Impressions of RE-11's
07-23-2010, 07:12 PM
#1
Impressions of RE-11's
I've got a little over 1,000 miles on my new Bridgestone RE-11's. So far i'm pretty pleased with them. I had the pzero's prior to this. They certainly feel more balanced than my Pzeros. They feel like they stick a little more than the Pzeros. They do seem fairly loud however. I remember the Pzero's being a little quiter when they were new. I ended up putting the 305's instead of the 295's i had prior, maybe that makes a little more road noise. Overall, I'm happy with the tires and they are quite a bit cheaper than the Pzero's or Michelins.
07-23-2010, 07:20 PM
#2
One other thing I forgot to mention. I have noticed that the RE-11's seem to have more of a temperature fluctuation than the RE-11's. In the heat I've them go up 8 pounds from cold.
07-23-2010, 07:53 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Is that for the rear or front? or both? If mostly for rear, maybe they're not meant to take the weight of the engine, so they over-heat. 8 PSI is A LOT, I only get that much fluctuation on the track on a very hot day and usually a lot less than 8PSI. On the street 2-3PSI.
07-23-2010, 08:11 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
RE11s are a great autocross tire because they come up to temperature very quickly, but that makes them less than ideal for track use because they don't shed heat well at all. It's not that they can't take the weight, it's just that they retain the heat. Another symptom of this trait is that they'll stay hot for a long time after a session on track.
In contrast to the PZeros, though, they do seem to handle the high temperatures very well from a durability standpoint. They'll get greasy and inconsistent after 10 or 15 minutes of aggressive driving, but they endure the heat very well. Once they cool down they're fine again and won't show any graining or distress.
See also this active thread in the GT3 forum:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-...the-track.html
In contrast to the PZeros, though, they do seem to handle the high temperatures very well from a durability standpoint. They'll get greasy and inconsistent after 10 or 15 minutes of aggressive driving, but they endure the heat very well. Once they cool down they're fine again and won't show any graining or distress.
See also this active thread in the GT3 forum:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-...the-track.html
07-23-2010, 08:33 PM
#5
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The RE-11 do have a problem with heat on track (and at hot autocrosses, like in a Texas summer). However, the problem is not that they retain heat. Rather, it's that the compound used for the tire is designed for a lower operating temperature than some other tires. Any given tread compound has a temperature range where it has optimal grip. In the RE-11, this temperature range is around typical (summer) street temperatures and typical autocross temperatures. The range is not sufficiently broad for the tire to be at optimal grip at a 50°F autocross and late in a 25 minute track session. Bridgestone has chosen to design these tires for the autocrossers, rather than the track enthusiasts.
On the other hand, tires like the Pilot Sport Cups and Kumho XS are designed with their optimal temperature range centered around track use. They have "enough" grip at street temperatures, but will provide more grip once they reach track operating temperatures, and can handle more heat before they start to lose grip (become greasy) than tires like the RE-11 can handle.
A result of these design choices by the manufacturers is the RE-11 make excellent rain tires. The rain keeps the tires from overheating, so they remain at their optimal grip levels. As Nugget said, the problem isn't weight, but rather heat. They're great rain tires for his GT3 RS, but poor dry tires, even for a 2100 pound Miata.
The RE-11 are a fantastic street tire for someone who wants a lot of grip on the street. They're not a great track tire, but they can handle dual duty as a street-track tire, if they need to.
On the other hand, tires like the Pilot Sport Cups and Kumho XS are designed with their optimal temperature range centered around track use. They have "enough" grip at street temperatures, but will provide more grip once they reach track operating temperatures, and can handle more heat before they start to lose grip (become greasy) than tires like the RE-11 can handle.
A result of these design choices by the manufacturers is the RE-11 make excellent rain tires. The rain keeps the tires from overheating, so they remain at their optimal grip levels. As Nugget said, the problem isn't weight, but rather heat. They're great rain tires for his GT3 RS, but poor dry tires, even for a 2100 pound Miata.
The RE-11 are a fantastic street tire for someone who wants a lot of grip on the street. They're not a great track tire, but they can handle dual duty as a street-track tire, if they need to.
07-23-2010, 09:22 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Great info, thanks guys!
More reasons to stick with N-rated tires for all-purpose usage, street and track. 8PSI fluctuation during street driving is just too much IMO.
More reasons to stick with N-rated tires for all-purpose usage, street and track. 8PSI fluctuation during street driving is just too much IMO.
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07-24-2010, 12:14 AM
#8
Nordschleife Master
The RE-11 do have a problem with heat on track (and at hot autocrosses, like in a Texas summer). However, the problem is not that they retain heat. Rather, it's that the compound used for the tire is designed for a lower operating temperature than some other tires. Any given tread compound has a temperature range where it has optimal grip. In the RE-11, this temperature range is around typical (summer) street temperatures and typical autocross temperatures. The range is not sufficiently broad for the tire to be at optimal grip at a 50°F autocross and late in a 25 minute track session. Bridgestone has chosen to design these tires for the autocrossers, rather than the track enthusiasts.
On the other hand, tires like the Pilot Sport Cups and Kumho XS are designed with their optimal temperature range centered around track use. They have "enough" grip at street temperatures, but will provide more grip once they reach track operating temperatures, and can handle more heat before they start to lose grip (become greasy) than tires like the RE-11 can handle.
A result of these design choices by the manufacturers is the RE-11 make excellent rain tires. The rain keeps the tires from overheating, so they remain at their optimal grip levels. As Nugget said, the problem isn't weight, but rather heat. They're great rain tires for his GT3 RS, but poor dry tires, even for a 2100 pound Miata.
The RE-11 are a fantastic street tire for someone who wants a lot of grip on the street. They're not a great track tire, but they can handle dual duty as a street-track tire, if they need to.
On the other hand, tires like the Pilot Sport Cups and Kumho XS are designed with their optimal temperature range centered around track use. They have "enough" grip at street temperatures, but will provide more grip once they reach track operating temperatures, and can handle more heat before they start to lose grip (become greasy) than tires like the RE-11 can handle.
A result of these design choices by the manufacturers is the RE-11 make excellent rain tires. The rain keeps the tires from overheating, so they remain at their optimal grip levels. As Nugget said, the problem isn't weight, but rather heat. They're great rain tires for his GT3 RS, but poor dry tires, even for a 2100 pound Miata.
The RE-11 are a fantastic street tire for someone who wants a lot of grip on the street. They're not a great track tire, but they can handle dual duty as a street-track tire, if they need to.
That's what I hear. These tires impress those who drive mostly on the street, in traffic, and seldom push the car.
07-24-2010, 12:32 AM
#9
It was 100 degrees when I had the 8 pound fluctuation. The thing that I hate is I already have to run the tires 3 pounds higher so the tpms light. Doesn't come on. That means I'm almost at 50 pounds on the rear. Is that dangerous.
07-24-2010, 01:01 AM
#10
Rennlist Member
Ps. I just checked re11 specs. Max pressure is 50psi. Make sure u don't get to that level.
07-24-2010, 01:01 AM
#11
Nordschleife Master
Yes. Fix your TPMS and run your tires at the proper cold pressures (33/39 if 997.1 or 34/40 if 997.2 19"rims all).
07-24-2010, 01:26 PM
#12
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For the record, I've never had an issue with pressure fluctuation on my RE-11s. Pressures may increase a little in hot weather, as with any other tire, but the RE-11s seem no more susceptible to fluctuation than any of the OEM tires. It seems like the OP already has his tires over-inflated, and if he is experiencing issues it is the inflation level that is the likely culprit and not the tire.
To the OP - as others have said, set your tires to the right pressures and recalibrate TPMS. The TPMS light won't come on. There is no need to overinflate your tires just to avoid a TPMS warning, you just need to recalibrate.
To the OP - as others have said, set your tires to the right pressures and recalibrate TPMS. The TPMS light won't come on. There is no need to overinflate your tires just to avoid a TPMS warning, you just need to recalibrate.
07-24-2010, 02:13 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
On the track it is another issue...
07-24-2010, 03:55 PM
#15
Drifting
