Dunlop Graspic DS-2

[yup talon]

Has anyone ever tried these out? I just ordered a set for my talons stock wheels for the winter time. I was going to go with some Hankook w404, a local friend has them and loves them, but the salesman had me sold on the dunlops for $30 more, said they'd last longer, and had thicker treads.

yea yea yea its kinda late for ordering winter tires but i just blew a fist sized hole in one of my tires, and its not quite nice enough out for my summer wheels yet.

 

[jtmcinder]

Graspics have great longitudinal grip on snow and ice for a studless, but they are not so great laterally. Blizzaks WS-50s are my favorite snow tire. But I did fine this winter on my Graspics, setting FTD at half of the rallycross events in my daily driver.

- Jtoby

 

[ACM]

I don't remember whether I had DS-1s or DS-2s, but I ran Graspics for a week or two a couple of years ago. I had worn my WS50s down to the all-season compound, couldn't get the correct size WS50s and ended up on Graspics.

I thought fresh Graspics were as bad perhaps even worse in snow/ice than worn out Blizzaks. I took the Graspics back and traded them for a set of (too-narrow) WS50s, and was a lot happier.

Charles

 

[jtmcinder]

How difference are HS-2s from DS-2s? Other than the event with the busted rear swaybar, I had a blast on my HS-2s this winter. If Blizzaks are as much better as you are suggesting, next year will be a slaughter.

- Jtoby

 

[yup talon]

I don't remember whether I had DS-1s or DS-2s, but I ran Graspics for a week or two a couple of years ago. I had worn my WS50s down to the all-season compound, couldn't get the correct size WS50s and ended up on Graspics.

I thought fresh Graspics were as bad perhaps even worse in snow/ice than worn out Blizzaks. I took the Graspics back and traded them for a set of (too-narrow) WS50s, and was a lot happier.

Charles

i hope you had DS-1's!


EDIT: Jtoby: what did you mean by "they are not so great laterally"

 

[Steve93Talon]

I've got a set of Dunlop Wintersport M2's on my WRX, they used to be on my Talon. I've used them from October to March for three years straight and they still look almost new. They handle like regular all season tires and they're insane in the snow. I'd buy them again in a second.

 

[jtmcinder]

EDIT: Jtoby: what did you mean by "they are not so great laterally"

I mean that the acceleration and braking on snow was good, but they had very little lateral grip. HS-2s (at least) have a very round edge to the tread. They seem to like sliding sideways and not digging in, such that I had some difficulty at one rallycross getting the nose to turn in. The WS-50s on SWMBO's Legacy, on the other hand, have a nice sharp edge and have no problem cornering. If it weren't for the uncomfortablenss of our couch, I would have switched to her car after the first set of runs.

- Jtoby

 

[yup talon]

thanks jtoby


the salesman told me they were dunlops top-of-the-line snow tire

is this true? or do i just really hate being so gullible/impatient.

 

[ACM]

If your choice is based on saving money then get the Graspic.

If your choice is based on snow/ice performance, get either Nokia or Blizzaks.

Nokia are as good, possibly better, and last a lot longer than Blizzaks - they are also _much_ more expensive.

Graspics maight be the best Dunlop snow/ice tyre, but they're not at all the best snow/ice tyre available.

Charles

 

[jtmcinder]

It really bugs me when ACM and I disagree, so I just blew an hour learning how Graspic DS-2s and HS-2s differ. By all accounts, they are worlds apart. The HS-2 is often compared to the Blizzak WS-50 with the one difference being that the Graspics are slightly better longitudinally and the WS-50s are a bit better laterally. That fits with what ACM and I have reported, so now I feel better.

Unfortunately for you, the HS-2s have been discontinued and everyone seems to agree that the new DS-x line is not even close to the HS-x line in terms of grip. To be blunt, Dunlop seems to have traded grip for road-noise, partly because people would buy Graspics - which are an ice & snow tire, not a winter tire - and then bi*** about the hum and squirm at 60 mph. Rather than attempt to educate the Great Unwashed, Dunlop changed the tread design, barely managing to qualify for the snowflake/mountain label. Most of all, they rotated most of the siping 90 degrees to reduce noise on pavement.

In short, if you looking for snow & ice grip in a studless (which also makes it legal in non-Open classes when rallycrossing), then it's the Blizzak WS-50. If you want studded, then everyone seems to rave about the Hakkas.

- Jtoby

 

[yup talon]

thanks for all your effort and help guys! but i've already ordered the DS-2's so i really only need to hear/know about them.

Jtoby - trying to sum up your post - the DS-2's are gonna be loud (road noise), and not as good as the blizzaks, HS-2's or hakkas, is that what your saying? But they are still going to be a pretty decent snow tire over-all? i wont be doing any rally racing, so im not worried about qualifying for certain classes of racing.

I didnt wanna spend a shitload of money, so i guess i was looking for the best bargain. I cant get blizzaks in my area for any less than like $500 a set after mounting balancing and yada yada... i got these dunlops for $380 said and done installed down the sreet at belle, they had to order them and il have them at the end of the week.

where are you guys getting the tire info at? maybe i can read up on it myself so i can understand it better.

again thanks for all your help.

 

[jtmcinder]

Close. The DS-2s are supposed to be quieter and less squirmy than either WS-50s or HS-2s. In general, good snow & ice tires are louder and squirmier because of the siping, voids, and depth of tread. The Hakkas are something entirely different: they are a popular studded tire. If noise is an issue or you often drive on pavement in the winter, then you don't want these. Also, many clubs force people on studded tires to run in the Open class. For a car that often drives on clear pavement and a driver that doesn't like loud tires and/or doesn't have deep pockets, the DS-2s were a fine choice.

- Jtoby

 

[yup talon]

thats what i wanted to hear, thanks a lot!