Mike,
I guess the biggest difference between the Kumhos and the Michelins is how they lose traction.
The Kumho track tires don't make any noise (at least not that I can hear
) and let go gradually. Gradually means that I have a chance to do something to correct an impending spin, such as a small change in throttle position or steering wheel position. This results in my being able to (more or less) control the car in a 90% or more situation.
Not so with the Michelins - they let loose suddenly and without any warning - and turn an otherwise peaceful world into what I think of as "blender view" AKA a "snap spin." Similar to being inside a blender when it unexpectedly is switched on. It is ten times more difficult to recover from that situation. Sometimes I don't
I'm still looking for a streetable tire that behaves more like a track tire which is why I'm looking at things like the Kumho XS or the Nitto NT05 or whatever the equivalent Toyo might be.
Drag radials are fine in a straight line, but they scare the cr?p out of me in turns due to their extreme sidewall flexibility; the very thing that makes them good for drag racing makes them very poor for a road course.
Let us know if you find any grand tires!
Tom