A Challenger to the DD Summer Tire Debate Emerges...

The Kumho PS91

I stumbled upon these after finding out the new Firestone Indy 500's in my size were backordered until the end of September. I needed a new set of tires for my 18x10's before then, and started looking around. Everything was either the wrong size, not soft enough, or too soft. My car isn't going to be a national autocross contender, but it will see a few HPDE days and autocrosses throughout summer. I was hoping to find something between 250tw and 300tw that would make for a good compromise. Drive it hard on the weekends, drive it to work during the week.

Then I found the Kumhos. They're perfect, the right size (with more on the way), the right stickyness (260tw), and the right road manners. They're very, very quiet for an aggressive summer tire, and roll very very well with no tramlining despite having 275's all around.

From what I can gather, they're brand new as of a few months ago. My tires have a production date of March 2016. I suspect the compound is new, which bodes well for the technology in them. They're billed as a (cheaper) competitor to the Michelin Pilot Sport line, and I think they're going to be a perfect fit for DD duty in the summer.

Gratuitous photos of my Moosetang for fun:

Has anyone else used these? Curious if anyone has a few more miles on them than me.

18's and up only, blah! Where'd all the good 17" stuff go?!?

Dry and damp traction might well be in the awesome range, but I'm guessing, based on the tread design, that hydroplaning resistance will be somewhere between sketchy and nill. I am interested in these tires. Do please give us a report on how they handle standing water.

I've got nothing other then loving the checkered flag wear indicator.

WildScotsRacing wrote: Dry and damp traction might well be in the awesome range, but I'm guessing, based on the tread design, that hydroplaning resistance will be somewhere between sketchy and nill. I am interested in these tires. Do please give us a report on how they handle standing water.

They look like they've got only slightly less water clearing ability than the summers I've got on the Jeep at the moment. And I have yet to get more than the slightest hint of hydroplaning out of them, even when puddles at highway speed are involved.

They look like this:

I noticed those recently too. They look like an excellent option. Tire Rack's tests show them just a tick or two behind the PSS for a good price.

Those aren't a direct competitor to the UHP Firestone Indy 500s, that's the job of the Khumo PS31, albeit based on tire rack test results, the Firestones appear to split the performance delta between the Max performance and UHP Kumhos.

Plus there is a $75 rebate on these tires at Tire Rack. Maybe other locations also

And none of the above mentioned tires, save the PS31 (meh) come in 15 inch sizes yet. Bastages.

I'm running the same size on my 05 Mustang and currently running Potenzas. I'm happy so far but this looks like a good alternative when it comes time to replace them. I'll be interested to hear your experiences in the rain - I agree they look awfully slick.

WildScotsRacing wrote: Dry and damp traction might well be in the awesome range, but I'm guessing, based on the tread design, that hydroplaning resistance will be somewhere between sketchy and nill. I am interested in these tires. Do please give us a report on how they handle standing water.

Curious why you say that. They look quite similar to the Conti DW, which is the dominant street tire in the rain.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DW&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=25WR6ECDW&tab=Sizes

ProDarwin wrote: Curious why you say that. They look quite similar to the Conti DW, which is *the* dominant street tire in the rain.

Agreed. And considering the number of people I know that DD on Star Specs and other 200TW tires, I doubt it's much of an issue. Even with those, the only complaints I've heard are that hitting puddles at 70 is bad.

ProDarwin wrote:

WildScotsRacing wrote: Dry and damp traction might well be in the awesome range, but I'm guessing, based on the tread design, that hydroplaning resistance will be somewhere between sketchy and nill. I am interested in these tires. Do please give us a report on how they handle standing water.

Curious why you say that. They look quite similar to the Conti DW, which is *the* dominant street tire in the rain. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DW&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=25WR6ECDW&tab=Sizes

And the DeeDubs aren't made in 15 inch...

500+ mile update:

Still a very solid option. No tramlining even with the 275's in front, which is impressive. Gobs of grip for a UHP tire, it's no RE71R...but it's not a slouch.

No rain information as CO decided it didn't like to be wet. Overall, I'm super happy with them.