BFGoodrich g-Force Rival Tire Review & Rating

The g-Force Rival from BFGoodrich is the company’s latest extreme performance summer tire that not only can be used at the track, but for driving on the streets as well. Built for drivers of high performance sport coupes, muscle cars and other vehicles, the Rival features BFGoodrich’s Performance Racing Core (PRC) technology for the ultimate in tread design, construction and drivability. And it also turns a lot of heads at the same time.

A silica enhanced tread compound and asymmetric tread pattern utilize BFG’s Extreme Tread Edge (ETE) shoulder design that brings the tread compound down the shoulders and into the sidewall for increased grip during hard cornering. It’s a nice design feature that according to BFGoodrich, helps the tire deliver more consistent grip from start to finish than competitor tires such as the Hankook Ventus R-S3, Toyo Proxes R1R, Yokohama Advan Neova and the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec.

The reinforced sidewall construction not only enhances cornering grip and stability, but gives the tire the kind of steering response you would expect from a racing tire. It’s predictable, it’s fast and it gives you complete control.

Performance on wet pavement is adequate, but not what this tire was designed for. This model is built to deliver maximum traction on dry road surfaces. A tire like the g-Force Sport Comp 2 provides better rain grip than the Rival if that is a concern. The Rival sports a UTQG treadwear rating of 200.

Inside the tire you will find two steel belts that use BFG Equal Tension Containment System for added reinforcement and to optimize the tire’s contact patch at higher speeds. Lateral groove draft angles increase treadwear and provide more consistent high speed performance. Sizes are available from 15-20 inches with more coming at a later date.

Pros

• Exceptional dry traction   
• Glue-like grip in the corners   
• Quick steering response   
• Track or street use   

Cons

• Wet handling   

Overall Thoughts

This newest addition to the BFGoodrich lineup is a winner for any driver looking for an ultra-high performance summer tire that delivers maximum grip on the track, while also being able to be driven on the street. Traction on dry pavement and grip in the corners is nothing short of breath taking, and that’s not hype. New technology used in this model delivers on its promises.

Wet handling is the only area that you might be slightly disappointed with, but just one look at the tread design and you can see it wasn’t built for high performance in the rain. Due to the tire just being recently released we can’t comment on tread life, but drivers who are wanting this type of tire do not expect to get 50,000 miles out of the tread.

Overall, the g-Force Rival offers excellent performance on dry road surfaces.