GT Radial Champiro VP1 vs. Ohtsu FP6000 A/S
For drivers on a tight budget and who are simply looking for a set of new tires for their daily commuting needs, finding a set of good cheap tires is an ideal solution. Now I realize that in many cases the word cheap and good tires really don’t go well together. But that is not always the case in all situations, and these two tires are a pretty good example of that.
GT Radial’s Champiro VP1 and Ohtsu’s FP6000 A/S are both designed as basic all-season tires that come in at a price that is much lower than you will find from some of the bigger name brands. That being the case, how well do they compare to each other and which one is the better tire?
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Traction-Cornering-Steering
Both of these tires use an all-season tread compound, but the Ohtsu FP6000 features a directional tread pattern while the VP1 does not. This does affect traction on dry and wet pavement to a degree, and we would give a slight nod to the FP6000 in this area.
Winter traction and handling goes to the GT Radial VP1. Added sipes around the tread give it biting edges for better grip in the snow and on cold wet surfaces. The VP1 also has a lower rolling resistance with its tread design which will add a bit more fuel efficiency over the life of the tires.
Ohtsu’s wider shoulder blocks and dual circumferential grooves give it an edge in cornering grip and overall stability. Both tires deliver responsive steering and provide good feel on the road, but the Ohtsu tire will be better suited for more spirited driving.
Ride Comfort-Road Noise
GITI Tires uses their unique noise cancelling technology on the VP1 to dramatically reduce road noise and increase overall ride comfort. This is a very quiet tire on most all road surfaces. The FP6000 is quiet in its own right and the ride is pretty comfortable. But we give GT Radial the win in this category.
Treadlife
Treadlife is really a toss-up between these two. If we have to pick a winner it would be the VP1. GT Radial backs it up with a 40,000 mile warranty, which for the low cost of this model is very good. Ohtsu provides a 35,000 mile tread guarantee as well.
Price
As mentioned earlier, both of these tires are budget-priced to save you a lot of money. The difference in cost between these two is actually pretty minimal. Here’s an example of the costs to have these tires shipped directly from Discount Tire Direct:
205/60R16 92H BSW
GT Radial – $66
Ohtsu – $62
Which Tire Wins?
Picking a winner between these two depends on exactly what you’re looking for out of your tires. For a bit more sporty performance, we would go with the Ohtsu FP6000. It has solid traction and a little extra cornering performance to go with a quicker steering response. If good all-season traction, a quiet and comfortable ride, and a little better treadlife is more important, then the GT Radial VP1 would be our choice.