Best price on Toyo RA-1?

[cuda6666]

I'm seeing $195 online for 235/40/17 shaved. Does anyone know of a better deal?
Thanks

[irondragon]

I don't know about prices for your tire size, but I buy a lot of 225/50/14 RA-1's from Bob Vilven Tire. Their price, If I buy eight at a time, shaved and delivered, is as good as any I've found.
Try them:
Bob Vilven Tire - Royal, Illinois. 217-583-3277

Best Regards - Bill Miskoe

[mossaidis]

$172 from edgeracing.com, but they are not shaved.

http://www.edgeracing.com/tires/2354017/

[swinecanfly]

$169 plus shipping at Tire Shoppe unshaved. No idea what they charge for shaving.

[cuda6666]

So, why are people buying them unshaved?

[swinecanfly]

I buy them unshaved as rain tires.

[mossaidis]

I don't have personal experience... but some of the import guys mentioned racing the toyo (in 205/50R15) in the dry unshaved and had no problems whatsoever. It was apparent that there was no chucking. Maybe shaving them is over rated? Again, I have no personal experience.

[rajito]

From what I have heard, the RA1's are best from 4/32's down to almost corded. Anecdotal evidence - I was almost 3 secs faster at Mosport this year than the best I've done (2 yrs ago). On full tread RA1's, I could barely match my times from Mont Tremblant from last year on the first day. I'm sure it's not just the tires though (hence anecdotal).

They are fairly resistant to chunking when at full tread if you watch the temperature/pressure and don't slide around like a reta... er... world rally champion!

I started out at Mont Tremblant with full depth RA1's - 3300lb car, ran a 1:56.6, something like two spins and three offs, and the tires held up fine. I tried to ensure that they'd be around 40-41 psi hot.

Raj

[JayBay]

I ran my RA1's at full tread depth and had no problems. They were definitely a little squirmy at first, but they got faster and faster as they wore, right down to the last NHIS event where the fronts started showing cords. I had no chunking issues, but my car is only 2500 lbs with me in it.

If you're looking for every extra second right off the bat, get them shaved. If you're cheap like me and want them to last as long as possible run full depth.

Also, at full depth the RA1's are awesome in the wet.

Cheers,
Jay