Yokohama Parada Spec-2 (IMO) 215/40ZR17

[Allen]

Just felt like sharing my opinion here in case anyone is interested in the Yokohama Spec-2 tires.

So, just got a set of these yesterday (driven around 50 +/- 10 miles on them so far). I have read a lot of information about these tires online and overall the reviews have not been too hot (AVS ES100 have much more fan support, but expert reviews are about the same for both ES100 and Spec-2). These tires seems be labeled as "tuner" (aka "ricers"?) tires and for show. The experts all seem to say these tires are very decent tires overall made from high quality material.

The majority of the complaints I have read from reviewers are about the wet traction, being poor.

The next complaint I hear about these tires are about them being loud and noisy. The final major complaint is about them wearing out too fast.

I have not been able to test the traction under wet environment, but it sounds like everyone list this quality as the weakest feature for this tire. That's odd, since the wet traction rating for this tire is 300, the maximum rating score for wet traction.

Noise factor may take some time for me to figure out, but right now I hear nothing. I think the Spec-2 tires are much much quieter than the SP9000. The comfort level of these tires are greater than what I experienced with the Dunlop SP9000. The difference between the two brands is that the SP9000 was only 205/45ZR17, while the Spec-2 that I purchased is 215/40ZR17.

Folks who review the tires and claim them to wear out fast seems to me to be people who have an above average habit/style of driving aggressively. I figured these are low profile tires, so what do they expect?

One major quality I have been able to detect from these tires compared to my old Dunlop SP9000 is the improve stability on the road under normal driving conditions. The tires do not have a tendancy to follow road grooves like the SP9000 did... I now have no need to fight with my steering wheel on the road!! It drives straight and smooth.............

I feel very comfortable riding on these tires so far, because granted, they are new tires. Not only that, but they are wider tires, so I am not sure if that adds to the effect of me not feeling the road bumps as much as I had with the SP9000. The thing is that the SP9000 tires I replaced were 205/45ZR17 with a taller side-wall, so the comfort level shouldn't be that much of a difference.... but I don't know for a fact.

The cornering traction seems to be on par with the SP9000 (which I think holds like super glue on the dry road), but I haven't pushed it extremely hard like I would in an autocross event.

One thing I find awkward is the tread design. The "helical" grooves (the "S" shaped grooves) go both ways on the car. I mean, if this is how they are designed then the tires are not directional tires. Just check out the image below, either the driver-side of the tires are treading backwards or the passenger-side. Both sides do not have the treads going the same direction. Isn't this just odd?!?! I can't find any review about this being out of place... so I assume this design is intended to be that way?!?
(hmm)

Oh, BTW, I bought these tires because they were being sold at the same price as the Kumho 712. They had none of the ES100 in stock, or else I would have gone with those instead.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I think a lot of people base their opinions on the original Yokoham Paradas which were horrible horrible tires. I've heard good things about the Spec 2s, and horrible things about them. I'm going for either AVS ES100s or Falken Azenis. I'm surprised the bumpiness is not greater with 215/40/17. Your sidewalls are actually smaller with that size than on a 205/45/17.

I plan on going with 215/45/17 on mine. I have SPOOL springs which worries me a bit, but its the same size as the MSP uses, they have the same wheel offset as us, and people are using lowering springs on the MSP with them, so I SHOULD be ok.

Chris

 

[Reitrof]

Hi Allen,

Nice post. I have the Kumho 712's. I love them in the rain. I would need a tire good in the rain as they are. I would be interested to hear how you find them in the rain.

 

[xoom xoom]

I have had Yoko Parad spec 2's (check sig for size) on stock rims for about 8,000 miles. They seem to be wearing beter then the dunlop sp5000 that came stock. They seem to be a tad more noisy but you only notice when the radio is off and the window is opened.

As far as wet tracktion goes it has the best I have ever felt. I almost think the wet handling is a little better then dry. Puddles that used to feel like I was driving on ice, now it feels like I am still in contact with the road.

I would recommend these tires to anyone looking for the best performance (dollar wise at least) keep in mind these are summer tires only. But then again the stock dunlops sp5000 are horriable in the snow.

 

[garretts77]

I have them too. They are great. While you have not tested the limits of them, I have. Let me tell you that I am very pleased. I found the tread design a bit strange too, but I have no isuuses with it. As far as how well they wear, I couldn't really tell you. I bought them used from Tom (@kartboy) and they already had some good miles on them. I would say that they were at about 40% tread life left. That was about 8000 miles ago, and I am nearing the end. I probably have about 1500-2000 left. But I can tell you that in extreme cornering they grip like mad, and when they do break, it is pretty gradual and controlable. I dont have too much of an issue with the noise. The only time that I think it is louder than stock is between 5 and 20 mph, it kind of sounds like an off-road mud tire. Now that I have to purchase new, I am planning on either replacing with more Spec-II or maybe trying the Khumo Ecsta MX. But to anybody thinking about these tires, I love them. $94 at Tire Rack. If you know a better price, please let me know.

 

[Allen]

DooMer_MP3,

Just a FYI, I don't know if you will have problems with 215/45/17 using SPOOL springs (My Tein should not be lower than yours), but I shopped around for Bridgestone tires in that size before giving in to these Yokohama. The lady at Firestone placed the Bridgestone tire she recommended to me (may have been the RE750) that was 215/45/17 in size.... it did not clear the fenders and unfortunately she had nothing else in stock that day.

Allen

I think a lot of people base their opinions on the original Yokoham Paradas which were horrible horrible tires. I've heard good things about the Spec 2s, and horrible things about them. I'm going for either AVS ES100s or Falken Azenis. I'm surprised the bumpiness is not greater with 215/40/17. Your sidewalls are actually smaller with that size than on a 205/45/17.

I plan on going with 215/45/17 on mine. I have SPOOL springs which worries me a bit, but its the same size as the MSP uses, they have the same wheel offset as us, and people are using lowering springs on the MSP with them, so I SHOULD be ok.

Chris

 

[Allen]

Sup Bruce,

You know right after I posted my review that day it rained big time. I didn't go out during the heavy rain to test it out though.

I did try to drive around AFTER the rain stopped. I didn't loose traction under normal driving on the highway and higher speed curves.

Without LSD, my front wheels were slipping just as easily when I placed a heavy foot on the gas pedal during launch on wet surface. Probably same for all tires?!?

One day I'll get a chance to test it out on a real wet surface to see how it handles in regards to hydroplaning.

I asked for the 712s as well, but they didn't have it in stock (they had mis-match sizes, three of the 215/40/17 and one 215/45/17 I think)... so they sold me the Spec-2s for the same price... was not easy to find the right tires for our cars, that's for sure!

Allen

Hi Allen,

Nice post. I have the Kumho 712's. I love them in the rain. I would need a tire good in the rain as they are. I would be interested to hear how you find them in the rain.

 

[xoom xoom]

You still take about getting these as a bad thing! I think you will find them to be beter then the 9000's and probably one of the best tires (well not the best, those are $150 each and +). Go to tirerack.com and read the reviews on them.

 

[Allen]

Awesome insight... I have to remember what I paid for mine. I think $108 which includes mounting/balancing, tax, and road side-life time yadda yadda yadda at Discount Tires.

Allen

I have them too. They are great. While you have not tested the limits of them, I have. Let me tell you that I am very pleased. I found the tread design a bit strange too, but I have no isuuses with it. As far as how well they wear, I couldn't really tell you. I bought them used from Tom (@kartboy) and they already had some good miles on them. I would say that they were at about 40% tread life left. That was about 8000 miles ago, and I am nearing the end. I probably have about 1500-2000 left. But I can tell you that in extreme cornering they grip like mad, and when they do break, it is pretty gradual and controlable. I dont have too much of an issue with the noise. The only time that I think it is louder than stock is between 5 and 20 mph, it kind of sounds like an off-road mud tire. Now that I have to purchase new, I am planning on either replacing with more Spec-II or maybe trying the Khumo Ecsta MX. But to anybody thinking about these tires, I love them. $94 at Tire Rack. If you know a better price, please let me know.

 

[Allen]

Yeah, I did... but I was trying to compare them to the ES100. ES100 had better reviews overall.

Both folks who liked and disliked the tires have mentioned about poor wet traction. Not all good reviews said they had poor traction... I was just getting the feeling it could be true.

I like these tires though. The longer I spend on the road with them the more I am impressed. Since I bought these tires, I have not listened to the radio... just trying to get a feel for these tires. I really can't hear much more noise than what the SP9000 produced on the road.

The stability of these tires just amazes me.... I have a natural habit of correcting my steering wheel at certain part of the road where I drive..... everytime I drive by certain roads with these tires they just refuse to go off to the right.... it's just stays straight as a ruler on the road. (thumb)

Allen

You still take about getting these as a bad thing! I think you will find them to be beter then the 9000's and probably one of the best tires (well not the best, those are $150 each and +). Go to tirerack.com and read the reviews on them.

 

[Doggone]

I've got these as well. The grip you get is amazing. You can really hit the corners with these.

Performance tires will wear sooner because they are softer. Noise isn't a factor.

I love them, they also look great. I would get them again.

 

[Reitrof]

Interesting news from all.

I have heard that the MX's are not good rain tires compared to the 712's. Does anybody have the MX's that could comment?

 

[xoom xoom]

I was talking about the actull testing done by Tirerack.com. They rate pretty high even against bridgestones and goodyears.

 

[ARunto]

The Kuhmo MX's are much more suited for dry traction. They are on par and if not better than the Falken Azenis. Many use the MX's for auto-x in STS class.

-Alan

 

[Reitrof]

Thanks ARunto. For my needs I require a good rain tire.

 

[ARunto]

If you need a good rain tire go with Yokohama ES100's....very good in the rain plus they aren't expensive.

-Alan

 

[Brian MP5T]

Yoko Spec-2 215/35ZR18

I've been running my Yokos for 5 Months this summer. They are quiet, balanced well, track excelent and around corners I can't complain. A Good bang for buck. I have had them in a rainstorm and a smile came to my face when I tried to get into a short slide and the car stuck in place.

My Nitto EP 450's were a good tire as well but I am much happier with the Yokos.

 

[krb1482]

Glad to hear good things about the spec-2's. I had the stock dunlops, then went to 215/40/17 Goodyear EagleF1's. Awesome handling, but treadwear sucks. But like you said, performance, not mileage. Peace out

 

[impact]

I have the Spec 2's also 215/40/17 and the only complaint I have is the tread wear but you sacrifice it performance. The tires handle awsome even with the turbo

 

[melicha8]

I'm running these tires and I'm not too impressed with them either. I'm sure that these are unidirectional assymetrical tires but I have all four of the same tires which pisses me off a bit but these aren't going to be autox tires for me just high performance street tires. As for road noise I did notice a lot more when I put them on. This may also be because I have metal pillow ball mounts on my struts with hard springs which I put in at the same time as the tires. I will not be getting these again though they are quite consistent and grip pretty well. I think next time I will be getting Yoko AVS 100's next time