Mickey Thompson Tires

[roadrod2000]

I also have the SR's on my car and have no complaints at all, but I seem to recall someone stating that the ST's had a softer rubber and therefore were a better tire than the SR's anyone out there have a chance to use both?

[Pete Munroe]

Road rod,

Just my opinion but pretty sure the S/R is the softer of the two...

Before getting the M/T S/R's spent a LOT of time trying to check wear ratings and speed ratings on the basic 15" tires to try estimate tire traction.

My conclusion is the M/T "S/T" is a "normal 15" street radial" similar with the Dunlop GT Qualifier, Cooper Cobra, BFG Radial T/S. Yokohama AVID...

Do not know of any direct "durometer" measures of the rubber. But if you check out the wear ratings for that grouping they are relatively high numbers. Think you can infer therefore a rubber that is harder than you see in performance orientated tires, whether they are 15, 17 whatever.

Also the tires above are not rated for a speed higher the S or T, ~112 or 118 in that ball park. That grouping is also all roughly the same price, at least 2 years ago.

OK, the M/T "S/R" with the "flame pattern" tread is speed rated at H - 130...I don't remember exactly but I think the UTG wear rating is MUCH lower than the "run of the mill" 15" 60 series tires.

My experience with the S/R's is they are MUCH stickier than the Dunlop GT's they replaced.

First tires on my car were "non-radial bias type" HOOSIER Street T/D's. When switching from Hoosier to the Dunlop GT' it was an eye opener as there was NO where near the traction with the Dunlop's.

Of all the lower end tires, some may be harder/softer than others, or handle better/worse due to design, but they appear to be very similar based on specs.

IMHO the "S/R" is a real step up in traction from the entry level 60 series 15" tires.

Until NITTO comes up a with a 60 series 15" version of their hi-po 17" tires...or, hows this...the AVONS go on a "buy two get TWO FREE..!!!" the M/T S/R is about the only moderately priced alternative I am aware of.i

Pete

[Sledge]

I've had mine for a couple of years now. The only real negative was that they needed to be trued (they weren't round). That process plus balancing cost me another $250.

Also, one of the tires loses about 1 psi per week. Otherwise I like them a lot; worked pretty well on my one (and so far only) track day.

[CSX3183]

Can't give you any inside info, other than MT tires are made by Cooper Tires in Findlay Ohio, and were just bought out by a tire manufacturer from India., somewhere around 2.2 Billion.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by roadrod2000

I seem to recall someone stating that the ST's had a softer rubber and therefore were a better tire than the SR's anyone out there have a chance to use both?

Here is the link to the thread you mention. This is an interesting conversation... SR vs. ST The tread pattern of the two would suggest a higher performance for the SR... but, looks might be deceiving. It would be good to have an expert on this brand weigh-in on it. Anyone know for sure? Anyone do side-by-side testing?

Great Cobra Tires

With Cooper going east... I wonder what becomes of the M/T and Avon brands?

[CSX3183]

The story goes that the Indian company wanted to expand into the US, but couldn't do it on their own, so the bought. The thoughts being stated are that the companies will be one, but really 2, with Cooper keeping their US lines, and being able to expand into Europe and the far East, and the Indian keeping their lines and getting into the US.

Also Cooper will be now doing original equipment tires, not just aftermarket.

[Pete Munroe]

When Cooper is picked up by the Indian company I would guess based on their brands manufactured in India things would not change much...for example, they bought Austrian brand Vredstein (sp?) and it is still with them...do not know if the design is the same, but the kept the European brand name.

On the S/R vs S/T discussion I can only suggest read what I posted a little way back on this thread.

About the only way to compare I am aware of, short of an expensive controlled test, is to look at easy to find, published info.

SPEED RATINGS...vs. price points...not many hi-po tires, H rated or better cost LESS than the run of the mill, S and T rated street radials.

DOT UTOG tire wear numbers. The highest numbers are for long tread life vs low numbers and short life.

Low numbers, 200 or less, seem to go to hi-po tires, high numbers, 300 and up go to long lived radials for general use.

Price...all the entry level 15" 60 series tires are pretty close...then for about 100% more you are into the S/R's, and 200% more AVONS.

If the data is too sketchy, include 17" versions and relative price, speed ratings, DOT ratings...

You COULD buy another set of wheels and tires and run skid pad tests...I can't affort that so I just look at the best available data.

Pete

[Dwight]

We leave in 45 minutes for the London Cobra Show but no rain in the forcast so I have to wait till latter to test in the rain but there great on dry pavement.

See ya

Dwight