kumho xs vs rival in 205
 

i have only run the kumhos so far and im coming up on my next set here soon. was curious from those who have ran both on the track, how they compare. my 2 main concerns are dry grip and life. they will never be used in the wet. i have been really surprised by how longs these kumhos have lasted, and would like it if the rivals wear similarly while providing more traction.

they will be going on my relatively stock 90.

opinions?

Xs arent even that great

Rivals are better in every way by far, except for the price.
Still, you get what you pay for.

I'm back on some 205 XSs after cording a set of 225 Rivals.
The XSs aren't that bad. They love heat and complain loudly when nearing their max traction. They have a softer sidewall so turn in is a little slower. Mine have lasted a long time.
The Rivals turn in faster and for me, maybe because of the size difference, seem to have just a little more grip.

Z2

They're only $8 more each. Not a big deal if they perform. Eric, how much time did you get out of them? I only just recently found the turn in limit in some chicanes on the kumhos, could be the suspension to. But quicker turn in is always better.

Prettymuch everybody says the Kumhos last. Many complain the Rival doesn't. $ per lap clearly a Kumho win. Everything else says Rival.

All math that starts with rivals or _______ the answer is always Rivals unless you are comparing a 100TW or less.
Do you want to drive them on the street? If yes Rival, if no 100TW or less.
Are you trying to fit into a street class? If yes Rival, if no 100TW or less.
Are Rivals in stock? If yes Rival, if no 100TW or less
And so on.

I got the XS's a couple of years a go when I couldn't get RS-3s. I AutoX'ed them and drove them on the street for about 6 months. I did a couple of track days on them in the last 2 months. They probably have 40% left.

The Rival's lasted about 6 months of track and AutoX. I did 37 track days in 2013, about 1/2 of them were on Rivals.
I toasted the Rivals after working on my threashold braking at ECR and MSR-H for a couple of days. They probably had about 20% left on the other three that I didn't flat spot/cord. If my braking technique was better I'd still be driving them.

well based of that, they dont seem to wear much worse than the kumhos...

my friend and i share this car and each do 5, 20 minute sessions per track day, weve done either 10 or 11 track days and theyll go one more, maybe 2. if the bfgs last 8or 9, ill be happy.

i think ive made my choice and ill give the rivals a go, thanks guys.

I have heard the Rivals last a long time and wear very well. I will let you know when mine are done, but that will be a while......