Practicality plus Performance - BF Goodrich Radial T/A
Written: Oct 18 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Value, good traction, stable wet weather handling, good lifespan, adequate warning at limits
Cons: Reportedly mediocre snow performance
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| driver4t5's Full Review: BF Goodrich Radial T/A Passenger/Performance Tire |
When choosing a tire replacement, a balance must be struck between the variables of cost, traction, and weather capability. A driver can easily choose any two of the aforementioned values. Hitting the trifecta is virtually impossible. While some cars leave the showroom with upgraded, superior rubber, many receive a fairly cheap, ineffective tire that lasts long enough to survive the car's warranty period. For most of us, the tire must be inexpensive, durable and safe in all driving conditions. Traction - i.e. fun - is often orphaned. Fortunately a viable choice exists that strikes a very good compromise. In fact, this tire is good enough to be sold as original equipment on several makes of car.
BF Goodrich has made their Radial T/A for years. This tire has spawned many offshoots within its line as well as many imitations. The Radial T/A is classified as a Performance All-Season tire whose direct competition includes the Goodyear Eagle GT II and the Firestone Firehawk SS. The tire is a proven, safe design and has not suffered from any recalls.
The particular size I tested was 215/60SR15 which were sported as original equipment on a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. These tires carried a treadwear rating of 400. Treadwear values for the same make and model of tire can vary considerably with tire size so check your combination. Most of these, however, were at or near 400. The straight-ahead wet braking traction rating is A and the temperature rating is B. Yes, these can also vary.
The price of these tires from Tire Rack is $49 each, so for about $225 mounted these make a fine economical performance upgrade from stock rubber in many cases. The tires are also reasonably good looking with their aggressive lettering and footprint.
Road noise was minimal around town and at speed. Their wet traction won't make anyone forget the Aquatred II, but was adequate and controllable during normal operating conditions. The tread carries enough serrations and channels to adequately flow water though serious puddles warrant some heads-up on the driver's part. Florida doesn't allow much opportunity for snow testing. From what I gather on the tirerack.com site their snow performance is so-so. Extreme Nawthunuhs might want to consider another make or model.
Traction was quite good. My Honda Accord sports Pirelli P6000 SportVeloce tires, has comparable horsepower and weight to the Alero. I can break the tires of the Accord free with ease upon takeoff. The Alero, even with a little more HP, never shook the Radial T/As free. I also took the liberty of using a Boca Raton strip mall parking lot as my personal skidpad. I won't tell you which mall - suffice to say it was late at night and there were no other cars. I then proceeded to do circles up to the limit of adhesion. Hey, it was a rental car, man, which means a free ride, and the motel wasn't happening. The tires gave good warning (an increasing volume of squealing) before the nose began to drift a little. The tires regained control easily once power was no longer applied. This test isn't as scary or foolhardy as it appears as the limit of speed is gradually approached and the cure for the lack of traction in such a relatively underpowered car is to lift off the accelerator. Nevertheless, DON'T TRY THIS. I have considerable racing experience, though, as well as a penchant for saving cars that begin to lose control, not to mention that sometimes I'm just not too bright.
I imagine I aged the tires a bit, yet it's not like I did 100 laps on them. The tread was still good at 26,000 miles, and my guesstimation is the tires are good for around 50,000 miles, which is a pretty fair distance considering their good traction.
I believe the BF Goodrich Radial T/A is a very good tire in its class. Its spec numbers compare favorably with its competition and its price is a bargain. Better performing all-season tires exist, notably the Goodyear Eagle RS-A (the choice of most police departments), but at half the cost and considerably higher treadwear rating (remember the compromise in paragraph #1), the Radial T/A is very worthy of consideration.
Recommended:
Yes
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driver4t5
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Member: Jon Harney
Location: Lake Mary, FL
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