Falken FK 452 or Falken RT615

Fatalsports · 03-16-2007, 03:11 PM

Hey,

Im having a hard time deciding which tire to get for spring/summer.
I've heard nothing but good about the RT615s....but im concerned about the lifespan of them. I know they are a very very sticky tire.
My car is a DD...and I'm not always pushing it...actually I only push part of the time.
Which am I better off going with? OR is there something else you'd reccomend. Like to stay around the same price!

Thanks!!

SubyFi · 03-16-2007, 03:48 PM

The 452 have a higher treadwear rating (300) so they will last longer than the 615 (200). And when it starts to get wet, the 452 will probably feel better with their AA rating. AA wet traction results are 0.54+ g's on asphalt. 615 are A (wet 0.47+ g). Also if noise and ride comfort matter, the 452 are probably more civilized.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=48

lackskill · 03-16-2007, 04:05 PM

I didnt buy the car for comfort, and when its raining Im not pushing it. I went with the RT-615.

Fatalsports · 03-16-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lackskill

I didnt buy the car for comfort, and when its raining Im not pushing it. I went with the RT-615.

Thats true...neither did I...how many miles on your RT-615s? does that include any racing?

jasngen04sti · 03-16-2007, 04:32 PM

i only got about 10k out of mine

Fatalsports · 03-16-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasngen04sti

i only got about 10k out of mine

Thats the only thing im worried about....Id hate to have to spend almost $600 a year on tires...was that 10k miles all street driving?

mykrrrr · 03-17-2007, 08:24 AM

Go for the FK452's. You'll gain more mileage and you'll still get some good handling out of them for spirited driving.

I'l be putting these on my new summer wheels in the next few weeks.

flatthump · 03-17-2007, 08:26 AM

no question....rt-615's

soob'n · 03-17-2007, 01:27 PM

Just ordered my 615's, I only hope the side walls are close to the stiffness of the REO 70's.

Mykl · 03-17-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soob'n

Just ordered my 615's, I only hope the side walls are close to the stiffness of the REO 70's.

You're about to be disappointed. The RT615's feel squishy compared to the 070's. The RT615's are good tires and offer plenty of stick though.

lackskill · 03-17-2007, 09:05 PM

Is there anything as stiff as the 070s? I dont know of anything... I have only a few hundred miles on my 615's with no racing, but I have 0 complaints about them... They do JUST FINE in the wet. I wont hesitate to buy another set in a year if they wear out that fast, but I got over 25k on my 070s and Ive still got a bit to go before the wear bars.

offroadracer99 · 03-18-2007, 03:47 AM

my RT-615s are in the mail. so no review yet from me, but I can't wait for them to show up, along with the other parts I ordered

crand002 · 03-18-2007, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offroadracer99

my RT-615s are in the mail. so no review yet from me, but I can't wait for them to show up, along with the other parts I ordered

Where did you get them and for how much?

import111 · 03-18-2007, 08:29 AM

Bottom line is, if you buy the FK452's you are going to make the handling worse than stock on your STi, but the tires will last longer. If you buy the RT615's you will retain stock like handling but you will go through the tires maybe 2 months earlier than you would if you bought the crappier tires. Just get the RT615's.

stretch · 03-18-2007, 09:51 AM

I think less aggressive tires can be fine if the car has enough camber. They won't stick as well, but generally speaking, "normal" summer tires can still be pretty good. Less aggressive tires tend to prefer slightly higher slip angles, meaning you'll be able to slide the car easier, which can be fun. They'll also let go more progressively. So, less aggressive tires can be marginally slower yet marginally more fun.

If you're on a stock suspension, though, you'll probably hate them. Soft sidewalls and smaller tread blocks make for squishy handling and loud tire squeal unless you've got body roll and camber under control.

A compromise could be larger 245/45/17 RT-615's. The tires are larger than stock and thus have more rubber- the load index is a whopping 99. Since the tires are made for larger, heavier cars, they should last longer than the standard 225/45/17 size. I'd bet you could see 20-25k out of them. Besides, RT-615's are relatively cheap. The downsides are a higher center of gravity and longer gearing from the larger tire diameter.

03-16-2007, 03:11 PM	#1
Fatalsports Junior STI Driver Car: 2007 STi Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 54 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Falken FK 452 or Falken RT615 Hey, Im having a hard time deciding which tire to get for spring/summer. I've heard nothing but good about the RT615s....but im concerned about the lifespan of them. I know they are a very very sticky tire. My car is a DD...and I'm not always pushing it...actually I only push part of the time. Which am I better off going with? OR is there something else you'd reccomend. Like to stay around the same price! Thanks!! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-18-2007, 09:51 AM	#15
stretch Silver Member Car: Aspen 2005 STi Fav Mod: TurnInConcepts.com Coilovers Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 1,811 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	I think less aggressive tires can be fine if the car has enough camber. They won't stick as well, but generally speaking, "normal" summer tires can still be pretty good. Less aggressive tires tend to prefer slightly higher slip angles, meaning you'll be able to slide the car easier, which can be fun. They'll also let go more progressively. So, less aggressive tires can be marginally slower yet marginally more fun. If you're on a stock suspension, though, you'll probably hate them. Soft sidewalls and smaller tread blocks make for squishy handling and loud tire squeal unless you've got body roll and camber under control. A compromise could be larger 245/45/17 RT-615's. The tires are larger than stock and thus have more rubber- the load index is a whopping 99. Since the tires are made for larger, heavier cars, they should last longer than the standard 225/45/17 size. I'd bet you could see 20-25k out of them. Besides, RT-615's are relatively cheap. The downsides are a higher center of gravity and longer gearing from the larger tire diameter. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-16-2007, 03:48 PM	#2
SubyFi Spec C Club Car: '05 STi in OBP Fav Mod: coilovers & www.hpdedriver.com Location: L.A. (SFV), CA Posts: 1,172 Join Date: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (4)	The 452 have a higher treadwear rating (300) so they will last longer than the 615 (200). And when it starts to get wet, the 452 will probably feel better with their AA rating. AA wet traction results are 0.54+ g's on asphalt. 615 are A (wet 0.47+ g). Also if noise and ride comfort matter, the 452 are probably more civilized. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=48

03-16-2007, 04:05 PM	#3
lackskill Moderator Car: 05 Ram 3500 CTD Fav Mod: Majin Posts: 14,619 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	I didnt buy the car for comfort, and when its raining Im not pushing it. I went with the RT-615.

03-16-2007, 04:32 PM	#5
jasngen04sti Junior STI Driver Car: 04 sti Location: close to dragons tail Posts: 153 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (4)	i only got about 10k out of mine

03-17-2007, 08:24 AM	#7
mykrrrr Junior STI Driver Car: '05 STi Fav Mod: Spec C roof vent Location: Detroitish... Posts: 135 Join Date: Nov 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Go for the FK452's. You'll gain more mileage and you'll still get some good handling out of them for spirited driving. I'l be putting these on my new summer wheels in the next few weeks.

03-17-2007, 08:26 AM	#8
flatthump Enginerd Car: The Spaze Mobile Fav Mod: Tuning Location: South O.C., Ca Posts: 13,020 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	no question....rt-615's

03-17-2007, 01:27 PM	#9
soob'n Professional STI Driver Car: OBP 05 STi/silver Fav Mod: RCE Tarmac II's Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 425 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (6)	Just ordered my 615's, I only hope the side walls are close to the stiffness of the REO 70's.

03-17-2007, 09:05 PM	#11
lackskill Moderator Car: 05 Ram 3500 CTD Fav Mod: Majin Posts: 14,619 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	Is there anything as stiff as the 070s? I dont know of anything... I have only a few hundred miles on my 615's with no racing, but I have 0 complaints about them... They do JUST FINE in the wet. I wont hesitate to buy another set in a year if they wear out that fast, but I got over 25k on my 070s and Ive still got a bit to go before the wear bars.

03-18-2007, 03:47 AM	#12
offroadracer99 Junior STI Driver Posts: 83 Join Date: Jan 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	my RT-615s are in the mail. so no review yet from me, but I can't wait for them to show up, along with the other parts I ordered

03-18-2007, 08:29 AM	#14
import111 The Next Petter Solberg Car: Silver 05 WRX STi Location: Tucson, AZ. Posts: 909 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Bottom line is, if you buy the FK452's you are going to make the handling worse than stock on your STi, but the tires will last longer. If you buy the RT615's you will retain stock like handling but you will go through the tires maybe 2 months earlier than you would if you bought the crappier tires. Just get the RT615's.