2nd Generation (GE 08-present)The New Fit... Generation specific talk and questions here.
Welcome to Fit Freak!
Welcome to Fit Freak,
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
Enkei Racing RPF1 wheels and Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 tires
I've been waiting eagerly to try out the new Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 tires, since they were introduced in Japan and Europe last year as the replacement for the grippy Potenza RE-01R. The reviews have been very positive. These tires finally became available last week and I pulled the trigger today. Luckily, they make them in the 205/45-17 size that's a good match for aftermarket 17" wheels for the Honda Fit.
I decided on Enkei Racing RPF1 wheels in 17x7", since they are strong and extremely light, tipping the scales at a mere 14.6 pounds each. Every other 17" wheel listed at Tire Rack was heavier, with the Motegi Racing US7 winning the lardo award at 28 pounds each!
Does anyone know the weight of the stock wheels?
Here's a screen shot from the Tire Rack website of the wheels on the car:
Although they look a bit dark, I did pick the bright silver wheels pictured here:
with the optional ($25 each. Ouch!) center caps shown here:
I should receive the wheels next Monday, after which I'll install them (NJ weather permitting) and post some initial reviews of the new tires.
The Potenza RE-11 tires should make for a dramatic improvement in braking performance over the Blizzaks I'm using now and the stock all-season tires in my basement.
As always, thanks to Luke Pavlick at Tire Rack! Here's a shot of Luke standing next to Brock Yates at the start of a recent One Lap of America race: Luke & Brock photo (Luke's on the left) He almost convinced me to skip the new RE-11 at $166 each and go for the "obsolete" RE-01R tires, which are a screaming bargain at just $88 each.
__________________
Dave Zeckhausen
2009 Fit Sport w/NAV
Sponsored Links
Registered users do not see this ad. Click here to register for free!
Looking forward to getting a review. I also saw a 195 and 205 50 15. I might go for this, but I'll probably go for something with slightly higher treadlife.
That's a nice looking tire, with a little softer tread than the Falken Azenis. 180 vs 200. Keep us posted with your tread wear life and performance of these.
Well, the wheels were mounted and balanced and shipped from Delaware today, so I should receive them on Monday. I'm changing the brakes on a friend's Audi A6 Monday night, so I will probably mount these on the car Tuesday night. Unless we get another mini-blizzard like this morning!
Updates to follow.
__________________
Dave Zeckhausen
2009 Fit Sport w/NAV
Sorry for the long delay on posting this review of the new tires! I got swamped at work and frankly just forgot about this thread.
I installed the Enkei wheels and Potenza RE-11 tires in my garage after work on a Thursday evening, then had to run out to dinner with my wife in a torrential rain storm. Needless to say, the new tires were a bit scary that night. They felt quite greasy.
The next day, I had a chance to scrub them in a bit, as the roads were partially dry. After about 30 miles, they really came into their own. The lateral grip is astonishing, compared to the stock tires that came with the Fit (no surprise here) and are at least as good, if not better, than the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 tires on my BMW. The braking is dramatically better and the steering response is razor sharp. If there's one simple bolt-on that can transform the Fit's handling, it is this. It even launches off the line with noticeably more power, as the traction control doesn't get fooled by the stock tires' tread squirm any more, and power cut is minimal during a hard launch even with traction control engaged.
The RE-11 tires seem to be relatively noisy at high speeds, but I'm not sure that's really a fair statement about the tires, given the almost total lack of sound deadening in the Fit. I bought a set of these for my mother's VW Passat about 2 weeks later and they are very quiet on that car. If I get motivated, I'll probably strip the interior and apply some serious sound deadening. Man - I wish this car had a 6th gear!
Here are a couple shots I snapped today, while enjoying lunch in the outdoor garden at Panevino Restaurant in Livingston, NJ:
__________________
Dave Zeckhausen
2009 Fit Sport w/NAV
I think you made a great decision in the wheel/tire combination.... I have the same wheels with Conti Pro Contact tires in the same size as stock on my 2007 model, and couldn't be more pleased.... I live in a rural area and drive on an unpaved road whenever I drive and opted for a sport touring tire, or would have gotten the Michelins.
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr hahaha
BBS RS
Linear Mode
