Khumo KU39 tyre reports

PhilM · Postby **PhilM** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 2:34 pm

Anyone been using the Khumo KU39s for a while - what are they like? Looking at 205 40 17.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:32 pm

Phil I had KU39s on my 135i for a couple years before I traded it. Even did a few laps at Wakefield Park with them. They're OK. Certainly better than the stock Bridgestone runflats.

PhilM · Postby **PhilM** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 5:17 pm

Thanks Brian
They are for my 17" road tyres, so I need reasonable wet grip and quiet running but will have to do some Lakeside laps at Natmeet.
Rang around for some RE002s and they are $250 for 17" and probably wont have the wet grip needed.
Today i rang my local Tyrepower owner (ive used for 30 years) has them on his 06 NC and said they are good wet & dry and quiet so I ordered a set at $160 ea. I'll put the $400 difference towards some 15" R specs.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:05 pm

"They're great tyres man 'coz they're like 2 better than KU37s!"

PhilM · Postby **PhilM** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 9:09 am

Err, are they like, 8 better than KU31s :lol:

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 9:18 am

You are all assuming the higher number the better? What is the lower number is better? :lol:

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 9:30 am

I liked my set of KU39 - but I think I like the Star Spec a little more.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 11:37 am

OurCognitiveSurplus wrote:I liked my set of KU39 - but I think I like the Star Spec a little more.

Me too - they're a lot better.

But Star Specs are a LOT more expensive and difficult to buy than KU39s. The Kumhos are fine for daily driving and the odd trackday.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:37 pm

Guran wrote:
OurCognitiveSurplus wrote:I liked my set of KU39 - but I think I like the Star Spec a little more.

Me too - they're a lot better. But Star Specs are a LOT more expensive and difficult to buy than KU39s. The Kumhos are fine for daily driving and the odd trackday.

Did you buy yours locally or O/S? I bought my Star Specs from tirerack.com in the US and they worked out cheaper than locally purchased KU37s.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 2:13 pm

I looked at Tire Rack, but the net cost with shipping, getting them fitted & balanced, and disposal of old tyres worked out to be line ball with buying locally, without the hassle of having to cart the tyres to get them fitted. I figured that was worth the extra $50 or so it cost to buy local.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 2:27 pm

Star Specs are a completely different type of tyre. Cannot even compare the two. Ones a semi and the other is a street tyre.

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 2:49 pm

project.r.racing wrote:Star Specs are a completely different type of tyre. Cannot even compare the two. Ones a semi and the other is a street tyre.

I disagree with this. I think they are both street tyres. Tire Rack classes them both as 'extreme performance summer' http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/extremeperf.jsp

I got my star specs from tire rack because I couldn't find them in Canberra.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 5:48 pm

They also give R888s, KU36s and RS3s in that same 'extreme' category. Again design and function are completely different from a KU39s.

PhilM · Postby **PhilM** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:57 pm

Thanks Everyone
My problem is that I need the tyres in 205 40 17 - unfortunately 45 profile tyres rub on my NA inner guard - I tried some SE wheels with 45 profile. 45s fit ok in NC guards.
I would have purchased Neova ad008r, Star specs/ KU36s etc if they came in that size. The other option was RE002s but I think their wet road and noise levels for what I want to use them for - Spirited runs on noisy bitumen & long trips. + they were $50 ea more - that I can put towards a new set of 15" R specs to replace the crap 14" AO48s that I cant wear out now (after about 10 track days inc driving 600kms there)
So - I ended up with some KU39s put on the wheels today - haven't tried them on the car yet. :roll:

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 10:02 am

project.r.racing wrote:They also give R888s, KU36s and RS3s in that same 'extreme' category. Again design and function are completely different from a KU39s.

Ah, ok, I see my mistake. I'm getting KU36 and KU39 mixed up. I've had KU36 and Star Spec on my car. I think they are comparable, but the star spec is slightly better.