My New Semi-track tyres

[GTO]

I recently fitted some new tyres, Kuhmo KU-15 MX 225/45/17 on my wagon.
Traction AA, temperature A, Tread wear 220, $240 a corner fitted.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/xdr01/WRX/tyre.jpg

Next to my old Potenza GIII
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/xdr01/WRX/side.jpg

Mounted on the car
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/xdr01/WRX/b-34-2.jpg

note slight neg camber at front as well
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/xdr01/WRX/b-34.jpg


Just wanted people to know about these tyres, I don’t imagine as high grip as Falkins RT-615 or Bridgestone RE070 (OEM STi tyre). But it has its own merits.

I can compare to my OEM Bridgestone’s (Potenza GIII) (only other tyre I had on my rex so far), after 500KM. I picked these over the RT-615 mainly due to their known good wet weather traction. Hydroplaning resistance is important since I drive late at night often on highways and something like RT215s are out of the question for me.

Had a spirited run with these on some twisties and the grip level is amazing, turn in is great also. Real solid walls they don’t really flex, I haven’t taken to near the grip level yet, something I’ll note next track day when I can go past the limits of the tyre.

The most impressive feature is its wet weather traction, they really are an awesome water spreader, feels like I’m driving a heavy 4x4 in the wet over standing water, great response. I drove in that freak torrential downpour on Saturday, open throttle through nothing but standing water on the freeway and still felt the road through corners. It didn’t step out, funny enough had more grip in torrential rain through standing water then my overcooked worn Bridgestones in the dry!

Tramlining, not much more then my Bridgestones I’d say but I am running 225 now vs 215.

Pros
- Awesome dry weather traction
- Awesome wet weather traction
- $240 (AUS) a corner fitted, good price.

Cons
- Noise, not noisy to cause vibration but is nosier than my OEM Bridgestones but I’m running a stock MY03 (very quiet).

Unfortunately these tyres are in short supply but Kumho Australian will bring make more and re release them soon. Tyrepower Australian were able to find a set for me in stock had to wait a few days but its ok.

Though it might interest some people to this alternative tyre. I think this would be a great hill climb tyre de to their great overall traction from my experience driving twisties.

Cheers

[ae86_16v]

Wow, that is kind of expensive isn't it? I think that is 180 per corner US Dollars? I've personally never used Kuhmos before, but I know a lot of people used to use them for Auto-cross, one of the things was that it used to offered a very good bang for the buck tire.

[GTO]

@dani_d_mas, I relaly wouldnt unless you have them on second set of rims, aint worth it IMO

@ae86_16v, quite cheap acutally for here. The OEM Sti tyre is $320 and Perrilli P zero nero are over $450!!!!!

So yeah Kuhmo are still bang for your buck, great tyre IMO

What tyres you go with?

[sikx5]

That is a great price there GTO, I was looking through the Kuhmo range, but i did not know what to choose, its a huge variety, I will keep an eye out for these tyres next time. Thanks for the review. Is $240 a corner the cheapest price you found? Do they come in a 40 profile?

Another option to this is the Falken azenis st-115, heard mixed reviews, most people agreed they are great, and wear away quick up to about 50% tread left, then the tyre gets extremley hard and takes quite a while to wear away...


I just bought some tyres for my car, they are Firenza ST-03, made by Falken, made in Japan, Suppousdley good...Will find out soon, they were $210 a corner. Here is a link about them: http://www.stamfordtyres.com/tpl/products_firenza.html

I bought them in 215/40/17's. My new white speedline 6 spoke, one piece magnesium rims arrive this week. So i will put them and give post up my thoughts.

Cheers
Shane


EDIT: I did price up some Pzero Nero's for my car, they are insanely expensive, at $345 a corner, in 215/40/17"..but i guess there quality though.

[GTO]

Yep available in 215/40R17 and yeah $240 was the best I can get here in Sydney. Good price for a Ultra high performance tyre IMO

St-115’s are good but mainly a street tyre, I really needed something that can take a lot of abuse. I think Falken RT-615s are great might give them a go later on if the reviews are good. My brother has the new Falken FK-512 on his MR2, look the business, great grip, see how they go.

Pzero, yeah fken expensive apprently they're good but not great for the price you pay, considering the OEM tyre (Bridgestone RE070) for the STi is $320, these are great tyres.

Those Firenza look interesting and heard they are good bang for your buck tyre. Again I need thick shoulders on the tyres that only the 3 tyres I’ve mentioned have!

Mate post some pics up when you get them fitted, speedline 6 spoke sound the business.

Cheers
Cody

[ae86_16v]

@dani_d_mas, I relaly wouldnt unless you have them on second set of rims, aint worth it IMO

@ae86_16v, quite cheap acutally for here. The OEM Sti tyre is $320 and Perrilli P zero nero are over $450!!!!!

So yeah Kuhmo are still bang for your buck, great tyre IMO

What tyres you go with?

Right now, I am using Yokohamas ES100 on the M3. They suck, super cheap here in America, about $125 a tire with 240 treadwear. But it doesn't feel as sticky as 240.

I think I might go look for some Michelin or Bridgestones next time. I remember the Dunlop SP9000s used to be really good, but I don't think they make that anymore.

[jakaracman]

I recently fitted some new tyres, Kuhmo KU-15 MX 225/45/17 on my wagon.
Traction AA, temperature A, Tread wear 220, $240 a corner fitted.Just wanted people to know about these tyres, I don’t imagine as high grip as Falkins RT-615 or Bridgestone RE070 (OEM STi tyre). But it has its own merits.

One of them will probably be that they would last more than 3-4 thousand km's ... That's how much OEM Potenzas 070 last on an STI ...

[GTO]

I recently fitted some new tyres, Kuhmo KU-15 MX 225/45/17 on my wagon.
Traction AA, temperature A, Tread wear 220, $240 a corner fitted.Just wanted people to know about these tyres, I don’t imagine as high grip as Falkins RT-615 or Bridgestone RE070 (OEM STi tyre). But it has its own merits.

One of them will probably be that they would last more than 3-4 thousand km's ... That's how much OEM Potenzas 070 last on an STI ...
Doing track work definatly yes, you'd expect that with most street tyres though, R spec tyres be the go if your doing track regualy. Might get 20,000 with majority street and the odd track day, they stack up ok for a weekend warrior like myself.

Hey jakaracman, what type of tyres you use and for what apllications? I imagne a drift tyre be very diffrent spec R tyre?

[GTO]

@dani_d_mas, I relaly wouldnt unless you have them on second set of rims, aint worth it IMO

@ae86_16v, quite cheap acutally for here. The OEM Sti tyre is $320 and Perrilli P zero nero are over $450!!!!!

So yeah Kuhmo are still bang for your buck, great tyre IMO

What tyres you go with?

Right now, I am using Yokohamas ES100 on the M3. They suck, super cheap here in America, about $125 a tire with 240 treadwear. But it doesn't feel as sticky as 240.

I think I might go look for some Michelin or Bridgestones next time. I remember the Dunlop SP9000s used to be really good, but I don't think they make that anymore.
Yokohamas are suppose to be good? Might be because they have a US plant and the Jap spec differs in quality.

Bridgestones are good, I had the GIII potenzas, they were ok, S03's supposed to be better.

Dunlop SP9000s, still out, look good too
http://www.dunloptire.com/catalog/performance.html

[SPEEDCORE]

MY OEM's lasted 50000km with 2 nails in them hahaha. I then changed to Toyo's and they have been great.

[ae86_16v]

@dani_d_mas, I relaly wouldnt unless you have them on second set of rims, aint worth it IMO

@ae86_16v, quite cheap acutally for here. The OEM Sti tyre is $320 and Perrilli P zero nero are over $450!!!!!

So yeah Kuhmo are still bang for your buck, great tyre IMO

What tyres you go with?

Right now, I am using Yokohamas ES100 on the M3. They suck, super cheap here in America, about $125 a tire with 240 treadwear. But it doesn't feel as sticky as 240.

I think I might go look for some Michelin or Bridgestones next time. I remember the Dunlop SP9000s used to be really good, but I don't think they make that anymore.
Yokohamas are suppose to be good? Might be because they have a US plant and the Jap spec differs in quality.

Bridgestones are good, I had the GIII potenzas, they were ok, S03's supposed to be better.

Dunlop SP9000s, still out, look good too
http://www.dunloptire.com/catalog/performance.html

Not necessarily good, but definitely cheap. But I don't like them. A lot of people said they are great, but I don't think they are sticky enough.

[jakaracman]

GTO, i do not own an impreza (I just drive them more than occasionally). However, I have a few friends that do and that mileage is street (not slow, though) use ... I once destroyed aset of much harder (and longer lasting) tires in 20 laps on track ... Depends on driving style and track surface, though.
Most guys use 030 potenzas foe everyday use and I have found Kumho and Marshall tires nice for drifting ...
I drove an 2006 STI on track a few days ago (using street potenzas, not the OEMs) and the tires (I was not he only driver) laste quite OK, I gues about 50 laps at leat (although not many people drove really fast) ...