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Looking for any side by side comparisons of Toyo R888 and the newer R888R. Grip, wear, how sensitive are they to heat cycling, do they tend to heat cycle or wear out, etc...
Only the older R888 is available in my sizes 245/35/19 & 305/30/19 but I've heard that the newer tire may be significantly better.
If you have not used these what are you using if you run the same size in Dot competition or slicks?
I have the R888Rs on my Miata. Currently at 8 days on them and haven't noticed any drop off. I didn't shave them.
I'd heard horror stories about the R888 dropping off, etc. but I've set personal bests at every track I've run this year on the R888Rs including during their 8th day earlier this month. That's 31 heat cycles so far.
I'd never used the old R888 so I can't compare them side by side though.
Have you considered nitto nt01's in 235/35/19f and 305/30/19r? I know the front is a size narrower than you requested, but still might be a good option for you.
That is SO true. I have to save that and put it on my tire trailer.
I had considered the Nitto's but with older design & technology I didn't know how they might still stack up.
Thanks for the links. Posts still have them as arguably a top R-Comp.
Used the R888R's at COTA this spring. Great grip right out of the box, if kept below 36 #. Awesome performance in the wet. 10 heat cycles so far. Full tread. Still look new. Better than the old R888's, and not as loud on street.
Follow up -- I now have 11 days on my set and set a new personal best on them yesterday on day 11. Usual caveats: I'm just a DE guy in a Miata, but that's my experience.
I finally used my new 888R's this past June at Mid Ohio and found them to have more grip than the old 888's. Not significantly gripper, just noticeably more and a decent option for a track tire. They're a definite improvement over the 888's, but not up to NT01 levels. With only one weekend on them, I can't comment on their longevity yet.
Originally Posted by hagfish2
Better than the old R888's, and not as loud on street.
The 888R's are at least twice as loud on the street. Once you get up to about 35-40 mph they start to get loud, and by 60mph they howl like the tires on a tractor-trailer. The space between the tread block is much bigger than on the old 888's which results in very loud road noise. When I first got on the Interstate with them, I thought something was wrong with the car until I figured out it was the 888R's howling.
06-27-2017, 10:59 AM
Have you used Toyo's newer R888R ?
The 888R's are at least twice as loud on the street. Once you get up to about 35-40 mph they start to get loud, and by 60mph they howl like the tires on a tractor-trailer. The space between the tread block is much bigger than on the old 888's which results in very loud road noise. When I first got on the Interstate with them, I thought something was wrong with the car until I figured out it was the 888R's howling.