Tire recommendation for 1997

[Fatboy 18]

The Toyo R888r are a circuit track tire and fast road tire. The tire compound is soft, so bottom line is they do not last as long as a set of Michelins.
The R888r is not a Drag racing tire.

The Michelins will handle better in Wet weather as due to the tread pattern they will cut through water better than the toyo in road conditions.

But remember, even with michelins, you don't want any with old date codes.

You are lucky in the USA as I am using the Earlier Toyo R888 here in the UK as Toyo is not stocking the newer R888r in our country. Its also very hard for us to get Michelins as they are produced in limited numbers.

[GregM]

Yes I meant Toyo. I’d like an all weather though I don’t plan on running in rain. I would go with a summer radial.

Stupid question: what size from factory? The Pilots are original sizes? Staggered 275/40 front and 345/35 rear?

Anything I put on the car is going to “time” out. Doubt I’ll do more than 1000 mikes annually. Hate to spend money on mileage warranty I’ll never use.

[Bill Pemberton]

Toyos do not have the right size in the R888rs, and frankly the only choice in a close size is a set of Drag Radials. That to me is not a common sense approach, as the sidewalls are softer and this is a tire with a ton of warnings due to it's specific usage. Not anti Toyos , as I ran them for years on one of my race cars, and have a set ordered for the one I have now. the Michelins are the right approach for your car, especially considering your desire to be close to original spec , but also for safety and drivability in varied weather conditions --- one can get caught in rain even though many try to avoid it. The Michelin is pretty darn good in the rain and everything else you seem to desire?

[GregM]

Toyos do not have the right size in the R888rs, and frankly the only choice in a close size is a set of Drag Radials. That to me is not a common sense approach, as the sidewalls are softer and this is a tire with a ton of warnings due to it's specific usage. Not anti Toyos , as I ran them for years on one of my race cars, and have a set ordered for the one I have now. the Michelins are the right approach for your car, especially considering your desire to be close to original spec , but also for safety and drivability in varied weather conditions --- one can get caught in rain even though many try to avoid it. The Michelin is pretty darn good in the rain and everything else you seem to desire?

Just kills me to spend that kind of money on tires that will time out.

[Bill Pemberton]

Well, you spent a lot of time and money to find your Viper, probably best to get a set of tires that will be good in most conditions , so you don't kill yourself using inappropriate rubber -- sorry , just my humble opinion. Over 20+ years of selling these beasts I have seen more folks have accidents over tire choices not appropriate for where they live , how they drive the car , etc.. Honestly most of us are just trying to give you solid advice for your classic machine, and cutting costs on the one thing that is helpful with this high performance machine just seems counter productive. Besides, you may find out you want to hang out with more and more fellow Viper owners and your miles could accumulate differently than you imagine?

[daveg]

Just kills me to spend.... .

If you don't spend the money,,, it just may kill you.

[GregM]

Thanks to all for the sage advise...