Victra VR2: We put the latest Maxxis 200tw tire to the test

Does the world need another 200tw performance tire?

Yes, of course it does.

New for our scene: the Maxxis Victra VR2. 

But Maxxis isn’t new to making tires. Maxxis International has been offering tires worldwide for more than five decades, originally for bicycles and later for the full range of passenger cars, light trucks, ATVs, motorcycles and trailers. 

Only a …

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That's a bit disappointing to see, the slightly slower pace wouldn't be a problem if the tire didn't heat soak and remained consistent over a session. Hopefully they can make some tweaks to the tire and improve it like Nankang did with the CR-S.

TBH I'd be concerned about the amount of temp sensitivity shown even for autox use. Sounds like a tire where a sprayer would be mandatory. Did the tire change a lot in feel as it heated? It it get greasy or just ultimate grip fell off? If wear and price are good, and feel remains okay I can see that being a good tradeoff for autox capable tires you can still take to a hpde without melting them.

Wow, pretty disappointing results. I really thought they would be more on-pace than they were. A small temperature window also ups the amount of work that needs to be done, which in a competition setting you may not have all the time you need to tune it accordingly.

We're definitely eager to revisit the VR2 when more sizes become available. 

Very interesting. Maybe they will come up with a revised compound for the smaller sizes 🤔. 

theruleslawyer said:

Did the tire change a lot in feel as it heated? It it get greasy or just ultimate grip fell off?

Not really...just less grip and more noise.  Happy tire squeal became angry tire scrowl. 

Yeah, I made that word up, but that's what it sounds like. Scrowwwwlllll.

Welp there goes any hope for that tire.

Ill wait til Jan '25 to buy another set of Falkens 😉

Interesting. I have a set of 205's on my weekend canyon car.

Probably won't track this tire, but I run RC1s for NASA and figured I'd support Maxxis some and try them.

I read the initial stuff that they were similar to a 71RS as well, oh well. Still work for my use for the occasional canyon run, but kinda disappointing to see.

IndustryPartner said:

How was the wear on the tire? So you think shaving will make the tire more competitive? How much to remove to make it competitive?

Here's a pic of the worst-of-the-four for a GLTC competitor using the design size on his S2000.  Tire was new before the weekend.  Five 15-minute races plus practice and qually.  I told him to take what's left there and shave that much off a fresh set for the next race weekend.  So that means shave to 4/32nds, which leaves a little margin.

I made the mistake of using these tires at GTA. They heat soak way too fast after 1 lap and the grip was not there. The Falken RT666 was 5 seconds faster.

cuponoodle82 said:

The Falken RT666 was 5 seconds faster.

The Devil's Tire...of course it was fast

Andy Hollis said:

cuponoodle82 said:

The Falken RT666 was 5 seconds faster.

The Devil's Tire...of course it was fast

you could say it was the 'hot' tire.

Any updates from Maxxis about the smaller tire being slower?

Any updates from Maxxis about the smaller tire being slower?

Any updates from Maxxis about the smaller tire being slower?

bladebrakers101 said:

Any updates from Maxxis about the smaller tire being slower?

They are as baffled as we are, but looking into it.

245/40-17 is due for late-spring, early summer, so we'll have another go at that time.

I had a vastly different experience with my set of VR2s. The first session had the quickest laps, granted there was a lot of traffic, but the lap after lap performance was consistent the rest of the day.

High was around 58.

Drove to and from the track on them.

2024 GR86

18x9.5 Maxxis VR2 265/35/18

Buttonwillow Circuit (Track 2)

Drifting_Away86 said:

I had a vastly different experience with my set of VR2s. The first session had the quickest laps, granted there was a lot of traffic, but the lap after lap performance was consistent the rest of the day.

High was around 58.

Drove to and from the track on them.

2024 GR86

18x9.5 Maxxis VR2 265/35/18

Yep, that's the design size, as mentioned in the story.  Seems to work well in that size. 

Also, our test day was in the 80's while yours was in the 50's.

I'm hopeful that the 245/40-17 will show up while it's still cool here in CenTex.

Interesting. These may work for me on my autocross Mini with fat P1s on the front. I want to try 225/45-15 on the back...

In reply to Andy Hollis :

As mentioned in another thread, I just purchased a pair of Azenis RT-615+. Andy, have you tried those yet?

jstein77 said:

In reply to Andy Hollis :

As mentioned in another thread, I just purchased a pair of Azenis RT-615+. Andy, have you tried those yet?

Not sure why you are posting this in a Maxxis tire test thread?

I tried those eight years years ago when they first came out.  They are now super old tech, though some still use them for endurance racing.  The RT615 design is 20 years old.  Compound has been changed twice (K and K+).

Edit: just saw the other thread where you say you bought RT660+, which is a current tire.  That was reviewed here: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/falken-azenis-rt660-vs-rt660-tire-test/