BFG S40 Compund - Can they be made better?

[o0wiz0o]

I really like the tread pattern of the BFG's but as they were the RTR they are tough as nails and have not really had much use. I bought some cheap beadlocks and chucked them on with no foams. This allowed a little more flex of the carcass but still a tough tire.

Next I vented the tires. Holes North/South. This again gave a little more flex but still awful compared to the Voodoos/Claws I normally run.

A friend on G+ has now recommended I try Siping. Cutting the lugs should hopefully add a little more flex and traction!

I know I could buy the R35 compound but as I do not need another set of tires I just figured I'd see what can be done with this awful tire for a giggle!



On a plus note I do not need axle stands for these things! They do not get flat spots. Hehe.

[o0wiz0o]

OK. The Compound is too tough to cut. It would take too many hours. So I set to it with a Sanding disc and the improvement is impressive. Once the hard top shiny layer is off the rubber is quite porous and sticky. Probably lost 10,000 scale miles but definitely a lot more usable.



Before and after:

[SynisteR6]

smart thinking!

I wonder if there is any sort of goop that you could soak them in to act like traction compound or softener like the real racers use..

[o0wiz0o]

That would be cool. The treads are better now but the carcass of the tire is still tough. Venting has helped but I can still leave the rig on all fours and not have flat spots the next day!

[Nalleywhacker]

Soak them in VHT

[TacoCrawler]

If yer after more traction...
you could sipe the lugs some
by cutting those with a dremel and thin cut off wheel.
But realize doing so will likely see them wearing faster.
And the traction gain may be minimal at best.

I personally like that they are more durable then
then the higher end traction tires.

Beater tires if you will.
the ones you can thrash on any terrain
and will survive longer then most high traction tires.

I've run these on my 1/6 scale build...
and they are great for their durability.
Traction isn't terrible... Just not great.

But for top notch traction...
I have an alternative set of PL TSL SX/XL's.

IMO... it's like having foot wear...
One should never own just a single pair.
'cause not every shoe design will work well
in every condition/terrain.

BFG RTR tires



PL TSL XL tires

[tacocat]

The best way to make them better is to sell them and buy different tires.

[o0wiz0o]

I agree Mr TacoCrawler. I have more than one set of shoes. Just liking trying to eek more performance out of the stock BFG's. Someone who has not yet got a alternate set might find it helpful in the interim.

[Termite Toothpick]

You could sand them on the inside too. I saw a post from CI and he was sanding the inside and removing support ribs on the inside of the side wall. I don't think these have ribbing on the inside, but if you were to remove some material so that it was more pliable it might flex better...

[o0wiz0o]

Oooh. That's a good idea.