Suggestions for new LRR Tires (Vx)

[live4soccer7]

edit: double post

[live4soccer7]

My argument against the 14" wheels, is that on tire rack there is only one tire available for the 99-06 insight. Bridgestone Potenza RE92. I would assume this is the tire you are referring too. It seems that soon, we will all be just as bad off as we are now trying to find tires for the 13" wheels.

Bottom line, there simply aren't many tires that come close to the original diameter of the vx stock tire size. About 22.1. The 165/65/R14's are one of the closest and they are about .5" larger. The 185/65/14 size that is on the Hx wheels are close to 1.5" larger in diameter.

The ultimate solution: Get a shorter gearset and throw the larger tires on. Then they all balance out with plenty of options

[Ryland]

Tire Rack used to sell the Michelin Energy Saver Tire in 165/65R14 but a lot of other places still do and your local tire shop should be able to order them for you.

[live4soccer7]

Yes, Tire Rack still has that ONE tire in that size.

[live4soccer7]

ryland, can you let me know (honestly) what your opinion/experience with the sumitomo tires have been?

[PaleMelanesian]

We need Basjoos' input on this. He drives lots of miles so he's gone through a lot of different tires on his CX/VX.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Anything with 4x100 bolt pattern and 56.1mm or larger centerbore will work.

This is bad, potentially dangerous, advice.

First of all, modern wheels are not centered via the lugs, they are centered via the centerbore. A too-large centerbore means potentially massive vibration when rotating.

Second of all, the centerbore may also be load bearing. A too-large centerbore can result in lugs shearing off, with predictable followup results such as the wheel rolling into the ditch whilst your out-of-control car swerves into oncoming traffic.

Third, offset matters. Offsets are all over the map on the list you posted.

If you're looking to use rims from another car, and you want to guess at the fit (which I strongly recommend you do NOT do), at least try to stay with the same maker. Honda for Honda, for example. The odds are fair that the centerbores will be the same. Better still, research the car a bit more, find out the centerbore and offset, and make sure they'll work on your car, before you plunk down your money.

EDIT: there are also centering rings available, to fill the gap between the hub and the rim. I personally avoid them, but they do work.

[live4soccer7]

Thanks for the suggestion wdb. Very much appreciated.

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

We need Basjoos' input on this. He drives lots of miles so he's gone through a lot of different tires on his CX/VX.

I would love to here basjoos' opinion.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by live4soccer7

ryland, can you let me know (honestly) what your opinion/experience with the sumitomo tires have been?

I liked them, I only bought two because that is all I could get at the time and that is all that I needed at the time as well, my neighbor still has those same tires on the car and they seem to be holding up fine but there are other better lower rolling resistance tires that I would rather have, seeing as how I also need a set of snow tires and a set of summer tires I figure having snow tires on light weight VX rims is a good idea and Honda insight rims for summer tires because they are even lighter and have a flat smooth face.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by wdb

EDIT: there are also centering rings available, to fill the gap between the hub and the rim. I personally avoid them, but they do work.

Yeah, if you don't use centering rings with a larger bore you'll have problems.

You also act like offset is some huge deal. Seriously? I've run wheels from ET32 to ET45 on the Rabbit and had no problems. You just have to check what the stock offset is, which should be printed on the backside of the wheel.

My Civic HX wheels are ET45, so obviously that is OEM (anything lower such as ET35 should be fine too). I haven't seen many wheels with any higher offset than that. As long as they clear the brakes, there's nothing to worry about.