Avid Touring VS Kumho kh11

[Vigo]

ive been looking at 215/60r16s for my avenger, and since the car is never driven that hard or autocrossed i am not looking for the same handling/traction bias kind of tire i have on my dynasty, im looking for something that will last a long time and be a good value, but still let the car be fun to push through the turns when i get the urge. the car handles good and could probably benefit from a much higher performance tire, but as it sits right now my gf just isnt interested in driving it that way, and ive got my bucks in the smartest possible place. i love yoko avid tourings, ive driven on them multiple times and been impressed every time. imo for the price ive not ridden on a better 'just cruising' tire. tirerack has them for 51 a piece in that size. but i also see the kumho kh11 grand touring tire for the same price in the same size, and it LOOKS so much better aesthetically im giving serious thought to it, but for now im curious if anyone here has any experience with them? i dont know whether id spend the bucks on them in that size, when ive already pretty much opted out of 225/50 ecsta supras unless my gf decides she wants to start doing some racing.

i dont know if the tire would really be a good value in that size, but i also have worries about the touring's speed rating, because the avenger can go well past 110 and does. im used to high speed driving, and ive driven faster on lower rated tires, but now that i look back on it im not sure id be willing to take the same chances again.

when it comes down to it, if theres a good chance of the tourings coming apart past their rated speed id go for another tire.

what have you guys got to say about all that? thanks

[Cy@tirerack]

I'd go with KH11's, aside from the legitimate safety concern. At lower speeds you'll have some "mushiness" in the lower speed rated tire because the you'll have more flex in the sidewall.

[Vigo]

well, if i were to do that, which im thinking sounds better all the time, than theres another possible dilemma.. should i buy the 215/60 kh11 for 51 bucks, or skip on by it and get 225/50 ecsta supras for around 70.

anyone got any driving comparison between those two? my bud has just put 225/50r16 supras on his maxima, but he wont push it and wont let me either, so i am frustratingly lacking in personal experience on them. i know a fair number of the people i autocross with have used them, and i know they are good for the price, but does anyone have experience with both they can relate?

another part of this decision: ive got some extra 15s that i could just stick some azenis or a good 225/50r15 on for competition, and then just get the avids for the 16s and not go that fast.

im pretty sure i wouldnt have much problem with the squirm, because ive driven on 70 series avid tourings and thought they handled awesome for that kind of tall sidewall tire.

on the other hand, i want to keep the steering response of the avenger sharp. one of my considerations with picking the 215/60 size is that its both a little bit wider and taller than the stock 205/55, and i think it needs that to fill in the fender gap (combined with a slight drop) and look right.

any more comments appreciated!

[Cy@tirerack]

What year and trim is your Avenger? Stock wheels? If not stock what is the rim width?

[Vigo]

96 ES 16x6 stock i think.

[Cy@tirerack]

Go 215/60-16 KH11 better match for the width of a rim, 225's like a wider rim and would "fall" over when you corner.

[Vigo]

enough so to offset the benefit of the tire for handling vs the taller/softer sidewall of the kh11? i was also thinking about 215/55 ecsta supras. i know those fit fine on a 6.0 inch rim, but i just kinda feel bad about not getting either a relatively soft/tall sidewall touring tire or a shorter/stiffer performance tire. it just seems to me that anything in the middle is kind of a silly compromise when i could mount a dedicated performance tire on the extra rims.. anyway thanks for all the advice, if and when i get some new tires for the thing ill let you know my experiences with them.

speaking of experiences, i WISH very much that they made sumitomo htr200s in 16 inch sizes, they are SO good for the money. i think nobodys surprised more people in a dynasty than i have, and i have to give major props to my tires for being an awesome 20% at the least of my total performance. usually i would say tires are 5% and i just shill out some more skill to make up for it. lol

and also, bridgestone re910, NOISY AS HELL AT ANY SPEED!!