Dar-Dar
Mordorator
- 19,329
- 9,901
- Vehicle Model
- Civic Si
- Body Style
- Fiji Blue Pearl Coupe Coolest Member Since: May 15, 2011
255/40/17 Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 vs 245/40/17 Michelin Pilot Super Duper Sport vs 225/45/17 Cooper RS3-S vs 205/50/17 General Tire Altimax Arctic (for lols)
Overall Diameter From Left to Right:
Kumho - 25"
Michelin - 24.7"
Cooper - 25"
General - 25.1"
All the tire sizes are very close in diameter. But visually, both the Michelin and Cooper tires look shorter than the other two since the Kumho and General are brand new. The Michelin tire probably has around 5k to 6k miles whereas the Cooper is close to the end of its tire life. The rubber is reaching the treadwear indicator.
Treadwear Rating (from Left to Right)
Kumho - 180AA
Michelin - 300AA
Cooper - 300AA
General Tire - N/A
The Kumho is an extreme high performance tire with a very low treadwear rating (180AA). However, it has the highest dry traction in the group depending on the climate condition. It is meant to be used for road racing and can be used for street use with potential risk involved. Low treadwear tires may have high grip on dry road, but they significantly lose grip on cooler temperatures. They also lose a good amount of traction on wet roads.
Both the Michelin Super Sport and Cooper RS3-S are high performance tires that can be used for both the street and track. With treadwear rating of 300AA, they have a very good tread life and can be used for many track days (depending on how aggressive the driver is).
The General Arctic does not have a treadwear rating since it is a tire that is used seasonally. It is a high performing tire on cooler conditions, whether the road is covered in snow or ice. This tire is not meant to be driven on warmer climates. It is made of a soft compound with soft sidewalls and will wear quickly on a warm dry road.
The Kumho measures at around 10" in width. It is such a wide dimension for a tiny car...if I ever put it on my Si.
Even though the Michelin is 10mm thinner than the Kumho (245 vs 255), I was only able to measure around 9" on the Super Sports. That's a difference of 25.4mm. I've read a review on Super Sports a while back (I forgot what forum) where someone mentioned that the width was unusually thinner than how 245s should really be. I think the tire was compared to another brand (possibly Continentals or Sport Comp 2s) with the same tire specs.
The Cooper is at a little over 8". Again, this is a 225 tire and it's close to the Michelin's width.
Notice how thin the treads are getting. When these tires need replacing, I'll purchase 215/45/17 all-season tires. Maybe Yokohamas.
And the General at around 8" with a contact patch width of 6.5".
Overall Diameter From Left to Right:
Kumho - 25"
Michelin - 24.7"
Cooper - 25"
General - 25.1"
All the tire sizes are very close in diameter. But visually, both the Michelin and Cooper tires look shorter than the other two since the Kumho and General are brand new. The Michelin tire probably has around 5k to 6k miles whereas the Cooper is close to the end of its tire life. The rubber is reaching the treadwear indicator.
Treadwear Rating (from Left to Right)
Kumho - 180AA
Michelin - 300AA
Cooper - 300AA
General Tire - N/A
The Kumho is an extreme high performance tire with a very low treadwear rating (180AA). However, it has the highest dry traction in the group depending on the climate condition. It is meant to be used for road racing and can be used for street use with potential risk involved. Low treadwear tires may have high grip on dry road, but they significantly lose grip on cooler temperatures. They also lose a good amount of traction on wet roads.
Both the Michelin Super Sport and Cooper RS3-S are high performance tires that can be used for both the street and track. With treadwear rating of 300AA, they have a very good tread life and can be used for many track days (depending on how aggressive the driver is).
The General Arctic does not have a treadwear rating since it is a tire that is used seasonally. It is a high performing tire on cooler conditions, whether the road is covered in snow or ice. This tire is not meant to be driven on warmer climates. It is made of a soft compound with soft sidewalls and will wear quickly on a warm dry road.
The Kumho measures at around 10" in width. It is such a wide dimension for a tiny car...if I ever put it on my Si.
Even though the Michelin is 10mm thinner than the Kumho (245 vs 255), I was only able to measure around 9" on the Super Sports. That's a difference of 25.4mm. I've read a review on Super Sports a while back (I forgot what forum) where someone mentioned that the width was unusually thinner than how 245s should really be. I think the tire was compared to another brand (possibly Continentals or Sport Comp 2s) with the same tire specs.
The Cooper is at a little over 8". Again, this is a 225 tire and it's close to the Michelin's width.
Notice how thin the treads are getting. When these tires need replacing, I'll purchase 215/45/17 all-season tires. Maybe Yokohamas.
And the General at around 8" with a contact patch width of 6.5".
