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racer_troy · 10-19-2006, 10:46 AM

Ed,

Sounds like you are getting alot of good advise in this thread...bully...also...if the falkens are new...good for you...as suggested, you will need to allow them to go through a couple of heat cycles so as the rubber/cord can set up (read: side wall to stiffen)...then you will have a different tire to enjoy...

regarding tire pressures...it's all personal...let your tires bed in and then if you are unhappy running 32-36 or whatever you are running...ask yourself what you don't like about the way they are performing (too much roll vs. not enough traction)...if you are still noticing some roll on turn-in, go to a parking lot where you can safely do some manuvering (salom, 90deg at speed) and chalk up your side walls...the falkens will have a roll indicator on the sidewall (arrow, triangle, rib, something at the edge of the usable tread) chalk all the way from where you know the tire is touching pavement (straight line driving) to a little past where it is rolling over (hard cornering)

...next run through your course, salom and right/left turns, and pay attention to how it feels...do i have the feedback and feel i need at turnin? Are the fronts pushing earlier or later? Are the rears breaking loose earlier or later on exit? How is the stopping distance affected?

Next, get out and look at the chaulk...if you are passing the edge of the usable tread, then your suspecions were correct and you need to add some air...vice versa if you are not rolling far enough...add/remove air in increments of 2lbs, rechaulk and run the course again and see: 1. does this feel right, and 2. how are my chaulk test results? After a few runs, you may find something that suits you, your upcoming drive, and your tires. Good luck.

On a side note, the rounded profile of the Falken is likely due to it's emphasis on corner control; e.g. as the car turns and the tire profile rolls, you still have usable tread contacting the ground.

On another side note...each tire has it's own feel...you may find that you are a michelin man aferall...

cheers,

--troy

10-19-2006, 10:46 AM	#11
racer_troy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 38	A lot of good advice... Ed, Sounds like you are getting alot of good advise in this thread...bully...also...if the falkens are new...good for you...as suggested, you will need to allow them to go through a couple of heat cycles so as the rubber/cord can set up (read: side wall to stiffen)...then you will have a different tire to enjoy... regarding tire pressures...it's all personal...let your tires bed in and then if you are unhappy running 32-36 or whatever you are running...ask yourself what you don't like about the way they are performing (too much roll vs. not enough traction)...if you are still noticing some roll on turn-in, go to a parking lot where you can safely do some manuvering (salom, 90deg at speed) and chalk up your side walls...the falkens will have a roll indicator on the sidewall (arrow, triangle, rib, something at the edge of the usable tread) chalk all the way from where you know the tire is touching pavement (straight line driving) to a little past where it is rolling over (hard cornering) ...next run through your course, salom and right/left turns, and pay attention to how it feels...do i have the feedback and feel i need at turnin? Are the fronts pushing earlier or later? Are the rears breaking loose earlier or later on exit? How is the stopping distance affected? Next, get out and look at the chaulk...if you are passing the edge of the usable tread, then your suspecions were correct and you need to add some air...vice versa if you are not rolling far enough...add/remove air in increments of 2lbs, rechaulk and run the course again and see: 1. does this feel right, and 2. how are my chaulk test results? After a few runs, you may find something that suits you, your upcoming drive, and your tires. Good luck. On a side note, the rounded profile of the Falken is likely due to it's emphasis on corner control; e.g. as the car turns and the tire profile rolls, you still have usable tread contacting the ground. On another side note...each tire has it's own feel...you may find that you are a michelin man aferall... cheers, --troy Last edited by racer_troy; 10-19-2006 at 10:55 AM.