according to tire rack survey data .. the sumitomo's handle a little better for basically the same price.

it appears as much when u consider the thread pattern and thread life rating. 280 vs 220. the sumitomos being the latter.

just wondering if anyone had any experiences betwen the 2. i'm looking for the 'best bang for buck'. cant really afford a whole set of avs sports after every 3 or so track events.


sumitomos - notice the bigger chunks
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/images/sumitomo/su_hrtz_ii.jpg">

kumhos
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/images/kumho/ku_712.jpg">

tia.

...between different manufacturers cannot be compared. One manufacturers "280" may give the same tread life as another manufacturers "340".

Sumitomo probably borrowed that tread pattern with authorization from Goodyear. Tread pattern resembles the original Aquatread. Both companies have "limited partnerships" to sell in local markets they would not otherwise compete in. (Yet don't compete against each other in same market)

i have had the sumi's for about 25k miles now i think. i love them. people used to complain that when they got older they got noisy, but mine are still silent. they grip pretty good. in the rain they are awesome, and even are much much better than my stock M&S's in the snow...

i have abused them at numerous auto x's, often with multiple driver's. they get greasy when they get hot, but still perform pretty good. and my tires still so much tread left! i have no idea when they are going to die...but i thought they would wear much faster than this, but they don't. they still have like 70 percent of the original tread left.

although i do have to admit, most of my miles are highway.

I really like them, especially for the money =)

205 50 15 on lightweight (but cast) Rota C8 wheels.

I got them to replace SP 9000, and they aren't $60/tire worse, hehe.

When my SP 8000 on the Audi are all done, I'll prob get Kumhos to replace them...

A lot of Honda guys have good experiences, and for this price point, they are a great deal. No experience with the sumitomo though.

BTW, my Honda references are actual racers/enthusiasts that participate in Autox (soloII) or road course events, not KidZ with light uP windshield nozzles, lol.

Take care,

FB

Only time I loose racing G-Stock is when someone runs slicks. The Sumo's kick ass for the price.

Later.

Troy