Khumo Solus tires

[Stu]

I searched but could not find anything so .....

Anyone here ever had a set of Khumo Solus tires ?
Thinking of buying some but not sure if they will run quiet and smooth
like the Michelin MXV4 Plus tires I had before and liked

[kyle@tirerack]

The link below will take you to tests we have done in comparing the Solus to other comparable tires. Let me know if I can help.
Tests

[TRAVISDTD]

They look like a pretty hard tire. If you liked the Michelins I wouldn't go changing it up just to save a buck or two. The Michelins are top notch tires.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by TRAVISDTD

They look like a pretty hard tire. If you liked the Michelins I wouldn't go changing it up just to save a buck or two. The Michelins are top notch tires.

The savings is more than a buck or two. In Canada the savings is about $200 on a set of 4 Solus tires. I consider $200 to be a large savings. Yes Michelins are good tires, but on top of the considerable savings, Tire Rack rates the Solus higher in all categories over Michelins ... so I see the Solus being a better, less expensive tire.

Why would anyone pay more for a lower rated tire?

Also why do you mean when you say that the Solus "looks like a hard tire" ?

[TRAVISDTD]

Sorry in advance for the lengthy reply but....
I looked at the UTQG-tread wear, on the Solus and it is relatively high. (the Michelin you like might be high too but) Generally speaking, the higher the UTQG the harder the tire and the longer a tire should last. This is a good thing if you are looking for a long lasting highway tire. However, its good to note that properties in a tire that make it last a long time are the opposite of properties that make a tire stick to the road for performance, If a tire is too hard it will not stop as fast or stick to the road as well around corners as a tire with a lower UTQG or softer tire.
With a hard tire you also compromise comfort. Hard tires are stiffer and absorb less bumps in the road.
I should mention though that no one should base all their comparisons on UTQG's because there is no industry standard for what determines these ratings. In other words Michelin tests their tires a certain way to determine what they say is their tires UTQG and say Kuhmo or any other manufacture sets their own tests to determine their tires UTQG. That said if you are comparing tread ware ratings between two different tire manufactures don't let that be your sole decision. Tire manufactures can put what ever they want on their tire for a UTQG. Compare tread design, compare tread compounds, and how the tire is constructed. Look at your driving style and conditions and find the tire that best suits you. I stand behind Michelin I know their manufacturing is top notch. I know their construction is advanced and I trust their UTQG's based on tires I have had and based on consumer reports. Yeah you pay a little more but tires aren't just black, round and rubber anymore they are probably one of the highest engineered products for your car.
It's good that you are shopping and asking these questions. Tires are a very important part of your vehicle and shouldn't be loosely considered. The guys at Discount Tire are very educated they have helped me get proper products for my vehicles they have made great suggestions for me, discounttiredirect.com is their online site. they match prices too. There are others who will sell you anything they can, they don't, at least they haven't to me. -- my .02 Im sure others will support.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by TRAVISDTD

Sorry in advance for the lengthy reply but....
I looked at the UTQG-tread wear, on the Solus and it is relatively high. (the Michelin you like might be high too but) Generally speaking, the higher the UTQG the harder the tire and the longer a tire should last. This is a good thing if you are looking for a long lasting highway tire. However, its good to note that properties in a tire that make it last a long time are the opposite of properties that make a tire stick to the road for performance, If a tire is too hard it will not stop as fast or stick to the road as well around corners as a tire with a lower UTQG or softer tire.
With a hard tire you also compromise comfort. Hard tires are stiffer and absorb less bumps in the road.
I should mention though that no one should base all their comparisons on UTQG's because there is no industry standard for what determines these ratings. In other words Michelin tests their tires a certain way to determine what they say is their tires UTQG and say Kuhmo or any other manufacture sets their own tests to determine their tires UTQG. That said if you are comparing tread ware ratings between two different tire manufactures don't let that be your sole decision. Tire manufactures can put what ever they want on their tire for a UTQG. Compare tread design, compare tread compounds, and how the tire is constructed. Look at your driving style and conditions and find the tire that best suits you. I stand behind Michelin I know their manufacturing is top notch. I know their construction is advanced and I trust their UTQG's based on tires I have had and based on consumer reports. Yeah you pay a little more but tires aren't just black, round and rubber anymore they are probably one of the highest engineered products for your car.
It's good that you are shopping and asking these questions. Tires are a very important part of your vehicle and shouldn't be loosely considered. The guys at Discount Tire are very educated they have helped me get proper products for my vehicles they have made great suggestions for me, discounttiredirect.com is their online site. they match prices too. There are others who will sell you anything they can, they don't, at least they haven't to me. -- my .02 Im sure others will support.

Thanks for the reply, and I agree Michelins are excellent, but in Canada a set of 4 is $650 installed and balanced and I am trying to buy something less expensive. I no longer drive very fast and I never corner hard, so I figure I dont need a sticky, fast wearing, high performance tire. Your statement that hard high milage tires will deliver less comfort was a bit of a surprise. I usually let the tire shop choose for me. Now that I have read so much at Tire Racks website, I am more confused than ever

[kyle@tirerack]

You could also contact us at the Tire Rack as we are a direct sponsor of Toyota Nation.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by TRAVISDTD

Call the guys at discounttiredirect, .... I bet they ship to Canada too.

Originally Posted by kyle@tirerack

You could also contact us at the Tire Rack as we are a direct sponsor of Toyota Nation.

Thanks but its much easier to buy and pick up locally.

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by Stu

Thanks but its much easier to buy and pick up locally.

Heh...I can buy AND pick up locally at TireRack! Just did it today and bought 2 Sumitomo HTR4s.

[blu_91_cam]

I just had my Solus kr21 installed in Nov. on my 91 camry. I wasant replacing Michelin but yokohamas. Honestly I think that my yok's were better kind of regret not getting them instead. But the kumos are decent tires no great substitute for Michelins but they work pretty well. Dry weather traction is great while wet weather traction is simply ok. Tires arent as quiet as my old yok's so i doubt they'd be compared to your Michelin's. I'm not too sure on how the longevity of the tire is as I've only out about 7k mi. on it so far but it looks like the small treads near the center of the tire are beginning to fuse together. All in all Kumo's are a decent tire for the price but if I was you going from Michelins I'd pick something a little more expensive but better quality .... something like yokohamas.

[Hajoca]

I bought a set of Pirelli's P6 from Green Bay tire for my sienna, and they have been very good in the winter so far, both snow and rain. I put them on last fall so I do not know how they will be in the summer.

They replaced my michelins (Energy Mxv4) I found P6 wet and snow braking was much better, and the ABS kicked in less often compared to the Energy's even when new.

Shipping tires is expensive.

Originally Posted by Stu

Thanks but its much easier to buy and pick up locally.