14" tires?

Tires and rims is always coming up. Discuss these item here!

Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68

Post Reply
anhizer
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:29 pm
Location: SF Bay Area (San Jose)

14" tires?

Post by anhizer »

So, im in need of some new tires for my 14" wheels. My wheels are 14 x 5.5" and it currently has 195/60R14T (kelly brand) tires. I do get a bit of rubbing in the rear during hard turns and am considering going to a slightly narrower tire (possibly a 185/65 or a 185/60).
What are people running? I am currently considering the Falken Azenis in 195/60 but im worried this may be TOO aggressive of a tire. I want something that is "sporty" but i do not plan on doing much more than a Sunday drive in canyons so a race tire probably isn't appropriate.

Other options seem to be more targeted towards commuter type vehicles which makes sense for tires of this size. What do people think of that type of rubber for the 1600? Locally (americas tire) they only have some off brands (Ohtsu and Barum) in both 195/60 and 185/60 so ill probably order from something like tire rack.

Thanks!
Neil S. From San Jose, CA
1968 SRL with a 1600 engine & transmission
1954 235 w/Powerglide Chevy Bel Air 4 door (For Sale)
C.Costine
Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
Posts: 1736
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:08 pm

Re: 14" tires?

Post by C.Costine »

You may want to also consider how noisy they are, and how sticky. The stickyness is given by a number on the sidewall.
located in Chester NH
1967 1600 in restoration
2013 Arctic Cat F-1100 turbo
Ford F-350 6.0
Ford 9000 puller, Ford 960 puller, Ford 901show, Ford 971 worker, Oliver 70 waiting its turn
anhizer
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:29 pm
Location: SF Bay Area (San Jose)

Re: 14" tires?

Post by anhizer »

The wear rating on the azenis is 200 which is very aggressive, partly why I'm looking for advise. I was hoping for a middle of the road performance tire.
Neil S. From San Jose, CA
1968 SRL with a 1600 engine & transmission
1954 235 w/Powerglide Chevy Bel Air 4 door (For Sale)
User avatar
dbrick
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 10084
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:05 pm
Location: Kenilworth, New Jersey

Re: 14" tires?

Post by dbrick »

I have 185-60-14 Falkens. they are not expensive, grip well and are quiet.

Dave Brisco

Take my advice, I'm not using it"

66 2000 The Bobster
64 1500 in pieces for sale
1980 Fiat X1/9
2009 Volvo C-70
08 Expedition EL, STUPID huge but comfy
1962 Thompson Sea Lancer, possible money pit
User avatar
fj20spl311
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 5015
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:54 pm
Location: San Diego, Ca

Re: 14" tires?

Post by fj20spl311 »

I would go with 185/60-14
Don't worry about the wear rating unless your drive +20K a year.
I like DIREZZA ZII STAR SPEC, but there are lots of tires in those sizes.

PS. I have 195/50-15s and love them
Phil
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
User avatar
notoptoy
Vendor-Site Supporter
Posts: 9677
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:55 pm
Location: Winston-Salem, NC and Ocala, FL
Contact:

Re: 14" tires?

Post by notoptoy »

I got Kuhmos last time around, good price, and ride well, quiet also. Handling is plenty good for the bit of spirited driving I do. The steering lightened up from the sweet Dunlops that I had before. Kumho Solus KR21 in 195/60/14 on Enkei Apache IV rims
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.

67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
User avatar
Stretch
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 228
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:11 pm
Location: Portland

Re: 14" tires?

Post by Stretch »

Another option, see my post five threads below on Pirelli Cinturatos. Great looking 14" tires that have become even more sticky as they've broken in.
Paul
Paul
1968 SRL 01034
Seattle/Portland
User avatar
Linda
Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
Posts: 7807
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 14" tires?

Post by Linda »

I have 185/65/14 HTR Sumitomos from onlinetires.com.

Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
greydog
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 1790
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:37 pm
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 14" tires?

Post by greydog »

I have 195-60-14's Falkens on the '68 with 6" wide wheels. No rubbing.
I have 195-60-14 Kuhmos on 5 1/2" wide wheels on the '69. They don't rub either.
There is about an inch more offset on the '68 wheels.

Both cars have new KYB shocks and stock springs front and rear.

Dan
SPL311 aka Skooter. Sold. Now wasting away in the SF area.
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
User avatar
jrusso07
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 1701
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:02 am
Location: Penn Yan, NY
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 14" tires?

Post by jrusso07 »

I run Yokohama Avid T4 175-65-14 on the OEM steel rims. Good touring tire, quite, good in rain and dry.

I also run 185-60-14 Falken Zeis ZE-912 - good all around tire
Joe

1969 SRL311 - Solex
1970 SPL311 - U20 mod
1970 SRL311
User avatar
RBMann
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 546
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:37 pm
Location: Kenmore, WA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: 14" tires?

Post by RBMann »

We also run Yokohamas. Avid Touring S 185-65-14 on the OEM steel rims. The decision was simple. The car was built in Yokohama, my wife lived in Yokohama for a few years so the tire are Yokohama. Completely happy with them.

Still can't keep up with Ted Heaton but is that me, him or the turbo?
RBMann

mechanic on '69-1600(not mine)
User avatar
Alvin
Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
Posts: 8297
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:01 pm

Re: 14" tires?

Post by Alvin »

+1 on the Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec
185/60/14
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... =86HR4Z2SS
Image

great all-around sporty tire
Alvin Gogineni
San Jose, CA
1967.5 SPL/SR20
1997 Acura Integra GS-R
2022 Chevy Bolt EUV
zcarblog.com
Instagram
YouTube
My SR20 Build Thread
User avatar
cktrap
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 964
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:56 pm
Location: colleyville,tx

Re: 14" tires?

Post by cktrap »

Alvin wrote:+1 on the Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec
185/60/14
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... =86HR4Z2SS
Image

great all-around sporty tire
+2
Keith
'70 SRL311
'10 GMC 2500HD
Post Reply