KU 31 vs KU36
Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:35 pm
I know this has been covered but I'm sure someone will ask the question again, so thought this might help if someone searched for this.
A bit of background - my 2003 NB had Federal 595s on them when I picked up the car last year. I found them noisy plus being 16s, I really wanted 15s so I bought new rims and fitted KU31s. I wanted a sporty-ish tyre that wore well on the street and KU31s seemed to fit the bill.
The KU31s were very quiet on the street and rode very comfortably. On the track, I guess I quickly reached the limits of the tyre (ahem...) to where I was not comfortable with the progressiveness. Let me explain that a bit - the KU31s were great for me as I was getting back into track driving. I needed a tyre that was progressive, that gave plenty of warning, and the KU31s fit that bill. However, in the last couple of track outings I found that I was sliding a bit too much for my own comfort so didn't dare to push much harder lest I run out of track.
At the recent Circuit Club track day, I was running about 10 seconds behind Alex so we jumped in as passengers in each others cars. My feeling was that Alex's car on KU36 had significantly more grip and that allowed him to be much more aggressive in the turns. If he started sliding, he'd back off and/or correct and the car would regain grip very quickly. I couldn't do that in my car as the car would take a bit longer to regain grip and return to the desired line. That said, Alex is much more aggressive and pushes his car a lot harder...I just don't have the confidence to do that.
Anyway, decision made and I sold my KU31s after 5000kms and popped a set of KU36s on. I did contemplate a set of S or R spec tyres on a second set of wheels...but figured I would be too lazy to keep changing wheels and having the hide a second set of wheels around the house...too difficult.
Immediate impression is that the ride is a bit harsher (most likely due to stiffer sidewall), and there is just that little bit more tyre rumble - not intrusive, but you notice it.
So my view of the KU31 is that they are great as a daily tyre - quiet and more than enough grip on the road. However, if you plan on tracking your car, get a second set of wheels or don't bother with the KU31s.
Can't comment on grip and feel of the the KU36 on track yet, but we all know the KU36s will grip better. Question is how much more time I will gain! I'll get some impression at Marulan, and then look forward to the next Wakefield track day!
Perhaps Alex would like to comment on his impressions of the ride in my car? (but keep the comments about my pansy driving to PMs)
A bit of background - my 2003 NB had Federal 595s on them when I picked up the car last year. I found them noisy plus being 16s, I really wanted 15s so I bought new rims and fitted KU31s. I wanted a sporty-ish tyre that wore well on the street and KU31s seemed to fit the bill.
The KU31s were very quiet on the street and rode very comfortably. On the track, I guess I quickly reached the limits of the tyre (ahem...) to where I was not comfortable with the progressiveness. Let me explain that a bit - the KU31s were great for me as I was getting back into track driving. I needed a tyre that was progressive, that gave plenty of warning, and the KU31s fit that bill. However, in the last couple of track outings I found that I was sliding a bit too much for my own comfort so didn't dare to push much harder lest I run out of track.
At the recent Circuit Club track day, I was running about 10 seconds behind Alex so we jumped in as passengers in each others cars. My feeling was that Alex's car on KU36 had significantly more grip and that allowed him to be much more aggressive in the turns. If he started sliding, he'd back off and/or correct and the car would regain grip very quickly. I couldn't do that in my car as the car would take a bit longer to regain grip and return to the desired line. That said, Alex is much more aggressive and pushes his car a lot harder...I just don't have the confidence to do that.
Anyway, decision made and I sold my KU31s after 5000kms and popped a set of KU36s on. I did contemplate a set of S or R spec tyres on a second set of wheels...but figured I would be too lazy to keep changing wheels and having the hide a second set of wheels around the house...too difficult.
Immediate impression is that the ride is a bit harsher (most likely due to stiffer sidewall), and there is just that little bit more tyre rumble - not intrusive, but you notice it.
So my view of the KU31 is that they are great as a daily tyre - quiet and more than enough grip on the road. However, if you plan on tracking your car, get a second set of wheels or don't bother with the KU31s.
Can't comment on grip and feel of the the KU36 on track yet, but we all know the KU36s will grip better. Question is how much more time I will gain! I'll get some impression at Marulan, and then look forward to the next Wakefield track day!
Perhaps Alex would like to comment on his impressions of the ride in my car? (but keep the comments about my pansy driving to PMs)
Noise? What noise? The roof is down and the Bose volume is up. 
Then there's my tinnitus... 
