Kumho tires
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 157
From: Maine
I also have the ECSTA PA51 and have about 9k on them, so one good season of driving.
1. Good traction in the cold (below 30) I drive to work about 37 miles one way when it's not raining.
2. Good traction when I got caught in afternoon showers (happed 4 times)
3. Good traction on hot days.
5. low noise and good comfort
6. very little wear
7. They just sort of fade into the background and never do anything wrong.
8. track nice and true (don't follow the ruts in a bad road)
Note: Not a track tire but nice and stable over 140 mph..................so I have heard.
1. Good traction in the cold (below 30) I drive to work about 37 miles one way when it's not raining.
2. Good traction when I got caught in afternoon showers (happed 4 times)
3. Good traction on hot days.
5. low noise and good comfort
6. very little wear
7. They just sort of fade into the background and never do anything wrong.
8. track nice and true (don't follow the ruts in a bad road)
Note: Not a track tire but nice and stable over 140 mph..................so I have heard.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 81
Likes: 34
I have found from experiences with tires (from small cars to trucks and SUVs):
Michelin in most cases makes the best tires in their category, but you pay the price.
Continental is almost as good as Michelins, but cheaper.
I have no personal experience with Kumho's, but have had several people tell me they liked them and they lasted long for them. I decided to give them a try for several reasons:
The UTQG rating - This is the closest thing to an industry standard on tread life on the tires (more so than the warranty). It's as high as the Continental and Michelin.
The speed rating is much lower than the high performance tires, but I will not be autocrossing, driving high speeds, so this didn't matter to me, as I doubt I ever get over 85 mph at any time.
Price - I originally was just going to replace my rear tires, but for the price, I went ahead and replaced all 4 tires that matched. Of course, the other issue is that there was summer tires up front, and while it rarely gets below 45 here is SE Louisiana, I don't want to be limited to not driving it if I want to in cold weather.
My guess is that if you drive your Vette aggressively or track it, you should stay away from the Kumho's. But if you use your Vette as a cruiser, then you will enjoy them.
Michelin in most cases makes the best tires in their category, but you pay the price.
Continental is almost as good as Michelins, but cheaper.
I have no personal experience with Kumho's, but have had several people tell me they liked them and they lasted long for them. I decided to give them a try for several reasons:
The UTQG rating - This is the closest thing to an industry standard on tread life on the tires (more so than the warranty). It's as high as the Continental and Michelin.
The speed rating is much lower than the high performance tires, but I will not be autocrossing, driving high speeds, so this didn't matter to me, as I doubt I ever get over 85 mph at any time.
Price - I originally was just going to replace my rear tires, but for the price, I went ahead and replaced all 4 tires that matched. Of course, the other issue is that there was summer tires up front, and while it rarely gets below 45 here is SE Louisiana, I don't want to be limited to not driving it if I want to in cold weather.
My guess is that if you drive your Vette aggressively or track it, you should stay away from the Kumho's. But if you use your Vette as a cruiser, then you will enjoy them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
I have been burning rear Kumhos for 3 yrs, going in to 4th in April or so.. sure they are getting skinny, down to 4-32s a little slippery on cold days until warmed up
a bit.. not sure I will get the full yr out of them. i like a little aggressive on the back roads. they have held up good for me. And they are priced much cheaper than others.
JMO
a bit.. not sure I will get the full yr out of them. i like a little aggressive on the back roads. they have held up good for me. And they are priced much cheaper than others.
JMO
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 32
Likes: 6
I have been burning rear Kumhos for 3 yrs, going in to 4th in April or so.. sure they are getting skinny, down to 4-32s a little slippery on cold days until warmed up
a bit.. not sure I will get the full yr out of them. i like a little aggressive on the back roads. they have held up good for me. And they are priced much cheaper than others.
JMO
a bit.. not sure I will get the full yr out of them. i like a little aggressive on the back roads. they have held up good for me. And they are priced much cheaper than others.
JMO
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Have had Kumho tires before, but not on a Corvette. They performed well and lasted quite a while.