Why do people use sports tyres?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zni
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Zenmervolt
You make a good point here. If someone were to take, say, a 2CV and slap racing softs on it there's absolutely no way they'd be able to tell how the car really handles because the 2CV simply can't go fast enough to reach the limits of its tires.

However, that's a bit of a hyperbolic example. On mostly stock street cars I think it mostly holds, but when you're dealing with anything that's been fully tuned then it becomes a different story. Even with your lightweight, mid-engine example, if the car has been fully tuned then usually you'll still see lift-throttle oversteer. Yes, the increased grip of RS tires will make that oversteer less catastrophic, but it's definitely still there.

That said, I do agree with you except in cases where the cars have been tuned to within an inch of their lives.

Cheers!
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In some cases, depending apoun the car and tunnin involved, Both Points are correct then?
 
Zni
I'm browsing threads here and I'm wondering why most people seem to use sports tyres in their cars. "Yeah, it's not stock, fully tuned and sports soft tyres, with sports hard it is a bit too difficult to handle." There are racing tyres, too, in the game so why not use them if you've fully tuned the car anyway? AFAIK racing tyres have better grip than sport tyres. Does this have something to do with "realism"?
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for me it´s just more fun to use sports hard or soft. the car slips more and it´s just awesome to f.e. put sports hard on a yellow bird and master the nordschleife without spinning the car. you got to be concentrated all the time.

with racing tires it´s too easy to keep the car on the road. it´s like driving on rails with racings. of course i use racing tires, too. but only on the lms etc. when it´s necessary
 
Zenmervolt
You make a good point here. If someone were to take, say, a 2CV and slap racing softs on it there's absolutely no way they'd be able to tell how the car really handles because the 2CV simply can't go fast enough to reach the limits of its tires.
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Yeah, but I upgraded my Honda Z Act... At top it reaches 80hp. I'm NOT saying it's realistic at all... the suspension would probably crack... But the fact remains I can make the Z Act do things on racing tires which can never happen on sports tires. Again, not going for realism here... it's a game, my point in doing it was to have some fun with it. Period. (Made grinding k-cup seasonals more kooky & fun.)

And that's really all it comes down to in the end, I think.

IMO, choosing lesser tires is not so much about how "realistic" it IS, it's more about how realistic it FEELS.
Putting comfort tires on a slow car slows it down even more... but ironically, it makes it FEEL like you're going faster & having a more exciting time with it, because you're losing grip easily, and shifting around.
Frankly I don't feel the need for comfort tires to have fun. It's like apples & oranges to me. But my sense is that for people who play a lot, and have for awhile, the game can get easy & boring or they're just desensitized to the driving sensation. So their answer is - more difficult tires.
 
GT5 is the first racing sim I've done, and I made it to Lvl. 40 using maxed-out tunings and racing softs whenever I could afford them. Then I started over, this time promising myself I would only use stock setups and no greater than sports tires (haven't gotten to the formula races yet). The game is SOOOO much more fun having tires which will actually let you slip, as opposed to being almost impossible to wreck. It makes it more like a sim, and makes you much more aware of your driving. My suggestion to OP is to TRY IT, you'll like it!!!
 
Kamdoon
GT5 is the first racing sim I've done, and I made it to Lvl. 40 using maxed-out tunings and racing softs whenever I could afford them. Then I started over, this time promising myself I would only use stock setups and no greater than sports tires (haven't gotten to the formula races yet). The game is SOOOO much more fun having tires which will actually let you slip, as opposed to being almost impossible to wreck. It makes it more like a sim, and makes you much more aware of your driving. My suggestion to OP is to TRY IT, you'll like it!!!
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Sounds like fun, nice work! 👍

Hmm... I might just do that myself... restart with no modding to any cars...
 
Using sports tires on more powerful cars made me a much better racer. It has made the game much more enjoyable for me and I think most people that try these tires or ones of lesser grip will find they enjoy driving more than just gripping all out the time. You have to challenge yourself sometimes to improve. I still use racing tires on the really fast race cars or ones that are a lot harder to drive that are tuned to the max, but most cars have sports or less because that is all they need.
 
Kalmiya117
I am not saying the tires do not make a difference in what a Car can do, I am just saying I don't see how it can "mask" it's abilites. A car will exhibt, on different levels the same attributes. I use the tennis idea because people like cars will have a act inw hatever it is they are doing as a weak point. And regardless of what they wear they will exhibt this trait the same, on every level they play unless they are able to "train" it out. A car that has a understeer issue entering the corner at say, 50mph with Sports Softs on, it will also have a understeer issue with racing softs on, but just at a higher speed. Same Problem, Different Speed.

Second when I said Speed and G Forces, I am seperating the two in different factors. Better tires raise overall speed (mph-kph) of the car as well of the G forces in the turns. Perhaps they two are the same. So what if I said same thing twice in same sentence. I didn't contidict myself when I used both towards the same conclusion.

Perhaps I am explaining myself wrong....

Regardless, to each their own. I do not see anything wrong with running whatever tire you want. I just have an issue with people who use Skidforce 24/7.

You can almost compare this whole debacle, and several others with religion. Every side is always right. And peoplel will always argue their point to the end no matter what.
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I know what you're trying to say but that's a theory. Pracice works a little bit different.
And when I said mask I meant that you can feel the car, with racing tires the car always sticks to the road making you think "wow, this car handles amazing".
car's natural grip can only be felt by using sport tires.
Some cars with amazing grip I've tested on sports hards:
Nissan GTR, Bugatti Veyron, Dodge Viper ACR, Ford GT, Mercedes SLS AMG, McLaren Mercedes SLR, Ferrari F430 Scuderia, BMW M3 GTR, BMW M3 CSL and many more.
How did I test them out? Sport hards on Nordschleife/Eiger Nordwand, if I used racing softs they'd all feel more-less the same, just the faster car would do better - car's grip would be irrelevant.

I'm not religious though, I know I'm always right.
 
Kalmiya117
As I stated, the Tires change nothing of a cars ability to handle. The tires just bring the speeds and G forces to a different level of operation. As I used the Tennis statement, The person will stay the same, but will only be able to play on par with what they are equipped with. Your tying to tell me that by wearing Tennis Shoes a tennis player is masking their true performance we they should all wear boots?

Second, Please do not try to attack some one personally. That is just childish way to try and prove your point. I have done nothing of the sort to anyone, and unless it is quite clear they (persons) shouldn't even hold a drivers license would never try to down some one on the assumption of their skills.. And as far as your comment, With many years in the Professional Automotive Repair and Diag scene I believe I have a small clue on how vehicles and their components work. I also have started doing alot of SCCA autocrossing and Track days to further my abilities as a driver.


And to make it very clear. It is after all JUST a game. It's ability to properly mimic real life situations is limited. Where it gives a great idea to the world of racing/tunning, it does not compare to the real things. Even if your just starting out in a slow 4-Door family Sedan.
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Small clue

With repsect, your tennis example is just plain irrelevant. Everyone before me has pointed out where your wrong so i won't go over it again.
You can almost compare this whole debacle, and several others with religion. Every side is always right. And peoplel will always argue their point to the end no matter what.
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No no no, in this example we aren't dealing with blind faith and peoples 'beliefs"= We are dealing with known established facts.

With more grip you change the car's natural handling tendacies, suddenly it won't understeer at 50kmh anymore and it might not until 90km/h - All of which masks the car's true characterisitics - With respect you contradicted yourself so many times i didn't know where to start.

I still don't think GT5 can exhibit handling in such fine details
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- Get rid of your racing softs, use a wheel and find out for yourself. You can then stop 'thinking' and start 'knowing'
 
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sk0pe
- Get rid of your racing softs, use a wheel and find out for yourself. You can then stop 'thinking' and start 'knowing'
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:cheers: Wonderfully said.

I've read the second half of this thread, and here's my opinion. I'm not argueing with anybody. Just my own input.

But really, the question is, why do people use Racing Softs? But that's to easy of an answer as everyone just wants the easiest way to play the game. What a shame. Most gamers aren't what they used to be. Moving on, I use Softs. I throw quite a fit once someone joins my servers and asks to change to RSs. Then comes the 30-40 minute explaination of why I restrict to SSs. Then again, I can see why they ask to change it as I drive an AWD and they find it unfair. It's funny becuase this comes from some Impreza '10 drivers. An RX-7 here and there. Maybe a GTR. How strange, maybe they just need to realize that I can beat them with softs.
 
Personally I use comfort soft tires on most road legal cars that aren't supercars (for them I use sports hard tires). Thinking about it, comfort soft tires are performance street tires, while sports hard tires are road-legal semi-slick tires for trackday use! Very few cars have them by factory and very few people except the most dedicated and wealthy track-day drivers actually regularly use them, even on tuned cars.

Too bad that online, even in rooms without SRF, few people use anything other than RS tires, let alone comfort tires.
 
sk0pe

Small clue

With repsect, your tennis example is just plain irrelevant. Everyone before me has pointed out where your wrong so i won't go over it again.

No no no, in this example we aren't dealing with blind faith and peoples 'beliefs"= We are dealing with known established facts.

With more grip you change the car's natural handling tendacies, suddenly it won't understeer at 50kmh anymore and it might not until 90km/h - All of which masks the car's true characterisitics - With respect you contradicted yourself so many times i didn't know where to start.

- Get rid of your racing softs, use a wheel and find out for yourself. You can then stop 'thinking' and start 'knowing'
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If you didn't miss it Some one explain it and I got it.

And not everyone can go out and buy a wheel. Some people either don't have great jobs, or don't live at home with mom and dad. And quite honestly, I would not spend that much money on a game device that is tailored to only one type of game. I would think SCCA membership dues and tracks days are a much better spending on money.
 
For me, it depends on how much power, weight and torque it has. I generally use sports tyres for stock supercars, comforts for drifting, and slicks for anything that can't be managed with tread.

I will drive almost anything (not a prius) that can be something good in a race.

Racing Mediums are better overall than softs, for they're more durable at the cost of a little grip, but it's a fair sacrifice. And it's medium tyres in general.

I view Racing Softs as an "If too far behind late in the race" option or if matched against superior drivers, and as a time attack tyre. My "If All Else Fails" option would be to hard compounds, as it's for the final stint and I need to get to the end without pitting short of the end.
 
Not having to worry about grip gets boring. Even Sport - Hard tires have gobs of grip. But I understand why people want to use the Race - Soft tires, and make sure to have a set ready for Favorites cars I use online.
 
Kalmiya117
If you didn't miss it Some one explain it and I got it.

And not everyone can go out and buy a wheel. Some people either don't have great jobs, or don't live at home with mom and dad. And quite honestly, I would not spend that much money on a game device that is tailored to only one type of game. I would think SCCA membership dues and tracks days are a much better spending on money.
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I just want to say depending on which wheel you get, they really don't cost that much. Granted, G25/G27/Fanatec wheels are really expensive, but you can get a DFGT for really cheap. I was fortunate enough to grab one for $100 and the highest price for them is $150. If you can spend $300 on a PS3 and $60 on new games, it shouldn't really hurt to buy a DFGT. However, I don't know your situation, but I'm just making a general statement.

And simulators like GT exist for a reason. Not everyone will have the opportunity to drive the cars in GT5 in real life. Neither will some feel comfortable risking their life racing real cars. I know I don't. Simulators are the next best thing and a wheel is needed to truly experience GT5 in my opinion.
 
I was able to get a DF Wireless. I wanted a GT, but I don't have enough space for it.

But some people can't afford wheels of any sort. Is it our job to tell them how to get it?

And besides, you can't sell them at pawn shops anyway. So if you're not gonna use it, why buy it?


While the wheel does give a better experience for one person, a controller can be just as good for another person. I cannot speak for everyone, I can only speak for myself.

I'm just saying, respect other peoples' viewpoints, and don't judge them for it.
 
marcus_war
I was able to get a DF Wireless. I wanted a GT, but I don't have enough space for it.

But some people can't afford wheels of any sort. Is it our job to tell them how to get it?

And besides, you can't sell them at pawn shops anyway. So if you're not gonna use it, why buy it?


While the wheel does give a better experience for one person, a controller can be just as good for another person. I cannot speak for everyone, I can only speak for myself.

I'm just saying, respect other peoples' viewpoints, and don't judge them for it.
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My post was not meant to offend anyone. And I don't see how I was judging him for not having a wheel either. I also said it is my own opinion that GT5 is best with a wheel.

My point was that I don't think wheels are as expensive as people make them out to be. Especially when you don't need a super expensive one like a G25, G27, or Fanatec to enjoy the driving in GT5. And as I said, I don't know anyone's actual situation, so if they don't want a wheel for whatever reason, that's completely okay with me.
 
Didn't say you were.

It was addressed to all of the crosstalk I was reading on. Unfortunately for me, my laptop is broke, so I'm typing from my PS3. I only have so much room to type. I apologize if I came across as accusatory.

I just couldn't quote.
 
MuoNiuLa
My post was not meant to offend anyone. And I don't see how I was judging him for not having a wheel either. I also said it is my own opinion that GT5 is best with a wheel.

My point was that I don't think wheels are as expensive as people make them out to be. Especially when you don't need a super expensive one like a G25, G27, or Fanatec to enjoy the driving in GT5. And as I said, I don't know anyone's actual situation, so if they don't want a wheel for whatever reason, that's completely okay with me.
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I don't think your post was judgemental.

I think we need to stop tip-toeing around the fact that you bought up, wheels aren't as expensive as people make them out to be.. after all they are playing on a PS3, how did they get that in the first place?

In my country a Brand new DFGT is 1/5 the price of a PS3 unit alone....
DFGT $149.00 NZD PS3 w/ 1 controller $ 549.00NZD DFGT second hand $89.00NZD
 
Why do people use sports tyres?

Bragging Rights...

We already had a thread to discuss this topic... but with a different name...:dunce:
 
MoLiEG
Why do people use sports tyres?

Bragging Rights...

We already had a thread to discuss this topic... but with a different name...:dunce:
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Bragging rights?? Have you read any of the posts in here?

Doesnt matter which side of the argument you are on, I think its pretty clear that there are about a million other legitimate reasons besides bragging rights...
 
MuoNiuLa
I just want to say depending on which wheel you get, they really don't cost that much. Granted, G25/G27/Fanatec wheels are really expensive, but you can get a DFGT for really cheap. I was fortunate enough to grab one for $100 and the highest price for them is $150. If you can spend $300 on a PS3 and $60 on new games, it shouldn't really hurt to buy a DFGT. However, I don't know your situation, but I'm just making a general statement.

And simulators like GT exist for a reason. Not everyone will have the opportunity to drive the cars in GT5 in real life. Neither will some feel comfortable risking their life racing real cars. I know I don't. Simulators are the next best thing and a wheel is needed to truly experience GT5 in my opinion.
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I bought my Fat PS3 for $50 Bucks broken. I replaced the 60gb HD with a 320 HD ($55) and did the reflow on the main board. I spent $60 on a pair of contollers on ebay and bought he game new. Hell the TV I use is a 30 in LCD 1080i, got it off the side of the road broken. Replaced a cracked diode in the power supply for $1.78 and has worked over a year. So Believe me, I am not a big spender on electonics. I just find really great deals.
 
Personally, I like to explore all aspects of the game that I enjoy. I race mostly online these days and do my own tuning and since most racing online is on unlimited tires, I do most of my racing on racing softs, regardless of the car. But I do like to run around on sports tires as well, and once in a while, if I can find a room I'll do that. I see more and more rooms popping up lately with the S tires which I think is a good sign. Variety is always good and adds enjoyment to the game.
 
All i'll say is there is 9 varieties of tarmac tyres for a reason, if racing softs (which actually cost more than the car your putting them on sometimes) were the only tyre meant to be used then we would only have 2 maybe 3 varieties..
But there isn't there is 9 varieties + 1000 cars = 9000 different ways to experience those cars...
Why limit yourself to racing soft? is the better question for a thread
 
SHIRAKAWA Akira
Personally I use comfort soft tires on most road legal cars that aren't supercars (for them I use sports hard tires). Thinking about it, comfort soft tires are performance street tires, while sports hard tires are road-legal semi-slick tires for trackday use! Very few cars have them by factory and very few people except the most dedicated and wealthy track-day drivers actually regularly use them, even on tuned cars.

Too bad that online, even in rooms without SRF, few people use anything other than RS tires, let alone comfort tires.
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^^ This is how I see it.

I think there's too much choice on tyres... with 3 different compounds per variant, it's difficult to match the tyres to real life... 2 compound variants for comfort, sports and slicks would be enough IMO.

And to answer the original question... I use comforts or sports hards because I want there to be some challenge when I drive, not to be able to keep the throttle nailed and just steer round any corner.
 
Audi R8 on sport hard tyres = loads of fun.. You can power slide, drift, go fast trough corners. you can drive it any way you want it..
That's why I use Sport tyres..
 

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