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Last updated 7/05/2024 - Originally published 7/05/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Ultra-high-performance (UHP) all-season tires are excellent options for fast cars, crossovers, light trucks, and SUVs since they ensure high responsiveness and confident traction throughout the year. For those keen on better performance, we have two high-quality products on offer here — Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ and General G-MAX AS-07. Both are closely matched as they sport the same tread depth and similar asymmetrical tread patterns. Bridgestone is, undoubtedly, the leading tire manufacturer in America, but does that translate into better numbers when pitted against the General G-MAX AS-07? We’ll surely find out during this Potenza RE980AS+ vs G-MAX AS-07 tires comparison.
Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ tires
One of the best ways to turn an already fast car like a McLaren 720S into a freakishly good handler is to install Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ tires on it. As the name may sound, it is an advanced version of the RE980AS, offering drivers excellent year-round traction and also allowing them to corner hard, leading to a tremendous average SimpleScore of 9.4. With rapid performance being available for the entire year, you don’t have to wait for temperatures to climb northwards of 45 degrees Fahrenheit to use them. The limited manufacturer tread life warranty and high tread depth will make you feel confident about its long tread life. Bridgestone’s tread compound is often the hero component of its tires, offering drivers a high amount of traction and performance. However, there are many features apart from the tread compound that help boost traction.
General G-MAX AS-07 tires
The General G-MAX AS-07 is a high-performance tire designed for hard driving throughout the year, along with adequate traction in light wintry conditions, good tread life, and reasonable comfort. It features an asymmetrical tread pattern that ensures sporty handling, and there is minimum hydroplaning due to the circumferential grooves within the tread. It is natural for this tire to exhibit great steering responses and the G-MAX AS-07 does not disappoint, with it being suitable for crossovers, SUVs, light trucks, and sporty sedans. The G-MAX AS-07 is great in terms of dry braking and wet braking, and these great dry- and wet-braking capabilities ensure that you can drive hassle-free on dry and wet surfaces. On the whole, this tire offers drivers a superior balance between comfort and performance, with the former not being hindered due to the latter. The center rib on this tire has been designed to ensure a quiet and comfortable ride. For the owners who expect fine handling characteristics, this is a great tire. Based on the above features, we found it to be worthy of an average SimpleScore of 8.7.
Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ vs General G-MAX AS-07 tires on traction
Bridgestone offers drivers a patented ultra-high grip rubber compound on the Potenza RE980AS+ for safe and excellent traction in wet, dry, and light snow conditions. There are see-through voids and open shoulder slots that funnel water away from the tread, thereby decreasing the chances of hydroplaning and enhancing wet grip. This is a tire that remains well-balanced at all times, even in wet conditions. Based on the above, we found the Potenza RE980AS+ suitable for an outstanding average traction SimpleScore of 9.9.
The outer and inner ribs on the General G-MAX AS-07 are designed differently from each other, with the outermost rib being continuous and the second rib having two connected tread blocks in continuous form. Different designs on various ribs result in better traction, and they also have siping. Apart from the above, a high tread depth and asymmetric tread pattern are also helpful in enhancing grip. As per the features mentioned above, this tire deserves an average traction SimpleScore of 8.6.
ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+
Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ vs General G-MAX AS-07 tires on handling
With its chamfered slots and full-depth 3D sipes, the Potenza RE980AS+ offers superior stopping power in both dry and wet conditions. Once more, the silica-rich compound here contributes to excellent performance, with the W-rated tire offering drivers some of the best wet handling in its class. The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ merits an average handling SimpleScore of 9.9 because of its asymmetric design.
General G-MAX AS-07, despite being a high-speed performance tire, offers drivers a comfortable, quiet ride and does not lower comfort for the sake of performance. Wet handling from the Potenza RE980AS+ is one of the best in its category, with the steering being quick, responsive, and direct in a low-traction environment. Expect this tire to be available with a handling SimpleScore of 8.7.
ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+
Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ vs General G-MAX AS-07 tires on longevity
Although this is a performance tire, its tread compound guarantees long-lasting wear for a high tread life, and Bridgestone offers a 50,000-mile limited manufacturer warranty for the Potenza RE980AS+. Therefore, we have given it an average longevity SimpleScore of 8.6.
On the other hand, the General G-MAX AS-07 sports Visual Alignment Indicators to alert drivers about uneven wear because of misalignment. Modern tire technologies such as a Replacement Tire Monitor are present on the center rib and the tire must be changed once it wears down to ‘Replace Tire’. Expect a long tread life and a limited manufacturer tread life warranty of 50,000 miles, resulting in a high longevity SimpleScore of 8.95.
ADVANTAGE: General G-MAX AS-07
When to use each
Being UHP all-season tires, both the Bridgestone Potenza RE980 AS+ and the General G-MAX AS-07 can be suitably used in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions. However, one look at the available traction levels shows a huge difference between the two tires. Those buyers who want to ensure that their tires are always in the best possible shape should choose General G-MAX AS-07 due to its modern technologies such as a Visual Alignment Indicator and Replacement Tire Monitor. Similarly, those buyers looking for high scores on all parameters should choose the Bridgestone tires.
Which one should you choose?
Bridgestone tires score higher in 2 out of 3 parameters here. But does that mean it is the better tire? Let’s take a look at the prices too — while Bridgestone Potenza RE980 AS+ begins from $151.97 per tire ($607.88 for 4), the General G-MAX AS-07’s starting price is $111.99 per tire ($447.96 for 4). So, if your priority is price, you know which one to purchase now.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.