L-T3284SB

Overview

The Louise RC GT-SHIV 1/8 FR/RR Soft Hex 17mm Spoke Black tyres represent a premium choice for competitive RC buggy and GT racing in the UK. These professionally mounted and glued wheel and tyre combinations are engineered specifically for 1/8 scale GT-rally and on-road RC cars, delivering the performance and reliability demanded by serious racers. Whether you're running an ARRMA Typhon, Associated RC8, Losi 8ight, or any other 1/8 GT platform with a 17mm hex adapter, the GT-SHIV range provides the grip, stability and durability needed to compete at the highest level.

Louise RC has built a global reputation for manufacturing some of the finest racing tyres in the RC hobby, and the GT-SHIV is no exception. These tyres are ideal for UK RC enthusiasts who demand race-proven performance without compromise. Available in soft compound for maximum grip and high-speed stability, the GT-SHIV excels on both asphalt and tarmac surfaces. The soft racing compound builds grip as it reaches operating temperature, which is why Louise RC recommends running your tyres through a few warm-up laps before pushing for competitive lap times.

Every tyre in this set arrives pre-mounted and factory-glued to genuine Louise RC nylon composite wheels, meaning you can install them immediately on your compatible 1/8 scale RC buggy and get racing without additional assembly work or the uncertainty of tyre gluing at home.

Key Features

• MFT Micro Fibre Technology — The GT-SHIV tyres incorporate a reinforced textile belt woven into the rubber tread compound, which prevents tyre deformation and ballooning during high-speed acceleration and cornering. This technology maintains consistent tyre diameter and shape under extreme loads, delivering predictable handling characteristics and significantly extending tyre lifespan compared to conventional designs without this reinforcement.
• Soft Racing Compound — Louise RC has formulated a specialist soft rubber compound that prioritises grip over longevity, making these tyres ideal for competition and qualifying rounds where maximum traction is essential. The soft compound requires warm-up laps to reach its optimal grip levels, so always run a few practice laps to heat the tyres to racing temperature before your competitive runs.
• Professional Factory Mounting and Gluing — Each tyre is mounted and bonded to the wheel at the Louise RC factory using a multi-stage process that ensures perfect adhesion. The rubber bead is carefully ground and degreased, the wheel surface is prepared with equal care, and the assembly is glued with a specialist cyanoacrylate adhesive applied via precision dosing machinery. After gluing, the assembled tyre is pressed and left to cure fully, then subjected to rigorous spinning and pulling tests to guarantee the bond will survive the most demanding racing conditions.
• Optimised Foam Inserts — The GT-SHIV tyres are supplied with specifically-selected foam cut inserts that provide the perfect balance of dampening and form stability. These inserts are chosen for their density and dimensions to ensure the tyre maintains its shape during hard cornering, braking and acceleration whilst absorbing impacts and vibrations from track imperfections.
• Nylon Composite Wheels — The wheel hubs are manufactured from a specially-developed mixture of high-quality nylon granulates reinforced with fibre, a composite material created specifically for Louise RC in partnership with Dupont. This engineering delivers the strength to withstand extreme cornering forces and high jumps whilst maintaining the flexibility needed to absorb shocks and prevent brittleness in cold conditions common in UK winter racing.
• 17mm Hex Fitment — The wheels feature a standard 17mm hex adapter with zero offset, making them compatible with a vast range of 1/8 buggy and GT-rally vehicles including ARRMA Typhon and Infraction models, Associated RC8 and DB8, Losi 8ight, Hobao Hyper VS, Mugen MBX and MGT series, Team Corally Python XP, X-Ray XB-8 and GT8, and many more. Always refer to the Louise RC tyre-wheel compatibility chart to confirm fitment with your specific RC car model.
• Front and Rear Compatible — This is a matched pair suitable for use at both the front and rear of your 1/8 RC car, simplifying inventory management and ensuring consistent handling balance across all four corners of your vehicle.

Technical Performance

The Louise RC GT-SHIV represents the pinnacle of tyre engineering for 1/8 scale RC racing. The tyres measure 104mm in diameter (though some sources list 102.9mm, defer to the official specification) and 42mm in width, delivering optimal contact patch and grip levels for high-speed on-road and GT-rally driving. Each complete mounted wheel and tyre assembly weighs 111 grams, a figure that includes the nylon composite rim, reinforced foam insert and the soft compound rubber tyre with MFT texture weaving. The relatively modest weight ensures your RC car's acceleration and braking response remain sharp, whilst the MFT micro fibre technology keeps the tyre diameter constant under the extreme lateral forces generated during cornering. Louise RC notes that MFT technology tyres are slightly heavier and larger than equivalent non-MFT designs, which may necessitate gear ratio adjustments on some vehicles. The increased grip and stability provided by MFT technology may also overload standard steering servos, so Louise RC recommends upgrading to a higher-torque servo if you experience servo strain with these premium tyres. The soft racing compound requires warm-up laps to achieve peak grip, but once brought to temperature delivers the lap time advantages that make the difference between winning and placing at UK RC club races and competitions.

What's in the Box

• Two Louise RC GT-SHIV 1/8 FR/RR Soft racing tyres
• Tyres pre-mounted and factory-glued to genuine Louise RC nylon composite wheels with 17mm hex adapters
• Foam cut inserts already installed inside each tyre

Frequently Asked Questions

• What 1/8 scale RC cars are compatible with the Louise RC GT-SHIV 17mm hex tyres? — The GT-SHIV range fits any 1/8 buggy or GT-rally car with a 17mm hex wheel adapter. Confirmed compatible vehicles include ARRMA Typhon, ARRMA Infraction, ARRMA Limitless, Associated RC8, Associated DB8, Carson Virus, Carson Specter, Hobao Hyper VS, Losi 8ight, Mugen MBX series, Mugen MGT series, Sworkz S35-GT, Team Corally Python XP, X-Ray XB-8 and X-Ray GT8. For your specific model, check the official Louise RC tyre-wheel compatibility chart to confirm fitment before ordering.
• Do these tyres come mounted and glued or do I need to glue them myself? — These tyres arrive fully mounted and factory-glued to the wheels by Louise RC's professional manufacturing team. You can install them directly on your 1/8 RC car without any additional work. The multi-stage factory gluing process includes bead grinding, degreasing, precision adhesive application, pressing and curing, plus spinning and pulling tests to guarantee perfect adhesion and eliminate any risk of tyre slip during racing.
• What is MFT Micro Fibre Technology and why does it matter? — MFT stands for Micro Fibre Technology, which incorporates a reinforced textile belt into the rubber tread. This belt prevents the tyre from deforming and ballooning outward during high-speed acceleration and hard cornering, a problem that plagues conventional racing tyres without this technology. By keeping the tyre in shape even under extreme forces, MFT technology provides increased stability, better road contact and significantly extended tyre life. It is an important innovation that separates the best racing tyres from standard designs.
• Will these soft compound tyres work on my RC track or do I need them exclusively on carpet? — Louise RC GT-SHIV soft tyres are versatile racing tyres suitable for both asphalt and tarmac surfaces typical of on-road and GT-rally courses across the UK. The soft compound prioritises grip over wear, making them ideal for competition racing where maximum traction for one or two events is more valuable than extended lifespan. They will also work on concrete and smooth sealed surfaces. For rough terrain or off-road buggy racing, different tyre compounds and profiles are recommended.
• Why do Louise RC recommend warm-up laps before racing? — The soft racing compound used in the GT-SHIV range builds grip as it reaches operating temperature. Cold tyres offer significantly less grip than warm tyres, so Louise RC strongly recommends running several practice laps to bring the tyres up to thermal temperature before you push for competitive lap times. This warm-up process ensures you achieve the maximum adhesion and lap time performance these premium tyres are engineered to deliver.
• Do I need to adjust my steering servo when fitting GT-SHIV tyres? — Louise RC recommends upgrading to a higher-torque servo when fitting GT-SHIV tyres to your 1/8 RC car. The increased grip and stability provided by MFT technology may overload a standard steering servo, potentially causing binding or servo damage during hard cornering or emergency steering inputs. Upgrading your servo ensures you can exploit the full performance potential of these premium racing tyres without mechanical limitations.
• Will I need to adjust the gear ratio for my RC buggy when using these tyres? — Louise RC notes that MFT technology tyres are slightly heavier and larger in diameter than equivalent non-MFT designs. Depending on your current setup and what tyres you are replacing, you may need to adjust your gear ratio to maintain optimal top speed and acceleration. Consult your RC car's manufacturer guidelines and consider experimenting with different gears to find the ideal balance for your racing style and track conditions.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the LOUISE RC GT-SHIV 1/8 FR/RR SOFT HEX 17MM SPOKE BLACK L-T3284SB today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.