Topic: Review: Yokohama S-Drive 245-45-18

[Gentleman Jack]

I have about 30 miles on these tires so far.

Initial impressions are as follows:

1. Slightly more road "groan" than the stock F1-GS2's
2. SILENT!  So far my favorite thing about the tire... it is absolutely silent on a burn out.  I made everything disappear in my rear view in a cloud of smoke and not a sound!  An added benefit I never expected.
3. Stiff.  They do not ride as soft as the F1's.  But, then again, I have not had a chance to fine tune the PSI yet.  Started at 40 figuring I'd just drop a few pound each ride until I found the right number.  Tomorrow, down to 38.  40 is too much.
4. Sticky?  Still need to be broken in, but cornering is definitely better.  Not sure yet on launch.  Need to break in the tire and find the right PSI.

So far, so good.  More to follow after some hillside runs and some more miles. 

If you are looking for really good Summer tires and are looking to save some money over the Star Specs, these should be on your short list.  They may not be quite as good as the star specs, but you save $60 per tire... that $240 bucks can be put to really good use...  I think Star Specs are still the class of the class, but these may be a very good cost conscious alternative.

GJ

[kennysabarese]

40psi are you crazy!

Door jamb says 29psi

I have been running 29 on the track and my tires wear perfectly. Wear right up to the spot where they should when doing the shoe polish test.

[Critterman]

Kenny is right, if you want to play with the presure start closer to recommended.  The reason you couldn't hear anything and could do such a dramatic burnout is because you had less than a inch of contact patch.  There is a sticky with the formula for correct tire presure taking into account the difference in tire construction. 

My tires are stiffer than stock, can carry more weight and using the formula, my pressure should be around 24 psi.  I run 29 because I like a stiffer tire and in very hard cornering with my negative camber, I use all the tire as indicated by the scuffing. 

[Kelu]

I was playing between 15-40 psi with my tires also, generally while I'm at the strip. I inflate front tires up to 43psi and deflate the rears down to 15psi.

At last race I forgot to deflate the fronts when I put the car to the trailer and I drove like that for some weeks and wondering around why my front is so stiff (I was suspecting something wrong with front shocks ).

[GXPinKC]

GJ, when you get more miles on them please update the thread as to your thoughts!  Thanks!

[LatinVenom]

He is way to high in the tire pressure.
It may not be 29 but probably a few pounds positive or negative from that figure.

[Gentleman Jack]

I know 40 is way to high.  That is what I had the guy at the tire shop set them to start.  I will drop them to somewhere between 28 and 32 PSI when I get back to the house.  Just started there because...

I'll update with more info as I fiddle....

GJ

[elff]

I normally run 30 front 31/32 psi rear

I found with the star Specs, compared to the stock GY, that I did not have to over inflate the tires for autocross which was nice. 

I run 20psi on the street in my jeep.
6psi offroad