Mickey Thompson Tires

Shootnride · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2013, 09:35 AM

I'm starting to look for new tires for my newly purchased car and was just wondering if anyone here has any experience with the Mickey Thompson Sportsman SR tires on their Cobra. If so, I'd sure like to hear some feedback. I have done a lot of reading on this forum about tires and it certainly appears that the Avon's are the premier tire, but they're way beyond my budget, so am looking for an affordable alternative. Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance

Ted

Snakebit · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2013, 10:46 AM

I put on a set last year, 26 x 10 front and 26 x 12 on the rear. I run 26 lbs. rear and 24 lbs. front. Very happy with them. 15" tires are getting hard to come by. Make shure you find out the mfg date as the tires will be replaced by age and not miles.

Bill Bess · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2013, 12:46 PM

Great tires, SR Radials, flame tread design, wear like iron and grip very well, no cracking of sidewalls so far , mine are 6 years old.. look like new.
Most likely will replace them in a couple of years do to age.

Bill

hinoonaz · #4 (**permalink**) 06-15-2013, 04:08 PM

I have had mine for close to 5 years. No sign of cracks and grip well. 26 and 24 work well on air pressure. These are not the best for sticky (avon) but definitely affordable and last longer. Heat cycles do not seem to be a factor either. So far the times that I have pushed further than I should have they handled the push by turning.

Pete Munroe · #5 (**permalink**) 06-15-2013, 08:43 PM

I have a pair of 15" Mickey Thompson SR's on the rear of my ERA 289FIA.

They are light years beyond the Dunlop GT Qualifiers they replaced, to the extent the car was sticking well enough to really aggravate an oil pressure problem under hard cornering.

Think that the M/T's, AND the AVONS' distributed in the US, are made by Cooper Tires...have read Cooper does "contract" manufacturing to the spec's of other tire designers/manufacturers...would be interested if anyone has more insight to how the tire business works.

IMHO the M/T S/R with the "flame styled tread" radial is quite a step above your standard street radial (like a Dunlop GT, Cooper Cobra, BFG T/A) Don't confuse the S/R with the S/T...the S/T looks to be not much different than other standard 15" street radials.

If the AVON's are out of the budget ($$$$) I think the M/T S/R, are a good alternative and a big improvement over ordinary street tires.

Pete

Silversmith · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2013, 03:27 AM

I use them, good tire for all around street use.

7/15/2014 Update on tire story; Since I posted this way back when, I have gone to Hooser billboards & then MT S/T's. The Hoosiers were bias ply & stuck like glue & looked wicked cool! But they beat me to death until they heated up, even then they never really balanced out; for me at least. Early this spring I went with MT S/T's street radials. I am very happy with the S/T's. As I do mostly street cruzin, some quick romps up into the 140/50 mph range & some hard cornering on good roads made for such romps. I am finally happy with my tires

While I only have 1800 miles on these new S/T's I much prefer the S/T's Over The MT S/R's. In fact I have a set of S/R's I'll sell cheep they have about 4K on them, are 4 yrs old & look brand new. Drop me a note if anyone is interested. The S/R's are 15's

Best to all!

Dwight · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2013, 06:59 AM

just bought a pair of 26x12x15" for the rear of my Cobra. I have just over 300 miles on them and they are great.
I have run 16" BFG G-force for years but wanted 15" rims and the only (best for me) 15" tires that I liked are the MT's.
My buddy has used MT for years and loves them.
Great tire and I don't think you can do better.

Good in the rain also! Big plus in my book.

Dwight

Shootnride · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-2013, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Munroe

Think that the M/T's, AND the AVONS' distributed in the US, are made by Cooper Tires...have read Cooper does "contract" manufacturing to the spec's of other tire designers/Pete

Pete,

While researching tires I ran across some information from Mickey Thompson that stated that the company was sold to Cooper Tires in 2003.

Ted

roadrod2000 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-17-2013, 11:38 AM

I also have the SR's on my car and have no complaints at all, but I seem to recall someone stating that the ST's had a softer rubber and therefore were a better tire than the SR's

anyone out there have a chance to use both?

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 06-19-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Munroe

IMHO the M/T S/R with the "flame styled tread" radial is quite a step above your standard street radial (like a Dunlop GT, Cooper Cobra, BFG T/A) Don't confuse the S/R with the S/T...the S/T looks to be not much different than other standard 15" street radials.

According to this thread Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T's Any Good? (Post #5 from cdnus) the tech people from MT say the ST is better on a Cobra. It has a softer compound and better traction than the SR, which was designed basically for looks rather than performance.

Richpal1 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-13-2013, 08:49 AM

Im looking to get the Cooper tires. They make a Cobra line, which will probably look cool with the Cobra lettering on the sidewall. Mine are rear: P275/60R15-107H
Front:P235/60R15-98H.
The rears presently seem to make the car sit a bit high...but I guess the fender clearance is good.

RP

Dwight · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2013, 06:33 PM

Ok update
I have about 2000 miles on the new tires, Did 11 or 12 runs on Main St in London.
I can roll off the line and put the pedal to the floor, could not do that with the old tires. The MT's spin but pull straight and I can tell they have a lot more traction.

Yep, I like them.

Now I need to resurface my flywheel. Tires hooked up a little to good.

Dwight
No rain this year so I can comment on how they do in the rain.

Shootnride · #13 (**permalink**) 07-13-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

Ok update
I have about 2000 miles on the new tires, Did 11 or 12 runs on Main St in London.
I can roll off the line and put the pedal to the floor, could not do that with the old tires. The MT's spin but pull straight and I can tell they have a lot more traction.

Yep, I like them.

Now I need to resurface my flywheel. Tires hooked up a little to good.

Dwight
No rain this year so I can comment on how they do in the rain.

Dwight,

Glad to hear that you're satisfied with the M/T's. I ordered a set and just got them a couple of days ago. They look like a nice tire but right now there's not much urgency to get them on the car since I pulled the engine this week.

Thanks for the report.

Ted

Shootnride · #14 (**permalink**) 07-15-2013, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richpal1

Im looking to get the Cooper tires. They make a Cobra line, which will probably look cool with the Cobra lettering on the sidewall. Mine are rear: P275/60R15-107H
Front:P235/60R15-98H.
The rears presently seem to make the car sit a bit high...but I guess the fender clearance is good.

RP

Richpal,

If you want to see what those tires look like on a Cobra, go to e-Bay and search item number 290945651181

Ted

133bus · #15 (**permalink**) 07-14-2013, 05:44 AM

richpal1,
Are the Cobra Line Cooper tires different than the Cobra G/T's...I looked them up and the are only rated "T",your size has an "H" rating after it.Just wondering if I was looking at the right tire.I had to tell the Engineer that passed my car that I would be running an "H" rated tire and that is in his paperwork that he submitted to the MV.Now it will only be a problem if I go over 112 MPH(H are rated at 130) or if I have a accident and they see that I'm not running the proper tire stated in my engineering report...both pretty serious and insurance cancelling.
I also noticed that the M/T ST's are only rated "T" but the SR are "H" looks like the SR's are my only option other than Avons(not in my buget)
Steve

Richpal1 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-14-2013, 07:09 AM

Good point 133Bus. Thanks.

Dwight · #17 (**permalink**) 07-14-2013, 08:32 AM

the rating is for "one hour continuous".

I don't think we can drive for one hour at 112 mph on the street.

but I feel better knowing my tires can do it.

Dwight

133bus · #18 (**permalink**) 07-14-2013, 09:25 AM

Dwight,
Those are almost my exact words I said to him...but he said I looked like I had a heavy foot and that was that...end of arguement.
Besides he said that the regulation for rating the speed had changed from "one hour continuous" to only having to run the tire up to that speed for a short time,he had the length of time but I can't remember what it was ...way less than an hour...a minute or less...please correct me if I am wrong.I think that this is very important to know considering your life may depending you knowing what and how they rate the tire you have.
steve

Richpal1 · #19 (**permalink**) 07-14-2013, 09:29 AM

I might take the chance on the T's. I scare myself when I get above 80 in this thing...although I have had the occasional 100+ bursts...its so light I'm frightened it's going to take off...maybe time to get a pilots license..
Can I fit a fatter tire with a lower profile...it sits so high in the rear? Anyone know?
Again, it's a Classic Roadster, '92 version.
RP

133bus · #20 (**permalink**) 07-14-2013, 10:35 AM

richpal1,
the price alone make them very appealing and if your insurance will except that tire rating I don't see a problem with them...you seem to know your and your cars limitations and are prepared to stay within them...I wouldn't have a problem using them if my engineering report hadn't specified that I need an H rated tire...again I'd ask your insurance company about tire ratings.
steve