Tire input requested.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
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From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
Tire input requested.
Looking for a decent set of tires for a second set of wheels. These tires will not be my auto cross or drag strip tires, just for cruising. The best for the money I can come up with are:
Kuhmo Ecsta Supra 712
Kuhmo Ecsta ASX 122
Fuzion ZRi
Kuhmo Ecsta MX
I want the tires to perform well for drivers and some spirited driving, but do not need to be the best for auto-x or drag strip.
Thanks for any thoughts on the above or another option!
Kuhmo Ecsta Supra 712
Kuhmo Ecsta ASX 122
Fuzion ZRi
Kuhmo Ecsta MX
I want the tires to perform well for drivers and some spirited driving, but do not need to be the best for auto-x or drag strip.
Thanks for any thoughts on the above or another option!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Have you looked at Sumitomos? I would try them before Kumho 712s.
The 712's were fine for the street, but on the track I wasnt too happy with them. The grip is good, but the break away point is unpredictable. And besides that, they chunked out in a few spots.
Ive tried many tires and have been most happy with Falken.
The 712's were fine for the street, but on the track I wasnt too happy with them. The grip is good, but the break away point is unpredictable. And besides that, they chunked out in a few spots.
Ive tried many tires and have been most happy with Falken.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
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Kuhmo Ecsta MXLess harsh and much quieter than the Goodyear F-1's, stuck like glue at a track day at Willow Springs. I don't really know about wet weather tho', it never goes out in the rain. I'm very happy with these and the price is right.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
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From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
I recently bought Falken Ziex ZE512's, so far I am very happy with them and the price was more than fair. $135/each m&b.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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Originally Posted by LT-4 CE
Looking for a decent set of tires for a second set of wheels. These tires will not be my auto cross or drag strip tires, just for cruising. The best for the money I can come up with are:
Kuhmo Ecsta Supra 712
Kuhmo Ecsta ASX 122
Fuzion ZRi
Kuhmo Ecsta MX
I want the tires to perform well for drivers and some spirited driving, but do not need to be the best for auto-x or drag strip.
Thanks for any thoughts on the above or another option!
Kuhmo Ecsta Supra 712
Kuhmo Ecsta ASX 122
Fuzion ZRi
Kuhmo Ecsta MX
I want the tires to perform well for drivers and some spirited driving, but do not need to be the best for auto-x or drag strip.
Thanks for any thoughts on the above or another option!
I vote for the "MX". I have the 712's, Not a fan of them! I have been in a C4 with "MX", night and day.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,233
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From: Albuquerque, NM
All of the tires you listed except the Ecsta MX will hinder your Corvette's performance. Even just cruising around, your car's handling and braking won't be as good. Those tires are fine for regular cars, but Corvettes are one of the rare cars that can utilize the performance of the higher end tires.
I just bought tires for my '92, and I went with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s. Yes, it's a more expensive tire, but not that much more expensive when you consider that shipping and/or mounting and balancing is the same for any tire. I found that the Goodyears were only about $200 more than the Ecsta MXs after everything was said and done. For that, you get tires that aren't even in the same category as far as performance, plus the Goodyears should last a lot longer (the Ecsta MX achieves decent traction by using a very soft compound).
Remember, your tires are probably the single most important part of your suspension and braking systems. Do the math and compare out-the-door prices; really good tires are worth the extra investment.
I just bought tires for my '92, and I went with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s. Yes, it's a more expensive tire, but not that much more expensive when you consider that shipping and/or mounting and balancing is the same for any tire. I found that the Goodyears were only about $200 more than the Ecsta MXs after everything was said and done. For that, you get tires that aren't even in the same category as far as performance, plus the Goodyears should last a lot longer (the Ecsta MX achieves decent traction by using a very soft compound).
Remember, your tires are probably the single most important part of your suspension and braking systems. Do the math and compare out-the-door prices; really good tires are worth the extra investment.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Originally Posted by BlackbirdZ07
Remember, your tires are probably the single most important part of your suspension and braking systems. Do the math and compare out-the-door prices; really good tires are worth the extra investment.
The tires are the only part of the car that (should ever) come in contact with the road. I have a friend that has the Kumho's and they are a good sticky tire, but the soft compound wears out very kwikly. She only got about 13k mile out of them before they needed to be replaced. The higher end tires seem to last longer for some reason. My current Goodyears have 20k on them and they still have lot of life with my heavy foot. I also have a set of Michelin Pilots and they rock!!! Look at the Michelins and BFG's. I'm not a Goodyear fan at all... I just have them because they came on the car. If you can gain life out of a more expensive tire, it is by far a better investment.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,664
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From: NEwhere Ohio
I work in the tire industry and do competitive analysis of tread compounds all the time.
The Kumho Supra 712 was ridiculously heavy compared to the others.
It weighed 28.5 pounds for a P245/45ZR17 vs. 25 pounds for the othres.
Multiply that by 4 and you are adding some unsprung weight.
Other than that, the tread compound was typical of the other general markets UHP tires.
Kumho MX is alright.
Id go with eitehr Kumho MX or Fuzion ZR (they just havent been around long enough to prove themselves, but will).
The Kumho Supra 712 was ridiculously heavy compared to the others.
It weighed 28.5 pounds for a P245/45ZR17 vs. 25 pounds for the othres.
Multiply that by 4 and you are adding some unsprung weight.
Other than that, the tread compound was typical of the other general markets UHP tires.
Kumho MX is alright.
Id go with eitehr Kumho MX or Fuzion ZR (they just havent been around long enough to prove themselves, but will).
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 7
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From: Chesterfield Va
Kumho used. Kuhmo abused. final words
Kumho 712s would be a good highway driver who doesn't use the pedal for fun. no brakes. no gas. just.. cruising. but yes. those tires listed will hinder you from the original goodyear gatorbacks (or whatever your year used) i went from Yoko A032r's to Kumho 712's.. ick =) that's like night and day. the 32r's would be great for a 5000mile a year car who hit the track once in a while, if not... i'd say another choice in your price range might be the falken ziex or the dunlop. i'm using now Goodyear eagles GSC and they're great for my normal driving but if i ever go back to the track this summer. on come a pair of a032r's
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The MX's aren't a good choice for the commuter tire, they're very soft, and won't last long.
Consider Yokohama AVS ES100. I checked out tire rack and dug through all the tires you mentioned and a bunch more, and the performance on their lexus road test shows these Yokos on par with the kumho MX tire, but with longer treadlife, and cheaper.
Ecsta supras aren't a bad choice, good tire for the money for a general use tire.
Consider Yokohama AVS ES100. I checked out tire rack and dug through all the tires you mentioned and a bunch more, and the performance on their lexus road test shows these Yokos on par with the kumho MX tire, but with longer treadlife, and cheaper.
Ecsta supras aren't a bad choice, good tire for the money for a general use tire.
