Another Tire Thread
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Don't know about winter, but I've hear negative things about the KDWs. I think the tread pattern fools people. Both straight line and in corners seems to leave a lot to be desired. Personally, I've had really good luck with Dunlop Duranza DZ101s. They're a little pricey but they really do hook. No word on mileage yet though...they're pretty soft when they get warm.
As I posted above, they are NOT for use in freezing conditions. Period.
I can assure you, the KDW's are a far better tire than the OE. I can pull higher acceleration numbers, deceleration numbers, and lateral numbers with the KDW's over the OE for a fact. In addition, they are far superior with wet traction that it's not even funny. If you've not personally driven some miles with them on your vehicle, I would take what "I've heard negative things about," with a grain of salt.
As I posted above, they are NOT for use in freezing conditions. Period.
As I posted above, they are NOT for use in freezing conditions. Period.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
A totally different tire to consider would be the Kumo Ecsta LX Platinum's. They are available in the stock size and are a good all around tire. I have had them on for about 20k miles and them seem to be wearing pretty good. As expected the fronts are wearing a little bit faster.
I live in upstate NY and driving in the snow part of life atleast 4 months out of the year. I have been very happy with their ability in the snow. No they don't handle as well as a snow tire but again for a year round tire they are good. My wife is the primary driver of the car and I am confident with her driving around in January with my two boys in the car.
If you are looking for great summer handling these aren't the tires. They do squeal rather easily when cornering hard and I don't have the lateral confidence in them that I would with a good set of summer tires.
Overall they are a good all around tire, good wear, and fairly cheap price. $159, and $138 for front and rear's respectively.
I live in upstate NY and driving in the snow part of life atleast 4 months out of the year. I have been very happy with their ability in the snow. No they don't handle as well as a snow tire but again for a year round tire they are good. My wife is the primary driver of the car and I am confident with her driving around in January with my two boys in the car.
If you are looking for great summer handling these aren't the tires. They do squeal rather easily when cornering hard and I don't have the lateral confidence in them that I would with a good set of summer tires.
Overall they are a good all around tire, good wear, and fairly cheap price. $159, and $138 for front and rear's respectively.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
I was comparing them to other performance oriented tires. I guess SCCA racers (both SOLO and several road classes) have no idea what they're talking about. I've even ridden in cars on the Auto-X course with these tires. The drivers all say that they wouldn't use them if BFG didn't sponsor them. They chunk and skip and all sorts of good stuff. As far as tread compound, they felt like my old sumitomos. Extremely hard. Why would I pay more for a tire that doesn't deliver what more economical tires can? Have you looked at tests of the the tire recently? It doesn't even come close to being in the top of its class. I'm not saying it's a bad tire, I'm just saying that money can be better spent with other products, unless you want the most bad *** looking tire in the parking lot.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/TireTestServlettireMakeModel=BFGoodrich_g-Force+T%2FA+KDW+2_1
I actually like my HTRZ III's. They are a vast improvement over any other Sumitomo tire in the past. They are also very cost-effective if you're like my, and beat the absolute **** out of your tires 
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Staging Lane
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland
A totally different tire to consider would be the Kumo Ecsta LX Platinum's. They are available in the stock size and are a good all around tire. I have had them on for about 20k miles and them seem to be wearing pretty good. As expected the fronts are wearing a little bit faster.
I live in upstate NY and driving in the snow part of life atleast 4 months out of the year. I have been very happy with their ability in the snow. No they don't handle as well as a snow tire but again for a year round tire they are good. My wife is the primary driver of the car and I am confident with her driving around in January with my two boys in the car.
If you are looking for great summer handling these aren't the tires. They do squeal rather easily when cornering hard and I don't have the lateral confidence in them that I would with a good set of summer tires.
I live in upstate NY and driving in the snow part of life atleast 4 months out of the year. I have been very happy with their ability in the snow. No they don't handle as well as a snow tire but again for a year round tire they are good. My wife is the primary driver of the car and I am confident with her driving around in January with my two boys in the car.
If you are looking for great summer handling these aren't the tires. They do squeal rather easily when cornering hard and I don't have the lateral confidence in them that I would with a good set of summer tires.
Overall they are a good all around tire, good wear, and fairly cheap price. $159, and $138 for front and rear's respectively
Compared with the test you listed from '08 where the KDW came in last, I'd say your money can be spent better elsewhere. Like I've been saying the whole time, it's not a *bad* tire, you can just get a whole lot more for your money.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...mparison_tests
Compared with the test you listed from '08 where the KDW came in last, I'd say your money can be spent better elsewhere. Like I've been saying the whole time, it's not a *bad* tire, you can just get a whole lot more for your money.
Compared with the test you listed from '08 where the KDW came in last, I'd say your money can be spent better elsewhere. Like I've been saying the whole time, it's not a *bad* tire, you can just get a whole lot more for your money.
So the C&D test is one year newer. wow.
I'd say it faired pretty well if you look at the skidpad numbers both wet and dry. It equaled the benchmark Michelin in the dry autocross, (which costs $70 more per tire than the KDW
)and finished 4th in the wet autocross. Put down the haterade dude. Last edited by SidewaysV8; Sep 23, 2010 at 02:16 PM. Reason: spelling
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Grand Prix GXP's came from the factory with Bridgestone Potenza tires.
Were you bitten by a rabid KDW at some point?
So the C&D test is one year newer. wow.
I'd say it faired pretty well if you look at the skidpad numbers both wet and dry. It equaled the benchmark Michelin in the dry autocross, (which costs $70 more per tire than the KDW)and finished 4th in the wet autocross. Put down the haterade dude.
So the C&D test is one year newer. wow.
I'd say it faired pretty well if you look at the skidpad numbers both wet and dry. It equaled the benchmark Michelin in the dry autocross, (which costs $70 more per tire than the KDW
)and finished 4th in the wet autocross. Put down the haterade dude. 
That thru me off a little. I’m really impressed with my Michelins. Stick like glue on dry pavement, haven’t had them hydroplane in the rain. I haven’t had them in the snow yet. I’m sorry to here your not happy with them, but my experience with them I would recommend them to anyone. However with my gutted cat and 3” exhaust I may not be hearing what your hearing.
Teching In
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Joshua, TX
I have the BFG KDW's, and after putting about 30k on them, I can honestly say I'll never own another set. The sidewalls squirm nervously when driven hard. I have not been impressed with much of any aspect of this tire, other than their looks.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Morristown, IN
That's a pretty bold way of saying it. Even on FWD?
I checked a few more places and by the time it was all over with the kuhmo's were the same price and i like their pattern.
In foresight, i need something more oriented for daily driving than having to worry about corners.
May have to stop by on the way home then...
I checked a few more places and by the time it was all over with the kuhmo's were the same price and i like their pattern.
In foresight, i need something more oriented for daily driving than having to worry about corners.
May have to stop by on the way home then...