Honda Insight Tires / Suzuki Swift GTi Tire Question - LRR

[XFi]

Had a question in regards to Tires for my 89 Swift GTi.

The stock size is 175/60r14 and is no longer being produced. An alternative size would be 185/55r14 and is also no longer being produced. Talking with tire rack, I found out that a smaller 165/65r14 will fit on my car with no rubbing. (currently have larger size and it rubs over bumps/in turns).

The 165/65r14 is also the stock size for some of the Honda Insights. I wanted to know if anyone has tried the Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires that came stock on Insights. This is listed as a LRR tire (happy to find that out) and is the only tire available that I can find (except for a snow tire).

Does anyone have any reviews/experience with this tire?

Does anyone have any other source for 175/60r14...185/55r14...or 165/65r14 tires?

Thanks!

[MetroMPG]

Krousdb is using the Insight tire on his VX, and is happy with them.

But he's been pretty scarce since his move. He might be spending all his free time commuting now instead of participating in forums

[XFi]

Thanks for the input, I sent him a PM.

[GasSavers_Ryland]

I talked to an insight owner who loved them, and clamed that when he had other tires for a few days he showed a 4mpg drop in mileage, and was able to get the correct tires installed with the only cost being the differnce in the slightly more costly tires.

what is the wear index on them?

[BumblingB]

When I got my Insight I had CHEAPO Wal-Mart low treadwear # tires on it. I switched over to the RE92's and got an instant 6 mpg increase with no change in driving habits.

I've now had the tires for around 20k+ miles and don't notice much wear. Ride is decent BUT I'm used to hard riding vehicles. Also I'm a firm believer in high pressure in tires which doesn't help ride either.

It's dark out right now and cold so I'll get some tread wear #'s tomorrow if no one answers before me.

[XFi]

Tire Rack says they are a 40k mile tire. Thanks for the input...I guess I will step down a size to these. Doubt I will ever push my car real hard into corners anyway. (well maybe a little bit).

[onegammyleg]

Reviews on Tirerack say the RE92 is a dud

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....l=Potenza+RE92

--but then in another section of tirerack the reviews say they are great ..ODD

[XFi]

Yes, I noticed that. Most people say they wouldn't buy it again, but in the review section...it was mostly good. Thats one of the reasons I posted this thread.

It doesn't look like I have many other options.

May be ordering these later this week.

[GasSavers_Brock]

Nokian makes a couple of LRR tires, the i3 in a 165/65R14 79 T size. A couple of the high milege TDI'ers are running them and say they are very similar to the Michelin Energy. They are actually supposed to have a lower rolling resistance then the Energies, but they are usually pricy. I think this is what I am going with next summer on the van. I run the Hakka Q's in winter on the wagon and the WR's on the van and amazingly don't see a huge hit on mileage on either one. The Q's are the best snows I have ever owned and I have had a LOT of different brands.

http://www.nokiantyres.com

[Spule 4]

*Reportedly* we Yanks do not get the same i3 in the US as the rest of the world.

The US ones are made in China and are not the green stripe tires shown on the European Nokia(n) i3 website and are a M&S tire where the European tire is Summer only. Having owned Nokia (pre n before they split from the TV division that went on to make mobile phones) tires in the past many years, this surpised me. Honestly, their US HQ is a few miles from my house, I should go in and see for myself.

Euro:

http://www.nokiani3.com/

US:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread...=126350&page=2

Don't put much faith in the Tire Rack review postings, these are based on those that write in. Having bought tires from them in the past many years, they ask for comments a week or two after purchase? Need to ask a year or so in.......