I have seen several posts asking about these tires, and I myself would have liked to read something like this before making my purchase, so here are my thoughts, as well as a few follow up questions.

I badly needed to replace my S-02s on stock '02 model rims. Considering price was a major factor right now, I chose a set of FK-451s from Falken, ordered in the stock 205/55/R16 and 245/45/R16 sizes from DiscoutTireDirect.com. From what I can tell I got an fair to good deal on the tires ($360 shipped), an OK deal on the alignment (laser technology and all that BS for $67) and completely screwed on the mounting and balancing (with four valve stems a total of $115). Nevertheless here are my impressions and questions compared to my former OEM tires when both types are filled to about 32psi cold:

The FK-451s offer...

...a far cheaper cost of entry (good)

...increased lifespan (good)

...an immediately noticeable decrease in tire noise (good)

...an immediately noticeable increase in comfort level while still maintaining good road feel (good though not vital)

...at least as much if not more available grip to be exploited by an average driver over a long and sweeping turn such a interstate on-ramp due to much more progressive oversteer characteristics (good)

...fairly comparable levels of grip around quick (near 90 degree) turns under throttle, basically the traction limit of the new tires isn't reached before the OEM tires would have began oversteering (draw)

....FAR WORSE levels of control and handling during a strait line lane-change type maneuver with the appearance of vastly increased levels of body roll and far less stiff sidewalls (very very bad)

In summary all of the above good points basically result in a more livable tire that a driver of my skill level can probably exploit just as well as the S-02's on the street. The final point however severely decreases (IMHO) the sporty feeling of the car by making the quick and zippy movements much more muted. I basically feel as if my car has gained several hundred pounds. Overall grip remains high, but I no longer feel my car is as

 

You are kind of stock with everything else. Are you sure the alignment brought you back to stock or did you have them dial in more negative camber. That might give you some of that wallowing feeling changing lanes on the straight.

Try between 34 (lbs psi) to 36 all around (spring/summer). Try 36 to 38 (fall/winter).

Or keep the pressure the same on each axle. That is say 34 front R/L and 36 rear R/L. That will help stiffen up the sidewalls, but it may affect the ride quality. I like 34 all around with the S-02.

When I used softer sidewall tires with my Porsche 924S I generally went 36 all around for spring/summer.

There is a breakin period for new tires, usually 100 to 200 miles, go very easy in the wet, so that the mold release wears off the tires.

Thanks for your impressions. That is a tire I would consider if I have a tight budget with the time comes. Please share any other observations you get as the breakin period lengthens.

 

Thank you for the response.

The alignment definitely brought me back to stock specs. AFAIK this was the first alignment the car has received It was certainly her first alignment since I bought her at 16k miles (27.5k now). On my S-02s I ran 34-35psi hot. The new tires were supposed to be filled to 32psi cold, and I assumed that would be what they were filled to. Tonight I actually measured them, and they are actually 29-30 hot. That definitely seems too low, and I'm going to bring them up to 36psi or so tomorrow. Hopefully that will help the sidewall issues. I will also stagger the PSI, adding more to the back, if the initial pressure increase doesn't help. The ride on these new tires is much improved, but for this driver, adding even a considerable amount of increased ride stiffness would be well worthwhile if it decreases the perceived wallowing feeling.

I will have no problem taking it easy on the wet. My S-02s were basically drag slicks before they got replaced, so I have been taking it very easy to say the least when it came to anything that wasn't perfectly dry.

I really hope I can get this situation improved, because the more I drive these tires (and it still hasn't been very much in total) the more I like the overall grip level and especially the very confidence-inspiring progressive oversteer. I just hate the way my car feels when quickly switching directions. Driving it tonight I'm convinced in a lane-change maneuver my car feels less stiff than my mom's Maxima. That level of performance is not why I bought an s2000