Toyo RA1 prices?

I found this place
http://www.tiresdirect.net/TOYO_Prox..._P2263C200.cfm
245/40/17 $200 each. Plus ~$55 shipping.

Anyone know what Radial is getting these days?

I think I paid slightly less for a set last month, with a shave, at Radial Tire. Around $195, without checking the reciept.
Pauls' prices are hard to beat, and he shaves all his tires hizzelf. I recommend shaved RA1's for A-group and up students.
Of course you have to schlep them to Silver Spring, and leave them in the chaos that is Radial Tire on a typical day. You'd best talk to Sam or Paul personally, I always do.
Radial Tire does have a pickup/delivery service to select tire & repair shops in Va., but I haven't figured out how this works yet. Certainly it would require even more advanced planning.
Not to split rabbits, but RA1's don't come in a 245/40-17, just the very popular 235/40-17.
Joel
p.s. how come no one can improve on this tire? Plenty have tried, and it's been around for 10+ years. It certainly is the driver's school tire.

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Originally Posted by slantsixm3

p.s. how come no one can improve on this tire? Plenty have tried, and it's been around for 10+ years. It certainly is the driver's school tire.

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Perhaps the profit-margin isn't there for most/all tire manufacturers for this type of tire? ...or they're more focused on the extreme "street" tires like Direzzas, AD08s, R1Rs, RS3s, etc. that now are very close to the performance of RA1s?

I thought the Nitto NT-01 was supposed to be a great driver's school tire?

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Originally Posted by slantsixm3

Radial Tire does have a pickup/delivery service to select tire & repair shops in Va., but I haven't figured out how this works yet. Certainly it would require even more advanced planning.

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I need them shipped and mounted locally. :)

Biggins:
I think you are onto something with the R&D costs. Toyo hasn't changed this tire at all, and they continue to sell well as a sideline item.
I would think somebody would try to get a piece of the action, but perhaps not.
I'm told that Toyo owns Nitto, so the two tires could be *quite" similar. Again, minimal R&D costs. I see 80% Toyos at the events I attend.

1996328ti:
Yeah, I don't think Radial Tire delivery extends to South Carolina. Oh well.
Hope all is well down there, stay cool.

Joel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by slantsixm3

Yeah, I don't think Radial Tire delivery extends to South Carolina. Oh well.
Hope all is well down there, stay cool.

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Paul has shipped me tires before.
I think it's cooler by me than up there. It's only 93 right now.