RobDon's Leon -

[RobDon]

Hankook RS2's are now overshadowed by the new Kumho KU36's IMO, the Kumho's can handle hot temps on track and wet performance is better too, Kumho's are cheaper too!

Michelin's have soft sidewalls and are overpriced, Paradas are rubbish in the wet (so I've read) so they're both out.

 

[brightsideteeem]

And you sold the Vredestiens....

 

[Willie]

Hankook RS2's are now overshadowed by the new Kumho KU36's IMO, the Kumho's can handle hot temps on track and wet performance is better too, Kumho's are cheaper too!

Michelin's have soft sidewalls and are overpriced, Paradas are rubbish in the wet (so I've read) so they're both out.

DanGB was running RS2's on his and couldn't get the power down, stay away from these.

 

[RobDon]

I am more than likely going to go for the Kumho KU36, they are getting very good reviews, are good in the wet and super sticky in the dry, they can handle 205 degrees F on track too. For £117 a tyre I reckon they're worth a go, they will be WAY better than the Falkens that's for sure. They come very close to the new Yokohama Advan AD08 in terms of performance but they are £150 a tyre.

 

[robertj]

Tyre review in EVO this month. The Yokos came 6th, Kumho KU39 came 7th. The top tyre was the Conti Sportcontact 3, 2nd was Uniroyal Rainsport 2 and 3rd was Vredestein Ultrac Cento.
No Goodyears in the test though. (although I swapped out my Assymetrics after 6 months. Thought they were rubbish compared to the now obsolete GSD-3s)

 

[RobDon]

EVO magazine know nothing - lol! If they think a Continental tyre is better than the Yokohama AD08 when the rest of the world thinks otherwise, what does that say. Are you sure they tested the AD08?

I'm not talking about the Kumho KU39 - the KU36 is a totally different tyre.

 

[robertj]

EVO magazine know nothing - lol! If they think a Continental tyre is better than the Yokohama AD08 when the rest of the world thinks otherwise, what does that say. Are you sure they tested the AD08?

I'm not talking about the Kumho KU39 - the KU36 is a totally different tyre.

Ha Ha, I knew that's how you'd react! I thought the same as you, but their test seem fairly scientific. Although the tests were on a rear wheel drive car (MX5).

I know the Kumho was a different tyre. And yes it was the AD08. I've never been a fan of Conti but a lot of cars are coming with them as standard now. Not that that means anything

 

[adam cupra 20vt]

I'm running the contact sport 3's that came top of that review....there an awesome tyre in my opinion, a little soft and expensive tho.

 

[RobDon]

I have no doubt the Goodyear, Conti, Uniroyal, etc. are all pretty good tyres but they are all fairly close to what I already have, I'm looking for a step up to something altogether grippier with stiff sidewalls than can take a beating should I choose to do so.

 

[robertj]

I have no doubt the Goodyear, Conti, Uniroyal, etc. are all pretty good tyres but they are all fairly close to what I already have, I'm looking for a step up to something altogether grippier with stiff sidewalls than can take a beating should I choose to do so.

Maybe asking too much of an allround tyre. I have R888s for the track and GSD3s for the road. (or wet tracks!)

 

[Dangerous Dave]

EVO magazine know nothing - lol! If they think a Continental tyre is better than the Yokohama AD08 when the rest of the world thinks otherwise, what does that say. Are you sure they tested the AD08?

I'm not talking about the Kumho KU39 - the KU36 is a totally different tyre.

The Evo tyre test result is from an average of all the results including wet weather performance if you look at the results the Yokohama AD08 was top of the table for dry weather handling and the road test however very poor in the wet and bottom of the table with Aquaplaning in a curved corner and 2nd bottom in a straight line. The CS3s were very close in the dry and much better in the wet resulting in winning the best all round tyre.

All so worth a note that they picked a very strange tyre size 205/45 r17 resulting in many manufacturers not supplying tyres as they don't produce the performance range in this size the main one being F1s Assymetrics and Michelin Pilot Sports 3 which are suppose to be a good step up from the PS2s.

 

[RobDon]

So a flawed test really by picking an odd size.

There are a raft of interesting tyres out there all around the same price - the Dunlop Sport Maxx TT and GT, Goodyear F1 Assy, Pirelli PZero, Yokohama Parada, Continental Sport contact 3, Vredestein Sessanta ......... it's very hard to choose a new tyre.

Worth noting the new Focus RS comes with the Continental Sport Contact 3 tyre as standard.

 

[robertj]

Worth noting the new Focus RS comes with the Continental Sport Contact 3 tyre as standard.

So maybe the test was pretty accurate after all, finding a good all rounder. A manufacturer is always going to spec a good all round tyre.

Interestingly the Conti came top in the track test and under braking in the wet and the dry. All the other tests it fell firmly in the middle of the table. As you say though, its a pity some of the other highly regarded tyres were left out due to the size. Your decision is still no easier!!

 

[RobDon]

Indeed! I have the money to order better tyres now ... what to go for though?

My biggest priority is outright dry grip.

 

[MrBen2k7]

Indeed! I have the money to order better tyres now ... what to go for though?

My biggest priority is outright dry grip.

Pick the four you like the best, and order one of each, lol

 

[Willie]

Indeed! I have the money to order better tyres now ... what to go for though?

My biggest priority is outright dry grip.

R888's then, wet handling is a compromise but can be driven in monsoon conditions if your careful, I've done this a few times now

 

[George 3G]

Indeed! I have the money to order better tyres now ... what to go for though?

My biggest priority is outright dry grip.

R888s no question then.

Why not get a spare set of wheels for track day purposes only .

 

[RobDon]

R888's and R1R's are way too expensive, not paying £180 a tyre for occassional use, I'd rather go for the Kumho's or AD08's and use them for both road and track, they are both uder £130.

 

[RobDon]

Well I have taken the plunge and ordered 4 of the new Kumho Ecsta KU36! Officially it says:

Designed for SCCA racing that demands high Uniform Tire Quality Grades, this incredible tire delivers unrivaled dry grip with split-second steering response, and its unique footprint is designed to deliver consistent handling performance at high G-forces.

Features:

1. Low void asymmetric tread pattern with circumferential grooving for high cornering grip.

2. Ultra fine carbon black compounding for maximum traction.

3. Ultra wide tread contact with highly rounded shoulders for optimized footprint shape during high lateral loads.

4. Developed for quick autocross warm-up while maintaining race track durability.

5. With a Y speed rating, the tire delivers an optimum run temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit.


£117.70 each from Mytyres (which includes VAT and delivery) seems like a real bargain. We'll see!

Once I've got these tyres fitted and scrubbed in I WILL do Crail and Knockhill again.

 

[Willie]

Well I have taken the plunge and ordered 4 of the new Kumho Ecsta KU36! Officially it says:

Designed for SCCA racing that demands high Uniform Tire Quality Grades, this incredible tire delivers unrivaled dry grip with split-second steering response, and its unique footprint is designed to deliver consistent handling performance at high G-forces.

Features:

1. Low void asymmetric tread pattern with circumferential grooving for high cornering grip.

2. Ultra fine carbon black compounding for maximum traction.

3. Ultra wide tread contact with highly rounded shoulders for optimized footprint shape during high lateral loads.

4. Developed for quick autocross warm-up while maintaining race track durability.

5. With a Y speed rating, the tire delivers an optimum run temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit.


£117.70 each from Mytyres (which includes VAT and delivery) seems like a real bargain. We'll see!

Once I've got these tyres fitted and scrubbed in I WILL do Crail and Knockhill again.

Good news Rob, 14.00 secs to beat now too, as set by DPJ