Kumho Ecsta Experience?

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

I agree that 600 sounds crazy-hard, but from the description it sounds like they use engineered sipes to improve traction.

I'm skeptical, which is why I asked. They seem to have good reviews, of course I'm guessing most reviews come from lower profile versions like Ozzie Goat's.

Size: 225/60R15
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 96V
UTQG: 600 A A

The Ecsta LX Platinum (KU27) is Kumho's Grand Touring All-Season tire developed to meet the needs of sporty coupe and luxury performance sedan drivers. It is designed to blend responsive handling, long wear and a quiet ride with year-round traction including in light snow.

Kumho molds their advanced all-season tread compound into the Ecsta LX Platinum radial's asymmetric tread design where three different types of sipes are used to enhance all-season traction. Outboard shoulder and intermediate tread block sipes terminate in stress relief dimples to help the sipe openings blend straight-line snow traction with lateral grip. Straight sipes are used for the middle blocks while waffle design sipes are used on the inboard intermediate and shoulder tread blocks to blend dry-road stability with all-season traction. The internal structure of Ecsta LX Platinum tires feature twin steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped nylon cord on top of a polyester cord casing to combine high-speed durability with ride quality.

SIZE UTQG MAX.LOAD MAX. INFL. PRESS. TREAD DEPTH TIRE WEIGHT
225/60R15 96V SL 600 A A 1,565 lbs. 51 psi 10.5/32" 25 lbs.

RIM WIDTH RANGE MEAS. RIM WIDTH SECT. WIDTH TREAD WIDTH OVERALL DIAM. REVS. PER MILE COO*
6-8" 6.5" 8.8" NA 25.6" 811 KR

Below is a comparison between the Ecsta and BFG. The Ecsta is not outstanding by a long shot, but is quite a bit better than the BFG. The question is how it compares to the Cooper Cobra, Thompson S/T or S/R, and Pirelli P600?

Gotta love owner reviews. The Kumho scores higher across the board - yet owners give it a lower score on the 'Would you recommend?' question. Huh?

[dallas_]

my 2 cents is for a cobra, get some sticky tires. Seriously. Hard tires are dangerous on these things.

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by dallas_

my 2 cents is for a cobra, get some sticky tires. Seriously. Hard tires are dangerous on these things.

I'm in. Here are the choices:
Cooper Cobra/Mickey Thompson S/T--reports that they're great, reports that they're not up to the task--S rating concerns me?
Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum is V rated. Reports they're great, reports they're hard. 400 treadwear.?
Mickey Thompson SR--reports that they're great. reports that they're hard--H rated gives me a warmer fuzzy, but only for show?
Avons--rave reviews, local installation $2400/set for 1-2 seasons. Treadwear 80?
Pirellis--W rated, no reviews, treadwear 180?
Billboards?

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

Gotta love owner reviews. The Kumho scores higher across the board - yet owners give it a lower score on the 'Would you recommend?' question. Huh?

Yeah, I noticed that.

Again, I'm skeptical. Several years ago I got all excited about getting a set of Bridgestone Pole Positions based on Tire Rack rave reviews (and more than a handful of them--maybe 700?). I bought them and they sucked--wore fast, were loud, and did not have good rain or snow traction--contrary to the pre-purchase reviews. Well after moving back to Michelin, I checked the reviews on the Pole Positions again and they'd dropped at least a point across the board.

I'm starting believe you pay your money...