[quicksilver]

Does anyone have any experience with the Kumho 712 or Falken Azenis? On paper, the Falkens look like they would handle slightly better but at the expense of wear. Also, they look like they would be a little dangerous in the wet. Or maybe not?? C'mon and give me some feedback!!

-Mike

 

[Pilot]

Mike,

What are you really looking for in a tire?

Performance?
Longevity?
Price?

Those are the basics.

I need details man.

-Drew

Still the tire slut

 

[Guest]

Do you ever drive in rain? Lots of people up here who have had the Kuhmo Ecsta 712s have proclaimed them to be the worst tire they have ever bought. Absolutely worthless in the wet.

 

[KillerTHC]

i have had the kuhmos for like 5k miles and have attempted some twisties in the rain and all i can say is that they blow goats. they do allow for some cool drifting and sliding, but you don't want that in every turn. so if you live in the wet, don't get the Kuhmos. also, on dry they are ok at best.

 

[Wedge]

Khumos In Wet Bad?

So what IS a good tire for the wet. And please don't say the RE-92's :lol:

 

[quicksilver]

I'm looking for a tire that has ultimate dry performance that must last 10k and be at least marginally driveable in the wet. My favorite tire in the past has been the Kumho V700. I know that is an R compound tire and I might get these again, but the tread wears of quickly even though the tire is only halfway worn. I don't mind pulling off the road for heavy rain, but I need something that I can drive on in light showers. I'd like to keep the price under $130 per tire.

-Mike

 

[Guest]

A lot of us up on the Seattle area are running Dunlop Sport SP5000s. I love them. They seem to do everything the RE-92 does, only way better. I have TRIED to do doughnuts on wet blacktop, and failed. I just drove around in big squealy circles. I wouldn't suggest running them at speed on gravel roads because they're not as hard as the RE-92.

 

[Pilot]

Cheap
Fast
Reliable

Pick two

What you want doesn'y really exist for the price.

The closest you are going to get is either the Yokohama A032R or the Yokohama AVS Sport. Both of which are more than you want to spend, but have the attributes you are looking for.

 

[Pilot]

Horatio I don't think the SP5000 has anywhere near the performance that Mike is looking for.

 

[Porter]

For an excellent sport tire with very good rain qualities... Bridgestone Potenza RE730

For an excellent sporty all season tire with excellent rain qualities plus very decent treadlife... Bridgestone Potenza RE950 or Pirelli P7000 SuperSport Allseasons. The Pirellis are based on the Monte Carlo rally tire.


Bridgestone Potenza RE730: (awesome tire!)

Bridgestone Potenza RE950: (what I'm using year round)

Pirelli P7000 SS AS: (what I'd be using if I had more money :biggest: )

But ANYWAY.... to answer your search for a great high performance tire with good rain qualities and a decent price....

Bridgestone RE730, Dunlop SP Sport 9000, or BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW.

Enjoy!

 

[jagcars26]

IMHO the SP5000 are crap in the wet.My son has them on his Celica and we dont like em in the wet,they slide like crazy.
Maybe these are a liitle too much dollar wise,but inthe wet(rain)the Bridgestone RE730 is an excellent tire,excellent on dry,good treadwear rating.Only downside is they suck in the snow,even a liitle.They werent desighned fr it anyway.

 

[RS25.com]

I'm sure you saw my post - the RE-730s are just plain weak on snow - non-existent traction. I am using the SP5000's right now and they feel fine for a touring tire. I will try them on an Auto-X sometime and see how they feel compared to the 730's, but for now I like them.

 

[Templar]

From what I understand, the Azenis is flat dangerous with anything more than a light rain on the road. If you are looking for a good all weather performance tire in stock size, I would get the Gforce KDWS.
If you are looking for a tire to use that will not see the snow, the Gforce KDW, the RE730, and the Falken FK-421 are very good tires.

 

[Porter]

the RE-730s are just plain weak on snow - non-existent traction

True, but he's living in Macon, GA... snow is the least of his worries.

 

[Pilot]

You guys have a funny way of answering tire questions.

Mike wants a tire with R compound levels of grip and wet weather traction.

SP5000 is an all-season tire, it is good for it's category but it is going to suck on an autocross the tread blocks just don't have enough stability and the rubber compound can't handle the heat. Chunk city.

The RE-730s are also great for their category but again don't provide the level of grip that Mike is looking for.

Same with the RE950s, although I like these better than the SP5000.

 

[Templar]

Mike wants a tire with R compound levels of grip and wet weather traction.

Then he has a very, very limited selection.

BFGoodrich G Force TA KD

Bridgestone Potenza S-02 Pole position (if he can find em)

Pirelli PZero directionalle

Those are the closest tires I know of to R levels of grip without the super short lifespan on the street. If you don't mind that, pic up a few set of the New Kumho Ecsta v700 R compounds. They will do well on the street, until they wear out, which won't be too long.

 

[quicksilver]

I would love to have the V700's; I used to have them on my daily driven Miata, until a drunk driver took it away from me, but's that's another story. Unfortunately, they don't come in the size I want, either. The Yokohama R tires would be great also, but they aren't being made in any quantity, though. So, I'm left with the BFG KDW, Michelin Pilot Primacy, and the Falken Azenis. These offer nearly the same grip and wet performance, except maybe the Falkens. Thanks for everyone's input and I'll definitely post back when I finally decide and get them put on in the next few weeks.

-Mike

 

[10th Warrior]

i have the SP5000s and have been very happy with them. dry traction is great for an all season. IMO its not too far off the 712, though its hard to be sure since the suspensions of the two cars being compared are quite different. anyway, for not much more than the 712s, you can have a tire that stays on all year (if you live in a cold environment ). its also my understanding that the P7000 SS aren't that great. they were good when they first came out but now other tires (such as the dunlops) have eclipsed them. i've heard they are quite noisy, don't have a lot of grip, and are worthless in the snow. i still don't know how the SP5000s do in the snow due to mother nature being stingy with the white stuff. also, i did auto-x on the dunlops once, just for kicks. keep in mind i just guessed at the pressures. basically, what i found is that they were fun. i ended up fastest G-Stocker on street tires that day (although there was another GS RS that was running RE730s in STS that day and was quicker, but he's always quicker. he took 2nd in STS that day, btw ). i found that if you came into a corner too hot, the tires plowed real bad (this is w/stock suspension mind you) but as long as you were smooth and gave some leway in the braking zones, you could get around quick. granted, i'll be glad to be back on R compounds next season, but just thought i'd share. it does ok, though against a dedicated summer tire, you're going to have a tough time in STS.

 

[Sunrise City Rider]

Listen Up, because I'm only gonna say this once...

Let me tell you right now from experience...The Pirelli P7000 SS are good but cost too much, the Potenza RE 730's are better than the Pirelli's and will fit your budget just fine, they offer good enough grip that any Subie can work with, the Potenza S-02 PP's, you will not find...They are the king of all Street Tires, pound for pound...The S-03's are not as good as the S-02PP's but still represent for Bridgestone very well...The New King of Dry and Wet Weather Traction is the BFGoodrich KDW's but they are out of your price range...The Dunlop SP5000's grip is surpassed by both the Pirelli's and the RE730's...I say go with the Potenza RE730's...They have an aggressive tread pattern that is put to good use whether on the dry or wet pavement, the sidewalls are extremely stiff, the treadwear is extremely strong--taking away from the gumball grip that you'll find on the shorter lifespan S-02 and S-03, and they are in your budget...Luke at Tire Rack will hook you up...If you decide that you want the best, get the BFG KDW's...And thats the Bottom line...Cause Zee said so...:boxer:

Zee

 

[GQ]

You get what ya pay for. For something like $75.00 dollars a piece, the Kumho 712's are an excellent choice. All around they perform very well. I have no experience with the Falken's but am considering giving them a try next time I am in the market for tires. I have had the RE 730's, and would recommend them if you want to spend a few more dollars. I have also had the Sumitomo HTRZ's and they are great on dry pavement but wear quickly...GQ