New Dunlops!!

[BMcCann]

http://translate.google.com/translat...unlop.co.jp%2F

Well, its in Japan, but allegedly they are "better" than star specs. Whats the over/under on if these will come stateside?

[NC Eunos]

I heard about these awhile ago, they were originally designed to improve on the star specs by maximizing the surface area of the the contact patch resulting in lowering the operating temp of the tire so they can run a softer compound with less proprietary blends of tire hardeners. The star spec was originally designed to be an aggressive street tire that got good treadlife in doing so they used a tread compound that had less "tire-hardeners" then a regular all season/UHP tires but contained more then an r-comp. Unfortunately in doing this it leaves the tires more prone to "chunking" or "graining" (when the tire is brought up temp to fast/overheating temp to fast, cooled, then back up to temp in the same manner and result in damage by chunks of the rubber coming off of the tire)

This tire is suppose to be their version of the RS-3 killer but I think it will be a close match up. While at the same time manufacturers are aiming to now take down the likes of NT-01s, R888, and the RA-1 with Hankook coming out the TD (a.k.a. Trackday) in 3 or 4 different compounds, Federal with the FZ-201 and 202, and maxxis ZR9 Victra. It is also rumor of bridgestone and yoko redesigning the RE-01 and AD08 as well.

Most of these tires have not yet reached the U.S. of A just yet but are being tested or have been out and available overseas already and some are due to be released sometime before this summer till next year. Looks like I'll be busy testing all these new goodies

[altiain]

The biggest problem I had with the Star Specs was that their useful life was less than that of the RS-3s. At least in the 255/40-17 size, they had a different compound molded at about 3-4/32nds that was much harder than the initial compound. Once you wore the tires down and exposed the harder compound the tires were useless.

[CosmosMpower]

The biggest problem I had with the Star Specs was that their useful life was less than that of the RS-3s. At least in the 255/40-17 size, they had a different compound molded at about 3-4/32nds that was much harder than the initial compound. Once you wore the tires down and exposed the harder compound the tires were useless.

Bingo.

[BMcCann]

The biggest problem I had with the Star Specs was that their useful life was less than that of the RS-3s. At least in the 255/40-17 size, they had a different compound molded at about 3-4/32nds that was much harder than the initial compound. Once you wore the tires down and exposed the harder compound the tires were useless.

Yeah, that reminds me of mine. Those were my first autocross tire and back when I was still fresh it made no sense to me why I have so much tread left yet the grip just wasn't there!

[Davidss]

FYI - The 15" star specs are not dual compound.

[cwisenheimer]

Are the 16" star specs dual compound?

[jrj512]

FYI - The 15" star specs are not dual compound.

That explains why I never had the issue that Iain described. I liked the feel of my Star Specs very much, but the RS-3 is a faster tire.

I am also liking my current Toyo R1Rs a lot, but I will go back to RS-3 for the summer.

[Flyin96M]

Are the 16" star specs dual compound?

I don't think so as I had a set that I don't remember loosing grip when they were worn.

[POS Racing]

Yea they show a 14" tire on the list for those of us with the Vintage Miatas!

FWIW The current 14" Star Specs seem keep consistent until the cords show.