I've heard some stories about Kumho tires being out-of-round and difficult to balance. Let's get to the bottom of this. Vote now and put your comments in this thread.

 

I'd buy 'em again. I don't have them on my Maxima, but on my '91 Accord EX with 16" Sport Edition Fox 2 rims. No problems balancing, they're quiet, sticky, blah blah blah.

I LOVE THEM.

 

Good point, Concorde. AFAIC, anyone with previous experience running Kumho tires should vote.

 

my previous wheels were OEM 16's and the 712s were difficult to balance past 70mph at first. Another visit or two got all the vibs out up to 90+. I really loved the tires tho. Very sticky, quiet, and great in the rain.

my bro's SHO, just got a new set of 712's in 17", cannot get all the vibes out. Loves the tire tho.

Talked to two other max owners (aftermarket rims /712's 17 and 18") both complained about the vibes, but loved the tire itself.

I really dont think I've talked to anyone with a 'true' set of Kumhos, nor anyone who didnt like them. go figure.

Love/hate tire... perfect for the max

 

That's why I set the poll up the way I did, Tim. The cutting edge is whether or not those who currently own or have owned Kumhos would buy another set of them. Of those who have voted so far, most would.

 

I had a set in the 235-45-17 size. Great wet/dry tire but horrible snow tire. Never experienced any balancing problems. And these are on non-hubcentric Mustang wheels.

 

I only got my Supra 712s because Perelli didn't make the size I wanted, and the Michelin P/S were $260.00 each.
Not very happen with Kumho. I think that is Korean for Sucky-Tyre!!!

Budget: I suppose they are fine for the street, though...


ADMAN

 

I have a 2003 SE so don't need new tires yet but I did put Kumho 712s on my wife's Saab. There was a balance problem with them that took 2 trips to correct. I recently took them off to put the winter tires/rims on and found the tread wear to be higher than I expected. We don't think that the wet weather performance is very good. Dry weather performance is excellent though.
I don't think I would buy Kumho's again.
Bruce B
2003 SE - 6 spd, TE, HLSD, ME, LP, all smiles so far

 

A few weeks ago when it was raining, I tried to spin the tires to see how they would grip the road and I had no traction at all. I just spun, until I let off. When I first got the tires a year ago, I did not have this problem. The front tires have plenty of thread too. Maybe I just got a bad set or something, because I noticed that these don't grip as well as the rear ones (had tires rotated). I wouldn't call them quiet and if I was looking for another set of tires, I will be looking elsewhere; but I am not saying I wouldn't buy Kuhmo tires ever again. Oh and I don't recall any balancing problems. Not a bad tire for the price.

 

I had 712s on my max and could never get the vibrations out. I just opted for a set of Falken's (I've had 3 previous sets and loved them) and I still have vibes although now I've been told I have a bent rim after paying $100 for a 140mph on-car balance job. So, I'm not really sure the vibes were caused by the Kumho's except that I bought them with the rims new (17" 2k2 Altima rims). I am now wondering if the rims were shipped defective. I guess I'm doomed to have vibrations. I'm going to get the rim fixed next week and if I still have vibes I'm going to shoot myself.

 

I had them on my last max, 225/50ZR16. I didn't really like them, they were an OK tire, but they just didn't feel steady to me. I had no problem lighting them up when dry, and forget about it when wet. I did drive them in the snow a couple times, and the traction was bad, but manageable. Like I said, they were OK, but I don't think I would get them again. my $.02.

 

Interesting. Current poll results indicate that about half of those who own or owned Kumhos would purchase them again while half would not. That doesn't speak too highly of a tire whose reputation as best "bang for the buck" was bandied around the Org for quite some time. I wonder if Kumho's quality control has worsened recently.

 

yeah, I asked around after getting my set. Everyone said "oh yeah.. I had a little vibe too..." Sheesh, why not mention that back when I asked about the tire? Its such a value, I suspect everyone minimizes that problem.

 

Hmmmmm. I wonder how much a tire's value should be discounted for "a little vibe"? Well the results of this poll aren't exactly raising my confidence in Kumho tires. And I just can't justify spending the money on Pilot Sport A/S's living in So. Cal. So unless I opt for wider rims or out-of-spec tires on my OEM rims (perish the thought!), I might have to settle for Nitto 450s. Granted they're not the best performance tires out there by a long shot. But my wife has them on her 2K GXE Automagic and so far, so good. Thank goodness I live in a dry climate!

 

Nope, cheap tire. I'm never buying cheap tires again.
I had the 712's - one day on the highway I had to brake hard and they were instantly ruined (cupped and got out of round). With the Pilot A/S's I have now, I've braked harder and have really pushed them. They remain perfectly balanced, perfectly round, and practically new as fas as wear.

 

One thing about Kumho is it is a North Korean product, and if anyone is keeping up with the news, North Korea has reactivated its nuclear weapons program and has military in the UN mandated demilitarized zone. One of the suspected chemical research laboratories for nuclear weapons is in the city of Kumho. I'm not saying boycott Kumho Tires, but if at possible go American.


Jesse

 

I knew Kumho was Korean but I didn't know it was North Korean. Are you sure?

 

i dont think i would buy them again
they were descent on dry and wet pavement, but totally worthless in any snow .. they vibrated and the tread wore down way too quick ... i have potenza 950 now and i think they are a lot better.

 

Kumho is located in South Korea. For more information, look here:

http://www.kumhousa.com/pages/kumhohistory.htm

 

Today I had to brake really hard, cause I was going to fast to make my turn, and the car slid fowardbefore I was able to turn. My godness these tires don't have anymore grip, but they have plenty of thread. Maybe that is why I am having trouble lowering my 60 fts. Anyways I think I am going to look elsewhere for new tires. I don't think I will be buying Kuhmos anymore.

 

Hell no...garbage *** tire

I spin out horribly when I put some gas on it and in the middle of first gear at only 7psi

hello SpecII or S03

 

Kuhmo 712's are difficult to balance, very noisy, and wear quickly. I will not be buying them again any time soon. They are complete crap. You get what you pay for.