well, once again it is time to replace the tires on the wife's insight. for the past two tire changes (and about 50k) we have been using the sumitomo HR200 in 185/60-14. the size was determined by the resistance to tramlining that it gave (a very important consideration around here) and generally better handling. the HR200 was determined by the good, but somewhat dated 2003 greenseal report. this time around, i decided to do some additional research, as tire design has come a long way in 5 years. unfortunately, there seems to be little information on LRR(low rolling resistance) tires. while there are now two SAE testing protocols, J1269, and J2452, i have been unable to find a nice table of tire values using either of these tests. also, CR is now putting rolling resistance "grades" on their tires, however, few, if any of the tires reviewed are made in the 185/60-14 size. is there a easy size bump that gets me to a larger variety of tires? am i just not looking in the right places? or should i just go back with the HR200 and call it good?
i realize that the gas mileage takes a hit with the wider tires, (approx 2MPG) but without the wider tires, she would have a different car. personally, after driving with both, i wouldn't drive the car with the original RE92s, the buffeting and tramlining are just too dangerous.
If you want to stick with a LRR tire, consider staying with the RE92's but going with your wider size. Tire Rack has them in stock. Discount also carries the RE92, but I'm not sure about what sizes they have available.
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'02 Blue 5 Speed
OMPG - 83.4
LMPG - 77.3
Best Tank Distance - 1273 miles
Best Tank MPG - 95.1
'01 Carbon Fiber VMax (satisfies my need for speed)
the whole point here was to see if there was something newer or better than the HTR200 (which is a LRR tire). the RE92 is an older design tire than the HTR200, so i don't think going backwards is going to help. besides, if you look at the RE92 in the survey section, it has really poor marks, rated 20th out of 22 high performance all season tires. the HTR200 is ranked 1 out of 7 high performance summer tires (we don't drive the insight in snow).
Wish I could help more with your decision. I only have experience with the Bridgestones and I will need to replace them very soon. Let us know of your choice and results if you would.
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'02 Blue 5 Speed
OMPG - 83.4
LMPG - 77.3
Best Tank Distance - 1273 miles
Best Tank MPG - 95.1
'01 Carbon Fiber VMax (satisfies my need for speed)
Rick Reece and I did a test comparing the Sumitomo HR200 with the Bridgestone RE92. The test is no longer listed here at Insight Central (at least I couldn't find it), but the mileage difference between the 200s and the RE92s was about 13 mpg. Granted there is a slight difference in diameter, but the largest gain is in the weight of the tire. Every time you accelerate or climb a hill, that extra weight costs you. The test was not particularly scientific, but I wanted to know why I couldn't hit the same numbers as many others on this list.
As far as the grooved pavement tracking, yes, the Sumitomos were better, but when I changed back to the RE92s, there was a 2 mile section on my commute that was going to be repaved. I eventually got to the point where I could take my hands off the wheel and although the car would wobble, it still went straight. I think it is similar to the feeling you get on the same kind of pavement with a motorcycle. It's unsettling, but drives ok. The bigger tires have more flex in them so you don't feel the road as much.
I may still have the tire test somewhere and could post it again if you want to see it.
robert
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Robert Frost is "The original Bad Bob, not Dirty Bad Bob from New Mexico."
From the "Life and Times of the Judge Roy Bean"
2000 Citrus #2757 206,000mi.
the whole point here was to see if there was something newer or better than the HTR200 (which is a LRR tire). the RE92 is an older design tire than the HTR200, so i don't think going backwards is going to help. besides, if you look at the RE92 in the survey section, it has really poor marks, rated 20th out of 22 high performance all season tires. the HTR200 is ranked 1 out of 7 high performance summer tires (we don't drive the insight in snow).
Someone else pointed out here that the Insight-sized RE92's are unique among the RE92 series for their low weight (13 lbs) and low rolling resistance. Almost as though they didn't belong in the RE92 series. I recall seeing a chart somewhere (Bridgestone website??) that showed this. CR may have tested a non-Insight size which may be quite different from the Insight tire.
Everything I have read here has indicated that the RE92 was the mpg champ for Insights and may have been designed specifically for it. Since I bought the Insight for mpg, anything which doesn't maximize mpg is a "step backwards" to me. Since I don't throw it around the way I used to drive sports cars, "performance" is not top priority for me. If I could find something with lower rolling resistance or less weight I'd be all over it. Yes it tramlines a little bit but not a safety issue (to me anyhow).
Guess it depends on one's priorities??
The problem with tires of course is that one has to buy a set to find out for oneself how they perform.
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2006 MT
MIMA w/FAS module
various mods to driver
if you look at the RE92 in the survey section, it has really poor marks, rated 20th out of 22 high performance all season tires. the HTR200 is ranked 1 out of 7 high performance summer tires (we don't drive the insight in snow).
As I have stated several times on here, I have driven nothing but RE92's for the almost six years I have had the car. We get some pretty bad weather here in the Panhandle of WV and also in Virginia. In almost six years with over a 120 mile round trip commute, I have missed two days of work because of weather. This past Feb because of ice(no tire would have gotten me to work), and last year due to a sleet storm that left nearly five inches of sleet on the roads. I have had zero problems with snow, other than it accumulating on the underpanels. I take the curves on Rt 9, and there are some wicked ones, at 45 or 50mph rather than the posted 25, and I think the car and tires handle great! Needless to say, people are nervous riding with me
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Vegan, Silver Insight totaled at 233,000 miles, Blue Insight at 188,000 miles, cat needs replaced, IMA also
I don't understand everything you guys are saying. What are tramlining and buffeting?
I need to replace the tires my 2000 came with, which are ordinary all weather type. I get 51 mpg now and look forward to much improvement with the right ones. I'm an experienced driver of many types of vehicles and road conditions. I live in rural New England so I deal with all sorts of weather, and I drive the Insight all year round. I want the best mpg but it doesn't have to be 100+; safe handling is also important. Some of you love the RE tires and another hates them. I need specific advice including brand, model, and all dimensions of the tires I buy. I am leaning toward the stock Portenzas but still undecided. Tire stores know nothing about these cars and neither do I! Would you all mind providing some more information? Thanks!
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"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."
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tires, LRR, size and lack of information
Would you all mind providing some more information? Thanks!
