KDW2 vs Nitto Invo?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: KINGS PARK NY
I have a set of KDW2s & I am thoroughly pleased as a performance tire. It is my understanding the INVOS are more of a touring/perf tire, but have no experience w/ them. I have 450+rwhp & they hook better than the GYSCRFs w/ stock motor. I have taken them to the dragstrip & made 12-15 pass w/ burnouts on each & showed no ill effects, nothing remotely resembling whatever happened to the tires in the picture in this post. These tires are night & day better than the GYSCRFs grip, ride, cornering everywhere. People also say they're noisy, I'm not buyin it, still a lot quieter the RFs. I did a lot of research before I bought them & I would by them again at less $1100 door to door from TireRack.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 988
Likes: 4
From: Livermore CA
I have run them both, the Nitto Invos have a feel and traction like a Michelin Pilot Sport 2, softer sidewall, lively tire with predictable grip. The Nittos are quiet also. The KDWs are noisy, have a stiff dead feeling, a little less traction than the Nittos but when they break loose they give much less warning. My opinion is the the compound and construction of the KDW is more suited to a heavier muscle car or truck than the Corvette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
St. Jude Donor '08
I have the KDW2's and love them. I have over 2k miles on them and countless burnouts and they look as good as the day I bought them. Traction is incredible and their is no noise. There are a lot of negative threads about these tires and I just don't understand it. Maybe they make them in multiple plants and I got a rare "good" set?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 580
Likes: 77
From: Northville MI
Invo's s. KDW2's
I've read a lot of interesting comments on this post. I have the KDW2's in 275/35-18 & 295/35-19. When I first put them on I thought they were noisier that the GY run-flats they replaced. After driving on them for a while in warmer weather, I no longer think they're noisy. The ride and handling is significantly better than with the GY's. When I thought they were noisy, I almost sold them as I was going to purchase a set of the Nitto Invo's with 305's for the rear. I subsequently talked my self out of it because I would lose an inch or more by going with a 30 series tire. Since lowering my car to compensate for the larger gap between the tire and wheel opening wasn't an option for me, I elected to stay with the KDW's. Now that I've had an opportunity to "get acquainted" with them, I think they're great tires. I don't track or drag race my car so I'm not in a position to comment on thier abilities in that respect. Beyond that, I think they're great tires for the money and in my opinion, look good too.
Last edited by 10mikeymike; May 7, 2008 at 04:14 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 995
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Beach VA
I just don't notice the noise, I can tell different noise from differing pavements, but nothing obtrusive. Now my car is loud Kooks, hi-flow cats, 3" pipes to Flowmasters, which I'm changing to NPP so I can run quiet, but there still in the boxes & I'm racing this weekend so they're not going on. Maybe w/ a stock motor & exhaust the "noise" is
noticeable, but I assure you it's not on mine. I be hard pressed to believe something in a street tire hooks better.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 1
From: Union City CA
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 48,557
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09
I run KDW2 on my Z06 and they hook great even in cold weather. I've driven as low as 31°F. I certainly don't miss the rear end kicking out everytime I shift hard like the stock supercars did.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 988
Likes: 4
From: Livermore CA
I have the KDW2's and love them. I have over 2k miles on them and countless burnouts and they look as good as the day I bought them. Traction is incredible and their is no noise. There are a lot of negative threads about these tires and I just don't understand it. Maybe they make them in multiple plants and I got a rare "good" set?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: KINGS PARK NY
I just don't notice the noise, I can tell different noise from differing pavements, but nothing obtrusive. Now my car is loud Kooks, hi-flow cats, 3" pipes to Flowmasters, which I'm changing to NPP so I can run quiet, but there still in the boxes & I'm racing this weekend so they're not going on. Maybe w/ a stock motor & exhaust the "noise" is
noticeable, but I assure you it's not on mine. I be hard pressed to believe something in a street tire hooks better.
noticeable, but I assure you it's not on mine. I be hard pressed to believe something in a street tire hooks better.
LOL that why you dont notice it LOL...I love the tires, have headers and a procharger, so traction is better than others I have tried, but still no good for my RWHP..... but I have stock cat-backs and the tires are VERY noisy, between them on the front and the BFG drags on the back, I am thinking of doing cat backs, just so I dont hear it LMAO
Last edited by Dgatto; May 8, 2008 at 10:43 AM. Reason: mistype
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 318
Likes: 6
From: Alpharetta GA
bump!
I am also interested in hearing about this, going to chose one or the other in the next week or so. I have B&B Bullets on my car now, and was wondering if the KDWs will make more noise then my exhaust when driving on the highway? or do i have to worry about it? I like the bigger sized kdw but i dont think i can handle anymore noise in my car, as is i am already considering switching fusion.
Thanks for any help
I am also interested in hearing about this, going to chose one or the other in the next week or so. I have B&B Bullets on my car now, and was wondering if the KDWs will make more noise then my exhaust when driving on the highway? or do i have to worry about it? I like the bigger sized kdw but i dont think i can handle anymore noise in my car, as is i am already considering switching fusion.
Thanks for any help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
I have the KDW's and have not been terribly impressed with them. They handle well and look great but IMO traction is not as good as the Kumho MX's I had on my blown C5. I have always noticed that only every other tread picks up dust/dirt when I park it no matter what pressure I run them at. It's weird. I wish I had a picture. It has always given me an uneasy feeling. When they wear out I'm almost certainly going with the Invo's. I think everyone agrees that traction is better with the Invo's but I haven't heard much about handling or lifespan.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
I have the KDW's and have not been terribly impressed with them. They handle well and look great but IMO traction is not as good as the Kumho MX's I had on my blown C5. I have always noticed that only every other tread picks up dust/dirt when I park it no matter what pressure I run them at. It's weird. I wish I had a picture. It has always given me an uneasy feeling. When they wear out I'm almost certainly going with the Invo's. I think everyone agrees that traction is better with the Invo's but I haven't heard much about handling or lifespan.
Also, the kdw is an better made tire than the nitto is it not?
I am about to get tires in the next week... and am thoroughly confused on which to go with.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: albany or
Kdw's are decent tires but are noisier than invo's IMO. I think the KDW's have a cooler looking tread pattern.
I mean you get used to it having kdw's on my mustang and invo's on my vett it is pretty noticible going from one car to the other on noise level. I think the kdw's pick up the grooves and tramline a bit worse as well.
For the money I think invo's are the best choice right now. If you up your budget then most people will vote for the PS2's as the best overall but I do too much normal drving and to many burnouts to justify the cost of the PS2's
the main question on the invo's will be lifespan as they are new enough only time will tell. There in nothing amazingly impressive about the kdw-2's lifespan though so not really a big factor. I have heard some complain about handling but it has all been second hand from someone who read an internet review which carries no wieght to me. I think they handle good enough. I don't have enough seat time in my vett to drive it to the ragged edge yet.
I mean you get used to it having kdw's on my mustang and invo's on my vett it is pretty noticible going from one car to the other on noise level. I think the kdw's pick up the grooves and tramline a bit worse as well.
For the money I think invo's are the best choice right now. If you up your budget then most people will vote for the PS2's as the best overall but I do too much normal drving and to many burnouts to justify the cost of the PS2's
the main question on the invo's will be lifespan as they are new enough only time will tell. There in nothing amazingly impressive about the kdw-2's lifespan though so not really a big factor. I have heard some complain about handling but it has all been second hand from someone who read an internet review which carries no wieght to me. I think they handle good enough. I don't have enough seat time in my vett to drive it to the ragged edge yet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville Tx
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 1
From: Union City CA
After I posted the thread and read all the information, I decided to purchase the Invo and is really happy with them. The grap is great. Much better than the stock (my only comparsion) run-flats.
