No more Falken?
12-26-2002, 06:32 PM
#1
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No more Falken?
Ohtu tires, who makes Azenis under Falken brand, is going to merge with Sumitomo tires, which makes tires under Dunlop brand.
They haven't decided if Sumitomo is going to keep the Falken brand....
I hope they'll keep selling Azenis in US for a while because a lot of road race people rely on Azenis.
Does anybody have more news about it?
They haven't decided if Sumitomo is going to keep the Falken brand....
I hope they'll keep selling Azenis in US for a while because a lot of road race people rely on Azenis.
Does anybody have more news about it?
12-28-2002, 12:43 AM
#3
Dork
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Hello,
Not two weeks ago, I was talking with the Falken folks - I was wrenching on a car that was being kept in the Falken Paddock. They're all excited about their forthcoming race tire expansion, here in the US. They were there testing new rally tires that will soon be coming to the US.
Given their excitement, I doubt they'll kill their Azenis line any time soon.
Joel
Not two weeks ago, I was talking with the Falken folks - I was wrenching on a car that was being kept in the Falken Paddock. They're all excited about their forthcoming race tire expansion, here in the US. They were there testing new rally tires that will soon be coming to the US.
Given their excitement, I doubt they'll kill their Azenis line any time soon.
Joel
12-28-2002, 07:06 AM
#4
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cool. when people buy things that they like, they dont want to
change to another brand even if the item is identical and re-badged... so that's good that they will continue the falkin lineup
at least another year or so to maintain their sales.
i wasnt really a sumitomo-type guy until i tried their HTR+ all-
season tires. considering the overall performance, looks, and
comfort on the tires (and price), these will be my choice for
all season tires.
change to another brand even if the item is identical and re-badged... so that's good that they will continue the falkin lineup
at least another year or so to maintain their sales.
i wasnt really a sumitomo-type guy until i tried their HTR+ all-
season tires. considering the overall performance, looks, and
comfort on the tires (and price), these will be my choice for
all season tires.
12-31-2002, 12:06 AM
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They have announced the merge this month but they are gonna actually start merging this summer I read (in newspaper)
Sumitomo(Dunlop) is the company buying Ohtsu (Falken)
I care less about the brand name but Azenis needs to stay, to me it doesn't matter if it's call Falken Azenis or Dunlop Azenis.
I think Falken has better brand image for import crowd, though.
Sumitomo(Dunlop) is the company buying Ohtsu (Falken)
I care less about the brand name but Azenis needs to stay, to me it doesn't matter if it's call Falken Azenis or Dunlop Azenis.
I think Falken has better brand image for import crowd, though.
12-31-2002, 07:48 AM
#7
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Originally posted by Joel Gat
Hello,
Not two weeks ago, I was talking with the Falken folks - I was wrenching on a car that was being kept in the Falken Paddock. They're all excited about their forthcoming race tire expansion, here in the US. They were there testing new rally tires that will soon be coming to the US.
Given their excitement, I doubt they'll kill their Azenis line any time soon.
Joel
Hello,
Not two weeks ago, I was talking with the Falken folks - I was wrenching on a car that was being kept in the Falken Paddock. They're all excited about their forthcoming race tire expansion, here in the US. They were there testing new rally tires that will soon be coming to the US.
Given their excitement, I doubt they'll kill their Azenis line any time soon.
Joel
12-31-2002, 08:02 AM
#8
Dork
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Hello,
The only info I had is what I posted. As for image, Falken has a TERRIBLE image in the US. I've tried Falken tires several times, and they all suck. As a rule. I've never had a decent Falken tire... Until the Azenis Sport. When I tell someone I use a Falken tire, they look at me like I'm retarded. When I explain "yeah, Falken tires suck, but these race compound Azenis are actually incredible," only after the concession are people even willing to entertain the idea that there might be a decent Falken.
Meanwhile, Dunlop has made many good tires for many years. They have a "normal" image with the inport crowd and a somewhat better image with the domestic crowd.
Sumitomo is pretty new to the tire crowd - by name that is - so I know most people have never tried their tires. I know when I first started seeing Sumitomo tires, I thought - "great, that's all we need, another crappy generic japanese tire brand."
Personally, I think the absolute best thing the new merged company can do is come out with a Dunlop Azenis Sport. And get rid of the "other" Azenis or change its name so people don't accidentally get the wrong one and wonder why their tire is a normal, crappy street tire instead of this incredible race tire that seems to last as long as hi-per street tires and gets less hydroplaning than Toyo FZ4 M+S tires!
Oh yeah, one more suggestion... more sizes. I could sell a dozen sets to friends of mine if the tires came in useful sizes for powerful cars. But what Mustang guy (or M3 guy) is going to loose 30 or 50 or 100 mm of tire to try a new tire? Probably not too many.
Joel, constantly being amazed by his Azenis.
The only info I had is what I posted. As for image, Falken has a TERRIBLE image in the US. I've tried Falken tires several times, and they all suck. As a rule. I've never had a decent Falken tire... Until the Azenis Sport. When I tell someone I use a Falken tire, they look at me like I'm retarded. When I explain "yeah, Falken tires suck, but these race compound Azenis are actually incredible," only after the concession are people even willing to entertain the idea that there might be a decent Falken.
Meanwhile, Dunlop has made many good tires for many years. They have a "normal" image with the inport crowd and a somewhat better image with the domestic crowd.
Sumitomo is pretty new to the tire crowd - by name that is - so I know most people have never tried their tires. I know when I first started seeing Sumitomo tires, I thought - "great, that's all we need, another crappy generic japanese tire brand."
Personally, I think the absolute best thing the new merged company can do is come out with a Dunlop Azenis Sport. And get rid of the "other" Azenis or change its name so people don't accidentally get the wrong one and wonder why their tire is a normal, crappy street tire instead of this incredible race tire that seems to last as long as hi-per street tires and gets less hydroplaning than Toyo FZ4 M+S tires!
Oh yeah, one more suggestion... more sizes. I could sell a dozen sets to friends of mine if the tires came in useful sizes for powerful cars. But what Mustang guy (or M3 guy) is going to loose 30 or 50 or 100 mm of tire to try a new tire? Probably not too many.
Joel, constantly being amazed by his Azenis.
12-31-2002, 08:15 AM
#9
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here's a link for the race compound Falken
http://www.falken.co.jp/catalog/race/onroad/spec.html
we need more of these tires over here. Another example is the Advan line of tires and also the Bridgestone 540 and I think they have a new one coming out as well like the 535 or 515 or something like that which is also a road race DOT tire.
http://www.falken.co.jp/catalog/race/onroad/spec.html
we need more of these tires over here. Another example is the Advan line of tires and also the Bridgestone 540 and I think they have a new one coming out as well like the 535 or 515 or something like that which is also a road race DOT tire.
12-31-2002, 10:31 AM
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Originally posted by Joel Gat
Meanwhile, Dunlop has made many good tires for many years. They have a "normal" image with the inport crowd and a somewhat better image with the domestic crowd.
Meanwhile, Dunlop has made many good tires for many years. They have a "normal" image with the inport crowd and a somewhat better image with the domestic crowd.
--kC
12-31-2002, 12:11 PM
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kc- yep, i use SP8000's on my prelude. they're great tires.
the only thing is that they have been discontinued as you
mentioned and the only ones available are the ones from
Germany called SP8000E or something. from what I heard,
they suck vs the Japan made originals.
sumitomo tires...yah, it was the first time for me to try out
their brand on their HTR+. all i can say is it is a very well
balanced all-rounder. price, good looks, decent grip, comfort,
and 4 wheel rotationable. they should be the benchmark
for sport compacts for all-season tires.
yah, when i heard Falkin, it did remind me of goodlooking,but
crappy grip tires like Nitto NT450, 501, 555. nitto imo, suck
big time with their unpredictable perf tires. i think they were
spun off of toyo tires..?
the only thing is that they have been discontinued as you
mentioned and the only ones available are the ones from
Germany called SP8000E or something. from what I heard,
they suck vs the Japan made originals.
sumitomo tires...yah, it was the first time for me to try out
their brand on their HTR+. all i can say is it is a very well
balanced all-rounder. price, good looks, decent grip, comfort,
and 4 wheel rotationable. they should be the benchmark
for sport compacts for all-season tires.
yah, when i heard Falkin, it did remind me of goodlooking,but
crappy grip tires like Nitto NT450, 501, 555. nitto imo, suck
big time with their unpredictable perf tires. i think they were
spun off of toyo tires..?
01-03-2003, 05:31 AM
#12
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KC, I agree to a point about the SP8000. I had a couple sets on Audis and they are fine on the street but don't hold up too well on the track. The previous D40-M2 was much better in my opinion. But of course my world starts on the track and considers the street to be a "who cares".
I would not agree with posts that Falken has a bad name from a track perspective. I've used Azenis on the track as a cheap, lazy way to drive to the track, not change tires, drive on the track, not change tires, drive home. Yes, they are limited in sizes, but work for Subarus. I see many, many guys going to Azenis. More every time I'm at the track. They've migrated from just Subarus and Hondas over to some of the BMW's. I'll run track tires sometimes and Azenis other times. I've gotten 14 track days so far out of one set of Azenis. Kumho, Yokos get 7 days, Hoosiers even less and the Azenis are 2/3 the price. Not as sticky, but they don't fall apart like RE-92's or SP8000.
jack
I would not agree with posts that Falken has a bad name from a track perspective. I've used Azenis on the track as a cheap, lazy way to drive to the track, not change tires, drive on the track, not change tires, drive home. Yes, they are limited in sizes, but work for Subarus. I see many, many guys going to Azenis. More every time I'm at the track. They've migrated from just Subarus and Hondas over to some of the BMW's. I'll run track tires sometimes and Azenis other times. I've gotten 14 track days so far out of one set of Azenis. Kumho, Yokos get 7 days, Hoosiers even less and the Azenis are 2/3 the price. Not as sticky, but they don't fall apart like RE-92's or SP8000.
jack
01-03-2003, 12:33 PM
#13
Dork
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Hello,
Hey Jack, but how many Falken tires did you use before the Azenis? Falken has been around for YEARS. I or my friends have purchased several used cars that had Falken tires on them, and always, they were crap. All of the Falken line, aside from the Azenis, are crap. And Azenis are only two years old? Three, maybe?
So that's what I meant. Only "all show no go" types used Falkens and that continues to be the case for all of their tires aside from their race tires (the Azenis and now their rally tires).
I think if you ask most people about high performance Falkens, they'll either have no idea what brand you're talking about or they'll wonder if you hit your head too hard. I'm constantly explaining that the Azenis are totally different from the rest of the marque.
Joel
Hey Jack, but how many Falken tires did you use before the Azenis? Falken has been around for YEARS. I or my friends have purchased several used cars that had Falken tires on them, and always, they were crap. All of the Falken line, aside from the Azenis, are crap. And Azenis are only two years old? Three, maybe?
So that's what I meant. Only "all show no go" types used Falkens and that continues to be the case for all of their tires aside from their race tires (the Azenis and now their rally tires).
I think if you ask most people about high performance Falkens, they'll either have no idea what brand you're talking about or they'll wonder if you hit your head too hard. I'm constantly explaining that the Azenis are totally different from the rest of the marque.
Joel
01-03-2003, 04:14 PM
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I didn't know other Falkens were crap, I only used Azenis and so far happy about it.
The image of Falken to me is this. Must have gotten fooled by their PR department.
The image of Falken to me is this. Must have gotten fooled by their PR department.
01-03-2003, 04:23 PM
#15
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Hello,
Try them. If nothing else, they're economical.. and much easier to mount for the tire guys since they have so little sidewall stiffness.
Joel, the opinionated and quite pleased with the 'new' image Falken appears to be fostering with teir new tires.
Originally posted by go go go
I didn't know other Falkens were crap, I only used Azenis and so far happy about it.
The image of Falken to me is this. Must have gotten fooled by their PR department.
I didn't know other Falkens were crap, I only used Azenis and so far happy about it.
The image of Falken to me is this. Must have gotten fooled by their PR department.
Try them. If nothing else, they're economical.. and much easier to mount for the tire guys since they have so little sidewall stiffness.Joel, the opinionated and quite pleased with the 'new' image Falken appears to be fostering with teir new tires.
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