Kumho V700?

[dquarasr2]

I've been an autocrosser since '89, and through the years have tried a lot of the "competitive" autocross and roadrace compounds available.

For a number of years I've had very good luck with Kumho Victoracer V700 tires. They're not really competitive for autocross, however, for track events they're perfect: last a long time, perform decently, don't cord easily under braking (non-ABS car), and are relatively inexpensive.

(My all-time favorite was the BFG R1, good wear AND was the leading tire, even at SCCA Autocross Nationals. But I digress.)

My track and autocross experience was limited to that in first my '91 Mustang and then my '94 and my son's '99 Miatas, but so far, for track events, it's hard to beat the V700.

My '91 NSX came with 16-17" wheels on the car, with the factory set of 15-16" OEM's and Yokohama A032-R mounted. Unfortunately, these are just about done. They've been heat cycled way too many times, and they're more than 5 years old, so much so that they're showing hairline cracks, signs of dry-rotting in between the tread blocks. So they're toast.

I see that there is good support of Toyo RA1 here on this forum.

My question: Anybody tried both and can give a heads-up comparison? It's time for me to buy and while I have experience with the V700 on Miatas and would be inclined to purchase a set of those, I'd like some opinions from those that have "been there" with an NSX.

 

[RP-Motorsports]

I ran V700's on my turbo Integra track car, and while not quite as quick as the Hoosiers, they are a tire that you can beat on, and for the price you don't care. They don't flat spot as easy as the Hoosiers. They give a gradual "grease" feel when over heated, but completely controllable.

I am running the V700's for the first time on the NSX in 5 weeks, mostly to be different. Usually we use the RA1's. The Kumhos are a lot cheaper, and I am going to try to run with the Z06's with them! I will let you know......

FYI I am going to try the 15/16's in spring, and 17/18's later in the year with big brakes.

 

[ncdogdoc]

I use V700's in the 15/16 sizes on the track rat. I really like them, but I have never used any other R compound. My next step is Hoosiers then true slicks hopefully before NSXPO as I am going to need some super secret cheating bastard trick to spank you guys at Sebring

 

[SDNSX]

anyone think you can use kumho v700 for daily driver ?

 

[RP-Motorsports]

anyone think you can use kumho v700 for daily driver ?

I wouldn't reccomend it, because when cold, coming out of your block, and you hit the first turn, you will end up in your neighbors front lawn!

DOT race tires, need to be heated up just like a true slick. It would be fun to run a set daily on a crx or something, but not an NSX. They will sep out on you big time without notice. Your mind will not allow you to always remember to "baby" it, and all it takes is 1 time to smack a parked car, a mailbox, a person etc. At least on the track when this happens, everyone is going 1 way, and at a slower pace on the first lap, and you are surrounded by grass, gravel etc.

 

[Chuck]

I've run V700 (in 17-18" configuration) for the last couple of years. Always thought they were a good value for the grip they provided. I also ran them on the street keeping in mind I didn't run my car in the winter. Then last year Kuhmo ran out of the size I was using so I purchased a set of RA1's. The grip was better, they didn't get greasy after pushing them hard and they lasted the whole season (10 track events). In fact I'll probably get a couple of more track events before I replace the rears. So even though they are more expensive to start with, I believe the cost works out in the long run because of the longevity and it is a better tire.

 

[nsxtasy]

Usually we use the RA1's. The Kumhos are a lot cheaper

They're pretty close in price; the RA-1 is cheaper in the front, the Kumho is cheaper in the rear:

205/50-15 F, 225/50-16 R:
Toyo RA-1 (Frisby) $130F/$171R
Kumho V700 Victoracer (Tire Rack) $136F/$156R

Maybe your cost (as a tire retailer) is different...

 

[RP-Motorsports]

Maybe your cost (as a tire retailer) is different...

:wink:

 

[dquarasr2]

Thanks for all the feedback. See, I knew I should ask as I wasn't sure my experience would relate to the NSX. In my 2200-lb Miata, 45 minutes of track driving never got the Kumhos "greasy" from heat. Once they warmed up they stayed very consistent with great, predictable grip.

I wasn't sure how they'd work on a heavier (and faster) NSX. Now I know. The price differential is marginal. If there's more grip and similar or even better wear, seems like a no-brainer to go with the RA-1.

I assume they're just like any other R-compound tire, that they need to be bedded in (heat cycled) once before using aggressively. I also assume they can be used full tread depth. I am loathe to shave off perfectly good rubber, since I won't need the extra 10ths as I won't be using them competitively, just for HPDE track days.

Thanks for the info.

 

[nsxtasy]

I assume they're just like any other R-compound tire, that they need to be bedded in (heat cycled) once before using aggressively.

That's best. All you need to do is drive them about 20 miles at highway speeds, then take them off the car for a couple of days; no need to pay extra to do that.

I also assume they can be used full tread depth. I am loathe to shave off perfectly good rubber, since I won't need the extra 10ths as I won't be using them competitively, just for HPDE track days.

Yup. I do the same thing, for the same reason. They come with 8/32" tread from the factory.

Click here if you're not sure where to buy them.

 

[Chuck]

They're pretty close in price; the RA-1 is cheaper in the front, the Kumho is cheaper in the rear:

205/50-15 F, 225/50-16 R:
Toyo RA-1 (Frisby) $130F/$171R
Kumho V700 Victoracer (Tire Rack) $136F/$156R

Maybe your cost (as a tire retailer) is different...

Hey Ken, try that comparison with the 17-18" size.:smile: :frown:

 

[nsxtasy]

Hey Ken, try that comparison with the 17-18" size.:smile: :frown:

Is that supposed to be a trick question?

The Victoracers don't come in 18" sizes.

 

[Chuck]

Is that supposed to be a trick question?

The Victoracers don't come in 18" sizes.

No trick question, the ESCTA V700 is what we run in 17-18".

 

[nsxtasy]

No trick question, the ESCTA V700 is what we run in 17-18".

Different tire. Since the original poster mentioned the V700 Victoracer, I assumed we were talking about that. The Ecsta V700 is slightly less expensive than the V700 Victoracer.

What size front Ecsta V700 are you using? The smallest 17" size in that tire is 245/40-17, which is HUGE (the stock REAR size). I know some people use bigger tires on the track, but it's usually no larger than 235/40 at the largest...

 

[Chuck]

Different tire. Since the original poster mentioned the V700 Victoracer, I assumed we were talking about that. The Ecsta V700 is slightly less expensive than the V700 Victoracer.

What size front Ecsta V700 are you using? The smallest 17" size in that tire is 245/40-17, which is HUGE (the stock REAR size). I know some people use bigger tires on the track, but it's usually no larger than 235/40 at the largest...

When I ran the V700 tire, I was running 235/40 R17 and 285/30 R18. I just checked the Tire Rack site and see they don't list those sizes any longer. No matter, I'm more then happy with the R1's. BTW, I still have a new 235/40 17 if anyone needs one.