RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 70%
Snow – 60%
Comfort – 70%
Noise Reduction – 70%
Durability – 0%
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Whenever I talk about tires, one of the many things I mention is that performance on a budget often means you’ll need to make compromises. UHP tires are known for offering higher performance levels and more dynamic handling than touring tires, but they’re not all equal.
Premium tires are the ones where you get everything without too many drawbacks. On the other hand, lower-tiered brands offer models from this class that won’t perform on the same level.
There are many options in the affordable segment of the industry, some of which aren’t as popular as others. As a brand, Riken has been around for longer than most people think and is positioned as one that offers affordable tires.
One such option is the Raptor ZR A/S, an all-season UHP tire aimed at people looking to pay less. How many compromises are there, and is this a tire I can recommend?
Pros
- Solid performance in dry conditions
- Usable traction in winter, especially on unpacked snow
- Sharp and responsive handling
- Among the more affordable models in this class
Cons
- Wet performance is behind many of its rivals
- The refinement is acceptable at best
The Features of the RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S
Looking at the features, the Raptor ZR A/S is a performance-oriented tire designed to perform in multiple weather conditions, at least in theory.
Riken used its rubber compound, which was designed to handle colder temperatures. There isn’t much information about some specifics, but as an all-season tire, it should be fine in lighter winter conditions.
The tire features a directional V-shaped tread pattern aiming to improve performance in several crucial areas. One of the more important ones is the natural directional stability that tires with this pattern should offer, so we should see the same with Riken’s model.
Another notable performance boost from the tread pattern should be performance in wet conditions. Specifically, the wide grooves are designed to evacuate water, allowing the tire to remain stable when driving over standing water.
Since it’s a performance-oriented model, there is an essential feature regarding the handling. The reinforced sidewall with rigid compound is designed to make the tire more responsive. In addition to that, the sidewall features a built-in rim protector to eliminate or at least minimize damage to the wheels.
RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S in Dry Conditions
As an affordable UHP tire, the Raptor ZR A/S seems to be doing a solid job in dry conditions, at least when compared to some of its rivals.
The tire’s grip and traction levels are good for the category, and for the most part, it’s a tire that will satisfy enthusiasts’ needs. It can handle anything from daily driving to some light aggressiveness. Driving a well-balanced car will show that it’s a bit prone to oversteering, but only when you push it too much. As for the braking distances, they’re good and short. I would’ve liked to see them closer to its rivals, but they’re not overly long.
Riken claimed to have worked on the handling of this tire and it shows. If you put the steering wheel in any position except straight, you’ll have a very dynamic tire, eager to move in the direction you want to. The on-center responsiveness isn’t the best, and it may take a bit to follow your commands.
RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S on Wet or Slippery Roads
Driving in wet conditions is something the Raptor ZR A/S does acceptably well, but it’s not perfect.
The tire’s performance is fine for daily driving on damp roads and will handle some slight aggressiveness. It’s acceptable enough if you’re willing to behave. The braking distances are a more noticeable step back than on dry roads. Yes, they fall within the safe zone but are not too far above the minimal mark.
Going past its limits isn’t the most fun experience. There is some twitchiness, and the tire will let go of the road without a warning.
The only very positive side is the aquaplaning resistance. It will remain stable when driving over standing water, but considering the overall performance, most people won’t drive that fast anyway.
RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S in Snow
The lack of sipes probably gives you the impression that the Raptor ZR A/S is a poor performer on snow. There is some truth to this, but it’s not the whole story.
As an all-season tire, the compound will handle a bit of cold and perform well. The performance on snow depends on the type. It handles unpacked snow decently well; you won’t be disappointed if you’re not asking too much of it.
Driving on packed snow isn’t as impressive, but it’s acceptable. It’s not as unsafe as a summer tire, but within its class and category, it isn’t the most competitive model either.
All-season tires aren’t impressive on ice, but some can do an acceptable job, and this is one of them. Using it in a pinch is the most I’d recommend in these conditions.
RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S Off-Roading
All features you’ll find on UHP tires are for performance on paved roads, meaning they’re not for off-roading. The same goes for the Raptor ZR A/S. You won’t get the necessary performance to drive in these conditions. The most you’d be able to get is traction on dirt roads and not much else.
RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S for Sporty Driving
The Raptor ZR A/S is a UHP tire, so you’d consider it if you want something sporty. You won’t be disappointed, especially in dry conditions. The performance isn’t the best, even in the mid-range class, but it’s enough for people who want to have some fun with their car. In addition to that, the handling is quite sharp, so it’s a dynamic tire as well.
Does the RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S Ride Comfortably?
In this category, you shouldn’t expect excellent refinement. It’s the same story with the Raptor ZR A/S, which I’d categorize as acceptable.
The ride quality is okay-ish, but the sidewall tweaks that make it responsive aren’t doing it any favors in terms of comfort. It’s a bit stiff, meaning you’ll notice bumps and cracks and feel some vibrations in the cabin.
It’s the same with the noise levels. You’re not getting a particularly quiet tire, so the roar is present even at slower speeds. It’s not overly intrusive and far from too loud, but it’s noticeable.
RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S Warranty
With the performance aside, the biggest drawback of the Raptor ZR A/S is the warranty. Riken’s model doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty, unlike its close rivals like the Motivo or the Ecsta PA51.
RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Looking at the price in isolation, the Raptor ZR A/S is a pretty attractive tire. A common 17-inch model comes at sub $100, which is noticeably less than tires like the S FIT AS.
Should I Buy the RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S?
Whenever you’re buying a cheaper tire, you should expect some compromises. The Raptor ZR A/S is no different, meaning you’re not getting the perfect tire.
The performance is pretty solid if you’re driving on dry roads. There’s enough grip and traction for aggressive driving, and with the handling, it can be a fun tire. Wet performance is a bit behind the pack, so you shouldn’t push it as hard. As an all-season option, it put the winter performance as adequate.
As a UHP tire, the refinement is acceptable, meaning you’ll need to live with some stiffness and a bit of road noise. The biggest drawback is the lack of a treadwear warranty. On the positive side, it’s among the more affordable tires in this segment.
The Raptor ZR A/S is a solid choice for people who own less powerful, sporty cars and want affordable tires. It’s one of those tires where you get what you pay for, and in this case, it has a lower price combined with a few compromises.
What Vehicles Will the RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S will fit:
- Audi A4
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Dodge Avenger
- Ford Mustang
- Genesis G80
- Honda Accord
- Mazda Miata
- Mercedes-Benz C240
- Mini Cooper S
- Pontiac Solstice
- Toyota Avalon
Tire Sizes of the RIKEN Raptor ZR A/S
16″
- 205/40ZR16 83W
- 205/45ZR16 87W
- 205/50ZR16 91W
- 205/55ZR16 94W
- 225/50ZR16 92W
- 225/55ZR16 95W
- 245/50ZR16 97W
17″
- 205/45ZR17 88W
- 205/50ZR17 89W
- 215/45ZR17 91W
- 215/50ZR17 91W
- 225/45ZR17 94W
- 225/50ZR17 94W
- 235/45ZR17 97W
- 235/55ZR17 99W
- 245/40ZR17 91W
- 245/45ZR17 95W
- 255/40ZR17 94W
- 255/50ZR17 101W
- 275/40ZR17 98W
18″
- 225/40ZR18 92W
- 225/45ZR18 95W
- 235/40R18 95W
- 245/40ZR18 97W
- 245/45ZR18 96W
- 275/35ZR18 95W
20″
- 245/35ZR20 91W
- 255/35ZR20 93W
