire drag class and they hook like a slick, but they are not designed for regular highway use...Thats not to say that I won't try a set when my Strange 12 bolt gets here...

--Alan

 

I JUST got a brand new set of Nittos 555 in front and 555R in back, took them today in the rain for a trial... Ive heard lots of people say "in the rain you cant drive with them"... They hook better than my Kuhmos did in the rain, they hook real damn well... but maybe its just because people were talking about when they wear down real far... seriously they just hook.

 

I used to run a similar combination and ran 80mph in the pooring rain without issue. Obviously I don't recommend it. But I was happy with the Nittos as a street tire. But I couldn't get them to hook at all at the track.