Coker Classic Radial vs Excelsior Radials

Time for new rubber and thinking about switching from bias to radial. I've narrowed it down to the Coker Cl***ic Radial (blackwall) or the Excelsior Radial. The Coker cl***ic has sort of a recap look to me ???
Anyone have experience with both or any friends that might have either. Cost is about the same,just trying to get a handle on maybe which one is the more favorable of the two,as far as wear,ride,roundness,balancing issues,Any input will be appreciated
Thanks

 

When I asked the rep from Coker if the Excelsiors were better he said there is no comparison. His opinion was that they were much better in all respects than the regular Cokers.

I have no real world experience to back that up as I only run bias plies.

Don

 

I don't have any experience with the Excelsior's although I have a sets of Coker Bias Ply's on my Deuce pickup and have a set of Coker Cl***ic Radials on the wagon.

I'm happy with both,,but I am told the Excelsior's are probably the better tire. HRP

 

I can't get beyond the sidewall makings on the Excelsior's. I'd be out there with the sander. Rolling billboards are not for me.

 

I would keep the bias plies and keep good wear, roundness, and a well balanced tire, all in one beautiful package.

 

I drive this car 5000 + miles every summer on PENNSYLVANIA roads,which are the worst---ask any trucker

 

I do the same on Illinois roads which I can't believe are in any better condition. But, it all comes down to personal preference, I am happy with the ride, and handling of my car, others may not be. That's cool.

 

I like the looks of the stones as much as the next guy,but tired of fighting the wheel all the time. On a good road---no problem,but ain't many good roads I drive on. Last year I got onto a loooong stretch of highway that they had churned up to repave it.Everyone going 60-70 mph and there I was going 40 and all over the road . That ain't no fun,in fact it was downright dangerous
But MAYBE my wallet won't let me get the radials anyway!!!

 

Either brand in a radical with give you a better ride and far out perform bias plies. There's very good reasons way we left bias plies tires in the past.

CRUISER

 

I recently put Excelsiors on my modified. The rear grip is a heap better, sadly! The steering is much better too. With the bias I had on there, you had to pick your line going into a corner and stick with it. With the Excelsiors you have a little more room to adjust your line to avoid pot holes etc mid corner. I think I have a slight balance or out of round issue on the fronts but I haven't been back to the tyre place to look at it so it could be an easy fix.

Pete

 

If your car doesnt have fenders (your avatar?) putting radials on it will kill the look.

Maybe the last set you had wasn't the best set... cause I drive the **** out of my cars with bias plies on all roads at all speeds and I wouldn't think of changing to radials..

And yes I've driven the same cars on radials and prefer bias plies.

 

THIS WAS THE QUESTION


Time for new rubber and thinking about switching from bias to radial. I've narrowed it down to the Coker Cl***ic Radial (blackwall) or the Excelsior Radial. The Coker cl***ic has sort of a recap look to me ???
Anyone have experience with both or any friends that might have either. Cost is about the same,just trying to get a handle on maybe which one is the more favorable of the two,as far as wear,ride,roundness,balancing issues,Any input will be appreciated
Thanks

 

I have friends with both. They are all pleased, with either. None reported balance or roundness issues. I am pretty sure that you'd be fine, either way, even if you choose based on looks alone.

 

Thats the only thing I don't like about them---gonna check if anyone around here has a sidewall grinder

 

yep!

 

You answered your own question. You are going to spend a grand or more on set of tires only to immediately take a grinder to them? Just sounds ridiculous to me.

 

I took a saw to my boss's $30,000 car, right after he bought it. Big deal. I have used 2" Rolocs and a DA on sidewalls, with good results. Grind away!

 

Maybe I'm a ridiculous person!!!

 

Whats a Rolocs???

 

Bingo!

 

100% agree...I love how some guys like to keep it traditional and then totally blow the look on some radials, especially on a fenderless car. Whatever, not my car. I am just going to sit back and watch the drama of yet another tire thread.

 

Gary, before you toss out the bias plies, do you have a SoCal stabilizer on your car ? If not, put one on. You will thank me later. I drive my 27 like a car, over all kinds of roads and the stabilizer has made it feel so much better. We are running one on all of our cars and will never build another car without one.

Don

 

Don't have one---around here for some reason (money) they been re-surfacing jut the berm of the roads and that creates a line & the bias wants to follow it---drives me crazy.
Other than that it ain't bad--no wobble or anything
On a new road I've had it up over 110 mph & no problem---just them damn berms

 

I feel the same way. If I get some for my next set I will be sanding All that **** off.


I have 15000 miles on my coker cl***ics and am very happy with them. They work great in the Rain Snow and Sand

 

I never bought cokers because everyone I know who did was not happy with then. Splitting treads, yellowing whitewall and expensive To boot

 

Hey, sorry for the unrequested opinion. I just have strong feelings when it comes to tires

Care to post up a picture of the tires you're thinking of getting?

Are you talking about the Coker radials that have the tall, skinny bias look?

 

Gary, here's another opinion that doesn't answer your question so take it at that.

I met a WELL known East Coast builder at LARS two years ago. He rolled in with a fresh '32 Roadster that he drove from North Carolina on Excelsiors. I asked how they compared to the BP's because I knew he'd been running them. He said they were an improvement, but still had to be trued just like the BP's. He also said they still chased grooves in the highway.

Having had a set of Coker radials I'd go with Diamond Backs. Longer lasting, more options.

Sorry, I didn't answer your question but hopefully there's more info to consider here!

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I plan to get Excelsiors for my next build... they look ok to me, have that vintage racer vibe, and more importantly, I believe a much higher speed rating on the top end of their line. Gary

 

By the way, I'm in no way saying I wouldn't buy Coker Bias Ply or Excelsior tires. We're hot rodders and a little modification to make desirable tires "satisfactory" comes with the turf. However I won't buy another set of Coker radials.

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