Tyre Review - Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

[Taymaishu]

Long story this one, but quite funny at the same time.

Was heading in to get my front tyres done today. Just before hitting the Lane Cove Tunnel heading eastbound from Macquarie, the rain just hammered the traffic. I decided to pull over and let it wait out before heading into Beaurepaires.

I pulled over in a side street in a bunch of shops. I was sitting there waiting for the rain to die down and talking to a friend on the phone, and I noticed another man looking into the car from the footpath, obviously to see if anyone was inside. I looked back and he gave me the "wind down your window" signal. I wound down and he immediately said "Is this Christine?"

I was shocked! Got out of the car and introduced ourselves. Turned out i was parked very close (a door or two down) from BMR125's business and he recognised Christine from the forums!

So Vince, you must come along to the next drive day! Was lovely to meet you and have a chat

Now, onto the tyres.

I upgraded my rears from 225s to 235s in January this year. I was looking at going from 205s to 215s and possibly 225s on the fronts. I had narrowed down to two choices: Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3, or PZero Neros. Due to the wet grip loved by the Goodyears, i decided to eat my hat and buy another Goodyear tyre (well, two in fact), after swearing to never use them again, let alone the NCT5's.

Got a great deal ($520 all up inc. wheel alignment), and boy.... 225s on the front make a massive difference, and the wet handling was amazing.

Pro's:
- VERY smooth and comfortable compared to the OEM runcraps (NCT5s)
- Wet dispersion is insane. Went through two large puddles at around 50km/h this evening that were hidden by tricky lighting on the road, and the front left just spat all the water out and only the very slightest little pull in the wheel. Not a hint of aquaplaning
- Incredible brake grip. Under testing the tyres when warm in the wet (only from 40km/h), no ABS when slamming the brakes on and felt like i had to peel my face off the windscreen.
- Noise. Deathly quiet compared to the NCT5s.

Cons:
- Sidewall flex & tramlining. Due to my upgrade from 205's to 225's (maximum allowed on these wheels), there is a good deal of lower tyre bulge. The tyres feel a little bit flexible on small steering changes, and it tramlines at medium speeds (50-70km/h). This could be just normal and that i'm used to the stiffness of RFT's.

Surprisingly, there is no discernible extra effort required to steer, especially at parking speeds.

Overall, i'm very impressed with the immediate upgrade the tyres have given. It will be interesting to see how they are in 1000km's.

[dh58]

loool thats a cool story.. good on bmr125 for having the balls to ask lol

[ANILE8]

They are just another road tyre, same difference.

Your review results would most certainly depend on what capacity you use your vehicle for.

I've never been too impressed with hard-as-nails road tyres for performance use even on the street.

[chylld]

have you got a tyre repair kit yet? (the gloopy spray stuff and a pump)

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by chylld

have you got a tyre repair kit yet? (the gloopy spray stuff and a pump)

Affirmatory foam shit and pump

[dk130i]

You are e-famous now.
What width are the rims on your car?

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by dk130i

You are e-famous now.
What width are the rims on your car?

I am indeed! Funny when people refer to your car's name ahead of your real name and forum name

The rims are stock 207M's - 17 x 7's front, 17 x 7.5's rear.

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by ANILE8

They are just another road tyre, same difference.

Your review results would most certainly depend on what capacity you use your vehicle for.

I've never been too impressed with hard-as-nails road tyres for performance use even on the street.

Each to his own, i guess

Whether it be placebo or not, I seriously can feel a huge difference between the F1's and the stock NCT5's, even in dry conditions.

There is a LOT more tram-lining occurring, and can feel some wall flex, but the grip is phenomenal, as well as less road noise, and much less unwanted road feedback (bumps, creases etc)

[dk130i]

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

The rims are stock 207M's - 17 x 7's front, 17 x 7.5's rear.

The bulge and sidewall flex you mentioned must be the result of the fact you fitted a 225 wide tyre on a 7 inch rim.
Where did you find info on max. allowable size? I couldn't find anything on RTA website (assumed they are the authority on the subject).

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by dk130i

The bulge and sidewall flex you mentioned must be the result of the fact you fitted a 225 wide tyre on a 7 inch rim.
Where did you find info on max. allowable size? I couldn't find anything on RTA website (assumed they are the authority on the subject).

It's 20mm either way is the max distance allowed (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...vsi09_rev4.pdf). This document no longer specifies the legal maximum upgrade for tyres (but still specifies 26mm for wheels), but i do recall Jax notifying me in January when i changed the rears that you can move 20mm either way.

The bulge has subsided somewhat now the tyres have gone in shape

[dk130i]

Thanks. I was interested as I have a spare set of 7.5 inch rims and was toying with the idea of fitting something that is a bit wider than 225 (which seems to be the max. allowable/recommended size on that rim...